Aero oil pull

[Bunyip]

Hi guys,
Ive been offered a 2nd hand half belt in mint condition. I think it is the oil pull leather. There seems to be quite a variation of the texture over the years with this offering. The jacket is overseas, so am unable to feel the texture, or get a decent real life look. The owner says it feels like suede. I'm wondering how this will age? Does it get darker/ lighter? Will it stain?
I have included a couple of pics. Any help would be much appreciated, it looks very interesting, and for once, the measurements add up. I need to move on it fairly quickly. Last time I sat on my hands for a night, and it was gone before I woke up!Cheers.

 

[handymike]

HD, is that the same as yours?

 

[Sloan1874]

I would say that the texture is closer to nubuck than suede. It's one of those leathers takes on character really quickly, I guess it's the equivalent of unstained wood with a clear varnish on it.
Actually, Aero have this to say on it: "Vintage 'Oil Pull Up' Horsehide, a leather stuffed with natural oils and waxes during the tanning process before being sealed under a clear top finish which lets all the character of the hide show through whilst allowing subtle natural variations in shade to develop as the jacket moulds to the wearers figure. The "Natural" way to a vintage Horsehide A2, these A2s are going to look magnificent in a year or two's time, we can tell that from seeing old A2s made in the early 90's in the Oil Pull Steerhide, we've never had one of these back as a trade in!
"You will note this jacket appears duller than in the close up shot. That is the nature of the beast, all Aniline type finishes vary from hide to hide, what we are showing is probably the two extremes of shininess and dullness, although, with wear, all these jackets eventually wear to a flatter duller finish with masses of stunning patina and deep shading over the years."

 

[Monitor]

Bunyip, my first Aero was a black oil pull HH. It does feel slightly suede-ish - or yes, more like nubuck, as Sloan says - compared to the standard stuff, now that you've mentioned it. It's very pliable but also very... substantial leather. Has a kind of meaty quality to it, difficult to explain. As for the colour, the jacket was considerably lighter than any regular FQHH Aero I've had, bordering with gray. Anyway, perhaps you'll find some use of this: http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab227/DogLizard/MC/DSCN0486_resize_zps49ed9df3.jpg
I've taken a plenty of hi-res photos of it, plenty of close ups so just keep clicking left for more photos and don't forget to click the magnifying glass as the pictures are quite large.

 

[Fanch]

I have gone through the same thing as you trying to decide about oil pulled HH, and HD was tremendous help as he has a HB with oil pulled HH. He also described the suede like feel and look after broken in. If "for once, the measurements add up" and the price is right ...

 

[Sloan1874]

Yes, I would be tempted. A very unique hide.

 

[Bunyip]

Cheers guys, it looks quite nice, I just don't need something that will stain easily. I've never really considered the oils pull apart from some of the darker, "greasier" chocolate coloured ones I've seen.
I'm still bitter twisted about missing a teamster 6 months ago, perfect measurements, unworn, cordovan with a few custom bits. Had the money on me at the time, slept on it, was super pumped, and it was gone in 5 hours( I don't sleep much)..this is a different jacket than I have been planning, but at half the price of a new one, I might just jump on it.
Any other advice or pics of well worn oil pull will be much appreciated.
Thanks guys, have a cracking Christmas won't you? It's 8.30 am Xmas morn here, trying to get fired up for Xmas lunch with the relatives and about 20 spoilt brats....I have a carton of beer on ice, that should help considerably.

 

[Fanch]

Bunyip, if you cruise old threads and posts of HD, you can probably find pics of him wearing his Aero oil pull HB.

 

[Bunyip]

Yes, I would be tempted. A very unique hide.

Sloan do you know if it will stain like nubuck, how will it cope in the rain? I know they are tough hides, I just know nought about them, as I've always had my eye on others hides. Cheers.

 

[Sloan1874]

Not sure, tbh. My experience with aniline leather, a russet buffalo A-2, is that it will absorb rain but it dries without staining, though over time it will darken generally.

