My new AL-8 ( grainey steerhide)

[ForestForTheTrees]

Hey is it just me or does this jacket featured sort of look like a copy too?

What jackets being produced today don't look like a variation of something already produced in the past?

I think jacket manufacturers these days are dependent upon finding the right combination of quality and pricing as opposed to originality. Those that produce a high quality product will be able to charge more while others might focus more on volume, cutting corners here or there and therefore are able to charge less. In the end there is room for both. The market itself decides on what it is willing to support.

 

[Dr H]

Hey is it just me or does this jacket featured sort of look like a copy too?

It's possibly just me, but I find the generic 30s/40s/50s half belt styles to be derivative, regardless of the manufacturer.

 

[Cooperson]

Good looking jacket and if it was put together by Vicky, you know it will be well made. I would be interested in your opinion of the grainy steer hide. The sample I received was significantly thicker than Aero's heavy front quarter horse, but it wasn't stiff at all, in fact in one direction it had quite a bit of stretch to it. Just wondered how it feels to wear? Photos of the jacket being worn is really what people want to see of course

 

[Gancho]

Very nice jacket! The tartan is the nicest I have seen.

Yes, please show pictures wearing the jacket.

Regards,

Olli

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

So where did you order this, where did you see pics, prices and so on?

And what is the lining in the arms.

(and yes, Vicky is amazing)

 

[Deleted member 16736]

I wish they'd explore other options for side straps. Aero also uses this clumsy fold-over design and I find it just gets in the way of my arms swinging back. Maybe D-rings fastened from the back so the rings are out of the way.

 

[Edward]

Nice looking jacket; as near an Aero Bootlegger in design as makes no difference.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

The back is of course generic. It's a nice looking jacket …

But you said you'd asked for one-piece arms. This looks to be made of 3 pieces. Does "one-piece" just refer to the cuff? You can, of course, cut an arm from one piece of leather/whatever fabric, but certainly this is not one of those.

 

[Sloan1874]

Nice looking jacket; as near an Aero Bootlegger in design as makes no difference.

 

[simonc]

Only thing I may have added is a leather or chord hem to stop that lining wearing out on jeans or trouser loops.

 

[ForestForTheTrees]

Which part of the jacket is the last photo posted (on 12-24)?

 

[Rudie]

Looks like the back of the collar to me.

 

[Plumbline]

So where did you order this, where did you see pics, prices and so on?

And what is the lining in the arms.

(and yes, Vicky is amazing)

I phoned Alexander Leathers .. spoke to Amanda who sent me some pics of the sample jackets, then described what I was looking for and she suggested the AL-8 ( no pics or sample was available at that time ) sounded like a cross between a 50's halfbelt and a Bootlegger with a little bit of motorcycle jacket thrown in for good measure. So I asked for a price and placed an order ( my original order was for Black which I changed to brown afetr SWMBO said I had plenty of black bike jackets but only had one brown one).

Cotton Drill (Black) in the arms

The hide is thicker than oilpull steer ... but not as thick as the very heavy chrome tanned steer which Aero had ... 31/2 OZ perhaps .... but still very pliable and not too stiff and certainly not as stiff as my FQHH Veste De Rallye was when it arrived new ( which was like wearing armour for 6 months or so) ... nice thick and heavy but certainly not stiff and won't stand up on it's own unaided ( unlike FQHH).

Pic 7 is back of the collar

 

[Plumbline]

The back is of course generic. It's a nice looking jacket …

But you said you'd asked for one-piece arms. This looks to be made of 3 pieces. Does "one-piece" just refer to the cuff? You can, of course, cut an arm from one piece of leather/whatever fabric, but certainly this is not one of those.

The "one piece" refers to the arm top-piece ( i.e. without the American cuff design and the top arm in one single piece). The arm itself is three pieces the armpit section, underarm section and arm top piece. ( I don't know their formal or correct names)

Never seen a one piece arm construction bike jacket .... could be done though but it might not hang / drape very well. I like the single top piece ... It's what I should have ordered on my Aero Californian but you live and learn. Now there's a stye Aero should re-introduce ... in Buffalo, that was a stunning leather.

 

[ForestForTheTrees]

The "one piece" refers to the arm top-piece ( i.e. without the American cuff design and the top arm in one single piece). The arm itself is three pieces the armpit section, underarm section and arm top piece. ( I don't know their formal or correct names)

This is exactly what I did with the custom jacket that I ordered from Johnson Leathers last year. I asked for a sleeve design much like they use in their riding jackets, but without the zip closure. I really like the end result as it makes for a very clean look.

Your AL-8 looks great by the way.

 

[Plumbline]

Some pics of the jacket being worn ( second time) which is apparently now called "The Detroit" according to Amanda at Alexanders. Comments, very comfy from the get go and awesome fit ( given that I'm a 44" short arse with broad shoulders but 34" waist) ... I like it, I like it a LOT

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[majormajor]

Nice jacket, although just a tad large for my tastes.

A size smaller would be perfect.

 

[Sloan1874]

+1

 

[Cooperson]

Very nice half belt, looks like it could take a sweater under it which in the current weather conditions is not a bad thing. I've got a couple of jackets that I can only wear a tee shirt with, but it's the ones I can layer that get the most wear.

 

[Plumbline]

Why would I want a smaller jacket ..... then it would be too small ( I'll get a jumper under it and that's about it ......it is currently worn with a icebreaker 250 merino thermal).

Why would I want to wear a jacket too small ????????