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The Deck Jacket thread.

Tomwiththeweather

One of the Regulars
Messages
110
Location
Europe
I did an experiment. Last year I bought one of the Mil-Tec N1s and liked it quite a bit, except for how non water-resistant the definitely-not-bedford-cord fabric is. I never had water get all the way through to my shirt, but the thing definitely spent long hours hanging to dry after a rainy day.

So I coughed up the €75 for another one in Navy to see how these take a wax treatment. Slurped up about 3/4 of a can of Barbour thornproof dressing, and ended up looking… almost identical. But it worked! Water beads up and rolls off, more or less like you'd expect a Barbour to. Haven't got to test it in a real downpour yet, will report back.

IMG_7891 2.jpeg
 

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,140
Location
Europe
I did an experiment. Last year I bought one of the Mil-Tec N1s and liked it quite a bit, except for how non water-resistant the definitely-not-bedford-cord fabric is. I never had water get all the way through to my shirt, but the thing definitely spent long hours hanging to dry after a rainy day.

So I coughed up the €75 for another one in Navy to see how these take a wax treatment. Slurped up about 3/4 of a can of Barbour thornproof dressing, and ended up looking… almost identical. But it worked! Water beads up and rolls off, more or less like you'd expect a Barbour to. Haven't got to test it in a real downpour yet, will report back.

View attachment 745647
If you don't mind me asking... would you do the waxing again? I'm thinking about trying Otter Wax. I'm more interested in the waxed look than the water-repellent effect (which is a nice bonus, of course). But if there's no visible difference, I might as well save myself the effort.
Thanks.
 

Justsomedude

New in Town
Messages
32
Received the Dehen 1920 deck jacket a few weeks ago. Love it. My relaxed chest is 42.5", size XL is good for me. The mouton is very luxorius and soft. Otherwise the jacket (materials, "cut" or silhouette) is very robust and workman like if that makes sense.

Works well with a t shirt underneath in 0 Celsius or 32 f weather. Can comfortably fit a sweater underneath. I believe this could finally be a real replacement for my down jackets, which are very warm but more importantly very comfortable.
 

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Tomwiththeweather

One of the Regulars
Messages
110
Location
Europe
If you don't mind me asking... would you do the waxing again? I'm thinking about trying Otter Wax. I'm more interested in the waxed look than the water-repellent effect (which is a nice bonus, of course). But if there's no visible difference, I might as well save myself the effort.
Thanks.

I am quite happy with it; I would definitely do it again. I managed to get a good rainy day test yesterday, and while not totally waterproof, it's leagues beyond my non-waxed one:

IMG_7937.jpeg



IMG_7938 2.jpeg


Visually, there is a difference, but it's not dramatic. If I had to speculate, I think Barbours and the like have thinner fabric with a tighter weave, so more of the wax sits on the surface, where with this N1 a lot of the wax gets absorbed into the thicker, looser weave. There's no sheen or pull-up effect like there is on a Barbour:

IMG_7952.jpeg


IMG_7953.jpeg


It's possible a second treatment could start to build up a more visible surface sheen, but I don't think I'll be rewaxing mine until I notice a drop in weatherproofness. Hope the images help your decision.
 
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Tomwiththeweather

One of the Regulars
Messages
110
Location
Europe
Received the Dehen 1920 deck jacket a few weeks ago. Love it. My relaxed chest is 42.5", size XL is good for me. The mouton is very luxorius and soft. Otherwise the jacket (materials, "cut" or silhouette) is very robust and workman like if that makes sense.

Works well with a t shirt underneath in 0 Celsius or 32 f weather. Can comfortably fit a sweater underneath. I believe this could finally be a real replacement for my down jackets, which are very warm but more importantly very comfortable.

I envy you. I tried one of those on a while back… might be the single nicest jacket I've ever worn. Felt bombproof but incredibly soft at the same time. If $ was no object (and if I didn't already have a B3 that I love)…

IMG_4053.jpeg
 

MrProper

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,140
Location
Europe
I am quite happy with it; I would definitely do it again. I managed to get a good rainy day test yesterday, and while not totally waterproof, it's leagues beyond my non-waxed one:

View attachment 747651


View attachment 747653

Visually, there is a difference, but it's not dramatic. If I had to speculate, I think Barbours and the like have thinner fabric with a tighter weave, so more of the wax sits on the surface, where with this N1 a lot of the wax gets absorbed into the thicker, looser weave. There's no sheen or pull-up effect like there is on a Barbour:

View attachment 747649

View attachment 747650

It's possible a second treatment could start to build up a more visible surface sheen, but I don't think I'll be rewaxing mine until I notice a drop in weatherproofness. Hope the images help your decision.
Thank you for your efforts.
Yes, the effect is less than one would assume. I once waxed palladium boots and there was no noticeable difference. I believe your assumption regarding the weave density is correct.
I will consider it further ;)
Thank you.
 