 

[handymike]

Or you could darken the whole jacket with some Pecard's

 

[HoosierDaddy]

HD, is that the same as yours?

It is very similar to mine...but the one I have is steer. I don't wear it much..because it picks up lint like crazy. Much worse than regular suede. Plus mine has a cardboardish type feel to it after all the years(8..?) Can't recommend this type of oil pull.
HD

 

[HoosierDaddy]

However...Aero's oil pull leather has differed over the years...with the newest lacking such a suedy or nubuck finish..but a smoother grainy hide which I prefer.
HD

PS..Mark Moye (at the time)advised me not to use any kind of leather dressing on that nappy type of finish..or even wetting it to shape since that could blotch or ruin the finish.

 

[Plumbline]

I've had 2 or three in this type of leather ( an Indy and a highwayman from Aero and a drifter from Alexanders) all three I darkened with renapur with no ill effects and the resultant finish was really durable and highly resistant to wetting and staining.

Overall it's much closer to unbuckle than suede and the suede finish " polished off" in a relatively short time on the entry to pockets, collar and cuffs and high wear spots. Looked pretty cool and well worn and was a nice soft pliable leather much more wearable than FQHH from the off.

I'd happily buy another ... But I'd treat it and lose the suede effect ( which I got bored with very quickly )

 

[djgo-cat-go]

I only have two leather jackets.. My aero A2 is oil pull hh, i bought it 6 or 7 years ago.. i never treated the leather with anything. At first I was not sure if i liked the leather so much, it indeed had a rubbery feel, very substantial but pliable. Not really grainy leather, very smooth. I have come to like it more and more, and right now, i would really recommend it. Sloan quoted the description for aero oil pull hh, and this was the description that made me 'pull' the trigger on this type of leather.. I hope my pictures will be of help to you:







I never was too much worried about being in the rain, it actually holds up very well in the rain.. I never worried to much about staining... as you can see there are some darker markings especially on the right frontpanel.. they were there after the first couple of wear sessions.. Offcourse, it made my heart sink into my shoes at first, but now i think it contributes to the character of the jacket.. The combination of shiny area's and duller parts really make this jacket a looker in my opinion. People are generally very impressed by this jacket still..

 

[oneterrifichog]

I had a Aero Stockman in Oil Pulled Horse about 6 years ago. This looks like the same type of Horsehide. It wore very well and held it's shape but you have to be careful with it. For example if you drive long distances take it off and throw it in the back seat (wrinkles and dents in the elbows). Don't spill food or coffee on it and stay out of anything other than a mild rain. It is not suede but it is not FQHH by a long shot. I kept it for about a year then sold it on the bay. This jacket has been on ebay for awhile and even though it looks great be aware that you can either just wear the crap out of it and get a nice patina real quick or you can fuss over it to keep it looking good.

 

[Bunyip]

Hog man and HD, I'm grateful for the heads up. I run pubs for a living, and spill rum for a hobby. In between I tiptoe through letters from the bank and pay $10 a week off my bike mechanics bill. I don't need a fragile jacket. I've scrapped up enough for a j 106 and and a teamster, I thought I might have snagged a deal and let the teamster go. I think I'm better off just paying a bit extra and getting what I want.

 

[nick123]

Isn't Aero's oil pull now different than of old? I thought I read that somewhere.

 

[pawineguy]

Hog man and HD, I'm grateful for the heads up. I run pubs for a living, and spill rum for a hobby. In between I tiptoe through letters from the bank and pay $10 a week off my bike mechanics bill. I don't need a fragile jacket. I've scrapped up enough for a j 106 and and a teamster, I thought I might have snagged a deal and let the teamster go. I think I'm better off just paying a bit extra and getting what I want.

Every time I have jumped at something quickly when I wasn't 100% sure I ended up selling it soon after.

 

[Fanch]

... on the other hand if the measurements and price are right, the oil pull jacket could be a winner. I bought an Aero Bronco A-2 in russet jerky MWHH that fits like a glove, has great patina, and is my not cold weather go to jacket that I grab on the fly. You never know. [huh]