Fine Creek Virginia Beach

[RL204]

Fit pic

 

[tmitchell59]

Nice jacket. As per your request here’s My type 3 in a 44. I love it. About 2 years old Or so. I’m the 2nd owner. I have room for a thick sweater underneath it. It is snug but manageable with a thick sweater. Best with a henley or mid thick shirt.

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just grab, go and look/feel great

Thanks for answering the call. Jacket looks like it has worn to you, like a horsehide jacket should. Do you feel it is an accurate size 44? Do you know what weight Horsehide they use? or the Tannery? Some one ask a question above.

Why did you buy your jacket? I don't recall seeing it here so thanks again.

 

[tmitchell59]

Fit pic

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I saw this fit pic after my post. How tall are you? You look taller than me, I'm 5'9". My 46 allows for under garments also. A 44 would not have been as useful this time of year. Most of the images I have seen have been smaller sizes, primarily Japanese. Some are well broken in and some are looking new.

This is an interview with the owner in Japanese. This video does translate. The interviewer is happy he is making larger sizes as he must be a 44.

they discuss selling in stores through out the world, something about the use of only horsehide and the quick wearing.

The cover on this youtube video shouts out the wear factor. They show several jackets at different ages and some history.

 

[tmitchell59]

Those bricks have aged as well (they applied a filter)

oh, I see. What about the other pictures in the link?

 

[Marc mndt]

oh, I see. What about the other pictures in the link?

Those are better. But they do apply a different filter on each photo. I guess they want to enhance the effect, which is not necessary at all imo because it already looks cool without the filter. I like those sharp creases on the sleeves.

This rapid aging effect reminds me of Bill Kelso's liberty horsehide which also looses its topcoat very quickly. Do you still have your bk dodger?

 

[Carlos840]

Those bricks have aged as well (they applied a filter)

Isn't it that the first pic is a "regular" one, the second is HDR?

 

[Marc mndt]

Isn't it that the first pic is a "regular" one, the second is HDR?

I would say this is more than just hdr.

 

[tmitchell59]

Those are better. But they do apply a different filter on each photo. I guess they want to enhance the effect, which is not necessary at all imo because it already looks cool without the filter. I like those sharp creases on the sleeves.

As easy as it is to enhance images, I don't think that tells the story. You are missing something.

This rapid aging effect reminds me of Bill Kelso's liberty horsehide which also looses its topcoat very quickly. Do you still have your bk dodger?[/QUOTE]

Yes I still have the BK Dodger. It isn't just the wear on the jacket, the whole discourse on this Brand is sounding similar to the BK thread of years past. I very well remember the Jacket and the differences that arose and Friendships that grew.

This FC leather is much different in texture, weight than the Liberty horsehide I have handled. My Dodger started to wear on the first day. I have not seen this on the FC. The Liberty A2 was slower and a bit more graceful in its' wear. They remain interesting jackets as now the Fine Creek becomes interesting, at least to a few of us.

 

[J Leather Investigater]

BACKSTORY: I first saw the High Large Leather jackets in a thread here. At that time I think they only made Trucker style jackets. I was in Love, but the sizes only went to a size 42 which I could not wear. Many cool leather Truckers are out there. All the major makers; Aero, Vanson, Schott, Levi make great truckers. A variety of small makers have their twist on the classic look.



I've owned two Lost Worlds truckers. One was a 46 and too big, the other was a size 42 and too small. The 46 also had a detachable collar, but was too heavy a leather. The 42 was the perfect leather, very stiff lighter weight horsehide. If it would have fit I would not be writing this. The LW 42 was older and not like any leather I had seen from Lost Worlds.
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I went on to own a couple of Lee Trevors which were cool jackets, but an odd fit.

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About a year ago I got a Taubers trucker I thought would be the end game for me. It is from the early 70s steerhide in a size 46. I have only seen a few of these and all were too small for me. I am quite pleased with the Taubers.

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FIT

The Fine Creek Virginia Beach came on ebay in a size 46. I hesitated on this one even though it was unworn. I started researching FCL and found they are doing size 44/46 and being aggressive getting their jackets in markets outside Japan. I also learned about the “recipe” they use to create the “worn” look. I don't understand leather chemistry so I trust they do. I had not choice in size. The 44 numbers would probably work, but it would be a very different jacket. The 46 allows for wearing heavier winter garments, I doubt I could do that with the size 44.


I did notice the are longer than a typical jacket. The wrap on Truckers is their length, too short. Now it seems the Fine Creek are too long. I do like short jackets and this is not a short trucker on me in this size. I have adjusted.



