So all of a sudden everybody............

[Deleted]

I suppose that since making the jackets for the latest movie that Tony may have made enough connections to get his hands on a real Raiders jacket. Anything is possible.

Even at the price of almost $1000.00 he will most likely sell plenty of them. I have seen very plain looking leather jackets at some of the expensive Departmment stores go for more than that.

Does anybody know if Tony sold all 777 of the CS jackets?

Cheers,
John

[Kaplan]

I'm excited to see what comes out of all this. I'm sure that TN will copy the jacket perfectly, but I'm wondering whether or not the Raiders jacket will look anything like what we all assume a Raiders jacket looked like.

I also have other questions like, what color Rolls Royce TN will buy when he sells them all.
I'm kidding of course. I really don't care how much TN makes on the jackets. But man, some people in this hobby get really angry when you say what you are thinking about vendors. Especially vendors that are "favorite sons".

[dougc]

Yea, and you might notice a lack of comments from the old hands about how ironic it is for TN to be making a raiders jacket, though they've certainly made it understood regarding Peter's project - just sayin'.

Doug C

[Marc]

IF(!!!) Tony is able to make a SPOT ON copy of that bespoken Raiders jacket, I'd be highly tempted to get one. Even at that price. It just scares the crap out of me, how he "improved" the CS jacket replicas with "daily wear gimmiks". As you all know, the Raiders jacket wasn't that neat and perfect by any means. They simply didn't have the time for that. If Tony incorporates the imperfections into his replica, great! If not, this is just as good as any other replica IMO.

Regards,

Marc

P.S.: CERTAINLY no pun towards Tony, but I know for FACT that at least one of the claims "based on a screen used item" from a replica retailer is a hoax to push sales... I guess that's part of the title of this topic.

[dougc]

Marc :

but I know for FACT that at least one of the claims "based on a screen used item" from a replica retailer is a hoax to push sales...

That's been my guess for the longest, just never verbalized it... for fear of appearing to pick. I'd think someone could get a picture at some point. anyway..

About TN raiders jacket, I'm all for another replica.. only convencing pictures of the screen used jacket will be a must if he's planning to market it as such though. I personally won't be getting one unless it has the absolute right leather though. To my mind that would be a vegetable tanned lambskin that is thicker than what everyone else is offering (well Wings has it, but their cut..). I have a "pre-washed" lambskin (custom Todds) and it has pretty good graining, but when I compare the look of it to the jacket Ford is wearing in the cave sceens in the opening of Raiders, there's a big difference in thickness... which always makes my custom jacket seem too limp. This is not necessarily the case with the next movie.

Doug C

[docjones]

In my opinion, G&B makes the best Indy jacket - their goatskin is superb. Obviously, noone has seen the "TN Raiders," but at twice the price, he's had to make something other-worldly to command that level of price.

[themechanic]

His name and reputation alone command the prices he charges. Some of Magnoli's India made jackets go for $1000 too, I know, I have one. I don't see anyone complaining about the profits he's making.
If you don't have the money for a TN jacket, fine but I'm tired of people complaining that he's ripping people off or he's price gouging or he shouldn't be charging that much. He can charge whatever he wants and he'll have no problems whatsoever selling every one of them.

[dougc]

Hmmm, Mechanic you may be right... but on the other hand there are relatively few people who long for a Magnoli jacket as most do with the other brands, the threads don't reflect it anyway. But yea, I agree more power to anyone for getting as much as they can for the repros they make but I also believe it could effect the price of other repro makers too. It would be a shame if this elite product drove up the price of all the others. It's also reasonable for gearheads to express their fears of that or their disappointment in a price point of a product. Why not unless we want to protect the manufacturer for some reason? It is a discussion forum, so we should expect opinions to bounce all over the place on any given subject. Besides TN isn't exactly stepping up to comment one way or the other, so we have to rely on what various members report as to what they paid for orders already posted. I personally can't imagine 888 copies of it going all that quickly at the price that's been mentioned, but who knows. Also, don't forget Belstaf makes a pretty expensive Indy jacket too and again not many gearheads are lining up for one even though it seems to be a great jacket and Belstaf is better known than Tony Nowak. In fact alot of folks would dispute that his name is a selling point for anything other than a CS jacket because let's face it he was unknown amongst the Indy gear crowd less than a year ago, you know and now he supposedly has the hero jacket in his position. I don't know, something about that fact rubs some people wrong I think. Gearheads as a rule are generally a cheap bunch (myself included), not all but most...also pretty loyal and I think we tend to gravitate to those suppliers that seem to be "into" the hobby more and/or don't come across like maybe they're more about the money side of it (as unrealistic as that may be) and are offering phenominal value.

