Vanson! Vanson! Vanson!

[abone]

My understanding (from Horsey folk) is that Saddle soap is exactly that...Soap to get rid of the dirt and sweat from a saddle. What effect does it have on a new jacket?

Dubbin I used to use on my rugby boots in the 70s, it is a great waterproofer but you don't want to sit on a light coloured sofa etc. It is effectively grease (I have heard of it being used on serious bike gear).

Not challenging just interested.

I read once saddle soap helps rid the new leather of any residual remains of whatever treatment the leather undertook, chemicals and such. Made sense to me.

 

[abone]

When I was 17 or 18 years old someone gave me a leather half belt that was old, from the 40’s I’m sure. Fortunately it was my size, unfortunately it was dried out and really cracked, the lining was long gone. Who knows what happened to it but I suspect it was squished in a box for decades.
Anyway my mom suggested a nice soaking in vegetable or olive oil. Not sure which one we used but she laid it in a tub of oil for a couple days, made a nice new checkered flannel lining for it, I wore it for a year or so until it fell apart. I can still remember the feel of that heavy oil impregnated soppy mess, but it looked so cool.

 

[Al 916]

Bit of a 'left of centre' question (I will also post in the Questions thread).
Has anyone had a jacket made smaller? (26 down to 23.5 p2p)

 

[El Marro]

No. What are you trying to accomplish by doing so that you could not by simply ordering the smaller size.

 

[Observe]

No. What are you trying to accomplish by doing so that you could not by simply ordering the smaller size.

I think he has the big vanson that he's trying to make the small vanson.

 

[Will Zach]

Bit of a 'left of centre' question (I will also post in the Questions thread).
Has anyone had a jacket made smaller? (26 down to 23.5 p2p)

Much cheaper, better and easier is to sell the big Vanson and buy a small Vanson. Not even close.

 

[El Marro]

I think he has the big vanson that he's trying to make the small vanson.

Of course. I wrote my post before having my first sip of coffee…
I have had a tailor reduce the P2P on a couple of my A2 jackets and it worked out pretty well. The A2 is about as basic as a jacket can be though, the Vanson in question is almost certainly more complicated in terms of panels and seams.
Unless the jacket is no longer available or has some special meaning for the OP I would have to agree with @Will Zach on this one.

 

[Al 916]

Much cheaper, better and easier is to sell the big Vanson and buy a small Vanson. Not even close.

I get that Will (but thank you). More I am interested in the process involved

 

[mboon85]

what's the model Vanson that's essentially the bones jacket without the skeleton?

 

[abone]

Bit of a 'left of centre' question (I will also post in the Questions thread).
Has anyone had a jacket made smaller? (26 down to 23.5 p2p)

I recently bought a never worn Vanson Raid. Seller said it was 23.25 ptp and it turned out to be 24.25. I called Vanson and they said they could take an inch out of the width but that would be the max. The sleeves are a bit big and they also said they could adjust that too. All for $160.
In addition I had a custom MC jacket made locally many years ago. I lost 35 lbs so the jacket was way too big for me. I took it back to the original maker and he took quite a bit out of the width. Pretty sure it was 25”
Ptp and now it’s 22.5. You can’t tell it’s been altered. That cost me $150 CAD.

 

[El Marro]

I get that Will (but thank you). More I am interested in the process involved

Find a tailor who is good with leather jackets and show them the jacket. The process is quite simple in theory but any number of things could throw it off. Does the jacket have a chest pocket, for instance? If so are you OK moving it 1 1/4” closer to the armpit? That is just one example of something that could complicate the process.

 

[Al 916]

I recently bought a never worn Vanson Raid. Seller said it was 23.25 ptp and it turned out to be 24.25. I called Vanson and they said they could take an inch out of the width but that would be the max. They sleeves are a bit big too and they also said they could adjust that too. All for $160.
In addition I had a custom MC jacket made locally many years ago. I lost 35 lbs so the jacket was way too big for me. I took it back to the original maker and he took quite a bit out of the width. Pretty sure it was 25”
Ptp and now it’s 22.5. You can’t tell it’s been altered. That cost me $150 CAD.

