Who Made Leatherman’s CHP Jacket?

[ksozay]

Few photos of my Cal/Leatherman (?) jacket. Same model, I mean. Confirmed by Cal to be Cal, in any case.

Ivan,

Despite what Gwen told you, if it was her, that’s not a Cal. I have two of these jackets, I will send pics when I get back from vacation. Angle of pocket zippers, shape of epaulettes, waist design, etc. all not the same as Cal design. Look similar, not same.

I’ve seen some decent copies and i agree, not many out there can make them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[El Marro]

The plot thickens...

 

[Monitor]

I’ve seen some decent copies and i agree, not many out there can make them.

Alright, I'll wait.

But what you said - Decent copy is a one thing but man, name me one maker that'd install shearling wrist warmers inside sleeves on a jacket that's supposed to be a fetish store knockoff. Nobody would care about that, especially not the... targeted clientele, yet the maker installed them by default.

If it's not Cal, it's LW. If it's neither Cal nor LW, let's track down one of the three best leather jacket makers in the USA.

 

[Leather Walker]

This is my 1st Cal. I own a 2nd Cal: unpadded, with belt loops and "kidney back", made in mid-70s, mid-weight leather. Aaaand there's another 3rd Cal that I'm about to receive. I'll show pics of these two other day.

Today I'm gonna show you more pics of my 1st Cal: padded shoulders & elbows, no belt loops, very weight leather (7 lbs), w/o kidney back nor bi-swing back. It was made (probably) around late 50s or early 60s. Talon puller on main zipper, but the zippers were replaced by vtg YYK. I'm very happy with this jacket

 

[Carlos840]

This is my 1st Cal. I own a 2nd Cal: unpadded, with belt loops and "kidney back", made in mid-70s, mid-weight leather. Aaaand there's another 3rd Cal that I'm about to receive. I'll show pics of these two other day.

Today I'm gonna show you more pics of my 1st Cal: padded shoulders & elbows, no belt loops, very weight leather (7 lbs), w/o kidney back nor bi-swing back. It was made (probably) around late 50s or early 60s. Talon puller on main zipper, but the zippers were replaced by vtg YYK. I'm very happy with this jacket

View attachment 185994 View attachment 185995 View attachment 185996 View attachment 185997 View attachment 185998 View attachment 185999 View attachment 186000 View attachment 186001 View attachment 186002 View attachment 186004

The news just came in, its official, i need a Cal leather jacket!
Will this ever stop?

 

[JMax]

The news just came in, its official, i need a Cal leather jacket!
Will this ever stop?

Find one with the "right" leather (like this one) and I will fly over to Europe to put a fork in you. Two of mine smell so good, even after 50 or so years, that it is criminal. When it comes to Cal, I am well on my way to some sort of intervention. Here's proof:


These two are in my office today. Don't ask please.




Closeup of one of my CHPs. Owner stated late 50s to early 60s. It was a family heirloom. Serval main zip and conmar zips on sleeves.


The LAPD I am wearing today. Got it from the son of an old MC cop who was issued the jacket sometime in the late 60s. At some point they reattached the left-side (right side in photo) belt loop upside down. Photo does not accurately capture the amount of wear, though it has plenty of life remaining.



This and one other are my most prized. Hard to see here but the brown undertone is just starting to creep out. This one is how I like them- no gussets, heavy and lean at the waist but with superior movement up top. Old school look and stellar for riding. Again, purchased from the family of an old MC cop who only wore it on the job for a couple of years...then into a closet for a few decades with intermittent use.


Heavier leather



The rest of my growing tribe chilling at home. Bottom two are also magic, especially the one on right. Next level stuff-- main zip was more recently replaced but all else original.

 

[Carlos840]

Find one with the "right" leather (like this one) and I will fly over to Europe to put a fork in you. Two of mine smell so good, even after 50 or so years, that it is criminal. When it comes to Cal, I am well on my way to some sort of intervention. Here's proof:

View attachment 186018
These two are in my office today. Don't ask please.



View attachment 186019
Closeup of one of my CHPs. Owner stated late 50s to early 60s. It was a family heirloom. Serval main zip and conmar zips on sleeves.

View attachment 186020
The LAPD I am wearing today. Got it from the son of an old MC cop who was issued the jacket sometime in the late 60s. At some point they reattached the left-side (right side in photo) belt loop upside down. Photo does not accurately capture the amount of wear, though it has plenty of life remaining.


View attachment 186021
This and one other are my most prized. Hard to see here but the brown undertone is just starting to creep out. This one is how I like them- no gussets, heavy and lean at the waist but with superior movement up top. Old school look and stellar for riding. Again, purchased from the family of an old MC cop who only wore it on the job for a couple of years...then into a closet for a few decades with intermittent use.

View attachment 186022
Heavier leather


View attachment 186023
The rest of my growing tribe chilling at home. Bottom two are also magic, especially the one on right. Next level stuff-- main zip was more recently replaced but all else original.

Dude, no one needs that many Cal, other people are looking for them and would like to get some...
If you ever see one that might fit me (40-42 26'5 back/arms) pelase do let me know!

 

[ton312]

Dude, no one needs that many Cal, other people are looking for them and would like to get some...
If you ever see one that might fit me (40-42 26'5 back/arms) pelase do let me know!

