Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

[TartuWolf]

Lost worlds half belt in size 38 for an increadible price! https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/special/order/confirm/https://jp.mercari.com/item/m21858737931/13_1/

As mentioned before - these are not the same as the US Lost Worlds jackets and these do go for similar prices (200-400eu) regularly in JP. Just saying.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

As mentioned before - these are not the same as the US Lost Worlds jackets and these do go for similar prices (200-400eu) regularly in JP. Just saying.

You keep repeating this as if there is something inherently inferior about a Lost Worlds jacket in Japan. I have two from Japan and they are both excellent quality.

 

[cbez]

I think from observation its safe to say the Japan leathers are commonly less thick. Maybe ordered this way by the importers, or mostly produced during a period when Stuart wasn't going as thick? Some may also be samples that he threw together for Japanese brands. But many have excellent grain and the build quality is the same.

Many are quite old at this point and have unattractive wear in the pigment topcoat. I don't think topcoat has ever been Stuart's strong point, at least to my taste. Very thick and plasticy, rarely ever seen him do anything aniline.

It's foolish to paint every jacket in an entire country with one brush, but at the same time it's fair to give people expectations of what they are likely to be getting.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

Yeah, I think it would have been better to qualify that the ones sold from Japan tend to be the lighter weight HH rather than the 4/4+oz stuff. Not necessarily inferior, just lighter but with the grain coming in even faster.

Many are quite old at this point and have unattractive wear in the pigment topcoat. I don't think topcoat has ever been Stuart's strong point, at least to my taste. Very thick and plasticy, rarely ever seen him do anything aniline.

I'm curious if you have any examples - I haven't really seen any but I usually don't browse the stuff sold from Japan.

From talking to Stuart, their intention is for the dye to go all the way through, but it depends on how dense the hide is and this can vary as they don't just do front-quarter. For instance, horse **** is very dense and difficult to dye-through, but still seeps through a decent amount.

You can look at some of the pull-straps below from a couple of my jackets and see this variation. Note the difference: First has thin white stripe in the middle, second is dyed-through.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I reckon my LW A-2 is 15-20 years old based on the pattern. No topcoat issues and the grain is very attractive.

So I just don't get what these generalizations are based on.

I believe one can easily see from the photos of the last LW posted that it's a fine jacket. But these "disclaimers" you guys are issuing make it sound like some hidden flaws should be expected in such a jacket. I'm saying that has not been my experience - but maybe I got lucky?

 

[cbez]

I don't think it's so much hidden flaws, as a lot of the lost worlds brand is built up around the super thicc leather expectation. So people see a low price one in Japan and don't necessarily get what they're expecting.

I don't think thick or thinner leather (and the thinner leather is 'normal', not like cheap and super thin) is necessarily a good vs. bad thing, both have benefits and drawbacks.

They're well made jackets just not the 15lb tanks people may think they're getting.

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m79833697323

schott beck pattern in brown horsehide, 36

 

[cbez]

最終価格【限定品】LOST WORLDS 実名復刻 J.A.DUBOW A2 | フリマアプリ ラクマ

人とは違う、自分だけの特別なA-2をお探しの方にお薦めします。こちらは、ニューヨークの「LOSTWORLDS」社が実名復刻したJ.A.DUBOWA-2馬革ジャケットです。LOSTWORLDSが、かつてのJ.A.DUBOWの工場を引き継ぎ、貴重な台襟付きのオリジナル初期型を忠実に再現したモデルだということです。AAFマーク無し。貴重なCROWN社のスプリングジッパーも再現されたスペシャルモデル。マニアには堪らないモデルとなっています‼️左ニット内側補修１ヶ所と腰ニットにほつれ１ヶ所ある以外は、ほとんど使用感の無い美品です。ジッパーも新品なので、馴れるまでは、優しく扱ってください、まさに「動...

item.fril.jp

lost world a2, 40

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I don't think it's so much hidden flaws, as a lot of the lost worlds brand is built up around the super thicc leather expectation. So people see a low price one in Japan and don't necessarily get what they're expecting.

View attachment 706356

Okay, I am unaware that LW is popularly associated with thick leather. I have done enough research (and still know very little) to understand that Stu has a range of offerings; but if what you are saying is true, then I begin to understand.

 

[cbez]

this was the best wear example I could find on short notice. A lot of quality jackets have wear exactly like that so I am not trying to **** on stuart specifically, just not a fan of these pigment topcoats.

I have seen a lot with wear in other areas like sleeves etc that have a very light color leather underneath a totally different pigment, and it just looks like flaking paint.


just a boring, flat, uninspired brown with no depth that belongs on a cheap couch

common wear area, but looks ugly

again normal wear point, but ugly.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

Ah I was thinking about the black HH as that's the more popular option. Yeah, the russet is treated differently and has more of the top-coat finish as you mentioned. Pull shows this too.

