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Vegecow Lewis Leathers quality

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead

Call Me a Cab
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2,286
Definitely varied. I handled a lot of 70s Lewises at a time (I still kick myself that in 2003 I didn't just go ahead and spend what then seemed like crazy money for a costume piece - I was looking to replicate the FRank'n'Furter jacket - £200, if I'd only known what they would sell for now....Back then, a new one was £400 which seemed equally madness in 2003....!). When I first started looking at them I was actually quite shocked by how light some of them often were. Seems there was much more variation in the 70s, though, than now; I think the QC has improved significantly.



Hey, WCS just tell people it's a Kawasaki x Lewis special edition. ;)
speaking of prices. Get ready for some increases. Really noticed across the board price hikes at the grocery store today, and not just a little ones. I can't imagine that leather jackets aren't going to get impacted at some point. If price of meat is up 30%, jeez.
 

Canuck Panda

I'll Lock Up
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4,709
What do you think of the Western Jacket No. 988?

I also looked at it, the Lewis trucker. Because I was really impressed with Lewis' veg tan sheepskin I wanted to do another jacket in that leather but in a different color. But somehow I lost track of that while chasing other things.

Don't you already have an Aero trucker jacket? Or am I mistaking it for another jacket.

How do you like your Lewis sheepskin vs Vicenza HH, or Comipel HH or Brown aniline Shinki or 5Star Premium Goat? Lewis' thick and luxurious sheepskin is their biggest appeal for me. And I think I've just found the the leather. Fingers crossed.

Image1.jpg
 

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
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4,345
Location
Europe
I also looked at it, the Lewis trucker. Because I was really impressed with Lewis' veg tan sheepskin I wanted to do another jacket in that leather but in a different color. But somehow I lost track of that while chasing other things.

Don't you already have an Aero trucker jacket? Or am I mistaking it for another jacket.

How do you like your Lewis sheepskin vs Vicenza HH, or Comipel HH or Brown aniline Shinki or 5Star Premium Goat? Lewis' thick and luxurious sheepskin is their biggest appeal for me. And I think I've just found the the leather. Fingers crossed.

View attachment 376966
I'm sorry to say that the veg tanned sheep is my absolute favorite at the moment. It just wears brilliantly. Even though I like my other jackets, if I could only keep one, it would be the LL.
So I'm still considering the Dominator in sheep. Or even the trucker, but I think I'm more of a zipper person.
I have two Truckers, but they are from 5*.

Fingers crossed for your leather.
 

Pandemic

One Too Many
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1,503
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In The Flat Field
I'm sorry to say that the veg tanned sheep is my absolute favorite at the moment. It just wears brilliantly. Even though I like my other jackets, if I could only keep one, it would be the LL.

it’s funny you say that. I grabbed my LL as I headed out the door again today and realized it is my current favorite. I’d thought it was just because it’s the newest, but I think the hide and the pattern make it the easiest wearing. I may prefer the look of another one, but LL sheep is my favorite to wear.
 

Joshua Holland

Familiar Face
Messages
64
Location
USA
it’s funny you say that. I grabbed my LL as I headed out the door again today and realized it is my current favorite. I’d thought it was just because it’s the newest, but I think the hide and the pattern make it the easiest wearing. I may prefer the look of another one, but LL sheep is my favorite to wear.
it’s funny you say that. I grabbed my LL as I headed out the door again today and realized it is my current favorite. I’d thought it was just because it’s the newest, but I think the hide and the pattern make it the easiest wearing. I may prefer the look of another one, but LL sheep is my favorite to wear.

I'm pretty new to higher end leather jackets, but from what I've seen is out there, LL is my favorite. No offense to anyone, but some of the other brands are a bit stodgy looking. Middle-age dad like. To be fair, I'm a middle-age dad, but I feel like LL has more of an edgy, youthful style...probably why so many rockers, in addition to bikers, wore them. Maybe I'm just trying to hang on to my punk rock past. I love how my Cyclone fits and looks, and have my eye on a sheep Dominator eventually. Just my 2¢.
 

