Edward
Bartender
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Different makers are more or less flexible I guess. You can litterally ask anything from Johnson leather for example but Aero will refuse to put a #10 zipper.
All comes down to the business model, really. Aero pride themselves that nothing goes out of the factory that couldn't have been made before the 1959 cutoff. The zips being period-accurate are pat of that. I know al ot of folks do like the 70s style, comically over-sized zips. In this case, it's obviously a chociue Aero have made not to facilitate that as it might dilute their brand. Simila to how Eastman sold itself on thebasis of accuracy of its military jackets, so they won't do non-standad customisations as that's not what they're about. Johnson have gone another direction.
I think you would like bison leather, you can get it very heavy and it is soft
The Horween bison is a really nice hide - thicker but much softer than the Chromexcel FQHH from the off. Breaks in very nicely. Just be aware if you use this hide that it is kinda teacorey, so if you want your jacket to stay blacker than black, it's not the best choice. The Chromexcel steer is nice; much heavier than the horse version and not a good choice for a pleated back, say, though I haveheard it can break in a bit softer than the FQHH. Though tbh I never found FQHH needed anything more than a month's daily wearing to feel like an old friend. And that was no chore...