Yep. I mean, it supposedly left Cinnci a day ago and so why it went to another state (in which I do not live) is beyond me. Oh well...if it was sent FedEx, it would likely take until next year to arrive so I will count my blessings.
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Five Star Leather Jackets
- Thread starter TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead
- Start date
Yep. I mean, it supposedly left Cinnci a day ago and so why it went to another state (in which I do not live) is beyond me. Oh well...if it was sent FedEx, it would likely take until next year to arrive so I will count my blessings.
Yep. I will for sure. I'm excited for this one but trying to temper it some in case it turns out to be a dud. My worries include fit (of course) and whether or not the wool lining is any good. Fingers crossed. This is my third go at a 5* jacket. Previously I am 1 for 2 as the first one, I sent measurements that were just more snug than I really wanted. Totally my fault...live and learn. Hopefully, this will be a good culmination of all of the good information contained in this site and my previous learning curve with 5*.
From what I've seen, it's looking very promising! I might not be quite as excited as you are right now but I'm probably pretty damn close. I do honestly think this is the high point for 5 Star. All the details are there. I'm sure the fit will be too!
TheDonEffect
Practically Family
- Messages
- 623
Oo it's getting close. Yeah, I have no doubt that the build quality will be great! I had time to go over mine and yeah they do a great job, loads of double stitching, sandwich stitchin (I don't know the correct term for this, where they join two sides, blind stitch, and then fold over and stich across, like a sandwiched french stitch) at the exposed edges like the cuff opening and the bottom of the jacket, and they always have a few nice detail tricks like your tag in your pocket flap or the locker loop. Crossing fingers for you for the fit.
You nailed it man. When that settles in and becomes less sprung…perfect! How’s the weight/stiffness? My CHL was legit belt leather. Too much for me. I love the collar! With a little training it will be dead on perfect!!!
TheDonEffect
Practically Family
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It's funny, going through your pictures, I can actually smell the jacket, lol. As expected, looks like they did a great job putting it together, now that you have the CHL in person, what's your impressions?
So, a few initial thoughts. This jacket looks quite good to my eye. I really like the design and execution. I think they did a great job with my request. This jacket weighs 6.5lb on my bathroom scale! It is stiffer and heavier than I expected. I can't imagine what 2.2mm (or whatever their heavier hides would be like). As you can see, it could stand up on it's own, fresh out of the box.
The jacket is going to take a lot of work to break in, I think, however I've never owned a jacket like this so I don't know exactly what to expect. I think I am going to try to find something (like a leather cream type product) to put on the jacket to help soften it up. Any suggestions for product and procedure? I've seen some people post pictures of jackets that stand up on their own due to heavy leather but not really paid too close attention to their break in process. Any help would be appreciated.
For now, I realize that I'm in for a but of a struggle. Generally, the jacket fits me well. It does sort of pinch my forearm just in front of the elbow crease on the inside, when I bend my arm all the way in. The neck/collar is also really stiff. I have put it in the clothes dryer for awhile on air only (no heat) but I guess it's gonna take time
If I were to get this same jacket again, I'd get it in the Premium Goathide. I have a CR from 5* in that and I really like that hide a lot. I just wanted a nice, tan colored one and this meets that criteria. The color is richer to my eye than my pictures have captured, especially my fit pics. Those are terrible, so my apologies for them LOL. The leather is not really loaded with depth of color but is more a matte finish. I like it but I feel like a side benefit from adding a leather cream of some sort would be adding a bit of color depth/sheen as well. Not a lot as I don't like "shiny" jackets. Anyway, this should be an interesting challenge but I have now answered my own question of whether I prefer softer leathers or stiffer leathers. Cheers!
The jacket is going to take a lot of work to break in, I think, however I've never owned a jacket like this so I don't know exactly what to expect. I think I am going to try to find something (like a leather cream type product) to put on the jacket to help soften it up. Any suggestions for product and procedure? I've seen some people post pictures of jackets that stand up on their own due to heavy leather but not really paid too close attention to their break in process. Any help would be appreciated.
For now, I realize that I'm in for a but of a struggle. Generally, the jacket fits me well. It does sort of pinch my forearm just in front of the elbow crease on the inside, when I bend my arm all the way in. The neck/collar is also really stiff. I have put it in the clothes dryer for awhile on air only (no heat) but I guess it's gonna take time
If I were to get this same jacket again, I'd get it in the Premium Goathide. I have a CR from 5* in that and I really like that hide a lot. I just wanted a nice, tan colored one and this meets that criteria. The color is richer to my eye than my pictures have captured, especially my fit pics. Those are terrible, so my apologies for them LOL. The leather is not really loaded with depth of color but is more a matte finish. I like it but I feel like a side benefit from adding a leather cream of some sort would be adding a bit of color depth/sheen as well. Not a lot as I don't like "shiny" jackets. Anyway, this should be an interesting challenge but I have now answered my own question of whether I prefer softer leathers or stiffer leathers. Cheers!
great execution by 5*, it has characters from the start, fit is also great, congrats!!
if you condition it, remember to use it lightly, otherwise you will just adding the weight of that conditioner onto your jacket, and conditioner takes time to really penetrate the hide might take few days or a week, so don't add second application after few hours or overnight because the hide has not changed yet.
if you condition it, remember to use it lightly, otherwise you will just adding the weight of that conditioner onto your jacket, and conditioner takes time to really penetrate the hide might take few days or a week, so don't add second application after few hours or overnight because the hide has not changed yet.
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It’ll definitely soften with wear. My CHL jacket did and it’s not like CXL, where the temp dictates that. Maybe some obernauf’s oil to soften. May darken it though.So, a few initial thoughts. This jacket looks quite good to my eye. I really like the design and execution. I think they did a great job with my request. This jacket weighs 6.5lb on my bathroom scale! It is stiffer and heavier than I expected. I can't imagine what 2.2mm (or whatever their heavier hides would be like). As you can see, it could stand up on it's own, fresh out of the box.