And it's a beauty!

Thanks

 

[Aloysius]

I recently bought a never worn Vanson Raid. Seller said it was 23.25 ptp and it turned out to be 24.25. I called Vanson and they said they could take an inch out of the width but that would be the max. They sleeves are a bit big too and they also said they could adjust that too. All for $160.

Is it unwearable now? I've usually not found an extra inch of ptp to make a big difference.

 

[abone]

Is it unwearable now? I've usually not found an extra inch of ptp to make a big difference.

Definitely not unwearable but I like my jackets snug. The arm width between the elbow and shoulder is a bit too wide too.
It’s not enough for me to spend $160 USD on though.
I agree with you however my sweet spot is between 22.5-23.5. When if lands an inch outside of that, then it bugs me.

 

[photo2u]

I recently bought a never worn Vanson Raid. Seller said it was 23.25 ptp and it turned out to be 24.25. I called Vanson and they said they could take an inch out of the width but that would be the max. They sleeves are a bit big too and they also said they could adjust that too. All for $160.
In addition I had a custom MC jacket made locally many years ago. I lost 35 lbs so the jacket was way too big for me. I took it back to the original maker and he took quite a bit out of the width. Pretty sure it was 25”
Ptp and now it’s 22.5. You can’t tell it’s been altered. That cost me $150 CAD.

Excellent work. Sadly, it cost an arm and a leg to get some repair work here in the US.

 

[Aloysius]

Vanson has some new leathers,, they call them Roma. Various shades of brown/burgundy. I just received the 9d I ordered in whiskey roma and I absolutely love it. Thinner than comp weight, but still pretty thick, but very soft. I’m beyond stoked. View attachment 503590 View attachment 503591 View attachment 503593 View attachment 503595

I’d be curious to see if you had an update on this hide and how it wears. It looks almost exactly like an Octagon-labeled jacket I picked up.

Vanson sent me a swatch of almost every leather so I’m extremely interested in hearing experiences with some of the less common ones.

The whiskey and brandy Roma jackets posted here have a very different tone to the swatches by the same name.

 

[Schambach]

I’d be curious to see if you had an update on this hide and how it wears. It looks almost exactly like an Octagon-labeled jacket I picked up.

Vanson sent me a swatch of almost every leather so I’m extremely interested in hearing experiences with some of the less common ones.

The whiskey and brandy Roma jackets posted here have a very different tone to the swatches by the same name.

I'm still really loving it. It hasn't gotten quite as much wear as some of my others as it has the quilted lining, and is quite warm. So I'm wearing it on cool morning dog walks, and such.

I agree it does look a bit different from the swatches. It reminds me of natural CXL more than anything, and I'm ok with that. Lots of pull up, lots of grain showing through, scratches easily, but can be easily rubbed out. Some rolls on the sleeves now, and it's gotten a bit softer/more flexible, even though it was pretty soft and flexible from the start. Great hide for a casual jacket I think. I'm thinking maybe the merlot roma for the next one...?

 

[ton312]

I’d be curious to see if you had an update on this hide and how it wears. It looks almost exactly like an Octagon-labeled jacket I picked up.

Vanson sent me a swatch of almost every leather so I’m extremely interested in hearing experiences with some of the less common ones.

The whiskey and brandy Roma jackets posted here have a very different tone to the swatches by the same name.

Can you post some pics of the swatches? I’d be curious to see them!

 

[Aloysius]

Can you post some pics of the swatches? I’d be curious to see them!

Too many to share in one go, because swatches are apparently another area where Vanson over-delivers, so I’ll start with the Roma leather.

From left to right, these are:

Brandy Roma, Whiskey Roma, Rust Roma, Merlot Red Roma, Olive Green Roma, Granite Grey Roma

 

[Aloysius]

I went with the Brandy when I ordered a jacket a while back. I really like how it looks. View attachment 503859 View attachment 503858

Is it really this red in real life?

I was considering getting one as a dark brown jacket with pull-up, based on the swatches above.