Thoughts on leather of Schott leather jackets!

[OceanBreeze]

Most of us know that Schott's leather jackets mostly come in three famous leathers; Steer, Cow, and Horse! Everyone always ask, which is better, stronger, etc.. They all have their pros and cons. I currently have a 6 month old 141 in naked cowhide and in the process of breaking in a new 618 in horse! Both beautiful and well made jackets.

Monitor and I have briefly talked about something but I wanted to see how everyone else feels about this.

I found an old post from the Schott forum posted by the original CEO I do believe, Oren Schott. In this post Oren explained the differences between the three leathers. He also mentions that the cow and steer are the SAME hide just the "steer" is terminology for a protective coating applied to the leather. Now from what Iv read and when speaking to Gail directly that when it comes to the naked cowhide, it is a much higher grade hide compared to the steer with fewer imperfections due to not having a sealed top coat protection like the steer does.

Now this is where I'm asking for opinions because correct me if I'm wrong, I seem to be running into a little contradiction. From what I'm told, you must be careful with what you put on the naked cowhide. From what Gail suggests, VERY LITTLE TO NOTHING and in worse cases Mink's oil only. I personally think it needs conditioning periodically and this is just for protecting herself, protecting the company itself especially from people using the wrong conditioners and trying to blame Schott for their ignorants. Her reason being the chance to harm the leather by clogging the pores of the leather. We'll correct me if I'm wrong but if the cow and steer are the same hides as Oren states, besides the steer having a protective coating and to hide imperfections as Gail states, doesn't this clog the pores too and wouldn't we all be better off with naked cowhide for the longevity if treated properly?

Oren Schott's original post with link:

http://www.schottnyc.com/forum/posts/horsehide_perfectos.htm

The LA Schott store recommends Lexol once per year. Also, they said they would fix any problems that ever came up, and give me a new jacket if they can't fix it. I have a racer in a soft but tough pebbled cowhide. Not tough enough for riding but plenty for daily wear. Nice and heavy.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Bit off topic but I'm not starting a thread... does Schott offer a Perfecto without insulation?

 

[JVanBro]

Bit off topic but I'm not starting a thread... does Schott offer a Perfecto without insulation?

The 125 takes a zip out liner and often comes without it.

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[Phil4]

"One thing is for sure that iv heard multiple times by Gail, Jerri, and many others at Schott. Although the naked cowhide is untreated like the steer, it is a MUCH MORE QUALITY HIDE, more supple, with little to no imperfections in the skin primary because its a naked hide. "

That's been my experience. The naked cowhide leather peacoat I have has the nicest leather of any of my Schotts old or new. It's very thick and heavy but supple.

 

[Edward]

Now with HH they do describe it as "front quarter" which seems to mean better quality. I wonder if that's really the case or is it also merely advertising as well? Who knows which part of the hide is actually being used.

There seems to be no standard usage for steer / cowhide. "Front Quarter" in relation to horsehide, however, is a very specific term, and denotes a very specific part of the animal. If a company were caught passing off softer, belly-hide as FQHH, I should expect them to be in trouble under the Trades Descriptions Act (or equivalent), with regards to deliberate mislabelling of product. That could amount also to fraud.

 

[Phillips88]

"One thing is for sure that iv heard multiple times by Gail, Jerri, and many others at Schott. Although the naked cowhide is untreated like the steer, it is a MUCH MORE QUALITY HIDE, more supple, with little to no imperfections in the skin primary because its a naked hide. "

That's been my experience. The naked cowhide leather peacoat I have has the nicest leather of any of my Schotts old or new. It's very thick and heavy but supple.

I have to agree! Like you said, not only from hearing this as well from Gail and Jerri but from personal experience. My naked cowhide is getting better and better! Not only is it very supple and breaking in nicely but the characteristics of the leather is really looking awesome! The quality and the lack of imperfections are top notch!

 

[Doctor Damage]

The 125 takes a zip out liner and often comes without it.

Thanks man. Those are apparently out of production, but something will come up perhaps used.

 

[JVanBro]

Thanks man. Those are apparently out of production, but something will come up perhaps used.

Yep, they do come up often as well as the 141 model with the liner although it's a cafe racer and not the asymmetric type like the Perfecto.