Doug C

[dougc]

Aww, but wait TN apparently has not one Raiders jackets, but two. He has two of the surviving five jackets. An oddly enough I somehow find that more believable than the write up itself.

Doug C

[Kt. Templar]

Up until a year ago he was sort of 'known' for the T3 jacket, not one of the classic movie jackets by any stretch of the imagination. The rest of his products were really dated promotional jackets for the likes of Planet Hollywood and World Gym.

He's milking the fans good and proper. Nearly $1000 for a lambskin jacket is... in British parlance, taking the mickey.

I actually hope that other vendors do increase their prices. They've kept them low for far too long it seems.

[Marc]

taking the Mickey

;D ;D ;D That was a new one for me Jason

Regards,

Marc

[lump]

Sept 22, 2008 21:53:33 GMT -5 @themechanic said:

Some of Magnoli's India made jackets go for $1000 too, I know, I have one. I don't see anyone complaining about the profits he's making.

Actually, I've read many complaints about Magnoli's prices being high. It is the most frequent excuse given for not buying his stuff (leather or otherwise). The complaints have become a little less common as of late, thankfully. What upsets me about the TN jackets is that there are so many ready to pay twice as much for his jacket as a Magnoli Indy jacket, given that price is what originally held back the popularity of Mag's stuff. I'm not saying TN's aren't as good (maybe even better, I don't know), but it was popular before anyone had ever even seen one in person. The power of the direct Indy movie connection is very strong, it seems.

[Havana]

I say to each his own. I'm not going to tell anyone else how to spend their money. For myself, I can't see paying a four figure sum for any garment that isn't made from rare material or of an incredibly intricate design or has some kind of very exclusive identity such as belonging to a famous person, screenworn etc. TN's materials aren't rare. The overall design isn't exclusive. The quality may be high but so is G&B's among others. TN has an indisputable direct link to an IJ movie but so does Peter with much more history. My dollars are just too hard earned to spend on a TN jacket with so many other great choices available at a fraction of the price. Those are just my thoughts. I wish success to TN in his business and I hope that all who purchase from him are happy with their products. Again, to each his own.

[Sapito]

At $1,000 (if that really will be the price) a TN Raiders copy will simply be more in line with a luxury item than a real-world jacket. I buy my clothes to wear, not collect. I love Indy stlye jackets not only because of the movies but also because it's a functional item I can wear as part of my normal wardrobe.

I own several Westeds and several USW's. The Westeds are great for casual wear and I love how they look and feel. The Wings are better for more rugged wear and colder temps. I love them as well (different than the Westeds) and know they'll last a loooong time. I don't have a G&B but am sure they are all people rave about.

Now at the prices of the above, I could have three Westeds, probably three USW's, and two G&B's for a yet unseen TN. I've read nothing that leads me to think the TN will be worth two to three times more than other options. TN made the Skull jacket so I understand people wanting an original jacket from the original maker. TN had nothing to do with Raiders. He might make a great copy, but for me it will end there.

I already have more jackets than I really can wear. I love Indy jackets but am not the kind of person who will spend $1,000 for one item of clothing (and I'm lucky enough to be able to buy whatever I want, so that's not at issue) and there comes a point where quality does not exceed value. Everyone may have a different idea of where that is, but for me it would be at the G&B level. Westeds and USW are AMAZING values (and I'd have to give the nod to USW because those jackets are built to last even if they aren't as SA as people would like). I just don't see how the TN will be worth the extra $700 or so. But more power to him if he can get the price he asks!

[themechanic]

It's like anything else. A fancy pair of designer jeans cost $200. They are made of the same denim in the same Chinese sweat shop by the same 5 year old slave as the $15 Wal Mart jeans. The same can be said for cars, shoes, etc. etc.
People who buy the TN jacket will be buying it because of the name mainly. To people with money $1000 is nothing and they won't think twice about spending the money on a quality jacket.

[Deleted]

If Tony has a real Raiders jacket I sure hope it has all the details of all 15 that were made or he will be in the same boat as everyone else that makes Indy jackets.

Having it picked apart by every stitch counter on every Indy Forum.

Good Luck Tony. Because you sure as Hell are gonna need it.

Cheers,
John

[Sapito]

...Or people could spend $500 on a quality jacket and give the other $500 to the local food pantry. Sure, it's not a big deal depending on how much you have. I can buy any TN jackets I'd like, but the question is WHY would I buy one when other options are out there?

To be honest, I'd never heard of TN before Skull but then again I don't care so much about clothes or even other movie clothes - it's odd enough I like the Indy gear!! The Skull jackets I see in the photos look great but not like something I would wear. And the 777 limited edition adds an element that makes me cringe a bit. But that's just me.

[dougc]

G-Mann wrote:

If Tony has a real Raiders jacket I sure hope it has all the details of all 15 that were made or he will be in the same boat as everyone else that makes Indy jackets.

