Soft leather A-2

[subject101]

My favourite jacket so far is my ELC A-2. It looks great on me but it's like wearing an armour.

The leather is not breaking in, I guess beacuse I wear the jacket during just a few months of the year.

Since the lining is so thin, the jacket is not warm enough for autumn and winter. However, too hot for summer.

I think this jacket is the best looking but most impractical piece of clothing I own.

As a matter of curiosity, is there any manufacturer producing a no stiff A-2?

 

[kojax]

i bought a new a2 real mccoy jacket before xmass it was like card board after a couple of momths it feels great . it was so stiff i almost sold it i am glad i kept it. i have a gibson barnes a2 goatskin nice jacket to wear,,,

 

[442RCT]

New leather jackets need to be kneaded

I used to have the same problem with new jackets. When I bought a couple of used repro horse hide A-2s (an Aero and an ELC ) they arrived really soft and supple. I asked the seller if he used some type of leather treatment on them, he said all he did was 'knead' the jacket while he watch TV. He'd crumple, twist, and bunch up the leather until it softened up. There's another thread where the poster said basically the same thing.

http:www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?53990-Breaking-in-aero-H-H
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[subject101]

he said all he did was 'knead' the jacket while he watch TV. He'd crumple, twist, and bunch up the leather until it softened up.

Great idea However, wouldn't it be easier just to produce soft leather A-2s? Are all manufaters making only stiff jackets?

And what about better/thicker lining? I don't like to stuff myself inside an A-2 with underwear, shirt and pullover.

 

[Edward]

In terms of an alternative lining / other alterations to the A2 design, I should think the reason you don't see more of that sort of thing is simply that the companies producing A2s today are predominantly catering to a niche market that prizes accuracy to the original items, hence lack of deviation from the same. If an A2 with a thicker lining is what you want, Aero would probably be your best bet, as they'll happily do all sorts of custom alterations. One way to buy a 'softer' A2 would be to go for an Eastman 'timeworn' finish, though that wouldn't get you a thicker lining as Eastman's business model is based around accurate reproductions, so they don't do custom variations on their jackets. Aero's goat hides seem plenty supple to me if even their medium horse is too stiff for you. The other alternative might be to give up on leather altogether. If you're not determined it has to be leather, a B10 or a B15 might actually meet your spec much better: soft, pliable exterior, thick warm lining, etc.

 

[subject101]

The other alternative might be to give up on leather altogether. If you're not determined it has to be leather, a B10 or a B15 might actually meet your spec much better: soft, pliable exterior, thick warm lining, etc.

There are leather jackets that are made of soft leather. You can find soft leather G-1s in any mall market. I wonder why not A-2.

I agree with the niche segmentation you pointed. Another point could be that a soft leather A-2 won't look right unless you chose a very tight size.

Was all wwII and pre wwII A-2 production stiff leather?

 

[Edward]

I've never handled an original, to be honest, so I can't authoritatively comment on those. Of the reproductions, I've never handled one that I would consider 'stiff', but to qualify that, all my formative experiences were with biker leathers, and most of my leather jackets are Aeros, including two in the FQHH, so the sort of midweight horse from which an A2 is typically made doesn't seem stiff to me. [huh]

 

[apba1166]

For soft but strong, I like deer the best or drum-dye cow. Neither authentic--then you have to go goat, which is always nice. Lamb, as has been mentioned many times, is soft but one nail or branch or turn the wrong way and it rips, although years ago I had a soft Korean-made G1 "mall" jacket as mentioned above that is still going, very tough, always assumed lamb, but it's worn smooth now, more like the thin drum-dye cow you see. That stuff may not be horse but it seems to last forever too.

 

[Justhandguns]

I aquired an 2nd hand (like new) Aero A-2 with smooth seal HH. It is very soft and supple, almost like those mall type leather. It is actually quite a surprised to me. Even my ELC .50Cal (time worn steerhide) is not as supple after wearing it maybe 20-30 times.

 

[Dr H]

Go for goat - I've had three Perry Sportswear A2s in goatskin and a GW Doniger. Incredibly supple, lightweight yet substantial...

 

[subject101]

Go for goat - I've had three Perry Sportswear A2s in goatskin and a GW Doniger. Incredibly supple, lightweight yet substantial...

Sorry but I think assuming that a particular hide is softer and suppler than other is wrong. My ELC is the Cable Raincoat contract which is actually goatskin and it is the stiffest jacket I've ever owned. Put it on the ground and you think it's going to start to walk

However, I have tried other goatskin jackets that were soft and supple.

 

[kojax]

gibson barnes goatskin is very good and soft i like my a-2 from them

 

[Dr H]

I agree that the weight of the hide/skin will influence this, but for e.g. a 2.5 oz hide as used by GW the result is a very light supple jacket that drapes very well but pound for pound is more abrasion resistant than heavier hides.

 

[subject101]

gibson barnes goatskin is very good and soft i like my a-2 from them

Ok, so we have a winner; gibson-barnes goatskin A-2 is soft and supple, any other manufacturer?

 

[Dr H]

Ok, so we have a winner; gibson-barnes goatskin A-2 is soft and supple, any other manufacturer?

Good Wear Leather...

 

[subject101]

Good Wear Leather...

Ok, two winners, gibson-barnes goatskin A-2 and Good Wear Leather. Do you know if any of these two manufacturers will do a custom thicker lining?

 

[Dr H]

John Chapman does custom work, but I couldn't tell you about thicker lining. Check his website and call him. His customer service is second to none...

 

[subject101]

John Chapman does custom work, but I couldn't tell you about thicker lining. Check his website and call him. His customer service is second to none...

Ok, great

 

[Fifty150]

[

If an A2 with a thicker lining is what you want, Aero would probably be your best bet, as they'll happily do all sorts of custom alterations.

I did my own "custom" alteration. I took the liner my M-65 field coat, cut a couple of inches off the bottom, then refinished the hem. Then with a piece of chalk, I marked the button hole locations and sewed BDU buttons into my liner. Now I have a button in liner for my A-2. Any competent tailor or dry cleaner should be able to do the same for you. Then you can wear your A-2 during the winter.

 

[subject101]

[

I did my own "custom" alteration. I took the liner my M-65 field coat, cut a couple of inches off the bottom, then refinished the hem. Then with a piece of chalk, I marked the button hole locations and sewed BDU buttons into my liner. Now I have a button in liner for my A-2. Any competent tailor or dry cleaner should be able to do the same for you. Then you can wear your A-2 during the winter.

I own a M-65 with its liner. Very useful jacket I don't thik buttons can be sewed to my ELC because the liner is a very thin fabric. However it is a nice idea.