Thoughts on my new Eastman Rough Wear B3 jacket

[warthog]

Thank you guys for your reply.

Try to apply Pecard covering it several times during the week and leave it with Pecard covered for about two weeks after last treatment. It should help to soften the leather and will protect it from any next possible cracking and from soaking under the snow etc. I wouldn't wear this exact one before properly done Pecard treatment.
P.S. Nobody knows how it was storaged by its previous owner/eBay seller. Direct sunlight/UV or extremely dry weather might cause its current overdried condition. If the jacket fits well I'd keep it. Pecard should help. Eastman do nice WWII jackets, B3 incl.

I will try to use some Pecard later this winter to try to soft it. Hope it will be more supple after that.

I'd say it looks fairly normal for ELCs broken grain, a coat of picards will help soften a bit and may protect the finish, what you see cracking is the applied top coat no the actual leather itself.
The fleece coming off would concern me though, I've not noticed that with any of my ELC sheepskins.
Here's my redskin that's a few years old now, which has had one very light coat of Picards on it earlier in the year. View attachment 267368
I have to agree with you on the zip front, it hasn't caused any problems yet but I don't have much faith in it lasting.
Edit
This isn't the "time worn", I don't think they do that on the Redskin.

The fur is not coming off anymore after my second wearing, so I think it's not a huge problem now. Your jacket is really gorgeous by the way.

@warthog

Judging by the photos, what you're seeing on your jacket seems perfectly normal to me.

From what I understand, the wartime finish emulates the look of old B3 jackets that have shrunk with time, leaving the finish no longer... Well, fitting the surface of the leather (don't know how to explain). It'll thus begin to wrinkle (and crack), achieving this look.

The shiny finish you're concerned about isn't leather but a lacquer of a sort and yeah, being mostly a relatively thick layer of inorganic mix of stuff, that's how it feels. Some companies even call this "leatherized" sheepskin.
Anyway, the finish may seem dry and brittle as it basically is just a painted coat of lacquer but that stuff is actually (usually) very durable and weather (and fire!) resistant.

So exactly what @Dav mentioned, it is for that very same reason that leather conditioners (should) have ZERO effect on these jackets, since you can't actually apply it to the leather but only to the finish that covers it, which will have no benefit from it.
The jacket might absorb some of the conditioner if the protective coating is porous where it has began cracking and flaking but how effective will that be in the long run, if at all... Dunno.

Without the finish, sheepskin feel like suede, which is exactly what it is as the inside of the leather is facing outwards, of course, with the fur part keeping you warm.

In short, if it feels like you can peel off the crackly finish easily... Then that's something to be worried about but if it's firmly set and holding on the hide, even though it may appear brittle, you're good.

What @Dav says, though, I'd be more worried about the shedding fur. That shouldn't be happening.

Another reason I hope to try Pecard is the color inconsistency of the jacket. There are several spots that look darker than other areas. So I may want to use some conditioner to buffer the color.

 

[Lebowski]

...the color inconsistency of the jacket. There are several spots that look darker than other areas.

It's one of the most interesting features in good WWII period repro's, it names "hand painted" and that's the highly thought after feature actually. Any attempt to "fix" it making the color to be more plain and evenly consistent would decrease the value of the jacket significantly. There's little or no interest to "plain jane" jackets made of evenly colored smooth leather without any hint to grain. Seems you haven't understood yet what a beaut you've purchased. It's nice repro, use some Pecard to soften the leather and just wear it. It deserves some love!
P.S. What size is that? I'm thinking of to make you an offer)

 

[Monitor]

Thank you guys for your reply.

I will try to use some Pecard later this winter to try to soft it. Hope it will be more supple after that.

The fur is not coming off anymore after my second wearing, so I think it's not a huge problem now. Your jacket is really gorgeous by the way.

Another reason I hope to try Pecard is the color inconsistency of the jacket. There are several spots that look darker than other areas. So I may want to use some conditioner to buffer the color.

But that's what I'm saying - Pecard won't (or at least shouldn't) make a difference as you won't be applying it to the leather but rather to a layer of acrylic finish. The finish should be waterproof, that's the whole purpose of it so basically, the equivalent would be, I dunno, applying a leather conditioner to a painted wooden fence.

You'd be better off buying a darker paint and repainting the jacket.

 

[s4rmark]

Just wear it and it will soften up, B-3’s take a lot of breaking in and can be quite tiring to wear for long periods but it will soften up the more you wear it.

 

[Monitor]

According to VLJ, these are some of the better options for use on sheepskin.

https://fiebing.com/product-category/leathercraft/top-finishes/

 

[AIRCRAFTMECH]

My New ELC Perry mixed hides showed up Friday, Same finish. I’ve got an older ELC House B-3 without the time worn, I think I like the time worn better. I’ve made a B-2 hat a few years ago (while my ELC B-2 was being shipped) I Dyed it with dark brown then sprayed It with acrylic clear to replicate the design, turned out pretty nice. My ELC cap has the time worn and it’s held up for 4 years with frequent wearing, with the shearling taking the most punishment. I do love the Aero redskin look much better and I’ll try it with my next B-3 or a D-1.

 

[trialsallday]

I agree with what you said. It’s an acquired taste. I have a rough wear Eastman b-3 and also an Aero B-3,love them both but very different animals

It's one of the most interesting features in good WWII period repro's, it names "hand painted" and that's the highly thought after feature actually. Any attempt to "fix" it making the color to be more plain and evenly consistent would decrease the value of the jacket significantly. There's little or no interest to "plain jane" jackets made of evenly colored smooth leather without any hint to grain. Seems you haven't understood yet what a beaut you've purchased. It's nice repro, use some Pecard to soften the leather and just wear it. It deserves some love!
P.S. What size is that? I'm thinking of to make you an offer)

 

[Mulceber]

Very much late to the party, but I'll throw in my opinions anyway. I've got exactly the same model jacket from Eastman, and on opening the box it looked exactly like yours. I wore it several days a week from the day I got it last January through the end of winter and into spring without ever treating it. Never had a problem. I wouldn't do a thing. Just wear it, and enjoy it. The broken grain look of Eastman's shearling is certainly an acquired taste, but don't fret about it and just try to enjoy the jacket on its own terms. It's a beauty.