Haven't you heard G-M, Tony has two (2) Raiders used jackets, so theoretically he'd be able to make a pretty accurate repro and would be able to show detailed pics of the originals for verification. Personally I think all the opinions goes out the window when you have a screen used item that can back up your repro. If those pictures are missing though, then it's not a selling point to be bragging to much about. And in that case you better have the 'old school hands' on your side to back you up.

Doug C

[Deleted]

And if the two jackets he has have conflicting details.....How does Tony decide which details to incorporate into his version?

Perhaps one has X box stitching on the straps and one does not.
Perhaps one has a pointy collar and one does not.
Perhaps one has a brass zip and one does not.
Perhaps one has sliders and one does not.
Perhaps the pleats are sewn shut on one and on the they are open.
Perhaps one has a used Kleenex in the pocket and one does not
Etc, Etc, Etc.

Then what?

John

[dougc]

I'd say then it's up to his discretion as to which is more durable or whatever - but back it up with pictures of both. People will understand that there were differences IMHO. Personally if I was in that position and that was the case, I'd study all the screen caps, pictures, etc and go with what ever detail is on screen the most if possible, and back that up with pictures of the opposing features from the two originals in hand. Perhaps we're overstating the differences just a bit anyway.

Doug C

[Ragingblues]

Sept 25, 2008 13:10:32 GMT -5 dougc said:

I'd say then it's up to his discretion as to which is more durable or whatever - but back it up with pictures of both. People will understand that there were differences IMHO. Personally if I was in that position and that was the case, I'd study all the screen caps, pictures, etc and go with what ever detail is on screen the most if possible, and back that up with pictures of the opposing features from the two originals in hand. Perhaps we're overstating the differences just a bit anyway.

Doug C

Regardless of how many picturs he uses to justify details, one jacket can never contain all the verying details of the 10-15 used in making the movie. There is no single jacket that has it all because everytime you add another detail to your re-creation, you make it less like a few of the other jackets. So, Tony will be subject to the same sort of nit-picking as everyone else making jackets, hats, or whatever for this interest.

Just like each jacket now has it's fans and detractors, so will Tony's new Raiders copy.


Ken

[Deleted]

Sept 25, 2008 13:10:32 GMT -5 dougc said:

I'd say then it's up to his discretion as to which is more durable or whatever - but back it up with pictures of both. People will understand that there were differences IMHO. Personally if I was in that position and that was the case, I'd study all the screen caps, pictures, etc and go with what ever detail is on screen the most if possible, and back that up with pictures of the opposing features from the two originals in hand. Perhaps we're overstating the differences just a bit anyway.

Doug C

The good thing is that from what I do know about Tony is that he works with his customers on a very personal basis. He may be willing to incorporate the MINOR details of either jacket into the ONE on a stricktly jacket to jacket basis.

That still will not keep the stitch counters to find fault with each jacket due to thier own view of what the jacket should look like.

I still wish him the Best Of Luck.

If people in this hobby spent as much time on a treadmill as they do typing on forums we would be in such great shape that we would be so busy fighting off women that we wouldn't have time to post. ;D

John

[Havana]

I would like to propose a Mr. Potato Head approach to the Indy jacket. It comes in kit form in a box. You get a leather vest covered with velcro patches in the key spots and zips at the sleeve. In the kit, you get pockets and flaps of various sizes and shapes backed with velcro, different collars, zip in linings, back straps, and sleeves with and without bullet holes. Then, you can attach the various items to the vest to craft a perfect Raiders jacket to match whatever screen shot you're currently looking at. It's the perfect everything to everybody Indy jacket. (Sorry it's only available in one shade of brown.)

[dougc]

OK guys let's think about the movie for a second, just Raiders of the Lost Ark - so tell me which details change so much throughout the film, which one's stand out in your heads? examples?

Another idea for Tony's repro, is this... if TN notices blaring inconsistancies he could simply do a poll asking which details of the two jackets, people would want on the final repro. I don't know him and don't know if he'd be open to that approach but it wouldn't be a bad route to go.

Doug C

[Deleted]

Sept 25, 2008 13:40:08 GMT -5 Havana said:

I would like to propose a Mr. Potato Head approach to the Indy jacket. It comes in kit form in a box. You get a leather vest covered with velcro patches in the key spots and zips at the sleeve. In the kit, you get pockets and flaps of various sizes and shapes backed with velcro, different collars, zip in linings, back straps, and sleeves with and without bullet holes. Then, you can attach the various items to the vest to craft a perfect Raiders jacket to match whatever screen shot you're currently looking at. It's the perfect everything to everybody Indy jacket. (Sorry it's only available in one shade of brown.)

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Now that is what I call an IDEA.

Cheers and Laughs,
John