Need some A-2 Advice

kschurch · Aug 1, 2010

Hi All,

I've posted this question a long while ago, but I'm hoping there may be some new information out there.

I've had a nice horsehide A2 jacket for many years now. I've worn it quite often, but dammed if I can get the thing to soften up and break in.

Anybody know of anything I can treat it with to soften up the leather? I love the jacket, but it still squeaks when I move!

Thanks in advance.

Church

Papa M · Aug 1, 2010

kschurch said:
Hi All,

I've posted this question a long while ago, but I'm hoping there may be some new information out there.

I've had a nice horsehide A2 jacket for many years now. I've worn it quite often, but dammed if I can get the thing to soften up and break in.

Anybody know of anything I can treat it with to soften up the leather? I love the jacket, but it still squeaks when I move!

Thanks in advance.

Church

Pecards Antique Leather Dressing. Rub a little in (not too much) and leave overnight to really soak in.

Then give it plenty of wear.

For further action: Do the zip up and lay it front down on your sofa as a cushion. By sitting on it each evening you'll be doubling the amount of wear it gets.

If you are really desperate then place it at the foot of the bed (inside the bed) so that your feet and lower legs are agitating it overnight.

If you are really courageous then sling it in the washing machine. Others will give you detailed advice on temperature etc.

too much coffee · Aug 1, 2010

I'm very curious..........who made your horsehide A-2?
As to breaking it in, some of us have good luck with misting the jacket with water while wearing it(and being quite active while wearing; exercising or shadow boxing) until it dries. Repeat. Repeat.
Papa M's advice is solid also.
Another leather conditioner that I favor is Obenauf's Leather Protectant, the grease kind.
Of course if it's a size 44 you can lend it to me and I will break it in for you!
Cheers, coffee

Doug C · Aug 2, 2010

I'm pretty sure that Horsehide is the squeaky-ist of leathers, at least the jackets I've owned in it. and I'm not really sure that will ever go away, mine never did. I did get mine softened up though by employing the above mentioned methods.

442RCT · Aug 2, 2010

Originally Posted by Silver Dollar
What is the right way to break in a leather jacket? I've just worn mine when the weather is right for the A2. If there's a way to get them to look better on me, that's for me.

When I received the first jacket from the seller, a horsehide Aero, I marveled how soft and supple it was, it felt like I'd been wearing this jacket for years and it'd grown on me, it still had that new leather smell. I e-mailed the seller and asked what kind of conditioner he used. Mind you, I own 2 other Aeros, 3 ELCs, a couple of Real McCoys, and 2 Sefton A-2s...but none of them were this well 'broken-in'...probably because I have so many, none received enough wear to break them in... . Later this same seller offered me another one of his jackets, an ELC 50 Cal. It was just as well broken in as the first jacket I bought from him. Both are currently my favorite 'wearers'.

His response as to how he got them so well broken in:

Jay,
No conditioners.
Just wear and .....Many an hour kneeding and twisting it with my fingers.
You watch a football game or a movie and spent the time with the jacket in your hands twisting and turning.

And just wearing it to work and back etc etc

The Aero:

The Eastman 50 Cal.

kschurch · Aug 3, 2010

too much coffee said:
I'm very curious..........who made your horsehide A-2?
As to breaking it in, some of us have good luck with misting the jacket with water while wearing it(and being quite active while wearing; exercising or shadow boxing) until it dries. Repeat. Repeat.
Papa M's advice is solid also.
Another leather conditioner that I favor is Obenauf's Leather Protectant, the grease kind.
Of course if it's a size 44 you can lend it to me and I will break it in for you!
Cheers, coffee

It is a "Roughwear" limited edition model from Eastman leather. I've had it for almost 10 years now.

And ... you guessed it, it is a 44! But I think I'll try some of the ideas from you and the other members before I ship it out for a work over.

Thanks to all! I'll let you know how it turns out.

kschurch · Aug 3, 2010

Papa M said:
Pecards Antique Leather Dressing. Rub a little in (not too much) and leave overnight to really soak in.

Then give it plenty of wear.

For further action: Do the zip up and lay it front down on your sofa as a cushion. By sitting on it each evening you'll be doubling the amount of wear it gets.

If you are really desperate then place it at the foot of the bed (inside the bed) so that your feet and lower legs are agitating it overnight.

If you are really courageous then sling it in the washing machine. Others will give you detailed advice on temperature etc.

Hey Papa M,

I've taken your advice and have been sitting on the jacket not only on the couch, but also while driving. I haven't gotten the Pecards yet, but the wear from sitting and driving seems to be working. It's beginning to surrender I think.

Thanks for the tip!

Church

Silver Dollar · Aug 4, 2010

I don't remember where it came from but about 20 years ago, a good friend of mine got an excellent J.A. Dubow jacket. The jacket was like wearing a giant baseball glove. It's still a bit stiff. [huh]

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