What is it about horsehide?

[Don Tomaso]

Well, if I'm not mistaken, the strongest leather per weight is calf, followed by goat and the horse. Steer comes in as a fourth. Not sure where you have to place kangaroo, though.

 

[thor]

Well, if I'm not mistaken, the strongest leather per weight is calf, followed by goat and the horse. Steer comes in as a fourth. Not sure where you have to place kangaroo, though.

Or water buffalo? That stuff is super-tough!

 

[Seb Lucas]

From what I've always heard and read kangaroo is the strongest followed by goat. The abrasion resistance and tensile strength of both is unrivalled. I personally prefer the look of aged cowhide.

 

[Graemsay]

It's not quite as simple as that.

Kangaroo is the strongest leather for a given thickness, but the marsupials are quite thin skinned. Cowhide is weaker, but comes in heavier weights, meaning it wins overall.

A lot of motorbike racers use kangaroo leather suits because they can be lighter for a given strength, but Brian Sampson of BKS Leathers reckons that they're only good for one crash! Road racers, who are known to have the odd off, are frequently spotted in cow.

 

[Asienizen]

Or water buffalo? That stuff is super-tough!

I have a jacket in w-buffalo, and one in HH. I would say the buffalo is thick and therefore tough. It is bendable and has a flex that the horse doesn't. But buffalo is not nearly as abrasion resistant as horse. It's surface is matte and soft - like lambskin. I would trust buffalo to protect my skin, but it would look like it was hit with a belt sander. I'd still take horse over buffalo for a meeting with the pavement.

 

[ForestForTheTrees]

I have a jacket in w-buffalo, and one in HH. I would say the buffalo is thick and therefore tough. It is bendable and has a flex that the horse doesn't. But buffalo is not nearly as abrasion resistant as horse. It's surface is matte and soft - like lambskin. I would trust buffalo to protect my skin, but it would look like it was hit with a belt sander. I'd still take horse over buffalo for a meeting with the pavement.

I'd be really curious how these two hides would compare in an actual controlled experiment. I ran some tests on the buffalo hides that I received from Johnson Leathers and for all of the scratching/scrawling (with a nail) that I did, you'd never guess that any such thing had been done to the hides by looking at them.

 

[Asienizen]

Maybe we're talking about different hides, or different tanning methods. Here is a picture- bad lighting though.

 

[ForestForTheTrees]

That looks pretty similar. The hide I'm referring to was also more of a matte finish. It's the same as what JLStorm just chose for his new jacket, only not as thick. Have you managed to scratch your buffalo hide jacket yet?

 

[Seb Lucas]

It's not quite as simple as that.

Kangaroo is the strongest leather for a given thickness, but the marsupials are quite thin skinned. Cowhide is weaker, but comes in heavier weights, meaning it wins overall.

A lot of motorbike racers use kangaroo leather suits because they can be lighter for a given strength, but Brian Sampson of BKS Leathers reckons that they're only good for one crash! Road racers, who are known to have the odd off, are frequently spotted in cow.

Actually it's not as simple as that either.

Kangas, at six feet plus, are often larger than a big man and the skin at 2.5 oz is actually stronger than 3.5 oz cow or 3 oz horse. But let's not let a little thing like hide get in the way of our fun here.

 

[les_garten]

I just sold an Aero Buffalo and am selling it's "Prairie Mate" presently. It's Aero, but I believe you'll concur, it ain't Cow when you look at it.

It is basically 4.5oz goat in feel. Heavy, but supple. It does not crease, just like Goat doesn't. It's tough as nails. These two Jackets are on the heavy side.

Click on the photos with the number 1 in the name for the smaller size, quicker loading photo. The Photo's without the 1 will show a lot more detail.

Buffalo_Russet/

Buffalo_Seal/


Aero's original Smooth Horse Jackets from 5-6 years ago were very supple Jackets.

I'm a Goat guy usually, unless I am seeking the Snob appeal of the Equine.

 

[Asienizen]

That looks pretty similar. The hide I'm referring to was also more of a matte finish. It's the same as what JLStorm just chose for his new jacket, only not as thick. Have you managed to scratch your buffalo hide jacket yet?

I have not had any deep scores on my buffalo hide, but there are a number of surface marks. The sort of marking you get on suede where it changes the lay of the fibers. I haven't been able to rub them out yet, but I haven't really tried too hard.

From my own personal observation - I'd say the surface of my horse jacket scuffs less readily than the buffalo. The marks do give it character though.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Here's My Aero A2 in Seal WaterBuffalo from about six years ago.

No longer offered.
HD

 

[thor]

Yes, that Aero buffalo was some amazing stuff! Very thick and rugged and extremely grainy. I regret selling my Aero seal buffalo A-2 afew years ago :-(

 

[les_garten]

Yes, that Aero buffalo was some amazing stuff! Very thick and rugged and extremely grainy. I regret selling my Aero seal buffalo A-2 afew years ago :-(

I don't suppose you are a 48?

Like the one I have on Fleabay?

 

[ForestForTheTrees]

HD, that seal water buffalo hide has a lot of character. It certainly looks tough as nails.

 

[thor]

I don't suppose you are a 48?

Like the one I have on Fleabay?

I saw the listing on the Bay. Sadly it's not my size :-(
Good luck. I'm sure someone will grab it!

 

[les_garten]

That looks like a LW that you are wearing in your Avatar, ehhh?

 

[thor]

That looks like a LW that you are wearing in your Avatar, ehhh?

Yes sir you are correct. It's my Christmas present to myself, a brand new LW russet HH A-2 in size 46 long. Lovin' it!!!!

 

[les_garten]

Yes sir you are correct. It's my Christmas present to myself, a brand new LW russet HH A-2 in size 46 long. Lovin' it!!!!

I have the exact same Jacket in a 46 as well.

 

[Grayland]

Yes sir you are correct. It's my Christmas present to myself, a brand new LW russet HH A-2 in size 46 long. Lovin' it!!!!

Well geez, that's what I got you for Christmas. I'll just have to return it.