Help!! Need Advice on New (to me) Squeaky ebay A-1

[Vespizzare]

(I wish I could post a quick pic. I used to know how to post via photobucket; but the last time I tried, photobucket was different and I couldn't figure it out. I'll try manana; but I'd like advice immediately, if not sooner, and a pic doesn't seem absolutely necessary, I hope.)

Long story not so short: I just sniped a great Lost Worlds A1 on ebay. I'd just let a different one get away and was serious this time. I had aLost Wolds A2 before that I sold because a 40 was too small in the shoulders. This one is a 42 and fits great. I like having an A1 instead of an A2 because of the different ways you can close the front/collar and I'd prefer not to have epaulets. Also check out my longtime avatar. I emailed the seller and he said he only wore if a few times which I can believe because the condition is so perfect. It's funny because some panels are smooth and new while others are so grainy that they seem well worn and broken in. The seller also said that it was an "early" Lost Worlds with a thinner and more wearable horsehide.

Anyway the one fly in the ointment (no pun intended) is that the hide (presumably horsehide) is sort of tacky to the touch and, when the leather rubs against itself, it makes a loud crackling sound. The leather isn't dry. I looked under magnification and it isn't at all cracked. SO WHAT'S THE STORY AND/OR WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE THE HIDE NOT TACKY AND NOT SO AUDIBLE??? Help!!!

 

[Dr H]

I had a squeaky ELC A-1 in the past - the previous owner had waterproofed it using Pecards or similar (wherever the capeskin rubbed e.g. sleeve on torso it squeaked loudly). I cured it by removing most of the waterproofing using 40-60 petroleum spirit (moistened cotton wool ball).

 

[andyfalzon]

It's probably some lacquers or other things tanneries apply on the leather to protect it. It will only go away after some wear. Or maybe a lot of wear. If interested, you might want to check out Bill Kelso's Waldo Pepper jacket which is the same as the one your avatar wears. We guarantee it is silent.

 

[John Lever]

LW horsehide is squeaky by nature,not sure if there is a 'cure'.

 

[Dr H]

If interested, you might want to check out Bill Kelso's Waldo Pepper jacket which is the same as the one your avatar wears. We guarantee it is silent.

And if it's like the BK A-1, the quality 'speaks' for itself ;-)

 

[HoosierDaddy]

My first better HH A2 was a LW. It squeaked for the two years that I owned it.
HD

 

[Vespizzare]

For what it's worth, last night in the quietude in front of my bathroom mirror, the sound seemed overbearing. Today, when I wore it outside doing errands etc, a little squeaking was there but not nearly as intrusive.

 

[tmitchell59]

I like to hear leather, I like a good crack and creak.....the jacket is saying,,"wear me, wear me" or "ouch" it hurts to move. It will quiet down. I don't know about the tacky feeling. I haven't handled enough of the new leather. I did just part with an Aero heavy HH. It was not at all tacky. It was just shedding it's sheen. I think I saw that coat on ebay. If I can find right pics I could post them. I would like to see your pics though.

Terry

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Not sure about a 'crackling sound'. However creaking and squeaking can be two different things. My Vanson Enfield has a nice leather creak to it..where the LW I once had actually 'squeaked' with every movement I made. It was the only jacket that I ever had that made that noise out of many vintage and repro jackets that I have owned.
HD

 

[Tomasso]

a nice leather creak to it..where the LW I once had actually 'squeaked'

You do realize that you horsehide guys are just a little bit nuts, don't you?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

You do realize that you horsehide guys are just a little bit nuts, don't you?

That's why I sold the LW. It was making me even nuttier. I'd walk into a room and everyone would look as I squeaked by until I finally found a seat. Then squeak again as a raised a glass. Exiting everyone watched me squeak out the door. I still have nightmares about it. :wacko:
HD

 

[Seb Lucas]

Back in the days when you could still buy kangaroo leather here (tough and unyielding stuff with a similar density to HH) I had a jacket made of this that creaked and squeaked for years. HD is right people will observe this and many will titter. After a decade or so of mainly not wearing it, I gave the jacket to a goodwill type store.

