My cross-button jacket from Cidu Genuine Leather Brand (China), or "The Handymike Re-Dye job"

[handymike]

Hey All,
The other day I received this Chinese knock-off (homage) to a cross-button jacket that I've wanted for a long time. Our friends in Greece make stellar versions of this model, but I never was willing to cough up the dough. I stumbled on this one in the classifieds and immediately jumped on it. Thanks to @dinomartino1 for a smooth transaction!
Here are the stock shots from AliExpress:

I was a little scared by the photo the seller sent of the rear back panel:

I know, it looks like a sofa! but, the measurements and price were right...
It arrived in good time, and sure enough it fit really well...
I wasn't a fan of the couch like contrast however.
So, I decided to re-dye the jacket.

Here is the result:

and the new color in sunlight:

I'm much happier now!

 

[handymike]

Here are some detail shots for those that might consider this maker:
cord lined cuffs (not the thickest corduroy):

"Talon" hardware:

Interior gun pocket:

cat-eye buttons:

Thanks for looking.

 

[ton312]

Dang man that looks good too me! They really studied the original, right down to the interior pocket. I liked the leather before the dye job but I do think it looks richer post dye. Not friggn half bad at all for the price. Well done!

 

[steve u]

I couldn't agree more...GREAT re-dye
steve

 

[sweetfights]

Fantastic dye job. Leather color is gorgeous!!!!

 

[handymike]

It could almost pass for Shinki...if you don’t get too close, or touch it.

 

[Blackadder]

It could almost pass for Shinki...if you don’t get too close, or touch it.

I am staying off the more expensive chinese made jackets. God knows what they pass those re-dyed couch leather off as. Great job. Wish I am that handy seeing that I can find knockoffs of almost all the Freewheelers jackets on Taobao now. They even made a leather version of the wool Record Breaker.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Nice work, Mike. Will the dye be stable in wet conditions and will there be transfer if you sit on light couch? Someone should do a thread on which Chinese knock offs are best and what to look for.

 

[handymike]

You Know Seb, I haven’t a clue. It hasn’t rained here in 6 months, and we have a dark sofa. Truth be told, I always take off my jacket at the door.
I might give it a satin coat of crystal clear anyway to knock down the shine, and that should fix any dye transfer.

 

[handymike]

Hey @Blackadder please post links to those Freewheelers knock-offs!

 

[Seb Lucas]

You Know Seb, I haven’t a clue. It hasn’t rained here in 6 months, and we have a dark sofa. Truth be told, I always take off my jacket at the door.
I might give it a satin coat of crystal clear anyway to knock down the shine, and that should fix any dye transfer.

I was thinking about car seats and waiting room couches and furniture at friend's places, but I hear you. What is crystal clear?

 

[handymike]

It’s used to fix oil pastels on paper. It acts like an acrylic varnish, and it comes in satin finish.

 

[Blackadder]

Not sure if you can see those links on Taobao but here goes. If Mod receives complaints, that's on you handy, LOL.
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a21wu.10013406.0.0.5ac37685Xh1xce&id=603548800069
https://world.taobao.com/item/603343218062.htm?spm=a21wu.12321156-tw.0.0.c11958e41mt5Vf
https://world.taobao.com/dianpu/cat-33758355-1316011686.htm
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id....14.196.19_11442_8531562405917706853&scm=null
Sunset, San Mateo, Muholland, Record Breaker, Centinela. No La Brea yet.

 

[ton312]

Not sure if you can see those links on Taobao but here goes. If Mod receives complaints, that's on you handy, LOL.
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a21wu.10013406.0.0.5ac37685Xh1xce&id=603548800069
https://world.taobao.com/item/603343218062.htm?spm=a21wu.12321156-tw.0.0.c11958e41mt5Vf
https://world.taobao.com/dianpu/cat-33758355-1316011686.htm
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id....14.196.19_11442_8531562405917706853&scm=null
Sunset, San Mateo, Muholland, Record Breaker, Centinela. No La Brea yet.

Those actually look surprisingly good. Almost uncomfortably good. I’d buy one as a beater if I could even remotely figure out how.

 

[handymike]

How much is ¥1580?

 

[Blackadder]

This one a bit more expensive HH version. Don't know if it is actually HH.
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...-9206846895.28.4c61a5c6ogGl8o&id=604194065921
There used to be some undyed San Mateo, Record Breaker as well but only the undyed Sunset left.
https://ulikezp.world.taobao.com/?spm=2013.1.1000126.3.1c975fbbIIl3cw

 

[Blackadder]

How much is ¥1580?
View attachment 191966

Around USD 230 but I doubt you can get them directly from Taobao which is why Alibaba set up the Aliexpress in addition to Taobao.

 

[handymike]

Ah, I see...
Thanks for those!

 

[Blackadder]

I know someone is selling those on Yahoo Auction Japan at a premium not sure about ebay though.

 

[Blackadder]

Problem with Taobao is everything is in chinese only. If you can find someone who reads and writes chinese to help you set up etc, you may be able to get them to ship to US.