Five Star Leather Jackets

[Jin431]

This was not on me as I just ordered a stock one in a stock size, but over on VLJ they had close communication regarding the specs for the Dubow A-2 and Shawn even bought a tattered original to get the pattern and dimensions right. But it goes to show how far Shawn will work with you to get what you want. I'm sure if a lot of people requested uncorrected deerskin he would probably offer it. Although I'd have no qualms ordering the same stuff you bought.

Shawn is pretty good with catering the needs of his consumers so all respect to him and the business model seems to be working. Hope to see better leather being offered by them in the future.

I like the deerskin trucker I have, it's just that I like the variation of the grains and the uneven texture of it too. I wouldn't have had a clue that it was corrected if members here hadn't pointed it out.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

Has anybody ordered the steerhide? I'll go for the CR and not sure if I should get it in goatskin or steerhide.

I got the steer on my G1-Amelia Earhart-MrProper mash up.

It's thick and soft, but really has no essence to it. The seal brown is a great color, it chips very easily with a tan brown underneath. Not sure that's going to translate to a two tone break in kind of thing with fine lines on stress points etc. After 10 solid wears, I'm not seeing much of any sort of traditional signs of break in. There's a distinctive smell to it that has not gone away in 4 or 5 months, although has diminished some. After catching up on the deer skin posts, I'm starting to wonder if the steer was also pressed. The pattern is a little too uniform. There's an occasional "stretch" type mark, but I guess that wouldn't be too hard to put into the pattern. Keep in mind, my jacket is about 5 months old so they could have changed the tanning/overall quality/etc. I'm not expecting the jacket to evolve to anything different or better. I think it's going to stay the same, definitely get some chips and scuffs. It's a good value at a $250ish price point if all you're looking at is just leather quality. But once you start getting into the $300-400 you can obviously buy tried and true leather legends in the used market. Obviously the value of Five Star * is beyond the leather quality; it's the fun of creating something and or getting a really custom fit (if you know what you're doing).

When I first ordered, I was leaning more towards goat because I figured that would be their specialty, but Shawn suggested the steer. I basically asked him, you got one chance to impress me, so send me whatever your best stuff is. That's what he sent. I had a couple extra charges for stuff and there were some issues with a couple things, mixed with some misunderstanding on thread color, yada, yada, so I'm kind of in a neutral position. $100 less and without the issues, I'd be over the moon and probably would have ordered something else. Where it ended up, I feel like it's ok but don't want to chance more money on R&D where like I said, at around the same price point you can get some really nice used jackets. Although Mr. Proper's vest and Tony's Halfbelt with the mutton collar are very tempting.

Looking back or forward if I did decide to pull the trigger, I probably would order seal goat or the newer sheepskin.

 

[Riu]

I really liked that sample, it was a thick batch. It was much nicer than my actual jacket to be honest and wished my jacket was made out of that thicker sample.
I hope you pick the best hide out of their offerings.
good luck, hope to see what you come up with them.

Thank you, I hope that too
I've asked Shawn what can he offer right now and will see what he replies.

 

[Riu]

I got the steer on my G1-Amelia Earhart-MrProper mash up.

It's thick and soft, but really has no essence to it. The seal brown is a great color, it chips very easily with a tan brown underneath. Not sure that's going to translate to a two tone break in kind of thing with fine lines on stress points etc. After 10 solid wears, I'm not seeing much of any sort of traditional signs of break in. There's a distinctive smell to it that has not gone away in 4 or 5 months, although has diminished some. After catching up on the deer skin posts, I'm starting to wonder if the steer was also pressed. The pattern is a little too uniform. There's an occasional "stretch" type mark, but I guess that wouldn't be too hard to put into the pattern. Keep in mind, my jacket is about 5 months old so they could have changed the tanning/overall quality/etc. I'm not expecting the jacket to evolve to anything different or better. I think it's going to stay the same, definitely get some chips and scuffs. It's a good value at a $250ish price point if all you're looking at is just leather quality. But once you start getting into the $300-400 you can obviously buy tried and true leather legends in the used market. Obviously the value of Five Star * is beyond the leather quality; it's the fun of creating something and or getting a really custom fit (if you know what you're doing).

When I first ordered, I was leaning more towards goat because I figured that would be their specialty, but Shawn suggested the steer. I basically asked him, you got one chance to impress me, so send me whatever your best stuff is. That's what he sent. I had a couple extra charges for stuff and there were some issues with a couple things, mixed with some misunderstanding on thread color, yada, yada, so I'm kind of in a neutral position. $100 less and without the issues, I'd be over the moon and probably would have ordered something else. Where it ended up, I feel like it's ok but don't want to chance more money on R&D where like I said, at around the same price point you can get some really nice used jackets. Although Mr. Proper's vest and Tony's Halfbelt with the mutton collar are very tempting.

