Vanson! Vanson! Vanson!

[AeroFan_07]

Simple recipe!
One part anger/frustration/disgust
Apply acetone liberally
Apply obernaufs oil liberally
Hope for the best….
I will update this thread with pics!

I think you may have a new "Home Business Opprotunity" in the works....

 

[ton312]

Post acetone, water and oil. The jacket feels like leather rather than plastic. The oil is still a bit slow to penetrate but you can see where it’s dulled. Unfortunately I don’t think this comp weight, at least in this jacket, will ever display much in terms of natural grain. That possibly was removed when Vanson finished the jacket. I suppose the sum total of stripping it is merely a softer jacket, with less shine. Good as it’s going to get.

 

[Carlos840]

Post acetone, water and oil. The jacket feels like leather rather than plastic. The oil is still a bit slow to penetrate but you can see where it’s dulled. Unfortunately I don’t think this comp weight, at least in this jacket, will ever display much in terms of natural grain. That possibly was removed when Vanson finished the jacket. I suppose the sum total of stripping it is merely a softer jacket, with less shine. Good as it’s going to get.
View attachment 378237 View attachment 378238 View attachment 378239

Seeing how large the pores are and how little grain variation it has makes me wonder if this hide was sanded down to look smoother?
It reminds me of my CW Chopper, and i have always wondered if that jacket was made from printed hide:

 

[ton312]

Seeing how large the pores are and how little grain variation it has makes me wonder if this hide was sanded down to look smoother?
It reminds me of my CW Chopper, and i have always wondered if that jacket was made from printed hide:

It most certainly was sanded down. No question. I don’t think it’s printed, but enough was removed to make the pores fairly massive. Reminds me a bit of some of 5 Stars goat in that regard. I feel like if I put my mind, more acetone and super fine sandpaper (1200 automotive paint grit) to it, I could possibly buff out the pores, or make them almost invisible. Too much work. Having dulled it, the light doesn’t catch them as starkly, so that helps.

 

[Schambach]

To be honest Jake, I don’t think they’d have much of anything you’d be interested in. I would’ve recommended their former z or x 150’s for you but I believe those are no longer available as well. As for the comp weight, while I like it ok, I do not think it’s a leather you’d care for. I actually plan on giving my new comp weight the acetone and oil punishment this weekend.

If you want a Vanson made with “fancy” leather i think the best way to do it is to go through Thurston. They can do any jacket with any of the leathers they have available(bainbridge, Vancouver, etc). If you go to Vanson directly, they can do other colors, but it’s motorcycle racing colors, no fancy leathers. And I think they would like to do more stuff like octagon, etc, but just haven’t found a good tannery that can do it.

 

[ton312]

If you want a Vanson made with “fancy” leather i think the best way to do it is to go through Thurston. They can do any jacket with any of the leathers they have available(bainbridge, Vancouver, etc). If you go to Vanson directly, they can do other colors, but it’s motorcycle racing colors, no fancy leathers. And I think they would like to do more stuff like octagon, etc, but just haven’t found a good tannery that can do it.

I did get my 9D in Bainbridge from TB! Was hoping to just knock some of the ugly out of the comp weight jacket. It’s better now but still not on the same level as the comp weight that made Vanson famous.

 

[Schambach]

I did get my 9D in Bainbridge from TB! Was hoping to just knock some of the ugly out of the comp weight jacket. It’s better now but still not on the same level as the comp weight that made Vanson famous.

Yup, I know, and yours is an amazing jacket by the way. I think I’m done with anything new for a while(haha), but might make an exception when one of those Thurston Vanson oxfords pops up in my size. I just meant that through Thurston, Jake might be able to find a leather he likes more than the standard Vanson offerings . It’s a great option to have, they’ll do custom orders as well.