IMPRESSIONS

The leather is heavier than I thought. After seeing pictures of well worn, broken in jackets I assumed these were a lighter weight. I don't know as I write this what the leather weight is. I would guess 3 to 3.5 ounce and stiff like a new horsehide jacket. I notice they are advertising a 2mm hide. No idea they were making jackets this heavy.

Day 1 Day 1 additional pictures


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Super nice terry, straight class

 

[tmitchell59]

Super nice terry, straight class

Thanks, good to hear you.

 

[willyto]

That looks gorgeous. I have to admit that I'm a sucker for the vintage look these japanese leathers develop. I am a fan of vintage leather jackets and clothes so when they accomplish the look and feel of vintage leather it really excites me.

I know that at the time the owners would have worn new jackets and they were advertised as such but when we find it today they are heavily used and with a lot of patina.

 

[tmitchell59]

That looks gorgeous. I have to admit that I'm a sucker for the vintage look these japanese leathers develop. I am a fan of vintage leather jackets and clothes so when they accomplish the look and feel of vintage leather it really excites me.

I know that at the time the owners would have worn new jackets and they were advertised as such but when we find it today they are heavily used and with a lot of patina.

I'm sitting here in a 70 year old horsehide Ralphs-Pugh jacket that I just opened, talking about how an expensive brand new jacket will age before it's time.

Fine Creek appears to be doing something different in the highly competitive market of high end leather garments. A "recipe" as they call it, that creates a patina more quickly, they use panels and stitching techniques that emphasis the worn look. Take note: this is only achieved by WEARING the jacket, maybe even obsessive wearing. The Wear is not the Achievement of "trick" photography it is achieved by wearing the garment!

They certainly are not the first company to advertise a "worn in" look. Eastman leather, Aero, Simmons have offered various leathers designed to portray a worn look. Isn't "battered horsehide" one example of efforts to make jackets look used/old? Bill Kelso's effort with the fast wearing Liberty horsehide is the most memorable to me since I own one of these jackets. Tea Core is another popular term to indicate wear through.

Much talk here about graining, wear through, Tea Core, sleeve wrinkle, all efforts to enhance the look of the jacket by showing it has been worn. Much talk about jackets being too short. FC makes jackets longer and that seems to be an issue too.

I'm writing this in a 70 year old Ralphs-Pugh horsehide jacket that looks 7 years old, isn't there some irony in that?

 

[RL204]

I’m 6’2” 200lbs 42” chest. I normally wear a 42 or 44 depending on the maker. I don’t think I would fit in a FC 42. The jacket has formed well To me and looks great. Some tea core starting to show now. Curious what it will look like in another year. Unfortunately I don’t wear it too much during my long winters.

I saw this fit pic after my post. How tall are you? You look taller than me, I'm 5'9". My 46 allows for under garments also. A 44 would not have been as useful this time of year. Most of the images I have seen have been smaller sizes, primarily Japanese. Some are well broken in and some are looking new.

 

[tmitchell59]

I’m 6’2” 200lbs 42” chest. I normally wear a 42 or 44 depending on the maker. I don’t think I would fit in a FC 42. The jacket has formed well To me and looks great. Some tea core starting to show now. Curious what it will look like in another year. Unfortunately I don’t wear it too much during my long winters.

Jacket looks great on you. here is mine today, I'm really liking everything about the jacket. I like the length. With the hem snaps tight it really makes for a very snug comfortable wear.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I'm not a Fine Creek fan at all, but I cannot deny that you wear yours very well @tmitchell59 . Well done!

 

[tmitchell59]

I'm not a Fine Creek fan at all, but I cannot deny that you wear yours very well @tmitchell59 . Well done!

Interesting they made their name with this very traditional pattern of jackets. I will have to look more closely at their other jackets. I have seen a cross zip collar with a Flair, which does remind me of a vintage jacket.

I do believe the leather will develop an interesting quality, something a bit different. At my age I don't have as much time to wait!

 

[sweetfights]

Isn't that wild! I can see the process in my jacket. They talk about different stiching and hides to create an effect. This jacket collar is certainly a very different piece than the rest of the jacket.

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Very much like Freewheelers. I have never seen jackets put together with so much consideration and care for exactly what leather pieces should be used where.
These high end Japanese outfits sure do an amazing job.

 

[tmitchell59]

Trapped in my only Air Conditioned room with Vertigo Spell. These were laying around so I took some quick shots.

The Fine Creek just has a look and feel from day I. I've seen where it will go in the many online aging shots. The Second video includes my Lost Worlds Test in heavy Horsehide. The LW looks like a fairly new Black Top road! That jacket may look the same in 20 years!

The slide shows is just easier

 

[tmitchell59]

 

[Fireflame]

Great looking jacket. Fits good, great call on the 46. I always wanted to try on a 44/46 since im right between both sizes, so I never committed.