Capeskin vs horse/steer

[nick123]

It's been discussed before, but I'm eyeing an A-1 made from cape, possibly an ELC for warmer weather. Does it hold up or better to go with another hide?

 

[Interbak]

Hey Nick,

I suppose it depends on how you are going to treat it. I have 2 A-1's, a Headwind and a Goodwear, the cape skin couldn't be more different. The HW is very light and smooth, very lamb like, the GW is quite a bit heavier and pretty robust, neither of them are anything like the typical horse hide you see on A-2's. I haven't seen an ELC in person so I can't comment on there's.

B

 

[devilish]

I have a GW A-1 that is a one off and is made from a 'washed' capeskin that JC did as a test. As mentioned above it isn't going to be as tough as horse/steer but is still a fairly thick leather. It is much more soft and drapes nicely. In my opinion the A-1 just looks wrong made in a stiff leather. It's meant to be a blouson not a suit of armour. If used as just a 'jacket' and not for riding or working in then the capeskin is fine.

 

[mr_lits]

Like Devilish said it is a softer leather but still quite robust. I have a GW cape A1 as well and the leather is quite soft with lots of drape, but still feels quite durable. I also have an ELC Hartmann that is in their cape skin and though it has a lot less character to the grain feels more robust and requires a bit more brake in than the Goodwear cape (which is butter from brand new). I like ELC cape and it feels a little more "workwear" than the GW.

 

[Worf]

I've also got a GW in that soft Capeskin. It was my go to jacket for a while but I've found that the hide was beginning to wear thin on the right side, my driving side. Not visible to the naked eye perhaps but the hide on the right rear of the jacket is notably smoother and more supple than the left side. Interesting. Now that GW is just for special occasions

Worf

 

[Seb Lucas]

It's very hot here Nick. What works best I think is 2.5oz goat or a thin cowhide -2oz. I imagine Johnson would be able to source a thin cowhide and goat. I have a Johnson cafe racer in a thin goatskin that works for much of the year. There is 3oz goat too which is too warm I think for our conditions.

In these conditions tend to wear a Baracuta G4.

 

[bn1966]

I purchased a Cape ELC A-1 for warm weather & have been very pleased with it. The jacket is a lovely shade, very light, comfortable and I like the drape; the A-1 is my lightest leather & viewed as a fine leather cardigan by myself. one angle I do like with the A-1 is that most people don't realise it's military heritage. Could post pics at the weekend if wanted.

 

[Dr H]

It's been discussed before, but I'm eyeing an A-1 made from cape, possibly an ELC for warmer weather. Does it hold up or better to go with another hide?

I've had a lot of capeskin jackets (many A-1 jackets and some vintage McGregor Sportswear).
It's a very soft a pliable hide (and surprisingly warm), but you do need to be a little more aware of how you wear it around sharp edges/snags.
The only exception to this is is my ELC 0.50cal A-1 (pictured in the avatar), which is really robust (the equal of a light horsehide). The in house ageing process, which is presumably involves some washing/variation in pH, leads to more cross linking and a tougher hide (which I never need to nursemaid).

 

[HPA Rep]

All of the mentions in this thread are excellent. I will only speak to ELC capeskin and say it is very soft and pliant out of the box, yet it is robust and noticeably stretchy to some small degree vs. horse/steer. When I try to pull on horse/steer from any maker of note, including ELC, it just doesn't move, but this ELC capeskin has some amount of elasticity that further helps it crease and mold to one's body, as well as making it tough and not in any way delicate and prone to tearing. This is not anything like a sheepskin we most all are familiar with, which you could easily pierce with a pencil if shoved into the skin; the ELC capeskin would take some serious effort to pierce.

I think I recall correctly being the devil on bn1966's shoulder and pushing him toward his ELC A-1. No regrets, on this, right, my friend?

Fyi, ELC is awaiting a new capeskin and are totally out of this hide, so future supplies may be different from those in the past because, as I understand it, they've had to change suppliers. We have all sizes of A-1's in stock except 44R, which will be in the new capeskin once the backorder is filled. If you have any questions about the existing hides or jackets, or what news on the future stock, please let us know. Thank you.

 

[nick123]

Thanks Charles and all. Love it.

 

[bn1966]

My ELC
version below

All of the mentions in this thread are excellent. I will only speak to ELC capeskin and say it is very soft and pliant out of the box, yet it is robust and noticeably stretchy to some small degree vs. horse/steer. When I try to pull on horse/steer from any maker of note, including ELC, it just doesn't move, but this ELC capeskin has some amount of elasticity that further helps it crease and mold to one's body, as well as making it tough and not in any way delicate and prone to tearing. This is not anything like a sheepskin we most all are familiar with, which you could easily pierce with a pencil if shoved into the skin; the ELC capeskin would take some serious effort to pierce.

I think I recall correctly being the devil on bn1966's shoulder and pushing him toward his ELC A-1. No regrets, on this, right, my friend?

Fyi, ELC is awaiting a new capeskin and are totally out of this hide, so future supplies may be different from those in the past because, as I understand it, they've had to change suppliers. We have all sizes of A-1's in stock except 44R, which will be in the new capeskin once the backorder is filled. If you have any questions about the existing hides or jackets, or what news on the future stock, please let us know. Thank you.

You are indeed a devil on one's shoulder Charles, & it was indeed your good self that pushed me into an A-1 situation and subsequent purchase...no regrets!!! Great jacket & perfect for warmer climes & the great British summer as & when we get one