Ask a Question, Get An Answer About Outerwear

[newtojackets]

Same as yours. These matte looking ones are just sprayed over or something. Schott doesn't make an accurate B-3 replica so I wouldn't expect them to have the kind of coating authentic to the actual military jackets. This is what you need to look for. Eastman, Aero and an earlier RMC make the best ones ever, if I am to be asked.

have you potentially handled the Avi Leather B-3? I love the look of it (very similar to RMC), so keen to hear thoughts about it

 

[Marc mndt]

Never realised? Does that mean the durability is far worse than typical leather / a usual sheepskin hide?

My B2 doesn't have much of a topcoat by design. That doesn't mean that the jacket is not durable, it just means that it's not water resistant.

 

[newtojackets]

My B2 doesn't have much of a topcoat by design. That doesn't mean that the jacket is not durable, it just means that it's not water resistant.

View attachment 655499 View attachment 655500

What I'm trying to understand is why does the outside of your jacket still look like it's made of matte leather rather than suede (the typically nappy hair texture), if it doesn't have the coating?

@Monitor

 

[MrProper]

What I'm trying to understand is why does the outside of your jacket still look like it's made of matte leather rather than suede (the typically nappy hair texture), if it doesn't have the coating?

@Monitor

I think because the flesh side of sheep is not as fuzzy as that of cow or horse. But maybe it is just sanded so that it is similar to nubuck. My sheepskins are like that. And over time, the stressed areas become smooth.

 

[Canuck Panda]

I have tried on a Schott B3 in store years ago and it was not of the acrylic coating kind. But I have also seen the acrylic coating kind. So there are both out there.

Acrylic coating is stiffer than the non acrylic coating ones. I wouldn't call it better or worse quality. For me the quality of the shearling is the density of the fur. I have budget ones and they are not as dense as the more expensive ones.

Hard or soft outer shell is a personal choice. You can have it all clad in horsehide and make an armor out of it or go suede and soft like very thick sweats. Stiff or soft will determine what kind of drape you want.

I don't think fading is that bad. The full acrylic finish can be a bit stiff for most people. Think FQHH.

Density of the fur matters, top is medium density, middle is budget low density, and bottom is high density. You can have super dense and shorter furs. The budget ones I had have longer but curled fur to hide the bald spots. Spread the fur out to see.

 

[newtojackets]

I have tried on a Schott B3 in store years ago and it was not of the acrylic coating kind. But I have also seen the acrylic coating kind. So there are both out there.

Acrylic coating is stiffer than the non acrylic coating ones. I wouldn't call it better or worse quality. For me the quality of the shearling is the density of the fur. I have budget ones and they are not as dense as the more expensive ones.

Hard or soft outer shell is a personal choice. You can have it all clad in horsehide and make an armor out of it or go suede and soft like very thick sweats. Stiff or soft will determine what kind of drape you want.

View attachment 655507

I don't think fading is that bad. The full acrylic finish can be a bit stiff for most people. Think FQHH.

Density of the fur matters, top is medium density, middle is budget low density, and bottom is high density. You can have super dense and shorter furs. The budget ones I had have longer but curled fur to hide the bald spots. Spread the fur out to see.
View attachment 655508

I really like that second jacket (the brown B-3). Where is that from?

 

[MrProper]

My B2 doesn't have much of a topcoat by design. That doesn't mean that the jacket is not durable, it just means that it's not water resistant.

View attachment 655499 View attachment 655500

In any case, it looks pretty cool.

 

[Monitor]

have you potentially handled the Avi Leather B-3? I love the look of it (very similar to RMC), so keen to hear thoughts about it

No, never.

My B2 doesn't have much of a topcoat by design. That doesn't mean that the jacket is not durable, it just means that it's not water resistant.

View attachment 655499 View attachment 655500

Yes, that. Just to clarify, I am talking strictly about the durability of the finish. The leather - Or the jacket itself - Is a whole other issue of course which has nothing to do with the type of finish it is coated with.

Also, beautiful jacket!!

What I'm trying to understand is why does the outside of your jacket still look like it's made of matte leather rather than suede (the typically nappy hair texture), if it doesn't have the coating?

@Monitor

@MrProper answered your question correctly.

The tannery can sand the leather to near smooth surface, just as they can leave it naturally fuzzy. This is a very high-end jacket that has been carefully sanded to get the uniform, clean look and was then lightly coated.

But it could've been made to look any way the maker wanted.