New member who needs some advice (likes Aero)

[ProteinNerd]

My concern with a long FQHH Teamster would be the jacket riding up over one's ears when sitting but should not happen in your case with the lighter weight hide.

Fanch, My teamster is a longer version in the FQHH and I don't have any issues you were concerned with regarding riding up. If anything, you end up sitting on the tail of it and it keeps it in place better than some of my "short" jackets.

 

[Fanch]

Fanch, My teamster is a longer version in the FQHH and I don't have any issues you were concerned with regarding riding up. If anything, you end up sitting on the tail of it and it keeps it in place better than some of my "short" jackets.

Good point PN; when sitting in my Teamster, I find myself scrunching down so that it doesn't ride up. I think I recall HD telling me that he preferred shorter jackets so that he didn't like to sit on his jackets. Maybe eventually I'll try a longer Teamster (or Stockman), or maybe not since I already have too many jackets. [huh]

 

[Dr.Seuss]

Fanch, My teamster is a longer version in the FQHH and I don't have any issues you were concerned with regarding riding up. If anything, you end up sitting on the tail of it and it keeps it in place better than some of my "short" jackets.

Similar experience here. My Teamster is a solid 29 inch length; no issues with riding up. As I noted, in another thread, the FQHH of this jacket from the "get go" was very soft and (yes), almost drapey.

 

[Guppy]

For as much as you must've spent on all those jackets, you might as well have taken a vacation to Scotland and gotten measured by Ken in person.

 

[I would go out tonight]

For as much as you must've spent on all those jackets, you might as well have taken a vacation to Scotland and gotten measured by Ken in person.

Guppy, thank you for your insight. When I see it written down it makes little sense. My house is closer to Scotland than where I work. I have tried to engineer a trip several times, between work and holidays, but it has not worked out. In my defense I would say that the choices of hide would probably have been much the same even if I had been at the Aero factory. It has taken me until now to concede that I do not need Aero's 'signature' leather and that other options may suit me better.

I am particularly keen to hear from anyone with the new veg tanned brown goat. Plumb, Sloan and Fanch's praise is starting to sound conclusive.

 

[I would go out tonight]

That's just a stone's throw away from Galashiels where you can get the straight info from the horse's mouth, not the other end of the horse, which would be us! lol

Fanch, I mentioned in another reply that I have tried but it has not panned out. I might free a day up and take a day trip. It would add to the cost of the jacket but if I end up with one I am content with, that would be a good outcome.

 

[Don Tomaso]

Fanch, I mentioned in another reply that I have tried but it has not panned out. I might free a day up and take a day trip. It would add to the cost of the jacket but if I end up with one I am content with, that would be a good outcome.

Just think of it as an adventure, or an "event", if you please, take your loved one alongside and make something special out of it. Costs are meaningless, as long as you can afford it, but the jacket will stay longer than you can remember the money. Just my 2 ct.
@Fanch, I've got the football-buttons as well and they add a lot to the charme of the jacket.

 

[Sloan1874]

Guppy, thank you for your insight. When I see it written down it makes little sense. My house is closer to Scotland than where I work. I have tried to engineer a trip several times, between work and holidays, but it has not worked out. In my defense I would say that the choices of hide would probably have been much the same even if I had been at the Aero factory. It has taken me until now to concede that I do not need Aero's 'signature' leather and that other options may suit me better.

I am particularly keen to hear from anyone with the new veg tanned brown goat. Plumb, Sloan and Fanch's praise is starting to sound conclusive.

Once you're off the ferry, it's an easy trip from Stranraer to Gala, it's a little over three hours, and a very pleasant one at that - once you get past February, the drive's much more pleasant. You won't regret doing it, as an experience or for outcome. I would agree, though, FQHH isn't for everyone, so you're right to consider other options.

 

[I would go out tonight]

Aye, Sloan I have been within a few hours drive a number of times in the past two years but could not convince my wife and daughter that it was a good use of their holiday time. I was not really in the market either and did not want to call to the factory to kick a few tyres.