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[Phillips88]

In case anyone is interested, I got the approval from both GAIL at Schott and Phil at PECARDS to use the classic Pecards leather conditioner on Schotts naked cowhide!

I applied some to my 141 a couple days ago and I couldn't be happier. It has really gave it that waxy/protected fill but yet didn't hide or take away the supple soft hand characteristics of the naked cowhide. I haven't ran into rain yet but it sure feels like that won't be much of a problem anymore!

 

[Seb Lucas]

Pecards goes on anything - not sure approval is needed. I put it on my naked hides some years back. I'm not sure it helps the leather long-term but for a few weeks/months it appears revitalised.

The general principle with dressing is to use it rarely - every ten, twenty years and to use it sparingly.

 

[Phillips88]

Pecards goes on anything - not sure approval is needed. I put it on my naked hides some years back. I'm not sure it helps the leather long-term but for a few weeks/months it appears revitalised.



The general principle with dressing is to use it rarely - every ten, twenty years and to use it sparingly.

Gail at Schott is very picky and cautious about anything being put on their leather especially the naked cowhide. Basicly just making a point saying that if Gail approved it....thats saying something.

Pecard recommends about every 4 months depending on the wear...at least that's what Phil at Pecard is recommending? I'm sure opinions vary...

 

[JVanBro]

There's been a few conversations in the Schott forum about properly treating, cleaning and conditioning. All the ones I've seen Gail recommended professional cleaning/conditioning first and foremost, and either their own conditioner (otter wax), Pecards and I think Skidmores after that. And nothing containing silicone.

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[Seb Lucas]

Gail at Schott is very picky and cautious about anything being put on their leather especially the naked cowhide. Basicly just making a point saying that if Gail approved it....thats saying something.

Pecard recommends about every 4 months depending on the wear...at least that's what Phil at Pecard is recommending? I'm sure opinions vary...

When I emailed Gail about this some years ago she said you could use any good commercial product on any Schott leather. You're right opinions vary. John Chapman from Goodwear leather says that we tend to overuse dressing and that they are rarely needed. He uses simple Vaseline, no fancy products necessary. Few people know more about leather than John.

I can't imagine using dressing on a jacket four times a year. It probably won't hurt the thing but I doubt it helps.

 

[TREEMAN]

One would think using a conditioner too often would cause build-up of some sort. Vaseline is a petroleum product that I would not put on leather.

 

[Sloan1874]

I remember seeing an Irvin traded in to Aero, under the old regime, that had been conditioned so often and so heavily that there was little or no chance of it ever drying out! I'd only consider conditioning a vintage jacket of 30 years or older. Anything else is unnecessary.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I have never put anything on any of my leather jackets. Even the oldest - a 15-year-old G&B goatskin that's gotten lots of wear - shows no signs of "drying up". I don't understand the whole leather treatment thing at all, apart from on seriously old worn jackets... It strikes me as some kind of fetishistic behavior.

 

[navetsea]

here in the hot tropical climate I live with perspiration from inside and evaporation from outside, I do condition my daily worn jacket every month, just a dab here and there on a rag, not directly applied on the leather, but they feel dry otherwise, sometime white salt even formed after the leather soaked through with sweat and then dried on it.
I tried several brands, and even mink oil
I don't put a lot of science into it, especially not on just a black jacket.

 

[Doctor Damage]

I have never put anything on any of my leather jackets. Even the oldest - a 15-year-old G&B goatskin that's gotten lots of wear - shows no signs of "drying up". I don't understand the whole leather treatment thing at all, apart from on seriously old worn jackets... It strikes me as some kind of fetishistic behavior.

I agree, it's bizarre. Nobody treats their wool or cotton garments and nobody worries about them falling apart, but apparently leather requires regular treatments or it will dry up into dust and blow away? Also, I wonder how many of those worn-in, awesome-looking old vintage leather jackets we see in photos were soaked in Pecard's every couple months?

 

[Seb Lucas]

Vaseline is a petroleum product that I would not put on leather.

Pecards is petroleum too. It's pH neutral. The petroleum constituents are minuscule.

 

[Sloan1874]

https://www.pecard.com/is-petrolatum-safe-for-leather/