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Five Star Leather Jackets

CBI

One Too Many
Messages
1,415
Location
USA
my A-1 is premium seal steerhide

Ha, love Poppers instructions.

My instructions:

A-1 jacket (I referenced a 5 Star photo from their FB page).
Size medium (based on their sizing guide), take one inch off the sleeve length (my short arms).
Seal brown thread and knits
horn buttons
brown lining "like the picture".
How much?
 

Jin431

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,912
Location
Bay Area CA
This was my order so you can see how detailed it was:
  • Heavy weight, thick (>= 1.3 mm), matt, veg tanned goat leather in seal brown with black knitting in wool and black thread
  • The front should be like that of the G1 so that the zipper is not covered.
  • The back should be like that of the A-2. So one part and no bi-swing-back.
  • No epaulets. I think the G1 doesn't have one either.
  • Armpits with narrow gussets like the G1. You can guess them on the original picture. They are very subtle.
  • Collar like the Aviatrix. But I think, on this retro model, the knit is too low. Probably 1/3 or 1/4 more height would be better. See the original picture.
  • Talon zipper nickel/silver
  • The pockets as in the original picture. Double seam. Pocket flap with button like the G1, not curved, but straight. The same thick leather as the rest of the jacket. In the picture you can see that the pocket is quite thick and robust. Edges slightly rounded. Hem rolled, also on the reverse side. Button not made of plastic, but e.g. horn
  • Cotton drill lining. Olive or seal brown?
  • The fit should be like the example picture. Close to the body and well-fitting, but without being skin-tight. No boxy shoulders, so the right angle from neck to shoulder is important. The sleeves must not be too wide and the armpit holes must not be too large. I measured other jackets. See link.
  • Label. Up to you. You are the manufacturer ;)
Dimensions:
Shoulder width: 50 cm
Pit2Pit: 59 cm
Waist and Hip: 50 cm
Knitting on hip: 49 cm
Back: 69 cm or 70 cm
Sleeve length: 73 cm
Neck inner circumference: ca. 45 cm.
Sleeve width upper arm: ca. 22 cm (44 cm or 45 cm circumference)
Sleeve wrist: 26 cm circumference
Please See also the picture with the dimensions behind the link.


Man, this is it. That's just the way to do it now. I should do this next time. Thanks for sharing
 

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,273
my A-1 is premium seal steerhide

Ha, love Poppers instructions.

My instructions:

A-1 jacket (I referenced a 5 Star photo from their FB page).
Size medium (based on their sizing guide), take one inch off the sleeve length (my short arms).
Seal brown thread and knits
horn buttons
brown lining "like the picture".
How much?
thanks for info. Someone referenced a picture of your jacket on page 3. So glad you confirmed it's premium steerhide. the plot thickens. Looks like we have positive votes for buffalo, premium steerhide (Seal) and premium goat (Seal).

How thick/tough you think that steerhide is? You projecting a long break in or you think there's some give right out of the box?
 

Jin431

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,912
Location
Bay Area CA
Received early delivery (only took 5 days from Pakistan to Northern CA) of my premium seal brown goat trucker. I'll take better photos in the morning as it's too dark already. Packaging could be better but I guess it is $30 shipping from across the world so it's not a big deal.


IMG_1372.JPG


IMG_1373.JPG


IMG_1374.JPG


IMG_1375.JPG
 

jonesy86

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,610
Location
Kauai
The stitching is clean and straight, light weight Talon main zipper works for a light jacket. Pocket pull on chest pocket could be better. It’s goatskin, so wasn’t expecting great grain, but it is soft and comfortable right out of the box, and the dark seal brown is almost black. The photos of his premium goat looked better, but I was going for light weight.
The fact that he made a new pattern that came out fitting well with the usual given measurements is cool. I gave him P to P, shoulder, back, sleeve, and bottom hem or waist and he mostly hit it.
I bet Shawn will upgrade his leather when he sees the demand.
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4647C983-47B6-43D6-AED5-5ABB9A00C3EF.jpeg
 
Last edited:

CBI

One Too Many
Messages
1,415
Location
USA
don't know the exact thickness of premium steer, its heavy but soft. it seems to be graining up a bit but I need to wear it more. Still a bit warm here. i think it will break in nicely
 
Messages
17,106
Location
Chicago
Received early delivery (only took 5 days from Pakistan to Northern CA) of my premium seal brown goat trucker. I'll take better photos in the morning as it's too dark already. Packaging could be better but I guess it is $30 shipping from across the world so it's not a big deal.


View attachment 264438

View attachment 264439

View attachment 264440

View attachment 264441
Can’t wait to see some daylight pics! Is yours lined in quilted nylon? I would amend my spec sheet if that’s available!
 

nick123

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,362
Location
California
I had a lovely lightweight goatskin Luftwaffe-style one last year. Workmanship (especially stitching) was of a high caliber, to my untrained eye equal or superior to the Unfortunately, the jacket had a really pungent chemical smell to it, so I ended up passing it on. The thing was created ground up and shipped to me halfway across the world in under a week, so perhaps it was "hot off the press." Packaging remains sub-par (yet economic) but I believe Shawn could ship in a proper box if asked. I'd do so myself if ordering again.

This said, Shawn offered a complete remake (I don't recall him even asking for the jacket to be shipped back) and it's a testament to his service. That should be said again.