Looking back or forward if I did decide to pull the trigger, I probably would order seal goat or the newer sheepskin.

Thank you for sharing your experience and opinion, I'm more inclined to get the premium goat but I was curious about the steerhide when I saw it on the website.

 

[bn1966]

Waiting to see what the Horse Hide is like...

 

[jglf]

Do any of the leathers have an upcharge to them, and how much extra are they?

 

[AeroFan_07]

Last week received my 5* order. I pulled the trigger on a vest and jacket at the same time. I decided on a Cossack jacket in premium goat seal brown, cotton lining Olive Color, and olive stitching.
The vest was AVIATOR BIKER VEST SEAL BROWN SHEARLING with some modifications. straight front hem, shirttail back with a 1 1/2 inch drop, two-way zipper with leather pulls.

I am satisfied with both pieces for the total cost.

Very nice jacket, vest and photgraphy here sir! You wear them all very well...

 

[carl1000]

Pulled the trigger yesterday on one of their Weber A2 jackets and steer hide. The pictures he sent me were very nice. Can't beat that for $270. I was looking at getting another B Kelso, as I got rid of mine a couple years back. But with Covid etc., this price is better for a very nice jacket. I don't expect it to be it's good as the Kelso, but I do have high hopes.

 

[TheDonEffect]

Last week received my 5* order. I pulled the trigger on a vest and jacket at the same time. I decided on a Cossack jacket in premium goat seal brown, cotton lining Olive Color, and olive stitching.
The vest was AVIATOR BIKER VEST SEAL BROWN SHEARLING with some modifications. straight front hem, shirttail back with a 1 1/2 inch drop, two-way zipper with leather pulls.

I am satisfied with both pieces for the total cost.

Looks great, good choice with the Cossack, they sorta caught my eye lately after I read an article that Levis bought Einstein's jacket. Einstein is famously quoted for saying all you need is a leather jacket (among other things) and the jacket he had was a Cossack.

 

[abone]

Want to tap into the wisdom of crowds here. Here is a piece of my pattern that Shawn’s created for me. The most difficult part for me was the collar and I could only estimate dimensions as I didn’t have a jacket with a collar such as this. I’m wanting the collar to have a Maxwell look and dimension.
So my question, does the collar look large enough? Opinions? I’ll wear it open like this, but it will have a functional top button if the lapels are folded over. I know it’s difficult to determine based upon a pattern, but quick impressions are valuable.

 

[ton312]

Want to tap into the wisdom of crowds here. Here is a piece of my pattern that Shawn’s created for me. The most difficult part for me was the collar and I could only estimate dimensions as I didn’t have a jacket with a collar such as this. I’m wanting the collar to have a Maxwell look and dimension.
So my question, does the collar look large enough? Opinions? I’ll wear it open like this, but it will have a functional top button if the lapels are folded over. I know it’s difficult to determine based upon a pattern, but quick impressions are valuable. View attachment 305076

I think it looks damn good in the pattern!! Is stick!

 

[abone]

I think it looks damn good in the pattern!! Is stick!

So collar is big enough Tony?

 

[handymike]

I would like to see a little more curve and point:

I like a bit of flair- at the moment it looks more like a standard type 3 collar.

 

[abone]

I would like to see a little more curve and point:
View attachment 305110
I like a bit of flair- at the moment it looks more like a standard type 3 collar.

Thanks for this.
That’s what’s been bothering me. It’s missing something but couldn’t put my finger on it. I used the following as my example, but the pattern looks a bit smaller. I provided the measurements but I was taking a stab.

 

[handymike]

I think the collar should be 3” minimum. Add an extra 1/4-1/2” at the points.



I like mine 3.25” and bigger...The Bates is 4.5” which is a bit extreme maybe, but it sure is cool.

 

[abone]

I think the collar should be 3” minimum. Add an extra 1/4-1/2” at the points.
I like mine 3.5” and bigger...The Bates is 4.5” which is a bit extreme maybe, but it sure is cool.

You mean this part of the collar, correct?

 

[handymike]

Yes 3.25-3.5in should be nice IMO.

 

[abone]

Yes

Very helpful, thanks

 

[handymike]

I hope It works out, and you get a great jacket!

 

[Jin431]

I normally go big collar for the simple reason that you can shape it more since there's more leather to manipulate.


3.25"

3.5"

3.75"