The Leather Jacket Thread

[reallypeacedoff]

I have had this TOJ DR jacket for 10 years. Worn a lot. Received it just as the whole TOJ controversy started to blow up.

 

[spidereye]

Just completed this jacket inspired by previous jacket I posted here before , a bit loud but I like it.

[cheapmuthafukr]

I’ve had this thing forever… 

 

[chicote]

Got a question for you all…

I just picked up this really nice 60s horsehide jacket off of yahoo auctions. The listing mentioned that the lining had been replaced and that the rest of the jacket had “general wear”. There weren’t any super close up photos of the wear, but from the overall shots I thought the patina looked nice and so sprung for it. And besides that, it was the first jacket I’d found in weeks of searching that had exactly the measurements I was after.

I’m really happy with the fit, at least.

 

The problem is that when I got the jacket and was able to look it over in person, I realized that the “patina” the jacket has was largely made by sandpaper. I confess to having been ignorant of the fact that people actually did shit like this, but I guess given what people were doing to their raw denim 15 years ago (and the many instances of sandpaper-“fading” denim in Japan over that same time) i should have been on the lookout for it.

Anyway, I will still wear this jacket as is, but I’d really like to figure out some way to polish the sandpaper scuffs out of the leather. They’re not deep, but they’re really obvious in person and i don’t want to give the impression that I might have done this “fading” myself, lol. I’d rather polish or dye the whole jacket black and start all over than have the wear that’s currently on it. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on what to do, I’d really appreciate hearing. Here are some close ups - again, photos don’t show the scratches nearly as well as they show up in real life.

 

[Duke Mantee]

@chicote

It’s a shame someone has done that to a good piece of leather (handsome jacket and a really nice fit too)

One way to disguise the scratches a little is to use a coloured conditioner (the downside is it will become a uniform colour again), or I think I’d just use a good neutral conditioner (which may still darken the raw areas a little) applying 2 or 3 light coats letting each one dry before applying the next.

Saphir products are excellent but not the cheapest, I use Sedgwick’s conditioner, and I can also recommend Fiebing’s products (which might be easier for you to get)

[spidereye]

59club Bbq night last Saturday 

[Hopethisoneisnttaken]

The evolution of color here is very pleasing imo. Motor new vintage sports jacket. 

[bartlebyyphonics]

On 11/19/2022 at 11:51 PM, chicote said:

 

 

 

 

great jacket and fit! worth trying to save...

On 11/20/2022 at 10:44 AM, Duke Mantee said:

@chicote

It’s a shame someone has done that to a good piece of leather (handsome jacket and a really nice fit too)

One way to disguise the scratches a little is to use a coloured conditioner (the downside is it will become a uniform colour again), or I think I’d just use a good neutral conditioner (which may still darken the raw areas a little) applying 2 or 3 light coats letting each one dry before applying the next.

Saphir products are excellent but not the cheapest, I use Sedgwick’s conditioner, and I can also recommend Fiebing’s products (which might be easier for you to get)

I know much much less than the esteemed duke on leather matters, but would agree that starting with a neutral conditioner will bring life back to those abraded areas to see what you have to work with...

& cant vouch for it, but attractions have put together this coloured conditioner with collonil that [I think] has a colouring agent in it ... https://attractions.co.jp/collections/other/products/580 

I rate the attractions leather I have so would hope/believe they have put same attention to their other care products...

here is an ig post of a before after leather care that seems approximate to the color issue you have...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoMPaYuHH-b/?tagged=attractionsco

but it is expensive for the amount you get...

Edited December 8, 2022 by bartlebyyphonics

[xav22]

On 11/19/2022 at 6:51 PM, chicote said:

Anyway, I will still wear this jacket as is, but I’d really like to figure out some way to polish the sandpaper scuffs out of the leather. They’re not deep, but they’re really obvious in person and i don’t want to give the impression that I might have done this “fading” myself, lol. I’d rather polish or dye the whole jacket black and start all over than have the wear that’s currently on it. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on what to do, I’d really appreciate hearing. 

You may be able to figure out a DIY route but if it doesn't work or you'd rather hand it to someone else check out the link below if you're in the US and willing to pay a bit. i think leather jackets last long enough to warrant paying for specialist care. I had discoloring issues with an ebay leather jacket and they took care of it for me. haven't had alterations done with them but i have heard good things about that as well. this is a reputable mail-in leather specialist. curious if you figure out a DIY route, i have heard of some using shoe polish before. 

https://www.greatleather.com/restore.php#sservices

 

[chicote]

Thanks so much for the feedback, you guys. I am thinking of going the DIY boot polish route, at least to start. Three coats of Saphir Reno soaked nicely into the leather but didn’t make any noticeable difference in the colour of the abraded areas. I’ll look into the Collonil product that attractions carries; I’ve heard really good things about one of their leather care products in a green jar (called diamante something? Maybe?) but have no firsthand experience.

