Johnson Leather Jacket

[lime_cheeto]

I'm pretty sure the Obsidian is the one I was going to go with originally, with some under the surface quilting.

what did you end up getting instead?

 

[Aloysius]

what did you end up getting instead?

They had a tiny bit left of a unique leather so I grabbed that (it was a shrunken hide so it already had a quilting-like surface.)

 

[Rugby]

I'm looking to get a custom jacket from Johnson Leather. I'm having a hard time choosing a leather. I'm going to talk to Damon about it soon, but I'm curious about long term experiences of the various leathers if anyone here has any data to share as it relates to their leather choice.


https://johnsonleather.com/products/del-66
3oz Obsidian black cowhide

https://johnsonleather.com/products/trocadero-teitessa-cowhide
3oz cowhide (1.2MM)

https://johnsonleather.com/products/del-66-triple-black-copy
2.25oz blackbird leather naked cowhide

https://johnsonleather.com/products/ap-01c
2.75 oz veg-tan horsehide (1.0MM)



You can ignore the styles as I'm getting fully custom racer type jacket. I'm only referencing the links as that's the leather I'm considering. I'm not a rider and I'm looking for something a smooth and not to grainy or "pebble-y" (I love lambskin for this reason but its far to delicate and I want something a bit more durable). I love textures like the ones I've attached, so I'm thinking some kind of cow hide or horse hide.

So with all of that said, does anyone have any longer term experiences with the JL leathers I've attached when it comes to break in, long term jacket texture, and any other general thoughts?

JL are top makers. I have three jackets from them and completely satisfied.
Congratulations on your adventure

 

[ILB Frank]

I'm looking to get a custom jacket from Johnson Leather. I'm having a hard time choosing a leather. I'm going to talk to Damon about it soon, but I'm curious about long term experiences of the various leathers if anyone here has any data to share as it relates to their leather choice.


https://johnsonleather.com/products/del-66
3oz Obsidian black cowhide

https://johnsonleather.com/products/trocadero-teitessa-cowhide
3oz cowhide (1.2MM)

https://johnsonleather.com/products/del-66-triple-black-copy
2.25oz blackbird leather naked cowhide

https://johnsonleather.com/products/ap-01c
2.75 oz veg-tan horsehide (1.0MM)



You can ignore the styles as I'm getting fully custom racer type jacket. I'm only referencing the links as that's the leather I'm considering. I'm not a rider and I'm looking for something a smooth and not to grainy or "pebble-y" (I love lambskin for this reason but its far to delicate and I want something a bit more durable). I love textures like the ones I've attached, so I'm thinking some kind of cow hide or horse hide.

So with all of that said, does anyone have any longer term experiences with the JL leathers I've attached when it comes to break in, long term jacket texture, and any other general thoughts?

I don't think you would go wrong with a cowhide. I had talked with Alan about getting a jacket that would last a lifetime. He recommended cowhide and related a story that he had a cowhide jacket that lasted a rough life of over 40 years.

I went with a 3.0-3.25 oz cowhide. I will say, at that thickness break-in will take a couple seasons of wearing. I received the finished jacket mid-December 2024, and wore it all the time until mid-April. Got it out for the season in late October of this year. It is just now starting to feel a little softer/flexible.

 

[Biff42]

I'm looking to get a custom jacket from Johnson Leather. I'm having a hard time choosing a leather. I'm going to talk to Damon about it soon, but I'm curious about long term experiences of the various leathers if anyone here has any data to share as it relates to their leather choice.


https://johnsonleather.com/products/del-66
3oz Obsidian black cowhide

https://johnsonleather.com/products/trocadero-teitessa-cowhide
3oz cowhide (1.2MM)

https://johnsonleather.com/products/del-66-triple-black-copy
2.25oz blackbird leather naked cowhide

https://johnsonleather.com/products/ap-01c
2.75 oz veg-tan horsehide (1.0MM)



You can ignore the styles as I'm getting fully custom racer type jacket. I'm only referencing the links as that's the leather I'm considering. I'm not a rider and I'm looking for something a smooth and not to grainy or "pebble-y" (I love lambskin for this reason but its far to delicate and I want something a bit more durable). I love textures like the ones I've attached, so I'm thinking some kind of cow hide or horse hide.

So with all of that said, does anyone have any longer term experiences with the JL leathers I've attached when it comes to break in, long term jacket texture, and any other general thoughts?

I had them make a CR style jacket out of the Horween HH and its a little thick for casual wear for me. I love the leather and the way it smells, but I don't think it'll ever be truly soft/pliable. It'd be great for riding, I would imagine.

 

[lime_cheeto]

I don't think you would go wrong with a cowhide. I had talked with Alan about getting a jacket that would last a lifetime. He recommended cowhide and related a story that he had a cowhide jacket that lasted a rough life of over 40 years.

I went with a 3.0-3.25 oz cowhide. I will say, at that thickness break-in will take a couple seasons of wearing. I received the finished jacket mid-December 2024, and wore it all the time until mid-April. Got it out for the season in late October of this year. It is just now starting to feel a little softer/flexible.