 

[Vespizzare]

That's why I sold the LW. It was making me even nuttier. I'd walk into a room and everyone would look as I squeaked by until I finally found a seat. Then squeak again as a raised a glass. Exiting everyone watched me squeak out the door. I still have nightmares about it. :wacko:
HD

Thanks HD. Just what I wanted to hear ;-) Seriously though, if it doesn't go away I certainly won't be wearing it to a classical concert. Outside though, I totally didn't notice it. I figured that somebody here would nail a solution right off. I'll probably will take it into a leather specialist and get their take on things or maybe email my terribly good friend, Allen at Johnson Leathers. (I keeed; but after almost a whole year finalizing a new jacket [I got sick in between] and innumerable emails and phone calls, that's exactly how I feel.)

 

[Vespizzare]

I think I saw that coat on ebay.
Terry

I have to vacate the premises soon for fumigation and haven't had a chance to revisit posting pix (though I definitely shall in due time). If you saw that jacket, you probably saw another LW 42 A1 a few weeks ago. I was sorta interested, but wanted to sell another jacket first. I was mad at myself when only one bid was made at the last instant for just over the first auction price. I paid less (including shipping) but I guess I'll always be haunted by wondering if that one squeaked (or crackled) too. Any any case, it has to go away in time with wear (which I plan on doing a lot). I really like wearing the jacket and nothing goes on forever. It's funny, sometimes people's shoes really squeak badly, but they just keep on taking steps obliviously. I guess I could call Lost Worlds. That guy doesn't suffer fools gladly; but asked the right way, he may want to help me.

 

[Peacoat]

A friend had a saddle that squeaked. She had put Lexol on it, as well as a few other conditioners with no good result. One day a group of us were out in the woods on horseback. Came across a large stream, and even though the water was up, we decided to cross it. About 1/2 way across, her horse slipped, and both went all the way in the water. She, her horse and the squeaky saddle were soaked through and through. She had no option but to keep riding as we were a long way from the trailers, and we weren't going to stop the ride just because some fool fell in the river in the middle of Winter. We all knew she and the horse would eventually dry out. We finished the ride, which took another couple of hours. Her saddle never squeaked again.

From your description of the condition of the jacket, I would guess the tackiness comes from the previous owner putting some type of conditioner on the leather in an attempt to rid the jacket of the squeak. Let us know how the attempt to remove the tackiness goes.

 

[oneterrifichog]

A friend had a saddle that squeaked. She had put Lexol on it, as well as a few other conditioners with no good result. One day a group of us were out in the woods on horseback. Came across a large stream, and even though the water was up, we decided to cross it. About 1/2 way across, her horse slipped, and both went all the way in the water. She, her horse and the squeaky saddle were soaked through and through. She had no option but to keep riding as we were a long way from the trailers, and we weren't going to stop the ride just because some fool fell in the river in the middle of Winter. We all knew she and the horse would eventually dry out. We finished the ride, which took another couple of hours. Her saddle never squeaked again.

From your description of the condition of the jacket, I would guess the tackiness comes from the previous owner putting some type of conditioner on the leather in an attempt to rid the jacket of the squeak. Let us know how the attempt to remove the tackiness goes.

I own several LW Horsehide jackets and once they get out in the rain or I just wear the crap out of them they quit squeaking. All of my jackets squeak when I first start wearing them in the fall but they stop over time. I agree that some of the conditioners cause issues but be aware if you ask Stuart he may tell you "to go jump in a lake".....Hmmm that just might work.

 

[wild_balls]

Had one LW Horsehide a1 once, it squeaked too!!!

 

[Tinytim]

Hello, I am new to the forum, but I have visited the site many times over the last few months. I was inspired by the passion of so many members in this forum that I have also jumped in to buy a few jackets. In January, I had received an A2 flying tiger horsehide jacket from Gibson & Barnes, and 2 weeks ago I received a horsehide Bedford deck jacket & 2 vests from The Lost Worlds. The 2 companies was mentioned on your forum and were mentioned favorably, thanks to all in the forum. I have started to wear the A2 jacket, it's not as stiff as I expected, but the problem is it is making a lot of creaking noises. I have started to wear the jacket most evenings at home. I have noticed that the creaking in the sleeves have subsided greatly, to a soft creak, however the collar is still creaking very loudly when I move my head or shoulders in some directions. So I guess wearing the jacket regularly helps in reducing creaks & squeaks

 

[Tinytim]

Sorry to be so long winded, for The Lost Worlds jacket, the jacket is very heavy & stiff. Yes it creaks loudly! I have not started to wear it yet. When I am free, I try to massage the leather in the mean time. 2 weeks of intermittent effort, I have no results to show.