Highwayman Update

[DJS Press]

Good day, gentlemen.

I thought I'd post an update on my new Highwayman. Here's some random thoughts...

I was just a little intimidated about how stiff it was out of the box. Those fears were short-lived when I realized I just needed to show this jacket who was boss (breaking that horse!). I'm very pleasantly surprised with the results.

I try to wear the jacket for several hours per day, even if I'm just workiing at my desk or watching TV. Every evening, I'll spray it down good with water from a spray bottle and really work my arms. This not only seems to be breaking it in really well, but it's really bringing out the grain, especially in the arms. I'd love to wear it in the rain, but that ain't likely around here for a while.

Not even one week into ownership and a good deal of the stiffness is gone. I can bend my arms easily, and can even wear it zipped-up while driving.
Again, it appears to me the secret is to show the jacket who's boss. If you're timid about breaking it in, it will probably beat you.

Man, is the grain in this heavy horsehide unbelievable. I've never seen anything quite like it. It's so complex. The right sleeve is graining up so parts of it almost looks like flowing water. Subtle, but amazing. I can't wait to see what it looks like in 6 months (or 10 years).

It's a joy to own a product that's such fine quality. I hate junk, but I really hate over-priced, fancy-label junk. I tell people that the long-term cost of this jacket is way less than anything made in China because it'll outlast them many times over. Plus, in my mind nothing beats the coolness of a well broken-in heavy horsehide jacket.

If anybody had told me 2 years ago that I'd be buying a jacket that cost nearly 800 bucks I would have looked at them like they had two heads. Even after only a week, I'll say it's worth every penny. I know I'm going to love watching the evolution of coolness that this goes through over the years.

If you're looking for something out of the box that's soft and drapes over your body, then heavy horse probably isn't for you, but if you want to put in just a little time and effort to break it in, I can't imagine that you won't glad you did it.

Here's a few photos...

....just sittin' hear smelling that rich leather smell....

 

[Peacoat]

You need to go to the "insert image" icon while you are preparing a reply or new thread. A box will open. You need to cut and paste an URL from, say, PhotoBucket. Click OK and the photo will appear in the body of the message. But first you have to have the photo you wish to insert already uploaded to the remote site, such as PhotoBucket.

 

[Peacoat]

Got so involved in telling how to post a picture, I forgot to tell that you have a very a nice jacket.

Today I ordered a Highwayman in the heavy steer, chrome tanned. Amanda said the chrome tanned steer finish was indistinguishable from the HH. We shall see. Doubt that it is entirely true as the horse is a very nice finish, but with our having Thoroughbreds, my wife would not even think about a HH jacket in our house.

For my purpose--motorcycle riding--the steer will do just fine. Especially the chrome tanned version, as that process makes leather as waterproof as leather can be made.

You have a nice jacket and it sounds like you are enjoying breaking it in. Keep us posted.

 

[Technonut]

Sweet jacket.... Looks like it is breaking-in well.

I still have a couple of weeks to wait for my Highwayman. I ended-up ordering one of the "mottled" FQ horsehide jackets offered in Aero's specials section for 275 pounds. They say that they have enough of the hide for 30 Highwayman jackets.

I had some close-up photos sent of the "mottled" hide, and really could not see much difference. The price was right for me.


All the best for you and your Highwayman DJS Press.... :cheers1:

 

[DJS Press]

Peacoat, I tried that method of posting photos, but it isn't working. The photos are on Yahoo photos. Maybe it's a glitch? Who knows?

Isn't Amanda at Aero great? She was really patient with the changes I threw at her. I was considering the steerhide version of the Highwayman. I know that there are some people who would consider wearing a horsehide jacket akin to wearing one made out of a pet. I figure I'll be judicious in who I tell about it.

On a recent trip to Japan one evening at dinner we had "New Beef", which is horsemeat sashimi. (I ate it, and it was pretty good, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it.) I told my hosts that they'd not likely find that on the menu in the US. A lot of them (and a lot of people throughout the world) consider a horse to be livestock just like cattle.

You're going to love your new Highwayman.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

DJS
I think that you are beginning to get there on the breaking-in process. I remember wearing mine and it seemed,all of a sudden,it had softened up like a broken-in baseball glove. I used to intentionally sit or walk with my hands in the pockets to loosen them up. Once you get that HH relaxed,it'll be like an old friend you won't want to be without on a chilly day. Nice jacket!
HD

 

[DJS Press]

Photos working now

I posted my photos to Photobucket, and they work fine now. Yahoo Photo doesn't seem to work, for whatever reason. (Or maybe I'm the only guy who can't get it to work.)

How about a photo of your well-worn Highwayman, HoosierDaddy?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I wished that I could post a pic,DJS...but digi on the blitz. I'm researching a new one and hope to be able to post pics soon.
HD

 

[fedoralover]

That's really a great looking jacket. It will last you a lifetime with reasonable care. What was total amount of time you had to wait before it arrived?

fedoralover

 

[DJS Press]

Jacket delivery

I ordered my jacket on 12/27/06, but Aero was on vacation until 1/8 so the clock really didn't start ticking until then. My jacket was completed and shipped on 2/2, and I picked it up at the Post Office on 2/11.

So, it was about 3 weeks for production, and about a week of pure torture waiting for it to arrive and clear customs. (Customs had it for about 6 days.) All things considered, not bad at all for a custom-made jacket made to this level of quality and craftsmanship. I consider my Highwayman to be a piece of artwork that I can wear.

I just can't say enough about how easy Amanda made it to get my jacket just the way I wanted. I know a lot of people who post here rave about Mark Moye of Aero USA, and when I get my next Aero I'll probably go through them, but have no fear at all in dealing directly with Amanda at Aero if that's what you prefer.

 

[fedoralover]

Thanks, I was curious as to how long I have to wait for my Aero A-2. Aero seems to have excellent customer service no matter who you go through.

fedoralover