Okay, I'm sure it's been asked and answered but I'm too old and crotchety to read through pages of search results.... Ahem why do some jackets squeak so badly and other's don't. I've a GoodWear A2 that squeaks like mice are having an orgy in my armpits while my Aero A2 is completely silent. Is the answer: 1. Age/break in 2. Tanning method 3. Leather species (i.e. goat vs. steer) 4. Height of armpits 5. All of the above 6. Voodoo? I'm lost and Puddin' is curious as well. Any help would be appreciated. The "I'm Curious" Worfster.
Hey Worf.. I'd go with a combination of 2 & 3.. throw in #1 as it "should" lessen with wear. * you can never discount #6
Squeaking is friction from two surfaces rubbing together, sticking then slipping as two surfaces engage each other at a joint or seam. Softer leather doesn't seem to squeak as much as leather that is stiff or has a hard hand. It also seems that thicker leather will squeak more. I suspect that thicker leather transmits vibration energy more than thin, and so also with stiff leather vs. soft.
I have a Lucky Brand cowhide jacket that also squeaks. It looks and smells like a basketball or football and fits horribly (even after spending $150 to get it altered). But to its credit, that sparked my whole interest in quality leather jackets. Lol.
I have read that small amount Talcum powder helps. I tried it on a very heavy LW jacket and it worked for awhile. It seems to cover almost all manufacturers and even with break in it still can be a problem. I have also used small amounts leather conditioners and they work but not for any length of time. Oddly I have a newer LW J23 and get nothing at all.
Some squeak, some do not, most do to some extent. Some I've owned with 20+ years and little wear - seem to squeak the worst. I would reach out to Dena at Great Leather, see if there is a produc she reccommends to "hydrate" your squeaking jacket a bit more thoroughly...
I have found that squeaking occurs mostly where the threads meet the leather. Some have recommended Talcum Powder on the threads. This works, but I like putting a liquid conditioner on the threads. A wax type conditioner, such as Pecard, could be used as well, I find it easier to dribble the conditioner onto the threads. One treatment ought to last a year or more.
In my experience most of the squeek comes from the pits. I have found that just rubbing the rag i use to apply pecard in the pits will usually really tame the squeek.
Hey Worf! It's been awhile since I have seen your post! Maybe it's just me also being old and crotchety but if not...Welcome Back!!!! OTH
LOL - I was wearing one of my Langlitz jackets when I popped into the store to pick up some items. While waiting in the checkout line the jacket was squeaking so loudly with every movement I made - people were looking at me kinda funny so I said "Yeah, squeaky isn't it?" Then we all laughed and went on our merry way. I won't be sneaking up on anyone while wearing that jacket.
I just walked through the UC Berkeley campus with my LW CHP squeaking mightily away. I chuckled when I thought of this thread that I had just seen the other day.
I suspect with wear, the thread connecting panels is stretched out a little especially on the stressed part like around the shoulder/ armpit, so the connection between panel is a bit loose, and overlaid leather to leather start rubbing against each other and slowly buffing both sides glass smooth, and once they are smooth and there is humidity they start make squeaking noise like glass and your wet finger, just my 2c theory, the reason is when my thick cow jacket was brand new it was silent, only after awhile maybe a year of wearing it started making noise and only when I move my upper arm around so it must be the armpit seam. perhaps tanning matters too, this only happen to one jacket which leather is easily buffed into smooth patina on the cuff and the elbow section, another leather that is more prone to sueding on worn patina never squeaks.
I have used Lexol, but it isn't as thick as I would like. There is another heavy oil I have used that many members here swear by, but the name escapes me. It comes in both an oil and a paste/grease. I think once I warmed some Pecard (in the sun) and used that after it got more liquid. Just put some on a cloth or a sponge and rub it in the seams. Doesn't take long to apply, and it is fairly long lasting, as in more than a year, if I remember correctly.
