Met Peter today @ Wested: Recent losses and acquis

[weylandyutani]

I've been the proud owner of a Raiders, Goat, Import and a Crusadar, Nova Pelle, UK made for some time now.

However, I felt the 42 size was a little too small so I recently sold them on.

Feeling the pinch (and the panic) I went over to Wested in Swanley where Peter served me.

Was now interested in a horse hide - there were two main variants, the soft (and slightly thinner) and the thick version.

Initially chose the thick but changed my mind for the soft. The horse hide is a dark brown and the dye is not a 'red hue' but a 'yellow-brown' which imo looks great.

Made to measure, soft horse hide, size 44, Raiders, slightly long.

Saw an awesome one in Soft Cow (non-distressed) 44 which I think someone should pick up as I was told they can't get that leather anymore. Almost bought that one tbh but I have too many leather jackets made of cow and wanted something different.

Also found out that they stopped importing Jackets (Raiders ones) due to lack of demand so everything is made in-house.

Any questions then let me know.

Going back in around 10 days to pick. Will report with pics.

[tex1272]

Great post lots of good info to consider. Post pics when you get it.

[weylandyutani]

An update and a warning:

Went to collect my jacket yesterday and I don't have happy things to say about the result.

I took the jacket home and examined the skin. The skin, has a grain and texture that is identical to Cowhide - NOT soft Horse hide that I ordered. I took it to an expert in London the same day (next to my work place) and he was convinced it was cow hide.

I spoke to Peter and he told me in a very uncivil and angry tone that he bought the hide as 'horsehide' from his supplier (blaming a third party). After asking some questions he then admitted that he just buys the hide as 'hide' with unknown origin (now blaming himself). He said that he doesn't care which animal the skin comes from which I find strange particularly given that he specifies on his website which skin you are buying.

So it seems Peter is duping his customers into believing they have a jacket made of a certain skin when they are clearly not. Furthermore, he also knows what he is doing because he has decades of experience in the field and finds it 'good business practice' to scam his customers.

I would recommend staying clear of this chump as he doesn't know what he is selling (or pretends not to know) at your expense. Note that he also charged me extra for the horsehide.

If you ever thinking about talking to Peter then don't. He has manners and politeness rival that of a caveman.

Pics:

[kwad]

Quite honestly, I would not try to determine the species of hide on the external grain.
There are alot of variables when it comes to tanning leather that can produce different grain and level of softness/firmness (sometimes even within the same hide).
What part of the hide (where it was located on the animal) is used can greatly change the characteristics of the finished leather.

For example, the grain shown in your closeup pictures reminds me ALOT of the lambskin jacket I am currently wearing.

[Kt. Templar]

I can tell you are very angry, but I think you've been misinformed by your acquaintance. Although Cow and horse can be very hard to tell apart that does look like some horsehides I've seen and had. It is also a gorgeous looking jacket. I've heard that Peter has offered you a full refund so you should have taken it if unsatisfied.

Sounds like he bought the hide in good faith as still believes it to be horse. You dispute that so you've come to an impasse.

From my experience horsehide seem to wrinkle in a characteristic way after a while like this: imageshack.us/photo/my-images/252/horsetm5.jpg/ not all horse does this, but it seems one pointer. I think the front pics of your jacket are reminiscent of this horse leather.



He is his own boss, and he is my friend. However as his own boss he can act like the other archetypal boss, the pub landlord, if you act up you are banned. I suppose that's part of being your own boss. The owner of What Price Glory is know to be forthright too. Steve Delk of Adventurebilt will also return your money and not serve you again if you don't like his terms.

It sounds like you got off on the wrong foot with him and it deserves a calm chat.

[Deleted]

Jun 16, 2011 15:51:31 GMT -5 Kt. Templar said:

I've heard that Peter has offered you a full refund so you should have taken it if unsatisfied.

And there you have it. You can't get more reasonable than that.

[tibor]

I was just thinking that jacket looks terrific. I've also seen horsehide look like that. I guess it's hard to tell by just looking at it. Most horsehide I've handled is fairly thick and consequently stiffer than what would suit an Indy jacket well. I've seen thinner horsehide (I don't know if they shave it thinner or it's from the thinner hide part of the horse (belly?) but it's like your jacket. Man, if it fits well, I think you've got a winner there. Love the subtle grain and great pocket flaps.

[platon]

This could very likely be horsehide.
Most of the 'experts' have never seen horsehide in their lives. It is very scarce and hard to get leather. Its appearance is almost identical to cow and there is no way one can tell the difference by just looking at it. This would require expensive lab tests (there are some people who do this) and/or some practical tests that need certain time and conditions to give you the results. There wouldn't be any such labs if the difference between cow and horse was that obvious.

To the eyes of your expert, anything that is not lamb, or goat, is cow. But you don't need to be an expert to do that. My grandmother also knows the difference.

Enjoy your jacket. It's horse.

[crismans]

I also think that could be horsehide. I have a horsehide jacket that has a similar "look" to it. However, it can be hard to determine the leather from the grain.