Skin choices in leather jackets

[red devil]

So reading these forums, I guess the main skins are cowhide, horsehide and goat if I am not missing anything - please correct me if I am

In my quest for variety in leather jackets, I have been looking at different leathers and found out there is a huge variety of skins available out there:

Deer - appears quite often here
Kangaroo - More for modern apparel?
Kudu - looks very rough with scars
Moose
Oryx
Yak

I am missing most likely quite a few, and then we have the so-called "exotics" such as:

- Snake
- Ostrich
- Crocodile

So what do you guys think of all these leathers types? Do you have other skins to discuss?

 

[Guppy]

So reading these forums, I guess the main skins are cowhide, horsehide and goat if I am not missing anything - please correct me if I am

In my quest for variety in leather jackets, I have been looking at different leathers and found out there is a huge variety of skins available out there:

Deer - appears quite often here
Kangaroo - More for modern apparel?
Kudu - looks very rough with scars
Moose
Oryx
Yak

I am missing most likely quite a few, and then we have the so-called "exotics" such as:

- Snake
- Ostrich
- Crocodile

So what do you guys think of all these leathers types? Do you have other skins to discuss?

You missed sheep, which is another major skin.

There's also pig, which I don't see in jackets much, but sometimes in gloves. And buffalo, which seems to be a more common leather in the last few years.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Also there are differently tanned and processed HH hides. CXL such as Aero's heavy FQHH plus vegetable tanned hides in several different configurations, brand names and weights. All are discussed on this forum. Use the search function for Aero, Himel, Lostworlds, Thedi and perhaps Thurston Brothers for a ton of pics and information.
HD

 

[red devil]

You missed sheep, which is another major skin.

There's also pig, which I don't see in jackets much, but sometimes in gloves. And buffalo, which seems to be a more common leather in the last few years.

Thanks, I knew that I forgot about those. Wonder if pig would make for a good jacket

Also there are differently tanned and processed HH hides. CXL such as Aero's heavy FQHH plus vegetable tanned hides in several different configurations, brand names and weights. All are discussed on this forum. Use the search function for Aero, Himel, Lostworlds, Thedi and perhaps Thurston Brothers for a ton of pics and information.
HD

Thanks, more interested in discussing the different type of hides.... I am wondering if I am missing out on something interesting, hence the question.

 

[ButteMT61]

My understating is that many early jackets were also made of dog.
Not a joke and it was discussed previously. Obviously that's not s very popular option these days.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

You dawg...

 

[Seb Lucas]

If you like leather jackets you need to try kangaroo, it's a light and incredibly dense and tough leather. Makes goatskin look like fragile lambskin.

 

[ton312]

If you like leather jackets you need to try kangaroo, it's a light and incredibly dense and tough leather. Makes goatskin look like fragile lambskin.

One of my all time favs is the roo CR someone around here had built by Aero. Looked awesome.

 

[ProteinNerd]

What about Bison? I've heard of it being used but never seen it myself in person.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Thanks, I knew that I forgot about those. Wonder if pig would make for a good jacket

Pigskin makes for a very 'cheap' jacket.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

What about Bison? I've heard of it being used but never seen it myself in person.

Now yer talkin'....best with hair on.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I see no mention of lambskin, which is probably a close second to cowhide in terms of sheer number of jackets manufactured. Lambskin is thinner/softer than the other hides, and more fragile, with lower tear resistance. But it is not as poor a choice for jackets as the general attitude against it here (e.g., "it's only good for high-fashion jackets") might indicate. Sure, it isn't near-indestructible like goatskin, but it's still legit leather. And that same thinner/softer aspect makes it drape beautifully and feel luxurious.

I've had a lambskin Wested Raiders jacket since 2003, and while I did tear the back panel once when it got caught on a car door (and Wested repaired it FOR FREE, but that's another story!), otherwise it has held up great to months of wearing every year as my "summer weight" leather jacket. If you want a sample of all the major jacket hides in your collection, you should consider one made from this lighter-but-unique leather.

 

[red devil]

Pigskin makes for a very 'cheap' jacket.

Found this while looking up pig skin jackets:
http://leathersupreme.com/pigskin-vs-cowhide-leather-jackets/

 

[red devil]

If you like leather jackets you need to try kangaroo, it's a light and incredibly dense and tough leather. Makes goatskin look like fragile lambskin.

I've been interested in kangaroo skin, apparently most of the skins are being bought by China to make balls for football, basket ball, etc... I will definitely check it out

 

[red devil]

What about Bison? I've heard of it being used but never seen it myself in person.

Seen it a long time ago, had a much thicker grain than cowhide, would look good in a rugged jacket

 

[red devil]

That must be warm!

Now yer talkin'....best with hair on.

 

[red devil]

I see no mention of lambskin, which is probably a close second to cowhide in terms of sheer number of jackets manufactured. Lambskin is thinner/softer than the other hides, and more fragile, with lower tear resistance. But it is not as poor a choice for jackets as the general attitude against it here (e.g., "it's only good for high-fashion jackets") might indicate. Sure, it isn't near-indestructible like goatskin, but it's still legit leather. And that same thinner/softer aspect makes it drape beautifully and feel luxurious.

I've had a lambskin Wested Raiders jacket since 2003, and while I did tear the back panel once when it got caught on a car door (and Wested repaired it FOR FREE, but that's another story!), otherwise it has held up great to months of wearing every year as my "summer weight" leather jacket. If you want a sample of all the major jacket hides in your collection, you should consider one made from this lighter-but-unique leather.

Since I started getting jackets that are appreciated here, I must admit developing a disdain for lamb leather... same as most people think, these fashion jackets just look so fragile and artificial.
I guess I really need to check out quality lamb leather before forming a definitive opinion, thanks!

 

[ton312]

There's something gross about pigskin to me. I don't know why. It's like sharkskin. Belongs in a David Lynch movie.

 

[ton312]

I could see this guy in a pig skin jacket.

 

[red devil]

Well my only exposure to pig skin was at a high end gloves maker in Italy, they were the most expensive pair for men. Looked good but really pricey!