That’s going to be your problem, they are pretty damn short. I’ve owned probably half a dozen and never kept a single one b/c the body length just doesn’t work. Sleeves are typically plenty long but they are short jackets.
27” sleeves but hit above my belly button zipped. Shame too, probably the nicest HH I’ve ever handled and the jacket was literally like brand new. It fetched a tidy sum at auction.

 

[JMax]

Dude, no one needs that many Cal, other people are looking for them and would like to get some...
If you ever see one that might fit me (40-42 26'5 back/arms) pelase do let me know!

Certainly will. They can be found at very reasonable prices too.

 

[El Marro]

Dude, no one needs that many Cal, other people are looking for them and would like to get some...
If you ever see one that might fit me (40-42 26'5 back/arms) pelase do let me know!

Carlos,
Reach out to ksozay here on the forum. He has a pretty epic collection of Cal jackets himself in a range of sizes. I got my own Cal crosszip from him (1960’s, heavy heavy horsehide) and he was an absolute pleasure to deal with!

 

[El Marro]

And Ton is correct about the short length. The sleeves on mine are at least 26 inches, they fit just fine. The body at the front hits right around belt level which is a little higher than I like but perfectly normal for this style of jacket.

 

[ton312]

Yeah my somewhat long torso ruled these out for me unfortunately.

 

[JMax]

And Ton is correct about the short length. The sleeves on mine are at least 26 inches, they fit just fine. The body at the front hits right around belt level which is a little higher than I like but perfectly normal for this style of jacket.

Yes, particularly true of the LAPDs. At belt level for me, might see the lower portion of the buckle while engaged in certain movements. But when relaxed it just covers the belt. I did find a 44L that extends a bit more. I guess it depends on personal preference and/or the purpose of the jacket. Just covering the belt is the best of both worlds for me.

 

[Monitor]

The news just came in, its official, i need a Cal leather jacket!
Will this ever stop?

You do.
They may not be the most perfectly stitched jackets in the world but after all these years, I can tell you right away that this one Cal I have is the highest quality leather jacket I've ever handled. Maybe only Bates competes on the same level but yeah, Bates & Cal are at the top of the list for me.

Or maybe I should say that the best jacket I had was a copy of a Cal, if that's what my jacket is. XD

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Find one with the "right" leather (like this one) and I will fly over to Europe to put a fork in you. Two of mine smell so good, even after 50 or so years, that it is criminal. When it comes to Cal, I am well on my way to some sort of intervention. Here's proof:

View attachment 186018
These two are in my office today. Don't ask please.



View attachment 186019
Closeup of one of my CHPs. Owner stated late 50s to early 60s. It was a family heirloom. Serval main zip and conmar zips on sleeves.

View attachment 186020
The LAPD I am wearing today. Got it from the son of an old MC cop who was issued the jacket sometime in the late 60s. At some point they reattached the left-side (right side in photo) belt loop upside down. Photo does not accurately capture the amount of wear, though it has plenty of life remaining.


View attachment 186021
This and one other are my most prized. Hard to see here but the brown undertone is just starting to creep out. This one is how I like them- no gussets, heavy and lean at the waist but with superior movement up top. Old school look and stellar for riding. Again, purchased from the family of an old MC cop who only wore it on the job for a couple of years...then into a closet for a few decades with intermittent use.

View attachment 186022
Heavier leather


View attachment 186023
The rest of my growing tribe chilling at home. Bottom two are also magic, especially the one on right. Next level stuff-- main zip was more recently replaced but all else original.

Sheeze JMax!!
Epic
I got some Cals but can’t touch this!!
Are these why you come home at lunch?
To change jackets?? Lol
I would. Ha
B

 

[JMax]

Sheeze JMax!!
Epic
I got some Cals but can’t touch this!!
Are these why you come home at lunch?
To change jackets?? Lol
I would. Ha
B

Ha, I am lucky enough to work close to home so I can go back for lunch. I do sometimes swap out jackets or put on a vest. I also leave the bike at home if there is rain coming or the temps are just too high. Oh, and I get to see my wife, certainly can't forget that lol.

 

[Al 916]

Few photos of my Cal/Leatherman (?) jacket. Same model, I mean. Confirmed by Cal to be Cal, in any case.

Hi Monitor, If you still have could you please repost these pictures?

Thanks
Al

 

[Leather Walker]

Hi Monitor, If you still have could you please repost these pictures?

Thanks
Al

With Monitor's permission, I share a couple of photos of the Al's Leather he owned.

 

[Al 916]

With Monitor's permission, I share a couple of photos of the Al's Leather he owned.
View attachment 554252
View attachment 554253

Thanks.

I might have misread in that case, I thought the thread had established (I don't want to reopen any angst) that the OP Leather Man Cross Zip was made by Cal-Leather (Al's is of course excellent as a confirmation as well!)

 

[Monitor]

Thanks.

I might have misread in that case, I thought the thread had established (I don't want to reopen any angst) that the OP Leather Man Cross Zip was made by Cal-Leather (Al's is of course excellent as a confirmation as well!)

Although mine as well, I'm not sure the jacket in the photos @Leather Walker jacket was the one from the post with missing pics. That was my unbranded CHP which Cal identified as one of their own, only made for Leatherman. But I don't have photos of it anymore...