The jacket is going to take a lot of work to break in, I think, however I've never owned a jacket like this so I don't know exactly what to expect. I think I am going to try to find something (like a leather cream type product) to put on the jacket to help soften it up. Any suggestions for product and procedure? I've seen some people post pictures of jackets that stand up on their own due to heavy leather but not really paid too close attention to their break in process. Any help would be appreciated.
For now, I realize that I'm in for a but of a struggle. Generally, the jacket fits me well. It does sort of pinch my forearm just in front of the elbow crease on the inside, when I bend my arm all the way in. The neck/collar is also really stiff. I have put it in the clothes dryer for awhile on air only (no heat) but I guess it's gonna take time
If I were to get this same jacket again, I'd get it in the Premium Goathide. I have a CR from 5* in that and I really like that hide a lot. I just wanted a nice, tan colored one and this meets that criteria. The color is richer to my eye than my pictures have captured, especially my fit pics. Those are terrible, so my apologies for them LOL. The leather is not really loaded with depth of color but is more a matte finish. I like it but I feel like a side benefit from adding a leather cream of some sort would be adding a bit of color depth/sheen as well. Not a lot as I don't like "shiny" jackets. Anyway, this should be an interesting challenge but I have now answered my own question of whether I prefer softer leathers or stiffer leathers. Cheers!
f2002q
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 167
That is a beautiful jacket. Looks thick and rich. How's the wool lining feel?
TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,286
well done. Once it breaks down some, that'll drape nicely.
You could put in the dryer, no heat setting (air fluff I think is what some brands call it) and just tumble to death. Some people throw in some tennis balls or tennis shoes to help. But with that light color, I dont know if you want to risk some scuffs.
I wouldn't add product. Like said above, it's already loaded.
After 20 or 30 good wears, you could take it for a walk in the rain and then wear it all day. That has really helped some of my jackets form a better shape, get sleeve creases, etc.
You could put in the dryer, no heat setting (air fluff I think is what some brands call it) and just tumble to death. Some people throw in some tennis balls or tennis shoes to help. But with that light color, I dont know if you want to risk some scuffs.
I wouldn't add product. Like said above, it's already loaded.
After 20 or 30 good wears, you could take it for a walk in the rain and then wear it all day. That has really helped some of my jackets form a better shape, get sleeve creases, etc.
Thanks all, for your thoughts and advice.
The wool feels good and is warm. It isnt super thick. Also, it isn't merino or cashmere. It's scratchier than that but not problematic for me.
Canuck Panda
I'll Lock Up
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- 4,709
@Hobbes1 Thanks for the photos. Leather looks pretty good. Jacket and fit looks good too. I see you upgraded the side adjuster buckles. Nice touch! I wished I did that and the wool lining too, I didn’t know they were available.
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So, a few initial thoughts. This jacket looks quite good to my eye. I really like the design and execution. I think they did a great job with my request. This jacket weighs 6.5lb on my bathroom scale! It is stiffer and heavier than I expected. I can't imagine what 2.2mm (or whatever their heavier hides would be like). As you can see, it could stand up on it's own, fresh out of the box.
The jacket is going to take a lot of work to break in, I think, however I've never owned a jacket like this so I don't know exactly what to expect. I think I am going to try to find something (like a leather cream type product) to put on the jacket to help soften it up. Any suggestions for product and procedure? I've seen some people post pictures of jackets that stand up on their own due to heavy leather but not really paid too close attention to their break in process. Any help would be appreciated.
For now, I realize that I'm in for a but of a struggle. Generally, the jacket fits me well. It does sort of pinch my forearm just in front of the elbow crease on the inside, when I bend my arm all the way in. The neck/collar is also really stiff. I have put it in the clothes dryer for awhile on air only (no heat) but I guess it's gonna take time
If I were to get this same jacket again, I'd get it in the Premium Goathide. I have a CR from 5* in that and I really like that hide a lot. I just wanted a nice, tan colored one and this meets that criteria. The color is richer to my eye than my pictures have captured, especially my fit pics. Those are terrible, so my apologies for them LOL. The leather is not really loaded with depth of color but is more a matte finish. I like it but I feel like a side benefit from adding a leather cream of some sort would be adding a bit of color depth/sheen as well. Not a lot as I don't like "shiny" jackets. Anyway, this should be an interesting challenge but I have now answered my own question of whether I prefer softer leathers or stiffer leathers. Cheers!
Congratulations and thank you for the report.
It confirms my assumption that this leather is too fierce for me for a jacket. Even if it looks really good and seems well made.
Have fun and success with break in.
like Ton312 said there obenauf oil really makes my jacket soft and it stays soft now long after application, but it darkens and not shiny you need something else to buff some shine out of it, it also makes the leather feel damp/ moist / almost feel like touching a skin of living creature, and it takes a week before it really took effect also a week for the initial blotchy darkness from oily application to level out, can be a scary experience.
TheDonEffect
Practically Family
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- 623
I sprayed mine down with water, threw it into the dryer with tennis balls for 30-45 minutes, resprayed, repeat. It softened right up.
Mine has an overdye on it, not sure how your too coat is, but if you choose to go this route, I'd advise to put it in a pillow case or something because the edges will scuff off.
The jacket loosened up alot and lost alot of the stubbornness. Good luck!
Mine has an overdye on it, not sure how your too coat is, but if you choose to go this route, I'd advise to put it in a pillow case or something because the edges will scuff off.
The jacket loosened up alot and lost alot of the stubbornness. Good luck!
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