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Five Star Leather Jackets

TheDonEffect

Practically Family
Messages
623
So we got confirmation that these hides can be skived. So now we have a beautiful dark brown, and a black in the works...

I really like the brown on your's @ton312... I usually go for black especially if it's teacore, but that brown is mesmerizing.
 
Messages
17,508
Location
Chicago
So we got confirmation that these hides can be skived. So now we have a beautiful dark brown, and a black in the works...

I really like the brown on your's @ton312... I usually go for black especially if it's teacore, but that brown is mesmerizing.
It's changed a bit since I've been beating on it...It's going full on into the torture chamber this weekend. Will post updated pics! I've got my spec sheet ready for the skived black. 4oz ought to feel like a wind breaker compared the brown bomber.
 
Messages
17,508
Location
Chicago
I’m winning the war. When I took this jacket out of the box the sleeves shot out at nearly a 90 degree angle with the body! And now look at it. Like a lamb skin mall jacket. LOL. My bridle and tack softener comes today but in truth I don’t really need it.
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Al 916

One Too Many
Messages
1,915
Location
GB
I’m winning the war. When I took this jacket out of the box the sleeves shot out at nearly a 90 degree angle with the body! And now look at it. Like a lamb skin mall jacket. LOL. My bridle and tack softener comes today but in truth I don’t really need it.
View attachment 342207 View attachment 342208

I have been looking back on posts from when you got it and that colour has deepened beautifully!
 

Igohr Brennand

New in Town
Messages
27
I’m winning the war. When I took this jacket out of the box the sleeves shot out at nearly a 90 degree angle with the body! And now look at it. Like a lamb skin mall jacket. LOL. My bridle and tack softener comes today but in truth I don’t really need it.
View attachment 342207 View attachment 342208

This looks so good. The sleeves are already creasing. Did you just wear it normally around the house or.. ?
 
Messages
17,508
Location
Chicago
This looks so good. The sleeves are already creasing. Did you just wear it normally around the house or.. ?
Yes and no. I also sprayed it with water and hit it repeatedly with a 10lb Mini sledge hammer. I sat on it, walked on it, rolled it up like a sleeping bag, punched it, kicked it and repeatedly through across the room in my basement. Basically, it got the Goodfellas treatment. But it’s starting to wear much better too. I still feel 5.5 oz leather is entirely too much ( at least for me) but for the experience of it all, it’s been quite fun. A battle of wills in a way.
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Al 916

One Too Many
Messages
1,915
Location
GB
I remember getting my first bike jacket in the 80s (Lewis I think) we rolled it up and tied it off with string then played football with it in Harrow Town.
 
Messages
17,508
Location
Chicago
As far as the comparison to CXL goes, while it is visually similar, it’s really quite different. It absorbs water, hence its faster break in and it has very little memory. This leather won’t hold baked in creases like CXL will. It would rather spring back to its original shape.
My hide also has far more natural “flaws” than any CXL jacket. Bites, scars, tick marks etc. I don’t think Horween would let those out the door. Def gives the jacket a more rustic and raw feel though.
 

TheDonEffect

Practically Family
Messages
623
As far as the comparison to CXL goes, while it is visually similar, it’s really quite different. It absorbs water, hence its faster break in and it has very little memory. This leather won’t hold baked in creases like CXL will. It would rather spring back to its original shape.
My hide also has far more natural “flaws” than any CXL jacket. Bites, scars, tick marks etc. I don’t think Horween would let those out the door. Def gives the jacket a more rustic and raw feel though.

Do you think that the thickness contributes to that "memory"? So not something to wear in the rain then?
 
Messages
17,508
Location
Chicago
Do you think that the thickness contributes to that "memory"? So not something to wear in the rain then?
Yes and no…CXL’s memory comes from being impregnated with oil and wax and those help create a “memorized” crease. This hide doesn’t have that. The wax is just at the surface and easy to remove. It will actually absorb into the jacket or dissipate with wear. You can kind of see that in the sleeves. I’ve gotten it plenty wet with no ill effect. Water is essential in softening this thing up. I can’t imagine you could damage this hide with anything besides a chainsaw or a flamethrower. This is without question and unequivocally, the most ass kicking leather I’ve ever encountered. As far as it’s suitability for garment grade material goes, I’d say that’s personal preference, but in my opinion, yes. That said, I have already submitted my spec sheet for black, skived down to 4oz. One 5.5oz jacket is enough and I am quite sure not for everyone. I am impressed though, at how fast I’ve been able to soften it.
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TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,286
Yes and no…CXL’s memory comes from being impregnated with oil and wax and those help create a “memorized” crease. This hide doesn’t have that. The wax is just at the surface and easy to remove. It will actually absorb into the jacket or dissipate with wear. You can kind of see that in the sleeves. I’ve gotten it plenty wet with no ill effect. Water is essential in softening this thing up. I can’t imagine you could damage this hide with anything besides a chainsaw or a flamethrower. This is without question and unequivocally, the most ass kicking leather I’ve ever encountered. As far as it’s suitability for garment grade material goes, I’d say that’s personal preference, but in my opinion, yes. That said, I have already submitted my spec sheet for black, skived down to 4oz. One 5.5oz jacket is enough and I am quite sure not for everyone. I am impressed though, at how fast I’ve been able to soften it.
View attachment 342261
that's a good looking shot there. Really like the glow. Wondering once the wax diminishes, then what? Is it like their regular steerhide?
 

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