Which Hide Should I Choose?

[ButteMT61]

Ask Allen (767fo) about the lovely reddish GW hides. I tend to like them, many don't. Allen has many pics - some of them on the GW site. I've been on the fence over another Ventura in that...

 

[bretron]

A lot of good suggestions and helpful input- I appreciate it! Keep em coming

@brettafett, the hand applied seal is 104, and I don't believe is offered anymore. Shame cos the grain is amazing.

@thor, I hear ya. Some photos of johns dull russet look really dark and deep and others look just "blah"

@Butte, we talking red russet? you know that's still my coveted hide!

Here's a monarch in what appears to be the seal (but I can't tell for sure if its the 103, perhaps the 105? in fact I didn't think Monarchs were made in seal?)

Some people don't like the collar on these, and prefer the crescent collars of RWs, Perry's etc. I personally love em.

 

[ButteMT61]

Yep - the red russet. A thing of beauty. Prolly the next Ventura. Unless JC does blue lol

 

[bretron]

^^does that mean he's offering it again? Or did he always have it but limited to his civvy models?

 

[handymike]

Oh wow, just think if he had that blue/black...

 

[Deleted member 16736]

My ill-fated GW jacket (April) was seal Shinki HH and it was a true brown without a lot of red. FWIW. Personally, I would go for the Monarch in the seal simply because it has a trimmer fit but a rotated sleeve so it'll be comfortable to wear.

But please don't get the OD thread. Brown thread on brown leather.

 

[ButteMT61]

Totally disagree Joel. OD thread makes it.
Another worthless 2¢ on my part I guess.

 

[Grayland]

Totally disagree Joel. OD thread makes it.
Another worthless 2¢ on my part I guess.

I agree 100%. The OD thread is awesome.

 

[LeFonque]

Seal is a steal.

 

[bretron]

Ok, update!!

Down to three:

1) Monarch in the dull russet HH (102) with mid brown thread, ala Alan's (persimmon):

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...rived-recent-Goodwear-Monarch-A2-acquisition&

2) Monarch in seal HH (103) with od thread (sorry, Joel), like this:

http://www.goodwearleather.com/photos/MonarchA2_No2_48/

3) Bronco in dull russet HH (102) with the new golden knits, which will have a color contrast like this:
http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/sale_rw_0008.html
But with contract details like this:
http://www.goodwearleather.com/photos/Bronco_No1_44/

My thoughts:

1) The perfect A2 contract (IMHO), classic A2 look to it, but with a touch more finesse (if that makes sense). Color palate wise, pretty close to my Ostermann.

2) I think my overall favorite of the three.. Love the color contrasts, and the hide is just tits.. But as I posted early on I want this A2 to be distinguishable from my other brown leather jackets and I'm a bit nervous that the 103 hide is too similar to my seal goat Norshor (albeit totally and completely different styled jackets). On the otherhand, it would look quite distinguisable from my Ostermann.

3) Awesome contract with nice sharp but strong sillouette. And with the golden knits will look very different from both my Ostermann and norshor. However, the armholes are known to be pretty tight.

Dayumn, I need another hobby!!!!

 

[Brettafett]

Hey Bretron,

I don't think you can go wrong with your choice of contracts...
The Monarch will surely be a good comfortable wearer. I am debating this myself, about my options.
I intend mine to be my go-too jacket, so it must be comfy and practical for my frame... So, I am down to the Star and Monarch, and then the Bronco and RW1401 (RWs tend to be a bit roomy around me, but I love this contract).

I think you should go with your favourite, you are paying a whack for it, and in any case I am sure it will be in a class of its own.
Also, after a bit of time that HH should develop a different look and feel to your other jackets.
That said 2) looks pretty darn cool and imagine it after a year of wear....

May I ask, do you have a slim build? had John recommended the above?

 

[bretron]

Brettafet, thx for the feedback and perspective. Like you, im hopeful to make this my go to A2- my "if I was stranded on a desert island with one jacket" jacket. like chasing the dragon, i know.

At this point i think im just going to (try to!) be patient and wait till my visit to see john later this month. He is recommending the 102 hide for me, and personally prefers the 1401 over the monarch. And pouring over pics of the one he has on his sales page right now, i can see why. Hopefully getting to see a bunch of different GWs in person and getting fitted by the man himself will seal the deal (it better, right?!). its amazing what 16 mos of waiting will do to the psyche!

 

[chamboid]

Bret, I think we have similar taste, think I'm sticking with the Monarch for my choice, though have toyed with a few other contacts. Cable being one. and think it's going to be the dull russet as well, great patina and should age nicely. Permissons jacket is what sold it to me, it's a beaut, perfect. I'm wondering if John will have the blackened Talons by the time our orders come round.

 

[bretron]

Cham,

I ended up with the 102 on the monarch with OD thread and golden knits. No fit pics yet so I haven't bothered to bump this thread- but suffice it to say I'm a very happy boy

In the meantime, here's a sneak peek

 

[Brettafett]

Bretron, reviews man, reviews.... Looks awesome.
Did you get to visit John for fitting etc? What did you think of some of the other jackets? Did you see a RW1401?
Sorry, but 'we' are now where you were then Needing opinions and some jacket guidance....! Thanks

 

[wild_balls]

Good choice, looks excellent!
How does the hide feel like when new?

Cheers Joakim

 

[bretron]

Bretron, reviews man, reviews.... Looks awesome.
Did you get to visit John for fitting etc? What did you think of some of the other jackets? Did you see a RW1401?
Sorry, but 'we' are now where you were then Needing opinions and some jacket guidance....! Thanks

Brettafett, haha, I knew I was in trouble! Will try for some pics this weekend and a full blown review. Yes, I did pay John a visit. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life. He is such an amazing yet humble man, and he was incredibly generous with his time. I spent a good two hrs at his house, talking about everything under the sun (jacket related, of course!).Here's the proof:

Good choice, looks excellent!
How does the hide feel like when new?

Cheers Joakim

Joakim, i cannot stress enough how incredible this hide is. The color is rich and takes on different shades depending on the light; it has (what to me is) the perfect "hand" (thickness, softness, drape and grain).

My biggest hesitation in getting the 102 Shinki was that it would look too boring, but its anything but. I can only imagine what his civilian jackets must be like cut from this (in all shades). Also, my two cents: when comparing the different knits with leathers, imo the golden knits are the perfect compliment to this hide.

 

[handymike]

Nicely done, Bret!!!!
Is the jacket you're wearing in the photo the Dark seal?
Wear it well man!

 

[bretron]

Nicely done, Bret!!!!
Is the jacket you're wearing in the photo the Dark seal?
Wear it well man!

Handymike, it's an espresso (or something like that, I forget!) HH from Horween. It was nice, but a little too soft for my taste (I think it was chrome tanned). I dunno, something about the Shinki... Call me a fan

 

[Sloan1874]

No, I love the way shinki on my jacket marbled and creased - did some HWT on it to help it along. It's much more subtle than FQHH, but it's got a class of its own.