 

[warthog]

But that's what I'm saying - Pecard won't (or at least shouldn't) make a difference as you won't be applying it to the leather but rather to a layer of acrylic finish. The finish should be waterproof, that's the whole purpose of it so basically, the equivalent would be, I dunno, applying a leather conditioner to a painted wooden fence.

You'd be better off buying a darker paint and repainting the jacket.

After reconsideration, I give up the idea of treating the jacket. I think I will just wear it and try to appreciate it this winter. Thank you so much for your suggestions.

It's one of the most interesting features in good WWII period repro's, it names "hand painted" and that's the highly thought after feature actually. Any attempt to "fix" it making the color to be more plain and evenly consistent would decrease the value of the jacket significantly. There's little or no interest to "plain jane" jackets made of evenly colored smooth leather without any hint to grain. Seems you haven't understood yet what a beaut you've purchased. It's nice repro, use some Pecard to soften the leather and just wear it. It deserves some love!
P.S. What size is that? I'm thinking of to make you an offer)

It's a size 44. Everything is new. It's not winter yet so I didn't start to wear it.

Very much late to the party, but I'll throw in my opinions anyway. I've got exactly the same model jacket from Eastman, and on opening the box it looked exactly like yours. I wore it several days a week from the day I got it last January through the end of winter and into spring without ever treating it. Never had a problem. I wouldn't do a thing. Just wear it, and enjoy it. The broken grain look of Eastman's shearling is certainly an acquired taste, but don't fret about it and just try to enjoy the jacket on its own terms. It's a beauty.

Right, I've already accepted all the characteristics of the jacket and I will start to wear it this winter. However, this is not a winter here I live, I think I might only wear it for 1-2 months each year.

 

[warthog]

I had the same initial response feeling when I received my Eastman B6. It's their normal topcoat finish / nothing wrong with it. They just use a really heavy finish to protect the sheepskin. Im not sure how much leather conditioner would actually soak through at this point. Just wear it / break it in and it will get a bit softer. But it will never be completely soft flexible like goat hide or an untreated sheepskin. I sold my Eastman after a year. Just wasn't for me so I don't blame you for not enjoying the finish. And yeah, that repro crown zipper is pretty delicate /wonky.

I thought the zipper is made of plastic at my first look, it's so small compared to the jacket. So how is your zipper hold up?

 

[Deacon211]

Echo what most of these guys say.

I have a ELC redskin B-6 from 2000 and a broken grain Irvin from about 2014. Both were very stiff at first and remain quite stiff, but pliable. For that matter, my ELC G-1 was and still is quite stiff, so that definitely seems to be an ELC thing.

Having said that, none of my jackets has really torn or worn out despite the stiffness. Even the Irvin which looks like it is made of a paper shopping bag remains strong. The thing I did see though is increased wearing along the zipper track and high points as the leather creases more than bends. This still doesn’t appear to have weakened the leather itself.

I have often wondered about this attribute of ELC jackets. I can’t say whether it is particularly historic. But, despite having wondered and worried over them for several years, the leather seems fine.

Oh, my Irvin drank Pecards like a sponge. Not sure it made any difference at all, so you might need several applications.

 

[B-Man22]

I'm relatively new here on the forum, but if you're OK with a new guys opinion, I would wear the hell out of it. The jacket was made to wear and I have had several B-3s, B-6s, Irvin's' and some D-1s, none of them have ever split open on me.
We're are talking 20 years of wear. Now having said that, you don't know me and we haven't had any previous contact or messages, so I could see why you may not accept this advise, so let me suggest another point of conversation. You bought the jacket on Ebay, this means you have buyer protection for a limited amount of time and can get your money back if something goes wrong with the jacket. Well then now is the time to wear the hell out of the jacket, because if the jacket splits or tears (which it won't unless it gets sliced on a sharp object) you can return it for a full refund. So I wouldn't waste time babying the jacket and loose that window in which to return it. Wear it to death now while you still have that option if something goes wrong.
Cheers

 

[Dav]

Welcome to the lounge B-man.

 

[B-Man22]

Welcome to the lounge B-man.

Thanks Dav!

 

[Tim Tempest]

Here's my 'time worn' finish..it looks similar..

Very happy with it..wouldnt think it needs Picards for years..the zip was on the wrong side but otherwise a perfect fit..
True the redskin is better but when I ordered it said the rough wear had broken grain so I went for the time worn but that looks broken grain to me too..tsk..
I ordered my Aero D1 in redskin though..
Incidentally I could find no record of my order on the site despite having the order #,so I sent them an enquiry in case it didn't process & needs reordering..hoping to hear back tomorrow from them

 

[John Lever]

The fleece looks much better than usual, shiny and knobbly.
As others have said, the outer coating is paint not leather so unless it has become porous no conditioner will penetrate.
Pecards us a big no on acrylic, it dries out and forms a white wax like layer...disastrous. It can only be removed using solvent.

 

[Tim Tempest]

Thats Good to know,cheers John..
I was wondering about how much rain it would withstand..it always seems to rain when I wear my leather jacket(s)..I bought an 'ultra-lite' rain poncho..hoping it will fold up into the map pocket..