I think I will make the trip but fly to Edinburgh and rent a car. With some judicious easyjet booking I think I can manage a day trip for somewhere around £100. The cheapest ferry return is £150 at the moment

 

[Fanch]

Good plan. :thumb:

 

[I would go out tonight]

Thanks Fanch.
How do you find the brown veg tanned goat? Ideally I would like some wear to show, especially a reddy undertone that I have seen on a few jackets. Are either of your goats showing any wear?

 

[Fanch]

Thanks Fanch.
How do you find the brown veg tanned goat? Ideally I would like some wear to show, especially a reddy undertone that I have seen on a few jackets. Are either of your goats showing any wear?

Thus far the only jacket I have showing significant wear is my russet jerky MWHH Aero Bronco A-2 that was already five years old when I bought it ~ a year ago. There are a few creases in my brown FQHH Teamster that has gotten regular wear this winter and is a pleasure to wear now. My brown veg tanned goatskin Pioneer is one of my jackets that I pull from the closet on the fly since it felt broken in from day one and is also a pleasure to wear. Still looks new though but imagine that eventually some patina will occur. [huh]

 

[flaminggroovy]

Aeroleather fans are the majority here....maybe I'm one of the few Lost Worlds admirer.
I have the half belt jacket made by Aero leather and a downtown coat and a suburban jacket both by Lost Worls...

As for the quality and durability I stick to my Lost Worlds leahter ..these jacket are tough and after years of wearing you can still hear the leather cracking. I always treat these jackets with Alden shoe cream.

I don't say that Aero Leather is inferior to Lost Worlds..

 

[HoosierDaddy]

LW & Aero are just two completely different types of hide tanning and finishes especially concerning HH which are quite obvious. Differing in characteristics..often grain patterns and certainly developing degrees of patina. Also Aero offers quite a diversity of hides including regular FQHH..oil pull..various steer,etc. Perhaps that is why,along with customization...custom sizing and many jacket models,they remain so popular.
HD

 

[Edward]

I've seen a small number of LW jackets, and even own one of Stuart's B3s (which I bought, second hand, from John Lever a few years ago). The quality of Stuart's product is as good as anything else on the market, though to date I've been disinclined to buy direct as distance, taxand shipping makes LW significantly more expensive than more local suppliers, especially when I'm able to get what I want from Aero, who'll produce it with a smile. Stuart, bless 'im, has his own unique approach to customer service.

LW definitely do specialise in heavy leather. I gather from others who have bought direct that you're on a hiding to nothing asking for anything lighter there (I know one customer who tried to order a second jacket but asked if they had a lighter hide; Stuart suggested the inquirer was "not manly enough to wear our jackets"). LW also may or may not have a style that you fancy; Aero do have a much wider range on offer (of course, they're also a much larger operation than I get the impression LW is, which makes this possible). My personal opinion is that there are a number of folks who rather over-exaggerate the weightiness of Aero's FQHH, but there are certainly a range of options if you prefer a lighter jacket. I have owned two jackets in the old goat hide, both beautiful. Where the seal finish on those wore, chiefly on seams, it began to show through just a subtle touch of russet underneath. Wears just enough to do that in the right places, to my eye, without looking worn out, as many leathers designed to show "patina" quickly can do, imo. I've not yet owned a jacket in the new goat, butg I did get a chance to handle it at the factory, both as uncut hides and in finished jacket form. I'll definitely be buying a jacket in the black goat at some point: it's lovely stuff.

The other option I'd suggest you consider is the lighter, MW steer. I don't know what Aero call it exactly, but it's the stuff they have trainees use to make Highwayman jackets. I bought one of the first Apprentice-Made models (before they introduced the Robin Hood label; mine has the blue label) when Ken hired new staff in 2012. Beautiful jacket overall, but in particular the hide is very nice. Same thickness as FQHH, but out of the box it was uch more pliable and required no break in. NOT the heavy steer on the website - this is something different. Could be worth comparing that and the goat. Differrence is that the goat will have a bit of pebbly grain to it, which you won't get with the steer. The latter has a smoothe finish.

