Vegecow Lewis Leathers quality

[Pandemic]

From what I am reading and seeing, it sounds like the LL options are:

Horse - not very special.
Sheep - midweight and soft. Recommended
Cow - unknown. No reviews
Vegecow - superb midweight but at a hefty premium.

Is that fair?

 

[Edward]

From what I am reading and seeing, it sounds like the LL options are:

Horse - not very special.
Sheep - midweight and soft. Recommended
Cow - unknown. No reviews
Vegecow - superb midweight but at a hefty premium.

Is that fair?

A lot depends on what you mean by 'special'. The look that popularise Lewis was never about patina or grain; smooth, uniformly black leather was very much part of the vibe. I suppose they're a bit like at least some of the LW hides in that respect. The newer Vegecow aside, I've never handled a 60s-70s Lewis that wasn't still very much 'black'. All their hides are quality leather, but beyond that it's largely a matter of personal taste as to what you like the feel and aging properties of. TBH, I'd personally shy away from the vegecow for no reason other than the price (halfway to a second jacket!). Money no object, though, it's a lovely hide if you want a Lewis design but absolutely must have the 'teacore' type aging. Their Cow is very much akin to that used by many producers of nice MC jackets in my experience of handling them. The horse I don't honestly know how long they've actually been using... it was used way back in their early days, but afaik not so much since the 60s until recent times?

 

[Pandemic]

A lot depends on what you mean by 'special'. The look that popularise Lewis was never about patina or grain; smooth, uniformly black leather was very much part of the vibe. I suppose they're a bit like at least some of the LW hides in that respect. The newer Vegecow aside, I've never handled a 60s-70s Lewis that wasn't still very much 'black'. All their hides are quality leather, but beyond that it's largely a matter of personal taste as to what you like the feel and aging properties of. TBH, I'd personally shy away from the vegecow for no reason other than the price (halfway to a second jacket!). Money no object, though, it's a lovely hide if you want a Lewis design but absolutely must have the 'teacore' type aging. Their Cow is very much akin to that used by many producers of nice MC jackets in my experience of handling them. The horse I don't honestly know how long they've actually been using... it was used way back in their early days, but afaik not so much since the 60s until recent times?

This is great, thanks. What are your thoughts on their standard sheep versus standard (not vege) cow? Obviously the colour choices are different, but what about comparing black to black?

 

[handymike]

Go with Rutland sheep if you want black!
Otherwise...Go Green!

 

[Canuck Panda]

I have both horse and sheep.
Horse is indestructible. But very boring finish. The thick paint on top is like vinyl. Extremely durable, wet, heat, whatever. But very boring.
LL Sheep is one of the most premium leather I have. The crumpling grain is unique to sheep only. I would rate it equal to or higher than the Shinki horse, on the premium scale. If the Shinki was the Lexus LFA, then the LL Sheep would be the Bugatti Veyron (It is technically a French tanned leather, so)
LL is suppose to come out with a veg tan horse, so maybe wait to see what that is like.

 

[Pandemic]

I have both horse and sheep.
Horse is indestructible. But very boring finish. The thick paint on top is like vinyl. Extremely durable, wet, heat, whatever. But very boring.
LL Sheep is one of the most premium leather I have. The crumpling grain is unique to sheep only. I would rate it equal to or higher than the Shinki horse, on the premium scale. If the Shinki was the Lexus LFA, then the LL Sheep would be the Bugatti Veyron (It is technically a French tanned leather, so)
LL is suppose to come out with a veg tan horse, so maybe wait to see what that is like.

Thanks! For now, I'm just kicking ideas around, but I'm leaning towards LL sheep (and very 'authentic'). Another option is Johnson Leathers have said they could make something like the 402 Lightning in one of their mid-weight hides. The Addict jacket also looks good, but at that price point I think I'd want something made to my measurements.

 

[Marc mndt]

Thanks! For now, I'm just kicking ideas around, but I'm leaning towards LL sheep (and very 'authentic'). Another option is Johnson Leathers have said they could make something like the 402 Lightning in one of their mid-weight hides. The Addict jacket also looks good, but at that price point I think I'd want something made to my measurements.

I agree with @Canuck Panda Their sheepskin is amazing.

This is mine, a 70s sheepskin super monza

These are examples of their current sheepskin (not mine)

 

[Salmosalar]

I have a new custom vegcow Dominator - its a beautiful hide and a good step up from the standard HH, which I also have - the sheep is also a great leather, and the racing green is v smart. Both the veg cow and sheep have a v nice hand - they are midweight but not flimsy (think badalassi territory), and they don't need any real breaking in at all. I would recommend the HH if you want one of their racing colours, but if you want a more muted colour or black go for the sheep or the veg cow - both are great and the patterns fit like a glove if you get your measurements right - I would certainly recommend having a look at some swatches. I have attached a shot of the black Dominator in the veg cow - I went with the more vintage taupe zip tape, which I think will work nicely as the teacore starts to show.

 

[handymike]

Beautiful!!!!

 

[Canuck Panda]

That’s the first time I see the veg cow. Looks awesome!

and I think @Salmosalar said it best. Lewis veg leather has very nice hand. It’s that feel. It’s not just some top coat oil or wax but something deeper and richer. If I did a blind test just based on feeling in my hands I would call their veg leather out as the most premium, even when Shinki can cost more, or CXL being more famous.

@Pandemic if you are after the lightning design, go for the original. JL is my all time favourite now. And I’m doing some jackets with them with Lewis design influences. But there are a few models from Lewis that I would just get from them. Mk1, mk2 and the original lightning. Everyone copies the lightning. Original always the best. And from my experience, Lewis will custom fit you right.

