Johnson Leather Jacket

[Biff42]

Here I am (posing somewhat awkwardly) with the man himself, Alan.

I recently took a trip to San Francisco and used the opportunity to drop off a few jackets for custom mouton collars, as well as finally meet Alan in person after working with him on a custom JL jacket. Alan is semi-retired and loves working with JL customers across the world. From the outside, the shop gives little indication of the caliber of craftsmanship taking place within.

 

[newtojackets]

5oz goat is going to be something awful IMO. For that matter any 5 oz hide will make for a truly miserable jacket to wear. I have a Golden Bear jacket that’s easily north of 3.5 oz and it’s as thick as I would want to go. It feels like comp weight cow from Vanson and has lost the drape that goat typically affords. I would question the sensibility of such a thing as it will remove all the qualities that make goat attractive. Hopefully these pics illustrate my point and why 3.5oz goat is more than enough!
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Honestly Golden Bear needs some more love on this forum. Highly underrated in my opinion.

 

[Aloysius]

Here I am (posing somewhat awkwardly) with the man himself, Alan.

I recently took a trip to San Francisco and used the opportunity to drop off a few jackets for custom mouton collars, as well as finally meet Alan in person after working with him on a custom JL jacket. Alan is semi-retired and loves working with JL customers across the world. From the outside, the shop gives little indication of the caliber of craftsmanship taking place within.


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Damn, I should have taken a pic with the legend. Guess I need to go back to SF.

 

[Rossn12]

Can anyone share a little information on the experience of ordering a custom jacket with them? Lead time, prices generally for customization vs their stock, how they do the process? I have made initial contact but Thurston’s is so well explained on their site, Johnson a bit mysterious. Thanks!

 

[jacketjunkie]

Can anyone share a little information on the experience of ordering a custom jacket with them? Lead time, prices generally for customization vs their stock, how they do the process? I have made initial contact but Thurston’s is so well explained on their site, Johnson a bit mysterious. Thanks!

Stock prices you can see on the website, around 850 these days, specialty hides usually up the price by 300-400 USD, minor modifications to their existing patterns come cheap, full custom designs cost more. They are very helpful and forwarding to their customers,they did stuff included in standard price for me in the past that other makers charge for, hefty too. They are great people really, especially Alan. love the man.

Lead time depends on what you want and how busy they are, dont think I ever waited more than 4 months..

There is nothing mysterious about them. They make leather jackets, it isn't rocket science. Just email them and tell them what you are looking for.

 

[Rossn12]

Stock prices you can see on the website, around 850 these days, specialty hides usually up the price by 300-400 USD, minor modifications to their existing patterns come cheap, full custom designs cost more. They are very helpful and forwarding to their customers,they did stuff included in standard price for me in the past that other makers charge for, hefty too. They are great people really, especially Alan. love the man.

Lead time depends on what you want and how busy they are, dont think I ever waited more than 4 months..

There is nothing mysterious about them. They make leather jackets, it isn't rocket science. Just email them and tell them what you are looking for.

I appreciate it! I'm excited to go through their process. Thurston is great and I'm sure they will be as well.

 

[jacketjunkie]

I appreciate it! I'm excited to go through their process. Thurston is great and I'm sure they will be as well.

Word of advice from many years of doing this; their basic hides are great, I wouldnt bother paying extra 400 for anything unless you had a very very specific wish. Their standard 3 oz naked cowhide looks and ages beautifully

 

[ProfG]

Word of advice from many years of doing this; their basic hides are great, I wouldnt bother paying extra 400 for anything unless you had a very very specific wish. Their standard 3 oz naked cowhide looks and ages beautifully

Damn, I needed to hear this! Was considering CXL or Shinki.

 

[ProfG]

Damn, I needed to hear this! Was considering CXL or Shinki.

In fact, can anyone share pics of their house leathers after a few years of aging?

 

[jacketjunkie]

In fact, can anyone share pics of their house leathers after a few years of aging?

My phone has a trash camera and I apologize for the pictures, this is the best I can deliver..

it is a naked hide, so no plasticky top coat that will eventually pop off or flake and leave weird uncolored spots.

Brown, taken from a fairly little worn car coat:

Black, taken from a jacket I had custom made 12 years ago that has seen LOTS of wear, surely 2000-3000 days on either mine or my brothers back.

 

[Rossn12]

My phone has a trash camera and I apologize for the pictures, this is the best I can deliver..

it is a naked hide, so no plasticky top coat that will eventually pop off or flake and leave weird uncolored spots.

Brown, taken from a fairly little worn car coat:
View attachment 790806 View attachment 790807 View attachment 790808

Black, taken from a jacket I had custom made 12 years ago that has seen LOTS of wear, surely 2000-3000 days on either mine or my brothers back.

View attachment 790810 View attachment 790809

Wow that looks great

 

[ProfG]

My phone has a trash camera and I apologize for the pictures, this is the best I can deliver..

it is a naked hide, so no plasticky top coat that will eventually pop off or flake and leave weird uncolored spots.

Brown, taken from a fairly little worn car coat:
View attachment 790806 View attachment 790807 View attachment 790808

Black, taken from a jacket I had custom made 12 years ago that has seen LOTS of wear, surely 2000-3000 days on either mine or my brothers back.

View attachment 790810 View attachment 790809

Thanks so much for these pics! I'm impressed with all the grain and texture that appeared over time. Do you prefer hides around 2oz or around 3oz?