Aye, Sloan I have been within a few hours drive a number of times in the past two years but could not convince my wife and daughter that it was a good use of their holiday time. I was not really in the market either and did not want to call to the factory to kick a few tyres.


I think I will make the trip but fly to Edinburgh and rent a car. With some judicious easyjet booking I think I can manage a day trip for somewhere around £100. The cheapest ferry return is £150 at the moment

Worth comparing the price of the train / bus too. Been a long time since I flew to Edinburgh (I prefer to take the train these days), but the return bus fare from Edinburgh city centre to Gala is under a tenner, if I recall correctly, and takes about an hour, again if memory serves. I did it from Glasgow while on holiday there last July, and it was well worth it. (Naturally, the holiday in Glasgow was purely about taking my Sassenach other half to see Scotland for the first time, and nothing to do with a convenient trip to the Aero factory..... ).

A factory visit is great fun in its own right. I must get my photos up here.... I was planning a Dustbowl, and went up just in time for my production slot hitting the top of the waitlist, so I was able to get all my options down on paper there, and even pick out the exact hides for my jacket. Got to see round the place, too; all the staff were very generous with their time, busy as they were. Nice chance to see and handle Aero's goods, too. I recommend trying on a few things in the showroom too, if they are styles you're considering. Great way of getting a feel for sizing and such. Use it as a chance for Aero to get your measurements on file, then you've got a reference point for future jackets...

 

[flaminggroovy]

Thanks HD and Edward...

Aero Leather offers a bigger choice .....but I prefer Lost World's thick and hard to break in leather ...

 

[Sloan1874]

I am fast reaching the conclusion that a streak of masochism runs through the Outerwear community...

 

[Fanch]

I have seen a couple of LW jackets owned by another TFL member and friend (oneterrifichog) and can attest to the overall quality of the LW product. The workmanship was first rate, and the jackets that I saw looked like they would definitely outlast me. I don't think that anyone here has even suggested that LW jackets might not be top notch. Since LW and I are both in the US, I suppose that buying LW over a company based in another company would make more sense than not.

However, as HD said in his post above, the modus operandi of Aero and LW is completely different. Not only does Aero offer diversity of products but also is willing to work with one on a personal level to obtain something that fits well, looks good, and allows a degree of customization without corrupting the original pattern. Edward also just provided great input. Unfortunately, I don't have the capability of expressing myself nearly as well as HD or Edward, but what I am trying to say as diplomatically as possible is I think that it all boils down to one's perception of accessibility to a contact person or people that make one's jacket. My personal experience with Aero is that everyone there with whom I contacted by telephone or e-mail seemed to bend over backward helping me to get want I want and at the same time prevent me from making a boneheaded decision.

I am in no way trying to single out Aero as the only company that provides an excellent product and customer service but just my "perception" of excellence regarding one company.

 

[I would go out tonight]

I am fast reaching the conclusion that a streak of masochism runs through the Outerwear community...

Many thanks to all the members who have responded.

It will definitely be something mid-weight this time. I very nearly went with Don Tomaso's suggestion of Oil Pull for my current jacket but changed my mind at the last moment.
I love the look of FQHH, when it has worn in some, and I also love the heritage aspect of it. However I do not get the opportunity to wear a leather jacket as often as required to break it in, in a reasonable time span. Certainly, if I rode a bike I could see how you would want the heaviest possible leather to wear but the closest I get to that these days is driving with the car window open.

I looked at some of the samples I have and Seal Jerky horse is another possibility.
I think I have narrowed it down to
Brown Veg tanned goat
Seal jerky A2 Horse (suggested by Plumbline)
Midweight Steer

 

[I would go out tonight]

I have also added the new Italian horse to the list and have flights booked in March.
I will post some pictures of the jacket I am going to trade in to show you where I think I went wrong with the fit.