Quart Bernstein
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I have collected samples from several place's through the past few month's, and read about every forum post on Google on the subject - many multiple times. In short, I have more questions than answers. I've asked each of the major maker's at least one question, and spoken to Alan at JL pretty extensively.
I decided to go with Johnson Leather's for a vest and a car/lounge coat.
For both i've narrowed it down to:
4.25 Bison (The 3.5 was FAR too stretchy)
3.5/4.25 Unfinished Cowhide
3.5 Goat (Right now has 3.25 on hand)
Possibly Elk? (I really know nothing about elk's use in a jacket)
Some days I am deadset on going with the cowhide, while others I want the supple combo of Bison/Goat. More often than not, it is whether to go with or against cowhide though. Cowhide has been time tested, it will not stretch out and lose form, I can be hard with it (and i'm very rough on my clothing (hunting, camping... I manage to tear through clothing). On the other hand, while I see fans of horsehide and goat, there does not seem to be many cheering for cowhide/steerhide's unless it is for its use with a motorcycle. I get the picture that it's uncomfortable and never forms to work with the body, patently squeaky, and cardboardlike.
Meanwhile, Goat seems like the best option. Other than a goat vest I once owned, my experience is limited. The Langlitz vest, while not made for me, slightly ballooned at my chest/abdomen and would look the opposite of boxy on me. I can't say if this was because of the cut, or the leather though. I read two negative accounts stating that once the top coat was gone that the inner layer could never be buffed out, and (from what I remember) that is where the durability was at.
It first discounted the bison for the way the 3.5 oz version stretched, but it seems to encompass aspects of both the cowhide and goat. If I did get something goat, it would pair well with it. The 4.25 oz also doesn't seem to be too much heavier, although I have no experience with this difference as a vest or full on jacket.
I know nothing about Elk's application here. I only just read another person commenting about JL's use of it.
Comfort and function is the most important to me. I do not mind if it take's 1-5 years for it to break-in ultimately. As long as someday it will work with the body while also being durable. Weight is not a huge issue if it is distributed, and i'm trying to find the best leather that will conform (eventually) and be durable for the task at hand. And while i've only seen this in certain top coats of corrected motorcycle cowhide, I would prefer something that isn't squeaky loud when it is broken in. I will be using a wool shirt underneath for inclement weather.
Since the coat is longer, I figure it would be wise to go with something lighter here (no 4.25 oz cowhide).
As for the vest, I figure I can go with a thicker leather, although I may be wrong here. Either the weight of heavy leather will distribute better on a vest (neither long nor uses arms), or the leather assists in riding up the waist, and boxing the shoulders in - you tell me.
I haven't seen any information about leather recommendations for a vest. While going from backpack's, messenger's, pants, and other odd idea's, the vest has become my favorite option for pockets, and that's its primary function. I think i'd like a boxy fit for a vest. I realize a big part goes to how it is cut and measured, but I was overall looking for something boxy (is this the right word. Standard?). I would like it to mold over time.
TL;DR
Notes/Questions:
*I am looking for JL specific leather opinion, particularly for their cowhide instead of one of the million other tannage, coated variations of it. The more mystical elk, and sometimes bison and elk here are less important whether it is what Johnson uses. Comparisons between leather mentioned would be helpful as well.
*Opinion's on a recommended leather for a longer coat
*Opinion's on a recommended leather for a vest, as well as any idea toward their fit/cut
*If anyone wants to take a shot at demystifying cowhide, that has a preference toward it.
*Any tips on having a vest fit better (changing the angle of the shoulder, lessening the shoulder width, side-laces, etc).
Thank you for lessening my chances of unnecessary risk taking in using leather!!!
I decided to go with Johnson Leather's for a vest and a car/lounge coat.
For both i've narrowed it down to:
4.25 Bison (The 3.5 was FAR too stretchy)
3.5/4.25 Unfinished Cowhide
3.5 Goat (Right now has 3.25 on hand)
Possibly Elk? (I really know nothing about elk's use in a jacket)
Some days I am deadset on going with the cowhide, while others I want the supple combo of Bison/Goat. More often than not, it is whether to go with or against cowhide though. Cowhide has been time tested, it will not stretch out and lose form, I can be hard with it (and i'm very rough on my clothing (hunting, camping... I manage to tear through clothing). On the other hand, while I see fans of horsehide and goat, there does not seem to be many cheering for cowhide/steerhide's unless it is for its use with a motorcycle. I get the picture that it's uncomfortable and never forms to work with the body, patently squeaky, and cardboardlike.
Meanwhile, Goat seems like the best option. Other than a goat vest I once owned, my experience is limited. The Langlitz vest, while not made for me, slightly ballooned at my chest/abdomen and would look the opposite of boxy on me. I can't say if this was because of the cut, or the leather though. I read two negative accounts stating that once the top coat was gone that the inner layer could never be buffed out, and (from what I remember) that is where the durability was at.
It first discounted the bison for the way the 3.5 oz version stretched, but it seems to encompass aspects of both the cowhide and goat. If I did get something goat, it would pair well with it. The 4.25 oz also doesn't seem to be too much heavier, although I have no experience with this difference as a vest or full on jacket.
I know nothing about Elk's application here. I only just read another person commenting about JL's use of it.
Comfort and function is the most important to me. I do not mind if it take's 1-5 years for it to break-in ultimately. As long as someday it will work with the body while also being durable. Weight is not a huge issue if it is distributed, and i'm trying to find the best leather that will conform (eventually) and be durable for the task at hand. And while i've only seen this in certain top coats of corrected motorcycle cowhide, I would prefer something that isn't squeaky loud when it is broken in. I will be using a wool shirt underneath for inclement weather.
Since the coat is longer, I figure it would be wise to go with something lighter here (no 4.25 oz cowhide).
As for the vest, I figure I can go with a thicker leather, although I may be wrong here. Either the weight of heavy leather will distribute better on a vest (neither long nor uses arms), or the leather assists in riding up the waist, and boxing the shoulders in - you tell me.
I haven't seen any information about leather recommendations for a vest. While going from backpack's, messenger's, pants, and other odd idea's, the vest has become my favorite option for pockets, and that's its primary function. I think i'd like a boxy fit for a vest. I realize a big part goes to how it is cut and measured, but I was overall looking for something boxy (is this the right word. Standard?). I would like it to mold over time.
TL;DR
Notes/Questions:
*I am looking for JL specific leather opinion, particularly for their cowhide instead of one of the million other tannage, coated variations of it. The more mystical elk, and sometimes bison and elk here are less important whether it is what Johnson uses. Comparisons between leather mentioned would be helpful as well.
*Opinion's on a recommended leather for a longer coat
*Opinion's on a recommended leather for a vest, as well as any idea toward their fit/cut
*If anyone wants to take a shot at demystifying cowhide, that has a preference toward it.
*Any tips on having a vest fit better (changing the angle of the shoulder, lessening the shoulder width, side-laces, etc).
Thank you for lessening my chances of unnecessary risk taking in using leather!!!