Nice any chance its any of the ones I've linked? Also, would love to see a pic of it even if its just a small section to see how the leather is starting to look after wear in if you're keen.

I had them make a CR style jacket out of the Horween HH and its a little thick for casual wear for me. I love the leather and the way it smells, but I don't think it'll ever be truly soft/pliable. It'd be great for riding, I would imagine.

As cool as horsehide looks new, part of me is telling me that it's not going to work out for me as I def want something casual and low effort-ish and horsehide feels like one of the tougher ones to break in.

 

[Peacoat]

Nice any chance its any of the ones I've linked? Also, would love to see a pic of it even if its just a small section to see how the leather is starting to look after wear in if you're keen.


As cool as horsehide looks new, part of me is telling me that it's not going to work out for me as I def want something casual and low effort-ish and horsehide feels like one of the tougher ones to break in.

I think you have the wrong idea about HH. It is about the same as Cowhide in ease/difficulty of breaking in. If you want it, get it. If not, get cowhide.

 

[cbez]

I have never had a single jacket that I felt like I had to 'break in' or that really changed much at all from wear.

 

[Biff42]

Nice any chance its any of the ones I've linked? Also, would love to see a pic of it even if its just a small section to see how the leather is starting to look after wear in if you're keen.


As cool as horsehide looks new, part of me is telling me that it's not going to work out for me as I def want something casual and low effort-ish and horsehide feels like one of the tougher ones to break in.

One point of clarification is that I got the 3.5 ounce HH. It is much thicker than what you're looking at. The lighter HH will probably be just right for you.

 

[lime_cheeto]

One point of clarification is that I got the 3.5 ounce HH. It is much thicker than what you're looking at. The lighter HH will probably be just right for you.

Yup after some deeper research Masaye may be the perfect one for me (assuming they currently have it in stock). Described as 2.5-2.75 here

 

[ILB Frank]

Nice any chance its any of the ones I've linked? Also, would love to see a pic of it even if its just a small section to see how the leather is starting to look after wear in if you're keen.


As cool as horsehide looks new, part of me is telling me that it's not going to work out for me as I def want something casual and low effort-ish and horsehide feels like one of the tougher ones to break in.

I don't think it's the same finish as you listed. This is chrome tanned cowhide.

 

[lime_cheeto]

I don't think it's the same finish as you listed. This is chrome tanned cowhide. View attachment 751197

nice looks great. wouldn't mind a leather like this one (in black though). grain looks quite smooth and pebbling looks minimal (if any). appreciate the pic.

 

[X83]

I have something cooking with jl I had them send me some swatches I wanted something in black yes black again but I was thinking with all the funky leather ive had jackets made of I would kite to get back to some basics I thought about my schott p613s and said yeah let go with steer hide I settled with one they have called vantum black so I will post when It comes in should be in like 3 weeks

 

[cbez]

The TJ-1 pattern is looking tempting.

 

[BarryMcCockiner_PhD]

My recent experience with Johnson was perhaps atypical. Upfront communication and responsiveness was really good so I expect they are super stressed and busy this time of year. Getting a call back or response to go over final details has been a real struggle and im concerned this project will get rushed since it’s been in the queue for months now. We’ll see, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

[X83]

My recent experience with Johnson was perhaps atypical. Upfront communication and responsiveness was really good so I expect they are super stressed and busy this time of year. Getting a call back or response to go over final details has been a real struggle and im concerned this project will get rushed since it’s been in the queue for months now. We’ll see, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

I always call in email can take obviously some time you can speak with either Damon or Alan they will answer all questions you have Alan will actually talk to lots more about all sorts of leathers and projects I love to pick his brain
he picks up the phone

 

[BarryMcCockiner_PhD]

I always call in email can take obviously some time you can speak with either Damon or Alan they will answer all questions you have Alan will actually talk to lots more about all sorts of leathers and projects I love to pick his brain
he picks up the phone

I’ve been chatting with Damon by phone but likely got him during a rough patch given the holidays and end of year crunch.

 

[Leathergato]

I am so used to ordering online now that I rarely call businesses. It seems easier to reference jacket styles and leather colors via email since you can send pictures. Do you have to send emails after speaking to them on the phone for stuff like that?

I am thinking of ordering a jacket from them soon.

 

[X83]

I am so used to ordering online now that I rarely call businesses. It seems easier to reference jacket styles and leather colors via email since you can send pictures. Do you have to send emails after speaking to them on the phone for stuff like that?

I am thinking of ordering a jacket from them soon.

Nah I usually call tell them what I’m thinking they a ballpark quote the. Start to sketch stuff up that way I know if it’s something that it’s the range I feel it should be In price wise after that I get invoice and I just check in after a a month or 2 by the. It’s ready or close to ready

 

[BarryMcCockiner_PhD]

Got a preview of my completed jacket. Not quite what I asked for but it should be nice. I’m too burned out this time of year to make a stink.

View attachment IMG_2346.jpeg