WolfofStateSt

Practically Family
Messages
654
I think I would really like a jacket with the exact cut and styling of my IH N-1, only without the alpaca lining.
They just released some without the lining, great looking jackets. I would buy one but I already have so many jackets that would be insane. It comes in Navy and Khaki I believe, I would go Navy personally (inside fabric is beautiful green color), but here is a pick of the khaki version.
 

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WolfofStateSt

Practically Family
Messages
654
I envy you. I tried one of those on a while back… might be the single nicest jacket I've ever worn. Felt bombproof but incredibly soft at the same time. If $ was no object (and if I didn't already have a B3 that I love)…

View attachment 747654
That looks like it came out of a museum in the best way possible, super badass. Only reason I chose Iron Heart over Dehen (besides price) was that I really wanted a whipcord jacket, but damn that canvas looks fine.
 

El Marro

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,980
Location
California
I am very intrigued by a leather N-1, I keep looking at the Y’2 Leather version and now here is another one to drool over.
I don’t think I would want fur or alpaca lining though, that would be a bit much for the climate where I live.
 

WolfofStateSt

Practically Family
Messages
654
I am very intrigued by a leather N-1, I keep looking at the Y’2 Leather version and now here is another one to drool over.
I don’t think I would want fur or alpaca lining though, that would be a bit much for the climate where I live.
Yeah, I guess it would be cool lol.
 

raf

One of the Regulars
Messages
238
US Mil (all Branches) had specific procedures for laundering these cloth shell jackets and then adding some chems to make them Water-Resistant (WR). Such cloth items intended, at best, for light, short duration rain. If precip was greater/longer than that, proper foul-weather gear was donned.

Almost every used GI cloth shell jacket I've seen had practically zero WR capability left, presumably it was laundered out over the years.

Depending on the base material, various chems can be washed-in or topically applied to enhance the WR capability, but it will never be a true rain cost.

Always launder first, using correct technique (Internal tags should give this info), before applying any WR chems. If using common laundry detergent, suggest Woolite detergent as it has no "optical brighteners". Rinse 2X and beware of possible shrinkage. Follow directions for applying WR treatment to the letter, and it's not a bad idea to have more WR chem on hand than one anticipates one will need.

Interesting guide to the N-1, N-2, and N-3 USN jackets. A true Expert might know more: https://stridewise.com/best-deck-jackets/
 
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WolfofStateSt

Practically Family
Messages
654
Personally, I would treat your N-1 like a leather jacket and never wash it. Only air it out and spot clean it. N-1s were never meant to be rain jackets, but if you get the Iromhearts oiled whipcord version, you should be good, honestly, for most rain. I have worn that in so many rainstorms, and the rain beads off it. Now, if it's raining cats and dogs and you have to be outside for an extended period of time, get a $20 PVC yellow rubber raincoat from the hardware store and throw that on over it or whatever.
 

Ponyboy70

New in Town
Messages
10
Location
Toronto
Hi folks.
I’ve got a few N-1 jackets- a Schott down-filled version, a vintage Spiewak, a “no-name” very vintage, very trashed version, and a Y2 goatskin version. My “holy grail” is an Iron Heart IHM-22, which is the 21oz selvedge denim version made a few years ago.
I generally wear a size 42 (sometimes a 40 depending on the maker) but I know IH fits a bit smaller so I’d need at least a med, maybe a large (I go off of measurements) so if there is anyone out there with an IHM-22 that they’d like to rehome, please get in touch!

cheers from Toronto
 

WolfofStateSt

Practically Family
Messages
654
Hi folks.
I’ve got a few N-1 jackets- a Schott down-filled version, a vintage Spiewak, a “no-name” very vintage, very trashed version, and a Y2 goatskin version. My “holy grail” is an Iron Heart IHM-22, which is the 21oz selvedge denim version made a few years ago.
I generally wear a size 42 (sometimes a 40 depending on the maker) but I know IH fits a bit smaller so I’d need at least a med, maybe a large (I go off of measurements) so if there is anyone out there with an IHM-22 that they’d like to rehome, please get in touch!

cheers from Toronto
Get a Large or XL. I’m between a 42 and 44 and I needed an X XL. If you get a large it will be impossible to layer anything thicker than an oxford or chambray underneath. A deck jacket you can’t layer under is kind of a waste imo, it's look a little baggy or layered. Plus the version you are looking for is a dark color like navy or black, so it will always look slimmer than it actually is.

I wear medium for L.L.Bean or off the rack US brands. For iron heart I am an X XL for jackets, and an XL for flannel. There sizes are not for western culture.

For reference I am 6’4”, close to 200lbs. Get the XL at least, dude. Bigger is better.
 

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