Choosing a Goodwear hide just got harder!

[Mike K.]

In all honesty, the steerhide in your photo looks remarkably like John's grainier horsehide. I purchased a 1941 Werber A-2 from John a few years ago. My jacket is made with dark russet horsehide, using a mix of smooth and grainy leathers. In the photo below you can see some of the smoother leather in the upper sleeve panel, while the bottom panel has the grainy leather (and that's not even the grainiest).

Your horsehide swatches look to be examples of John's smooth leather. Might be worth getting a swatch of grainy horsehide for comparison to the steerhide...you'll probably find them to be quite similar. I imagine the steerhide might be a less expensive leather option.

Sorry to further complicate the decision making.

 

[ButteMT61]

I want a steer or other hide to offset all the horse I have. I wouldn't mind something else like water buffalo, steer, etc. That pic above is why. Great color too.

 

[Mike K.]

Here's the "typical" swatch of dark russet horsehide (right) laid over the actual jacket horsehide leather for comparison. Camera makes the russet leather appear much more reddish than it actually is (looks more like walnut in person). Quite a difference in the grain of the same type of leather.

 

[Sloan1874]

I love my buffalo A-2. It has amazing character, completely unique and completely unlike horse.

 

[ButteMT61]

I love my buffalo A-2. It has amazing character, completely unique and completely unlike horse.

Yeah, that one looks great. I think HD has a jacket of similar hide too that I like. Steer and others are a little softer than HH too. That may or may not matter to some, but there's a difference...

 

[HoosierDaddy]

My WaterBuffalo :eeek:

 

[Sloan1874]

I know what you mean...