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What is your all time favourite leather

vivicorsi

Familiar Face
Messages
55
Not considering the cut of the jacket or the comfort of wearing

what is your favourite leather in terms of looks and ageing?

mine is fqhh oil pulled brown so far. i love the non shiny vintage looks it gets.
 

Fonzie

One Too Many
Messages
1,486
Location
Australia
If comfort isn’t a factor, Horween’s black ChromeXcel FQHH is very special, but as an all rounder in terms of texture, drape, looks and hand, the HH that Eastman is uses is the winner for me.
 

Robbie79

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,122
Many in a different way:
Horsehide: Shinki from FW, RC, GW, Himel and BK's Victory HH
Deerskin: Freewheelers Shinki Deerskin
Thedi's goatskin and buffalo hide
Badalassi (The Few, Aero, BK)
 

El Marro

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,474
Location
California
If I had to pick one favorite it would be cordovan CXL horsehide. My Bootlegger is made from this leather and the jacket still has that wonderful new smell after almost three years of wear.
Shinki horsehide is a very close second because of the wonderful grain and texture it displays.
I guess the nose won out on this one!
 
Messages
15,563
Location
East Central Indiana
20190115_132603.jpg For years I preferred Aero's CXL FQHH and battered tan HH among others but after obtaining my Thedi washed buffalo I've found that I love the finish and wear ability of that leather. In fact I have another of a different color on order.
HD

54279269_2100629806689656_5505281714143887360_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
Messages
16,402
The best all around leather that I have handled - meaning texture, weight, finish, feel, drape, etc. - originated in Germany. It's the Harro brand that I often mention, though I never saw one quite like it. It's black with a reddish-brown core. Soft, pliable yet Vanson grade weight-wise. Photo doesn't do it justice.

IMG-20190329-165014.jpg
 

Robbie79

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,122
View attachment 165039 For years I preferred Aero's CXL FQHH and battered tan HH among others but after obtaining my Thedi washed buffalo I've found that I love the finished and wear ability of that leather. In fact I have another of a different color on order.
HD

View attachment 165040
I agree with you I also highly recommend Thedi's washed buffalo (also other leathers like goatskin) to anyone here because it's special, durable, nice weight, subtle (no break-in required), antique wash is special, intoxicating smell and on top of that Theodoros' craftmanship is very good - comparing the stitch-quality/count his work isn't worse compared to Freewheelers IMO....btw. you took the pic of my washed grey buffalo Thedi jacket ;-)
 

Robbie79

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,122
The best all around leather that I have handled - meaning texture, weight, finish, feel, drape, etc. - originated in Germany. It's the Harro brand that I often mention, though I never saw one quite like it. It's black with a reddish-brown core. Soft, pliable yet Vanson grade weight-wise. Photo doesn't do it justice.

IMG-20190329-165014.jpg
Looks really nice, thick, heavy and subtle... to be honest, I've never heard of Harro before.
 
Messages
15,563
Location
East Central Indiana
So that is your grey buffalo Robbie..!! I searched Thedi trying to find photos of the grey. Finally I found one small group of that color. Don't know why Thedi doesn't display their grey buff more.
HD
 

Robbie79

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,122
So that is your grey buffalo Robbie..!! I searched Thedi trying to find photos of the grey. Finally I found one small group of that color. Don't know why Thedi doesn't display their grey buff more.
HD
Yes, it is and I don't understand neither why Theo doesn't display more of his grey buffalo. I'm sure you'll like it as you do like your tan washed buffalo. This leather is really unique! Which one did you order from Theo in grey buffalo? I'm sure you posted somewhere but I can't remember...getting older ;-)
 

dubpynchon

One Too Many
Messages
1,045
Location
Ireland
I'd choose Horween CXL and older Vanson comp weight first, followed by any of the top manufacturers' goatskin and Vanson's X150.
 

vivicorsi

Familiar Face
Messages
55
Has there ever been a leather jacket made out of shell cordovan? I know aero‘ s Cordovan only describes the colour but has nothing to do with Shell cordovan.
Are there manufactures building shell Cordovan jackets? ( must cost a fortune)
 

Gamma68

One Too Many
Messages
1,926
Location
Detroit, MI
I have yet to be as fortunate as some of you guys and explore the world of shinki, cordovan CXL, etc. But here's a collage of what I enjoy about the leather in some jackets I own. Maybe these leathers aren't so special to some, but I think one can find beauty in many quality leathers, if you look closely enough.

Graining difference in adjacent panels and strong oily, leathery scent (Walter Dyer naked cowhide):

IMG_4853.jpg


Uncorrected stretch marks. @AbbaDatDeHat has dubbed this "tree barking." (Brooks gold label steerhide):

IMG_4854.jpg


Overall graining, softness and pliability. Wearing it is like receiving a warm hug (Kehoe steerhide):

IMG_4855.jpg


Loads of graining and subtle color variation (Schott cowhide):

IMG_4856.jpg


The shoulders and faded elbows of an old horse (Lawrence FQHH):

IMG_4858.jpg
IMG_4859.jpg


Making a new jacket your own through wear, handling, exposure (Schott horsehide):

IMG_4862.jpg


And the subtle scars and marks that remind you that your jacket was once a living, breathing creature that had a full set of experiences before it took on a second life (Lawrence FQHH):

IMG_4860.jpg
 
Messages
16,402
...as for the known brands, I'd go with Horween CXL (Cordo is the finest), specific older Vanson Comp. weight, Jerky Horsehide and I really like the look of Lewis Leathers lamb, tho I've no clue what's it like IRL.

I doubt it I'll ever find a leather jacket made from a leather that can match this one, though...
DSC05571.jpg

DSC05839.jpg
 

Nykwil

One of the Regulars
Messages
142
Location
Cyberspace
Has there ever been a leather jacket made out of shell cordovan? I know aero‘ s Cordovan only describes the colour but has nothing to do with Shell cordovan.
Are there manufactures building shell Cordovan jackets? ( must cost a fortune)

Shell panels come from the butt of the horse and don’t come in sizes big enough for a jacket which is why you only ever see shell on small leather goods and shoes
 

El Marro

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,474
Location
California
Y
Shell panels come from the butt of the horse and don’t come in sizes big enough for a jacket which is why you only ever see shell on small leather goods and shoes
I suppose you could make a jacket this way, but it would be extremely expensive and would end up looking something like a patchwork quilt...
 

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