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead

Call Me a Cab
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2,286
I'm pretty new to higher end leather jackets, but from what I've seen is out there, LL is my favorite. No offense to anyone, but some of the other brands are a bit stodgy looking. Middle-age dad like. To be fair, I'm a middle-age dad, but I feel like LL has more of an edgy, youthful style...probably why so many rockers, in addition to bikers, wore them. Maybe I'm just trying to hang on to my punk rock past. I love how my Cyclone fits and looks, and have my eye on a sheep Dominator eventually. Just my 2¢.
If putting on a leather jacket doesn't make you feel like a bad ass, then what's the point? So I agree. The LL checks off a lot of boxes for me and definitely has me wondering had I bought this earlier in my journey how everything else would have played out. I also agree with Marc too that I wish there was just a little more heft to it. I can't imagine how people who ride would want to wear the sheepskin, so maybe those are more of the horsehide models. But it's not like it's flimsy either. Just needs like another 10-20% and for me it would just be dang perfect. It's no doubt in my top 2 or 3 for comfort and I'm ok with the edgier punk rock look. I'm also a mid aged dad, but heck to the boomer stereotypes. I'm rocking jeff spicoli checkered vans, skinny jeans and funny hats. And I ain't doing it for a midlife crisis; it's what I've always done. The LL definitely adds another layer of badassery to it. But you definitely have to own it. It's like wearing a fedora. You can't have any doubt.
 

Salmosalar

A-List Customer
Messages
414
If putting on a leather jacket doesn't make you feel like a bad ass, then what's the point? So I agree. The LL checks off a lot of boxes for me and definitely has me wondering had I bought this earlier in my journey how everything else would have played out. I also agree with Marc too that I wish there was just a little more heft to it. I can't imagine how people who ride would want to wear the sheepskin, so maybe those are more of the horsehide models. But it's not like it's flimsy either. Just needs like another 10-20% and for me it would just be dang perfect. It's no doubt in my top 2 or 3 for comfort and I'm ok with the edgier punk rock look. I'm also a mid aged dad, but heck to the boomer stereotypes. I'm rocking jeff spicoli checkered vans, skinny jeans and funny hats. And I ain't doing it for a midlife crisis; it's what I've always done. The LL definitely adds another layer of badassery to it. But you definitely have to own it. It's like wearing a fedora. You can't have any doubt.
Just put in my order for another LL - this time the Western in BRG sheep with brass hardware, gold lining….bring it on!
 

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
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4,345
Location
Europe
If putting on a leather jacket doesn't make you feel like a bad ass, then what's the point? So I agree. The LL checks off a lot of boxes for me and definitely has me wondering had I bought this earlier in my journey how everything else would have played out. I also agree with Marc too that I wish there was just a little more heft to it. I can't imagine how people who ride would want to wear the sheepskin, so maybe those are more of the horsehide models. But it's not like it's flimsy either. Just needs like another 10-20% and for me it would just be dang perfect. It's no doubt in my top 2 or 3 for comfort and I'm ok with the edgier punk rock look. I'm also a mid aged dad, but heck to the boomer stereotypes. I'm rocking jeff spicoli checkered vans, skinny jeans and funny hats. And I ain't doing it for a midlife crisis; it's what I've always done. The LL definitely adds another layer of badassery to it. But you definitely have to own it. It's like wearing a fedora. You can't have any doubt.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/over-50-wearing-leather-jackets.101020/ ;-)

I also agree with Marc too that I wish there was just a little more heft to it. I can't imagine how people who ride would want to wear the sheepskin, so maybe those are more of the horsehide models.

I'm afraid I don't understand exactly what is meant by this.
Is it too thin? Or too light? Or both?
I think that the veg tanned sheep is not necessarily meant for motorcycling. Presumably it was different in the past though.
Thickness wise, I would compare it to my Vicenza, except that it feels better.
I have less grain than you and Marc though. I asked only for a dark as possible Hide.
I definitely want another jacket in this leather.
 

Canuck Panda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,709
I'm sorry to say that the veg tanned sheep is my absolute favorite at the moment. It just wears brilliantly. Even though I like my other jackets, if I could only keep one, it would be the LL.
So I'm still considering the Dominator in sheep. Or even the trucker, but I think I'm more of a zipper person.
I have two Truckers, but they are from 5*.

Fingers crossed for your leather.
I had a feeling you might say that. I had the same experience about the Lewis veg sheepskin too. That's why I've been obsessed with it since. The oil content in the leather core comes to the surface whenever I wear it and gives it that shine. The leather is thick but comfortable. Just feels very luxurious. Even my wife is jealous.

The only beef I have with Lewis is that they are not as customization in styles as Johnson or Fivestar. Size and pattern is very solid. But no tweak to their Brit style. No zip truckers for example.
 