[pomata]

Got a Eastman a2 size 44 that feels huge on me. May I size down? Thoughts? 
 

[indigoeagle]

Nice jacket.
But probably a bit too large unless you intend to bulk up or so.
 

[Maynard Friedman]

Agreed, exchange for a size down if possible.

[merzbot]

On 12/12/2022 at 5:02 PM, chicote said:

Thanks so much for the feedback, you guys. I am thinking of going the DIY boot polish route, at least to start. Three coats of Saphir Reno soaked nicely into the leather but didn’t make any noticeable difference in the colour of the abraded areas. I’ll look into the Collonil product that attractions carries; I’ve heard really good things about one of their leather care products in a green jar (called diamante something? Maybe?) but have no firsthand experience.

Gutted for you chicote, you did the hard part in nailing down the fit. Hopefully you can bring it back to a decent state.

On the bright side it's not nearly as bad as the Visvim offerings this year:

 

elmendorf.webp

101xx.webp

Edited December 17, 2022 by merzbot
photos

[chicote]

Hi everyone, wanted to share an update on my jacket in case anyone’s curious. I decided to go the DIY boot polish route to obscure the sandpaper marks on my jacket, and after some research went with Collonil’s Colorit conditioner. I applied a bit on an arm last night to test the tint and colourfastness and was pretty happy with the result. The dye gives the leather a really nice sheen, but nothing overly artificial or new-looking, and I think the textural patina of the leather shows through just fine while hiding the visible sandpaper marks… even though I was just starting to get used to them, lol. I went to colour the rest of the jacket today and took some before/after photos.

Untreated:

After application and about 15 minutes’ dry time:

 

Contrast between freshly applied conditioner on the chest panel and the untreated arm:

The sandpaper marks are hidden pretty well by the conditioner - hopefully further conditioning  with uncoloured cream will blend them in further.

and here’s the product I used:

 

thanks for looking!

[Dr_Heech]

LVC x Aeroleather 1940's 'Beat brown', sz XL, made in 2005.

 This is one of the best fitting leather jackets that l've owned, albeit the leather itself isn't anything special imo and the 'finish' is similar to the above posts by @merzbot and @chicote - but l can tolerate these minor issues as fit is king (there's a pic of me wearing it in the waywt thread). And as the weather is half decent l thought l'd take some pics.

This jacket cost me around £250 NWOT back in 2010 (Originally £500) and l wear it fairly regularly as it has both windproof and waterproof qualities. The buttons haven't come off yet which is a bonus, but l guess that's because it was made by Aeroleather of Scotland rather than in an lvc factory. Lovely buttons made to look like horn and the knits are still like new. Leather was described as Capeskin.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2023 by Dr_Heech

[roomtemplacroix]

it was time for me to buy my very first leather jacket. i decided on the mariana from fine creek. this thing is just about everything i’ve ever wanted out of a leather jacket. if you don’t already know fine creek’s deal this is horsehide from shinki tannery. it’s tea-core. it’s shiny and beautiful. i go crazy for the slanted chest pocket, and i was really stoked to find out that it’s super functional and deep enough to fit your phone or wallet or even a modest sandwich. shout out to the folks at self edge for talking me through several weeks of trying on and deliberating on which one to take home. i’m beyond excited to break it in. 

[Maynard Friedman]

Kudos for considering carrying a sandwich in your chest pocket 

[Talan]

For those who are used to carrying sandwiches inside, the waist size is unlikely to fit.

 

Edited April 20, 2023 by Talan

[gti]

anyone here tried fivestarleather

[Double 0 Soul]

8 hours ago, gti said:

anyone here tried fivestarleather

 

I didn't even know they made leather goods.. i always wondered what happened to them after Rain or Shine failed to top the charts..

[crownzip]

I've been on the look out and finally found an original 1960's LEVI's rough out western jacket in my size. The steer hides are still very soft and pliable but on the thicker side. Overall, a very well made jacket.

 

 

 

[mpukas]

@crownzip great score! 

[spidereye]

Sweet it's Big E

[mlwdp]

Full size run, made in USA.

 

[ColdsnapBryan]

What are the leather makers or sellers in Japan worth checking out now adays? I'm heading there in May and keen to pickup an awesome leather jacket new or used. I'm partial to Americana/Western look.

[Hopethisoneisnttaken]

I’ve been trying to find some type of documentation to help place a date or at least a decade on this golden bear label but couldn’t find a reliable source. Any opinions?

 

Edited October 5 by Hopethisoneisnttaken

[willi]

2 hours ago, Hopethisoneisnttaken said:

I’ve been trying to find some type of documentation to help place a date or at least a decade on this golden bear label but couldn’t find a reliable source. Any opinions?

You might check here. I'm sure I've heard Terry Mitchell talk about this label, you might message him on youtube.