I think I’m probably in the minority here, but I love my modern comp weight Enfield. I’ve had it for a little under a year, and it’s only gotten better , and I think it will continue to. It’s tough as nails and just does everything well. Keeps me dry in the rain and snow, keeps me protected on the bike, allows for a better range of motion than any other leather jacket I’ve owned. It’s definitely not the most sleek, refined, or stylish, but it’s utilitarian and bad ass in its own way. A lot of which could be said about Vanson in general, and I love them for it.

 

[jimmer_5]

Here is my Enfield in Octagon cowhide, I like it very much.

That’s beautiful! How recently did you buy that jacket? I bought a new octagon jacket 7-8 years ago and the leather was more greasy and mottled. I’d buy one in leather like yours has any day.

 

[TREEMAN]

It most certainly was sanded down. No question. I don’t think it’s printed, but enough was removed to make the pores fairly massive. Reminds me a bit of some of 5 Stars goat in that regard. I feel like if I put my mind, more acetone and super fine sandpaper (1200 automotive paint grit) to it, I could possibly buff out the pores, or make them almost invisible. Too much work. Having dulled it, the light doesn’t catch them as starkly, so that helps.

The jacket looks good and waaaaay better than before. I wonder about more sanding or buffing though...could possibly make the pores bigger ( sanding is how they got big in the first place ) or you might break into the suede realm.........

 

[Hh121]

That’s beautiful! How recently did you buy that jacket? I bought a new octagon jacket 7-8 years ago and the leather was more greasy and mottled. I’d buy one in leather like yours has any day.

Yes, that was made last 2-3 years ago.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Fun video on Vanson, history, workship tour.
Great notes about the floppy disks and computer system.
Definetly a family place:

 

[Schambach]

Thanks for sharing @AeroFan_07 . Such a cool place, visit if you can.

 

[Mrkurtz]

I see references here on the Vanson post regarding octagon leather. What exactly is octagon leather and how does it differ from their regular offerings? Thank you in advance everyone.

 

[morrison2951]

Vanson rocks! Great jackets. Love them.

 

[El Marro]

I see references here on the Vanson post regarding octagon leather. What exactly is octagon leather and how does it differ from their regular offerings? Thank you in advance everyone.

Octagon is the name Vanson uses for an oxblood/Cordovan colored cowhide. They have sourced this leather from different tanneries over the years so it has evolved and changed depending on which batch you were looking at.

This is a custom Chopper in Octagon that Vanson made for me last year.

 

[Pubstout]

Octagon is the name Vanson uses for an oxblood/Cordovan colored cowhide. They have sourced this leather from different tanneries over the years so it has evolved and changed depending on which batch you were looking at.
View attachment 379560
This is a custom Chopper in Octagon that Vanson made for me last year.

Did Vanson make a custom mouton collar to work with the short collar on the chopper or did you find one stock that works?

 

[El Marro]

Did Vanson make a custom mouton collar to work with the short collar on the chopper or did you find one stock that works?

They made me a special collar for the Chopper that works pretty well with the mandarin collar.

 

[Pubstout]

They made me a special collar for the Chopper that works pretty well with the mandarin collar.

Awesome. I just purchased Khilij's chopper and think that would make a great winter addition. If you don't mind me asking, what did they charge you for that?

 

[El Marro]

Awesome. I just purchased Khilij's chopper and think that would make a great winter addition. If you don't mind me asking, what did they charge you for that?

That’s awesome man, welcome to the Chopper Club!
They charged me $84.00 for the mouton collar but I’m not sure if that was a discount price or not because they were running a sale when I ordered my jacket.

 

[Poul]

Guys do you have any experiences in sizing oxford model 90 blk like this one (with bi swing underarm gusset sounds great because I need more freedom of movements and eliminate batwing effect)
https://www.vansonleathers.com/traditional/40-9D-BLK-oxford-leather-motorcycle-jacket-ENF.html
My chest is 34.25
Waist 32.2
Shoulders 17.12
Heigth 5'5
I would like to order but sizing is always key.
I wrote a message but nobody answered
May I ask for sizing advice