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead

Call Me a Cab
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2,286
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/over-50-wearing-leather-jackets.101020/ ;-)



I'm afraid I don't understand exactly what is meant by this.
Is it too thin? Or too light? Or both?
I think that the veg tanned sheep is not necessarily meant for motorcycling. Presumably it was different in the past though.
Thickness wise, I would compare it to my Vicenza, except that it feels better.
I have less grain than you and Marc though. I asked only for a dark as possible Hide.
I definitely want another jacket in this leather.
countdown 6 weeks before I can post in the 50 years and over thread LOL. I can't wait. Bring it on.

All my cross zips are heavier except as you said the Vic Ridley, which I also have. It could be a psychological thing, maybe in a racer, straight zip, etc. I wouldn't feel the same. But yeah, I'd want it to be just a tad thicker. The touch as you say is just unreal. Pliability A+. I hate to say it feels fragile because it doesn't, but of all my jackets I find myself being a little extra careful going around corners, brushing up against furniture, shooing the dog away, etc. But all that said, I could wear this every day and be happy. This is just nitpicky wish list type stuff.

I also asked for darkest hide, no mention of grain, etc. Have you gotten yours wet yet? That made it go into warp speed.
 

Canuck Panda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,709
There are some spongy area and some dense area on my BRG Mk1 jacket. But the entire jacket is relatively consistent in thickness which is about 1.4mm so 3.5oz.

One of my cuff was more spongy than the other but it does get denser. I am not sure if it's the high wear that packs everything down or what not. But from my research into this sheepskin, it was shrunken at the tannery. That's the reason for it to feel a lot more substantial than the usual sheepskin and even some lose goatskin.

I believe the thickness of the sheepskin will protect me enough from small wipe outs, but the jacket will also be ruined, but that's same for most leather jacket anyways. My take on the Lewis moto jackets are that they are very comfortable and easy to wear so boost confidence on the bike, which in turn reduce the chances of falls, versus say an uncomfortable riding jacket.

Wear it lots and it will only get better. It will still feel light and airy, but the color will darken and hand feels less spongy.

If they offered a zip trucker I already took the dive for a second one too.
 

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
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4,345
Location
Europe
I was hoping for a hide like this 70s sheepskin: thick and dense, doesn't feel spongy at all. My new brg LL is approximately the same weight as the 70s sheepskin but it's much more spongy.

View attachment 377216

You probably notice that when you have the direct comparison. It would be interesting to compare your jacket and mine. Mine doesn't seem that spongy to me. But I also have too little idea.
Maybe the leather also changes with time and wear? On the bike in wind and weather I could imagine that well.
 

Salmosalar

A-List Customer
Messages
414
That would be my guess - that it gets compacted somewhat over time - 40 odd years of use likely squeezes a lot of the apparent “sponginess” out of it - it is certainly not a flimsy hide but its incredible suppleness probably makes it feel les hefty than hides like Vicenza, which are no thicker but certainly a lot stiffer. The LL vegtan HH for instance seems thinner AND stiffer than the sheep, for instance, whereas the latter just fit like a glove out of the box and distribute the weight more evenly so they feel lighter imo. My BRG sheep is actually one of my thicker and heavier hides but also one of my tightest fitting AND yet it is by far my most comfortable jacket and I can wear it all day without really being aware of it….
 

Jules Myers

One of the Regulars
Messages
133
Ah, LLW47 ships on Monday. To my friends in the US, how long did delivery take after shipment? I’m leaving for a two week vacation next Friday. Very frustrating, potentially.
 

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,286
Ah, LLW47 ships on Monday. To my friends in the US, how long did delivery take after shipment? I’m leaving for a two week vacation next Friday. Very frustrating, potentially.
assuming you're near a major city center, 2 days best case, 3 worst. Just make sure you check to see if you get dinged for import duties because they won't deliver until you pay. I got nailed for $70. Not sure if it's a state by state thing, but California wants their money.
 

Finn Vigorous

One of the Regulars
Messages
151
As this thread is already up, a short question about Corsair measurements:

I'm about to put the order in for the jacket but struggling a bit with the size. My chest measures around 41' and my choice of the hide would be veg tan sheep. Yet sheep can be used only to sizes up to 42, and Rip thinks that 42 might be a tad on the snug side.

I prefer close fitting and intended use would be with light layering underneath. My best fitting jackets currently are Aero's Cafe Racer, Premier HWM and Premier 1920s Work Coat, all in size 42 with slight modifications.

What do you think, is 42-size Corsair too snug?
 

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