 

[ralanis2]

I have a new custom vegcow Dominator - its a beautiful hide and a good step up from the standard HH, which I also have - the sheep is also a great leather, and the racing green is v smart. Both the veg cow and sheep have a v nice hand - they are midweight but not flimsy (think badalassi territory), and they don't need any real breaking in at all. I would recommend the HH if you want one of their racing colours, but if you want a more muted colour or black go for the sheep or the veg cow - both are great and the patterns fit like a glove if you get your measurements right - I would certainly recommend having a look at some swatches. I have attached a shot of the black Dominator in the veg cow - I went with the more vintage taupe zip tape, which I think will work nicely as the teacore starts to show. View attachment 348788

Salmosalar nice JACKET!!!! ooooohh man, now im reallllly looking forward to my VegCow Dominator! It should arrive by Monday! ill make sure i upload some pics! I opted for the Black linining, black tape, no patch.. super minimal but that brown hide underneath the top hide really really pops

 

[roadking04]

@Pandemic if you are after the lightning design, go for the original. JL is my all time favourite now.

Original always the best.

I would have to agree. There is just something about the original. LL is an iconic m/c, RnR, punk LEGEND. I am a huge fan of JL, but owning an original just feels special. I am sure JL could make a great "imitation", but only LL can make an original.

 

[handymike]

I’m always on the lookout for a green Dominator!

 

[Canuck Panda]

 

[Tom71]

I have a new custom vegcow Dominator - its a beautiful hide and a good step up from the standard HH, which I also have - the sheep is also a great leather, and the racing green is v smart. Both the veg cow and sheep have a v nice hand - they are midweight but not flimsy (think badalassi territory), and they don't need any real breaking in at all. I would recommend the HH if you want one of their racing colours, but if you want a more muted colour or black go for the sheep or the veg cow - both are great and the patterns fit like a glove if you get your measurements right - I would certainly recommend having a look at some swatches. I have attached a shot of the black Dominator in the veg cow - I went with the more vintage taupe zip tape, which I think will work nicely as the teacore starts to show. View attachment 348788

Fantastic!

 

[Edward]

This is great, thanks. What are your thoughts on their standard sheep versus standard (not vege) cow? Obviously the colour choices are different, but what about comparing black to black?

I have to admit I'd still be instinctively wary of the sheep if you wanted it to actually ride a motorcycle in - though that said these days a Kevlar lined shirt would dispense with any concerns about abrasion resistance. Purely for wearing about, personal choice. The sheep is a leather they've been using forever and plenty of vintage examples have survived fifty odd years perfectly well, so. The standard cow is great if you want the look of a jacket that will break in but maintain its even colour; there's a place in my wardrobe for that smooth look. If you want the striated look, the sheep is great for that. The bottle green in the sheep is an especially nice colour - it looks fantastic on the Universal Racer jackets especially.

 

[Pandemic]

YOU GUYS!!!

You've got me seriously thinking about ordering a classic 391 Lightning in black sheep. Standard cow sounds good as well, but I am leaning towards sheep since it is something a little different to the popular hides you see in the wild and it is sort of 'LL Trad'.

The website just has a drop-down size menu with a note promising a good custom fit, but the reality that I have learned from this thread is that all measurements are customizable with both a base and a 'tight' pattern for a base.

Now my only hesitation is how much wear it would get. As much as I love the classic punk/rock vibe, I've also seen a lot of these for sale from people who ultimately 'decided it didn't fit my style' (ie, they felt self-consciously like a they were cosplaying Slash or Joey Ramone or the wife made fun of their mid-life crisis outfit).

 

[handymike]

The above can be said of all leather jackets...you eventually learn to ignore these type of comments since we are only doing this for ourselves. My wife really doesn’t care for my collection, but she’s stopped saying anything. The worst I get now is an eye roll.

 

[Mich486]

There was a nice article yesterday on Permanent Style .com where the discussion was about wearing clothes that match your personality. Not leather jackets but some interesting reflection points nonetheless.

The bottom line is that we can see a picture of Johnny Ramone and think how cool would it be to wear that cross zip, let’s get it and then it ends up hanging in the wardrobe because it just isn’t you and it doesn’t suit your lifestyle. It’s not unusual to see pictures also on here where the jacket is literally wearing the wearer. I believe it’s fun to push a bit the boundaries sometimes but there is some truth as well in what is said in the interview.

https://www.permanentstyle.com/2021/07/being-yourself-how-to-dress-like-gianluca-migliarotti.html

 

[Pandemic]

Excellent point. I have learned not to underestimate the importance of this, especially with regard to millenials and Gen Z. A millenial friend opened a business and it has exploded. His products are not particularly unique, but he has an incredible social media presence and every week he updates his website with new releases. He created a facebook page just for people who buy his products. People compare notes and post photos/videos of their latest acquisitions. His customers have created a community, of sorts. It is a "buying experience." I think this is the way of the future and companies that don't get with it will be left in the dust.

There was a nice article yesterday on Permanent Style .com where the discussion was about wearing clothes that match your personality. Not leather jackets but some interesting reflection points nonetheless.

The bottom line is that we can see a picture of Johnny Ramone and think how cool would it be to wear that cross zip, let’s get it and then it ends up hanging in the wardrobe because it just isn’t you and it doesn’t suit your lifestyle. It’s not unusual to see pictures also on here where the jacket is literally wearing the wearer. I believe it’s fun to push a bit the boundaries sometimes but there is some truth as well in what is said in the interview.

https://www.permanentstyle.com/2021/07/being-yourself-how-to-dress-like-gianluca-migliarotti.html

Don't get me started on Crompers, hahah, but in this case I agree. I also think there is a big difference between an older guy wearing a battered old jacket that looks like he has been wearing over a lifetime of adventures versus same old guy with a brand new shiny rock and roll jacket that he feels awkward in.