Companies in US that do custom work AND use steerhide as thick as Aero??

[JLStorm]

I promised myself I wouldnt order a 3rd custom jacket until I finished grad school and I just graduated. However, I haven't kept up with the prices and itseems they went up once or twice 2010. Now, that in and of itself isnt a show stopper and I think I can scratch together a few hundred more dollars over the next few months. My concern is that once I add shipping and the apparently higher import and handling fees, I'll most likely end up spending yet another $250 - $300 USD in addition to the jacket cost. That really crosses the barrier of what I can spend.

I've stuck with Aero because the service is great, the quality is amazing, but mostly when I ask for the heaviest steerhide they can find, they really come through for me. I'd love to stay with them, but I just don't know that I can due to the shipping and import costs.

I may have to settle for no new jacket, but I figured I'd ask if any US makers that do custom work and can use steerhide between 5oz and 6 oz? I know Aero says its pushing the limit of what their sewing machines can handle, but they manage to do it. Additionally, I'm thinking that in the US even without the exchange rate and the shipping, it would likely end up costing more, but I figured it couldnt hurt to check around.

I'd appreciate any input.

Thanks!

[GHQ1]

Johnson Leathers in San Francisco comes to mind. Their website is dated but their work is first class.

[Peacoat]

Johnson Leather Company, San Francisco is one such company. They have two heavyweight leathers in cow. One is what they use for the Japanese market, and the other is even heavier--I wouldn't want any part of it. The one for the Japanese market is the same weight as Aero and Vanson.

For men with relatively trim bodies, the custom work may not even be necessary, as Johnson does a trim fitting jacket as its standard offering--no belts or side buckles needed. If you should need the custom jacket, it is around $700 to $800, with the heavier leather. The standard off the shelf with the heavier leather is about $600 to $650 including shipping.

After an order is placed they will send a test jacket in the size you request, and you go from there. They don't charge for simple modifications, such as a liner change, but other modifications probably will cost you. As they sell to police motorcycle units in the area, they do an excellent interior pistol pocket to fit specific pistols.

Their standard jacket is a 3.5 oz. cow, which I think is too light for a dedicated motorcycle jacket. It is about the same weight as the Schott, and many other, MC jackets. Many of the law enforcement MC units use that, so I guess it works. For me, I like a heavier leather. I did get one of their 3.5 oz. jackets for a street jacket. I liked it so well I got another in the heavier leather for MC use only. It will take about a year to get it broken in.

Edit Note: I lost my internet connection, and by the time I got it back and posted, I noticed GHQ1 had already made his comment. So, yes, I obviously agree with GHQ1.

[JLStorm]

Thanks guys. I had checked out their website, but I didn't pursue it as it looked like they only made motorcycle jackets, with the exception of one A2 style jacket. I'll give them a call tomorrow and see what they say. Will said my last Aero was from 5.5 - 6.5 oz, I guess it was a small roll that they had for a while and never used. I'd love to get something the same weight. I'll have to see if Johnson's Leather can do what I want which is sort of a cross between a highwayman and G1 style (sounds weird I know).

[Jeff M]

They also do full on custom design work.

[JLStorm]

They also do full on custom design work.

Thanks. I figured they didn't because their custom section of the website only showed motorcycle jackets from what I recall. If I could get a jacket with the thickness of this Aero and pay less than $850.00 for it I'd be thrilled, but I can probably go up to $925 before I would feel too guilty about spending the money to pursue it.

I think my Aero weighs between 12 and 13 pounds and still stands up on its own after 2 years of wear (see photo). I figured that would be all but impossible from anyone else. This is good news!

[too much coffee]

Hey JLStorm;

Congratulations on grad school completion.

My suggestion is to call Fox Creek Leather out of Virginia. Their jackets are made with 4-5 oz. cowhide to start with. Their prices are usually undercutting everybody else and the quality is outstanding. I don't know if they do custom work, and of course that's always a stumbling block. But if they do, maybe they can scource that super heavyweight hide you desire and you can save some serious money. Some time ago I had one of their off the rack jackets and it was hovering around 7 pounds.


Good Luck and..

Regards,
coffee

[Jeff M]

Thanks. I figured they didn't because their custom section of the website only showed motorcycle jackets from what I recall. ..

A friend of mine received a custom Johnson jacket about 6 months ago.
He was looking for a double breasted "rocket man" kind of look.
He lives in the Bay Area..so went in to see what they could offer.
Sat down with one of the designers....told him what he was looking for. Designer came up with some ideas/sketches, pulled out different leathers/colors to look at. Took some measurements....made a cloth version of the jacket to try out for fit and design.
Ended up with a bit of a different design than what he was originally thinking of. (Some of the things my friend was thinking of would not have worked well on a leather jacket). Went with a very heavy buffalo hide.
Very nice jacket.

[Vespizzare]

Thanks for this thread. I'm on a vegetarian diet where I'm losing a pound a week and I told myself that when I level off I'm going to get myself a trim jacket. Johnson leathers is starting to look like a real possibility. I love the fact that I can visit some friends in San Francisco and actually go in for a fitting/design consultation. I'm not in love with anything on their website, but if they do custom work that's another story. I could really see getting something like their cafe racer, but with belt loops and a functioning belt around the waist.

P.S. I have a new avatar (that's not me). I want to get a trim A2 also. That's how I want it to fit.

[JLStorm]

Thanks for all of the input. I wish I could visit Johnson Leathers too. I used to travel quite a bit and was in or through San fran often, but no more. I'll contact Johnson and Fox Creek tomorrow, as well as Aero and see which option makes the most sense.

Thanks again!