Question about new Schott 618 vs Vintage 618

[FluidicBreeze]

I've recently bought a new Schott perfecto 618 and noticed that the steerhide used for the new model feels quite different from the that of my vintage 618 from the early 2000s. It feels much thinner and lighter than the vintage steerhide. I'm not sure if it's because they are sourcing different type of cowhide or using a different approach to producing leather, or it's just about this defected piece of jacket I bought?

I wonder if anyone else here ever had this problem with the newer perfecto?

 

[Edward]

I recently soured another used one to replace my older 618 that was always just a bit too neat fitting. The newer jacket doesn't feel any thinner or lighter to me, though it is a duller, more matte finish. I have a feeling that'll wear to a shine like the older one, though. Leather as an organic material will inevitably never be entirely uniform across many batches, though, so some difference can be expected. I don't believe Schott's QC has dropped standard in recent years, though, so...

 

[Aloysius]

I doubt it's defective. Leather is an organic material and like all good makers, they will use pieces of consistent thickness throughout the making of the garment. I'm guessing your old one was at the upper end of the range and this one was at the lower end of the range, so the difference feels more stark.

If anything they've gone for thicker hides of late; the 618HH now has a thicker hide than before.