Tony Nowak Indy 1 Jacket

[pagey]

Satipo, I don't really see what's so odd. In my original thread I posted lots of pics because there simply weren't many pics of nowak's raiders jacket. And the pics that were, didn't really show the true characteristics of the jacket.

I was disapointed when i got the jacket because the leather didn't feel in person the way I assumed it would based on the limited pics that had been posted. Talking to Tony didn't help. He didn't seem to listen to my concerns which is when I first considered selling the jacket. At the same time, I was interested in putting up a clearer picture of the jacket for anyone else interested in Tony's offering. Which I think was an important service, but others found "odd". So removed all my pics - why should I care if someone else is misguided about the characteristics of the hide?
Someone agreed to buy my jacket - and it was a tough decision to sell it. Quite apart from Tony's late night calls ("Don't you dare sell that f**king jacket!! There is no jacket like that!!! Don't you have any balls??!? No I won't take it back!!....) There was also the fact that it fit me perfectly and looked terrific - and of course I'd be out of pocket. Still I made up my mind to cut my losses - it wasn't the right jacket for me, someone else should enjoy it. I sold it to a guy in Italy. And then no money, no further contact ever again. So with that, and all the accusations of "oddness" and being "wrong about Tony", I decided to sod it. I haven't even been on a forum since then. I've occasionally worn the jacket, weather permiting - and of course the sleeve got torn. A couple of days later i popped over here just to catch up with the world of gear and saw John's thread. I wish I had ignored it now, but again, I thought sharing my experience might be useful. Wrong again it seems.

My jacket is being returned to it's former glory by Tony. After that, what I do with it needn't concern anyone. It may show up on ebay, it may not. It may show up in the classifieds, it may not. If you do see it appear somewhere, the measurements will be there to read. Do not bother to ask me questions. . I will not write another word about this jacket. Ha - how odd is that?!

[Deleted]

Nick,

I just wanted to thank you for posting pics and your opinion about your jacket.

I'm sorry it left you open to the negative criticism though.

In my opinion the Jacket is yours to do with as you will.

By the way, I like the picture of you playing the guitar. Cool hat.

Cheers,
John

[Ragingblues]

Anyone can sell anything they wish, in any condition, and for any price. It's his jacket to do with as he chooses... whether that means wearing it, selling it, or just setting fire to it.

I've sold a number of things here this year and always listed their condition as being what it is. I've also seen Pagey buy and sell a dozen items or so, and never read a single complaint from any of the buyers.

I know I would be very upset to pay that much money for something, only to have it tear/break so quickly. Of course, no amount of money will buy you a nicer/tougher grade of leather than the other jacket companies can sell. Beyond that, it comes down to construction and your own style preferences.


Ken

[Sapito]

Look, I could give a crap about Tony or how he made the "perfect" Raiders jacket or whatever - so don't put me in with all those people who hero worship the guy while he cashes in. I think the leather he chose is a joke and only proves how gullible some folks are given there's no real proof of what jakcet he even copied to come up with this. Plus the insinuations that have been made about Peter leave a really bad taste in my mouth.

My point was if I paid that much for a jacket (which I probably wouldn't do anyway) and the leather was crap I'd send the thing back at once and stop payment on my card. I'm sorry you didn't do that and I'm sorry how Tony treated you, too. I know people on COW tried to convince you that you really wanted to keep it and that the leather just needed some getting used to. Bullcrap.

[Ragingblues]

Dec 31, 2008 11:22:34 GMT -5 Sapito said:

Look, I could give a crap about Tony or how he made the "perfect" Raiders jacket or whatever - so don't put me in with all those people who hero worship the guy while he cashes in. I think the leather he chose is a joke and only proves how gullible some folks are given there's no real proof of what jakcet he even copied to come up with this. Plus the insinuations that have been made about Peter leave a really bad taste in my mouth.

My point was if I paid that much for a jacket (which I probably wouldn't do anyway) and the leather was crap I'd send the thing back at once and stop payment on my card. I'm sorry you didn't do that and I'm sorry how Tony treated you, too. I know people on COW tried to convince you that you really wanted to keep it and that the leather just needed some getting used to. Bullcrap.

1. I don't think anyone at this site has ever professed to worshipping Tony Nowak. I know a couple of people here bought one of his jackets, and that's great for them. Though, none have ever made claims about how wonderful it was, or he was.... just that they decided to buy a jacket. I think it's great to have choices, even if they aren't ones I would choose.

2. I personally think that is WAY too much money to pay for any kind of jacket, but that's only my personal opinion. I don't judge other people for having more money to spend, or different priorities regarding how they spend it.

3. There is no source of tougher or smoother leathers set aside for the high priced companies to choose from. There is only the standard measure for grading leather hides, and they price them accordingly. The lambskin used on a G&B is as good as it gets, period. So, paying an additional $300 does not get you better leather.... no matter who's name is on the label. That said, atleast you get a lifetime construction and zipper warranty from G&B. That, is one of the reasons their jackets cost more than most.

I would like to add that the lambskin Wested uses is just as smooth, though it comes from a different location and has a different tanning method. This accounts for the differences between the two when seen in person, but both are high grade... smooth lambskin. Tony Nowak has no magic leather mill that produces angelic hides. He just charges more for his products because people are willing to pay it. No harm there, even if I wouldn't buy one. I also would never pay the money Alden charges for their boots... so you get the idea that it's not just a jacket thing.