With maybe one or two other exceptions, the VAST majority of customers don't have that issue. I'd still perhaps try my hand at another one at some point. There have been some really excellent examples and happy customers here and on VLJ.
 
Last edited:

Jin431

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,912
Location
Bay Area CA
Can’t wait to see some daylight pics! Is yours lined in quilted nylon? I would amend my spec sheet if that’s available!

Thanks and will do. I went with cotton for the shell and satin sleeves, for a more fitted look. The first thing I noticed is it's incredibly squeaky when compared the the JL goatskin I have. Also I should have been more precise with ordering the 1.2mm goatskin as some panels feels thinner than some panels but still pretty well built I'd say.

Also sample of the seal brown cowhide (steerhide/cowhide the same according to shawn)
IMG_1388.JPG



IMG_1389.JPG
 
Messages
17,106
Location
Chicago
Thanks and will do. I went with cotton for the shell and satin sleeves, for a more fitted look. The first thing I noticed is it's incredibly squeaky when compared the the JL goatskin I have. Also I should have been more precise with ordering the 1.2mm goatskin as some panels feels thinner than some panels but still pretty well built I'd say.

Also sample of the seal brown cowhide (steerhide/cowhide the same according to shawn)
View attachment 264513


View attachment 264514
Yes! That’s what I’m using. Looks fantastic!
 

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,273
heard back from Shawn on a couple things. The premium goat is avail as Chrome or Veg tanned. The Veg tanned is 1.1mm, the Chrome is 1.2-1.3mm.

I saw this photo on the FB page and asked him which leather it was as it looks like it's breaking in nice. And he confirmed Premium Goat Chrome. He also confirmed Mr. Proper's Amelia Earhart is Prem Goat Chrome (he remembers his experience very fondly with him :)

EtOX0Jm.jpg


Lastly, as a follow up, I straight out asked him, what leather I should pick to make sure I get the best representation of what his company can do. So I'll report back when he answers, but from an earlier email I have from him, he was basically leading me to premium steer or premium goat.
 

Jin431

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,912
Location
Bay Area CA
Type 3 trucker jacket (seal brown premium goatskin). Beige cotton lining with satin sleeves, feels okay but there is more extra fabric than I would have liked. Measurements are good to my request. Hardware needs to be replaced, the button fasteners jiggle a lot. Anyone knows a good brand of button fasteners?

Color is really dark brown, a little shine, even color all over. Smells good, like new leather car interior, no bad smell that I can tell. Top coat feels a little plastickey now but hopefully will go away with wear. Leather is pebbly as with goat, mixed smooth and grainy texture in different panels, squeaky for sure but that may also be because there's a lot of stitching involved with the jackets design. Hope to naturally break it in soon to get the squeaky sounds out, if not I'll try the talcum powder/leather conditioner method.

Stitching looks straight all through the seams, no wobbly stitch that I can see, a few loose threads but that is minor to how well built the jacket is.

I would say it is very well made, production time is nuts (took 1 day to complete), delivery was fast (received 4 days earlier than expected) but maybe request for your item to be boxed up so the jacket doesn't get folded into quarters.


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Someone said it before but the logo could be better, I should have requested to have the genuine leather part be cut out.

IMG_1397.JPG
 

MrProper

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,839
Location
Europe
Type 3 trucker jacket (seal brown premium goatskin). Beige cotton lining with satin sleeves, feels okay but there is more extra fabric than I would have liked. Measurements are good to my request. Hardware needs to be replaced, the button fasteners jiggle a lot. Anyone knows a good brand of button fasteners?

Color is really dark brown, a little shine, even color all over. Smells good, like new leather car interior, no bad smell that I can tell. Top coat feels a little plastickey now but hopefully will go away with wear. Leather is pebbly as with goat, mixed smooth and grainy texture in different panels, squeaky for sure but that may also be because there's a lot of stitching involved with the jackets design. Hope to naturally break it in soon to get the squeaky sounds out, if not I'll try the talcum powder/leather conditioner method.

Stitching looks straight all through the seams, no wobbly stitch that I can see, a few loose threads but that is minor to how well built the jacket is.

I would say it is very well made, production time is nuts (took 1 day to complete), delivery was fast (received 4 days earlier than expected) but maybe request for your item to be boxed up so the jacket doesn't get folded into quarters.


View attachment 264639

View attachment 264640

View attachment 264642

View attachment 264643

View attachment 264644


View attachment 264645

View attachment 264647

Someone said it before but the logo could be better, I should have requested to have the genuine leather part be cut out.

View attachment 264641
I've changed all of the buttons for this one.
https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B01C...tton&qid=1601058621&sprefix=prym+butt&sr=8-13
776E71E2-9DAE-404B-AA9D-A255958700B0.jpeg
 

MrProper

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,839
Location
Europe
Got it, thanks. So it's 17mm buttons, would it make a difference if I go with a smaller 15mm button?
I think the stock buttons were 16.6 mm and I took the risk with the larger buttons. Tight, but works. Smaller ones should definitely go. It just has to be visually pleasing.
 

Jin431

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,912
Location
Bay Area CA
I think the stock buttons were 16.6 mm and I took the risk with the larger buttons. Tight, but works. Smaller ones should definitely go. It just has to be visually pleasing.

I agree, thanks for your help. I'll try to find a sturdy brass replacement for it.
 

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