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Could I supply my own leather for an Aero jacket?

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,449
Location
South of Nashville
I don't see why you would. You can get custom anything (including a design with an Aero jacket as a starting point) from
Johnson Leathers of San Francisco for half the price and better service. Just my opinion, owning both.
While I like the JL jackets a lot, and have two of them, I think Aero has a better selection of top end hides. The CXL they get from Horween is really nice, especially in the brown. And the seal Vicenza, from what I have seen from Carrie's posts, really knocks me out. I just don't think those two hides will be topped anytime soon. Unfortunately I don't think JL has a channel for them.
 

music321

New in Town
Messages
27
Location
USA
I guess I mentioned "Aero" since I know their work to be of the highest quality. It occurs to me that I might find something local. Are there recommendations for something in the New York area? Schott is here, but I don't think that they do custom work. BTW, I don't think that Aero offers 'roo any longer. This pic, posted by Lemon328i is of an Aero Roo jacket with a wonderful color:
4d44a3cfada81b7166c42faba0e012fb.jpg
 

feltfan

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,190
Location
Oakland, CA, USA
While I like the JL jackets a lot, and have two of them, I think Aero has a better selection of top end hides. The CXL they get from Horween is really nice, especially in the brown. And the seal Vicenza, from what I have seen from Carrie's posts, really knocks me out. I just don't think those two hides will be topped anytime soon. Unfortunately I don't think JL has a channel for them.
That's a matter of personal taste and I understand your point. But this thread is about a guy who wants to supply his
own hide. If he is going to eliminate the one advantage (perceived, mind you, since I wouldn't want all of my jackets
made of CXL) Aero has, then he might as well go to Johnson, where he probably has a better shot at an outstanding fit
and all the customizations he wants, at half the price, with a much faster turn around (and buys American, if it matters).
 
Messages
17,496
Location
Chicago
Both Aero and Johnson will get you better hides than you are able to source yourself. For what you are after (from the opening photo) I would ask Johnson to send you a sample of a cowhide they have called "Rocky". It's a dark brown, 2.5-3oz that will very quickly show light brown undertones. It's very cool stuff and it looks like it would develop an amazing patina in very short order, without the faux aging that is aesthetically unpleasant and screams cheap 80's jacket.
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,425
Location
Glasgow
I'm almost certain that Stu would be pretty catagoric in his answer if you asked him to make a jacket with your own leather. His own hides are pretty unique to his own work, just as Aero and Good Wear's are, so the idea of Stu, given his robust attitude to his craft generally, making a jacket from any old leather seems unlikely.
 

Plumbline

One Too Many
Messages
1,271
Location
UK
I've "spoken" to Stu in person and communicated through email many times, and have/have had more than a few of his jackets. I'm not so sure he would be so against this ( and at the very least he'd more than welcome the discussion). His website content and "tone" don't resonate well with many on here .. but I have to say he's produced nothing but exceptional products ( Suburban, Bedford, B3 and ANJ-4) for me and with excellent customer service even with customisation ( size and linings etc.).

.... equally Diamond Dave would also be up for this perhaps.
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,425
Location
Glasgow
I wouldn't say that somebody who puts this on his website is encouraging an 'own material' option:
"Although our jackets cost more than some others we've never -- NEVER! -- heard from a customer that the difference wasn't worth it. That's because LOST WORLDS sells to educated grown-ups who purchase by choice rather than "internet buddy coercion." Frequently a first-time customer has reservations about spending "so much." When, however, the jacket arrives, he thinks it cheap at the price. But not everyone needs the Best. If YOU do...."
Basically, he's saying 'you come to me because you want what we offer'. What's the point of having a personal brand built on a consistency of materials, design and workmanship, if you're willing to chuck it out just for just one sale? If I was Stu, I would be quite offended by somebody approaching me and saying 'I quite like you're designs but you're choice of materials suck'. The OP should go to a leather tailor who's happy to make a design of the customer's making with leather of their own choosing, like Navatsea's one.
 

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