4. Whatever problems you have with Pagey's issues regarding the Tony Nowak jacket should be disccused where that thread was posted. We have no interest in other people's problems, or being a sounding board them. Several times in the past, we allowed people to vent these sorts of things and it brings nothing but trouble every time. This isn't COW and you have mentioned them in every post so far. When they decide to re-open for public traffic.... please feel free to continue expressing your concerns over there. I guarantee you they wouldn't let you post these sorts of things relating to an issue at Indy Lounge.... or mention our name in every post.

Thanks,

Ken

[kjanderson]

I think I understand where Sapito is going.
A leather jacket for sale is not the same as a car for sale.
A second hand car adverstised for sale is often going to be driven by the owner until it's sold, that's accepted.
A leather jacket, especially such an expensive leather jacket, once advertised for sale, should be put away, to ensure it's able to be sold in the condition it is advertised.
If it's for sale, sell it. Stop wearing it, and posing for picture after picture in it.
Personally, I doubt it will ever sell. 'Pagey' knew what he was getting, and surely knew others had issues with the hide Tony was using, but he still went ahead and purchased it.
More money than sense, or not enough sense to know better.
The latter, like most of us, I'll wager.

[Deleted]

Well I'm glad Nick did take the pictures. They are probably the best pictures of the Nowak jacket that are available and he was nice enough to share them with us. He does us a favor and then gets crap for doing so.

And since it is HIS jacket he can do whatever the hell he wants with it. Since it is not for sale at this time what difference does it make anyway. Iv'e never seen Nick sell anything for anything other than a fair price so I'm sure if he does sell it later somebody will get a good deal on it.

Cheers,
John

[greyfedora]

I don't quite get why there is so much drama over some guy's leather jacket.

[thedarkknight]

I can't believe Tony's language. I've heard little things about his language, but wow. That's enough right there to make me never do business with him. I think the jacket looks good, but I'm not a fan of the leather.

[Sapito]

I'd just add that the leather used for the Nowak Indy I is given some special enzyme (I think) treatment to give it that look. Maybe this makes it softer and less resiliant than normally treated lamb.

[tibor]

Pagey,

I think the jacket looks great! As you said, perfect fit, drape, etc.

As for Tony's language, he can be a bit excited about his work, but he's a very stand-up guy. I think he genuinely hopes every jacket he makes is cherished and worn - I guess that's what any craftsman hopes. I'm not sure it's the same leather, but I'm really glad to find a course grained leather available. All of the other jackets on the market are a bit too smooth for my tastes. I've been looking for this type of course grain for some time. I agree, I'd like it to be as rugged as it looks, but I'm still happy to have this available and have only high praise for Tony. That said, I have had great experiences with G&B too, as well as Wested. I haven't bought from any of the others (yet) but hear great things about them as well.

I heard someone say the original was described as "sheep" rather than "lamb". Maybe sheep get more wrinkly as they get older like the rest of us. Anyway, I posted elsewhere that it's a great time to be looking for an Indy jacket. We have more makers, and more hides than ever before with G&B, Wested, US Wings, Todd's, Magnoli and Nowak (and a few others as well). Each has their strengths, be it price, durability, look, drape, grain, cut, whatever.

We're lucky we can buy what we like and admire others for keeping the choices out there.

[crismans]

I'm sure I'm included in the camp of Tony worshippers (possibly with some justification ). I have a Crystal Skull jacket and an Indy I. While I'll freely admit that a grand is a heckuva lot to pay for a jacket (and I still have night sweats about it sometimes), I really do love the jacket. The fit is amazing and the way it hangs is like no other jacket I've owned and very Raiders. I was really apprehensive while ordering because the front and back are the same length but because of the cut, the back hits me about where Ford's jacket hit him in the movie.

I don't think there's that much controversy about the overall look and cut of the jacket, however. It's the leather itself that has most people up in arms. I know that many people don't believe the leather is close but I do. If you look at the scenes the jacket was featured in (admittedly the jacket is in shadows or covered in cobwebs and dust most of the time) you can see the grain. Is it as pronounced as on the Nowak jacket? No. But my jacket's grain isn't as pronounced as when I received it either. As you wear the jacket, the leather stretches and starts having smooth areas. This is especially apparent on the arms of my jacket (I could take pics if anyone's interested).

I'm sorry that Whiskeyman's jakcet tore like that. Maybe it was just a soft spot? I say this because (and this is embarrassing) my daughter is right in the middle of the terrible twos. We were having to leave somewhere she wanted to stay and so she begins to throw a horrible tantrum. Right in the middle of it, she decides she's going to bite me and clamps down on my Indy I. I mean clamps down. I just new for sure that she was going to come back with a big patch of my $1000 jacket in her mouth. But it didn't even show teeth marks. So, I don't know.

And I agree that Tony's language can be salty. I've known a few people that use profanity like most people use pronouns so it's never really bothered me, but I could see how some people could be off put. Ignoring the profanity, Tony's always been gracious to me so that's what I have to go on.

I know that many people probably think I'm a lunatic for buying the Indy I (and they very well may be right) but I sold some other pieces of gear to pay for it, so I'm not hurting as a result and I love the jacket.