I know the russet is not everyone's cup of tea, but it looks pretty nice after some grain starts to set in.

 

[TartuWolf]

@The Lost Cowboy
You are right - I should stop mentioning this and I won't do that anymore, I apologize.
But I think it might be a bit misleading, especially to newer members, to see the legendary LW jackets sold so cheaply in JP. Fantastic deal right?! Well, not so much in my opinion.
Might be foolish on my side, but jacket that I received when I went for one of these left me rather disappointed. It was a fine jacket! But I had different expectations based on LW jackets I've seen on their website and here on TFL.
I've seen "proper" LW jackets sold in JP as well, but those don't go for 200-400eur - they know what they are selling themselves.

 

[blm14]

A _very_ early HD two-tone straight zip in what would be a modern size 38-ish. Not cheap, and in need of repair. But I have never seen this style or this tag before.

Pardon Our Interruption...

www.ebay.com

 

[BarryMcCockiner_PhD]

Not sure if this is a great deal but HPA has ELMC Californian (Black, Walnut, Havana) in most sizes on clearance for $1000. Kind of tempted but the sizing looks wonky - 46" chest is size 42R?

https://www.historypreservation.com/products-page/closeouts/

 

[photo2u]

Not sure if this is a great deal but HPA has ELMC Californian (Black, Walnut, Havana) in most sizes on clearance for $1000. Kind of tempted but the sizing looks wonky - 46" chest is size 42R?

https://www.historypreservation.com/products-page/closeouts/

I reached them last week for some info regarding a particular jacket and sizing. I got a generic answer from their front person. Despite the fact, they sell brands I like, I will not be a returned customer due to several poor experiences with him.

 

[photo2u]

this was the best wear example I could find on short notice. A lot of quality jackets have wear exactly like that so I am not trying to **** on stuart specifically, just not a fan of these pigment topcoats.

I have seen a lot with wear in other areas like sleeves etc that have a very light color leather underneath a totally different pigment, and it just looks like flaking paint.

View attachment 706358
just a boring, flat, uninspired brown with no depth that belongs on a cheap couch
View attachment 706359
common wear area, but looks ugly
View attachment 706360
again normal wear point, but ugly.
View attachment 706361

I have several A-2 originals and repros. My favorite repros are the FEW and LW. What I like about the LW is the hide. Very close to some of my HH originals. I must admit, LW is not 100% accurate but as an excellent jacket to go flying or wearing around I would often pick LW items. Only Cals are my first choice for riding my Harley. However, I love LW car coats when I need a dressier top for long rides. LW has had several light brown hides. I have an a-2,A-1,j-23,trucker, and several different cat coat. NONE of them have the same shade of russet. I also have purchased three different piles of remnants, even the remnants appear different in grain and thickness. PERSONALLY, I love the hides from LW. I am also aware of other vintage and repros that have different finishes that appeal to many. I am also glad that consumers have choices. These consumer choices, keep the manufactures on their toes.

 

[photo2u]

Ah I was thinking about the black HH as that's the more popular option. Yeah, the russet is treated differently and has more of the top-coat finish as you mentioned. Pull shows this too.

View attachment 706368

I know the russet is not everyone's cup of tea, but it looks pretty nice after some grain starts to set in.

In true honesty, I prefer the brown tones better than black. My favorite J23 and car coats are in Russet. I just need a Trojan, leather togs "B"and Peters in Russet and I think I might be set. I imagine that new Star Glove is quite something in russet. LOL

 

[JMax]

@The Lost Cowboy
You are right - I should stop mentioning this and I won't do that anymore, I apologize.
But I think it might be a bit misleading, especially to newer members, to see the legendary LW jackets sold so cheaply in JP. Fantastic deal right?! Well, not so much in my opinion.
Might be foolish on my side, but jacket that I received when I went for one of these left me rather disappointed. It was a fine jacket! But I had different expectations based on LW jackets I've seen on their website and here on TFL.
I've seen "proper" LW jackets sold in JP as well, but those don't go for 200-400eur - they know what they are selling themselves.

I’ve had a few Japanese LW vests. Sold each for $50-60. Even Stuart sells them for significantly less. I’m sure there are awesome LW made for the Japanese market. Buyers need to research and understand what they may be purchasing.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

In true honesty, I prefer the brown tones better than black. My favorite J23 and car coats are in Russet. I just need a Trojan, leather togs "B"and Peters in Russet and I think I might be set. I imagine that new Star Glove is quite something in russet. LOL

You're going after the heavy-hitters, I like that

 

[newtojackets]

Someone here is going to owe me big time:

Free wheelers A1, size 36 for £550…

https://www.marrkt.com/collections/...ets/products/togs-mfg-type-a-1-leather-jacket

 

[cbez]

Nice jacket. Pretty close to the normal second hand price for the a1s. Not as valuable as their motorcycle jackets.