Where To Buy - Indy Jackets

[jnicktem]

Not many companies use Kangaroo leather. It's great- but expensive and some jacket makers find it difficult to use good sections of it that are large enough to make the required panels.

As for Wested- what e-mail are you using? It's a small shop so they sometimes get swamped with e-mails.

[eucalyptus]

[e-mail]

Is there a different one?
You're right, it takes quite a few pelts before you can find all the stuff you need for the jacket.
But like I said, one time fee, jacket for life. So to me, it's worth it. Even to pay for the styling.

[jnicktem]

Try [e-mail] or [e-mail]

They might be on holiday at the moment- however.

However- if you can get the Nowak I recommend it. Riley is an artist and makes a great jacket built for a lifetime.

[eucalyptus]

Your quick responses and useful information is impressive...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLeOSOe4GmQ

Thank you again.

Now about those stress points and experience with the jacket design? Any input, or would you say that if Nowak can work on it then I'm set?

[jnicktem]

No problem. I have owned a lot of hats and jackets so I know these things.

Riley really is a master of making jackets. I sent him a picture of me wearing an Indy jacket that really didn't fit me right- gave him the jacket measurements, and then he sent me a halfbelt design that fit me perfectly. Just amazing what he can do.

[jnicktem]

Oh and as for stress points and tears and such- I haven't had any of those experiences with any of my jackets- be it Nowak or Wested.

[eucalyptus]

So it would seem that I need to TRY LIKE CRAZY to get Nowak.
And the design seems solid.
Since you have worked with him before, do mind me asking what kind of ball park price I can expect to pay for him?

[eucalyptus]

Perhaps there is a way you can contact him on my behalf?

[fifthchamber]

I don't think Riley is taking personal orders currently.....I could be wrong, but I don't think he's selling to private parties...

[eucalyptus]

I could at least ask him. There seems to be an oppertunity. And there's always the off chance that he can refer me to someone else who can.
You know, I figured that there would be more people out there doings this stuff.
Over 7 billion people on the planet and google struggles to find the name of a custom leather jacket maker 0_o

[fifthchamber]

What's wrong with Magnoli?

Or Wested?

Or G&B?

Or.........You get my point?

[eucalyptus]

There's nothing inherently wrong with them.
But will they make my jacket in kangaroo leather? Will they custom fit it? Will they do the modifications that I ask for?
In a nut shell, there is absolutely nothing wrong with those companies. They just may not be offering exactly what I want.
If you read my posts you will see my own point.

[fifthchamber]

I read your posts....All of those companies will offer what you want if you're prepared to go the distances they need....

I'd suspect Wested would have the hardest time since you're in the US, not the UK....But if you have a skin you want, send it to them and you should be okay..

Magnoli could probably source some for you, so that's a done deal pretty much as well...

G&B? While they don't offer Roo' skin, I'm sure that they'll be happy to size you and then make a jacket with something you can source?

Have you actually tried any of the above companies? Rang them up and asked I mean?

It might help....And would certainly get you a lot further than asking someone else to email for you in the vague hope that they respond faster to him than they would to your email...

Or is that being too random and hoping for too much luck?

[eucalyptus]

Indeed, I have emailed nearly all of them.
Some, like Wested, simply respond to my emails with canned responses ignoring my questions on the leather type I want. I am nearing giving up on them.
USwings does seem to be willing to work with me. With a prior warning of very high price.
The rest are a hodge podge of reasons. Usually something to do with a contracted leather supplier.
While one or other has said they will look into it for me, due to the holidays still in play I have not yet received a final Answer from some.
Some companies I was unsure of to even try. Like G&B, the price tag averaging at 500 makes me wonder about wether or not the customized work would be over inflated compared to the actual product.
I have emailed them too BTW.
I've had custom electronics made. I've had custom body armor made. I even had some custom gun work (pain in the butt that one!) I am pretty aware of the pitfalls of it. Usually it's best to talk to the people who know the most on the subject to find actual names and contacts to get things done if you want it done right. When I contact a company like Wested, who justifiably comes highly regarded, and they skim over the most important part of my email with a very canned response, I don't spend much more time on them.
The purpose of me posting here is to get specific advice on those questions I asked
Do you know of a custom jacket maker? Any tips on any mods you would advise?
Thanks for the help so far.

[Kt. Templar]

One of your issues is going to be convincing any of the jacket makers to spend time and effort sourcing an exotic skin where there is little or no demand for it. Small bundles of leather have to be bought off the shelf. Alternately, to get an exact colour you'd have to get a batch custom tanned and that probably runs to 100's+ sq feet, or several jackets worth of leather.

Nowak (who seem to be in hiatus), Wested and Magnoli all do custom orders. G&B and Wings are big factories who don't like doing customs so they charge a premium to put people off ordering them.

Your best bet if you are dead set on having a jacket made from roo hide is to source it yourself and send it to the maker you get the best response with. Ask them how much leather you need.

[fifthchamber]

Yup...What KT said...

I'd strongly suggest Magnoli, since he's used to one off orders.....But you'll still probably have to source the leather yourself, or expect to pay the price for something no one else is after...But, that's something Magnoli excels at..So he'd be the best bet...

You can keep on trying Riley....But I don't really see much reason for him to start up his private wear work for just one rather random order? If you see what I mean? Perhaps if you had a group of guys all demanding that skin leather jackets? But for a one-off? It's not a good start in my opinion...

Magnoli is on holiday..Since it's Christmas you'll probably get that same response from most everyone out there...But I'd recommend trying Magnoli in the new year when he's back from his (well earned) holidays...

Regards.

[eucalyptus]

Thank you all very, very much.
I left Magnoli an email. I appreciate everyones help with the email addresses and good directions to go. I have offered to get the hides myself to help with the process and they certainly DO seem far more receptive at that point. Even then, they report to needing to get the hide processed at certain facilities to ensure cut and thickness before working with it (Big roller machines that split the hide to exact over all thickness). So timing and money still gets bumped up. Not sure if you all care to read all that. But I myself am intrigued with all I am learning about how leather is handled and worked with. Both by the craftsmen and companies involved.
I fully intend to get this thing made and promise pictures when I do.
Does anyone have any further advice?

[mowmow]

I just received USW legend imported Jakcet. I'm very happy with the Jakcet but USW didn't have stock so it took about whole month to receive the Jacket.
I'd recommend you to call them before purchase to make sure they have the jacket because it shows they have it on the web but sometimes they don't.

[garylafortuna]

Hi everybody.......this is my first ever posting on this forum . Newly
registered today but have been reading here for quite a while . Looks
like there is a lot of great stuff happening . The other forum that I participate on is Bimmerforums , which is also really great if you happen to like BMW automobiles . Like a lot of you , I've been a dyed in the wool Indy fan since about 1981 , and it sure looks like I'll be learning a whole
lot here . This is going to be great fun I think .
Eucalyptus has been looking for a custom made jacket . Was wondering if he has had any success , as I also want a custom jacket , but in
horsehide . Because they make beautiful horsehide A-2s , I thought
of looking to G&B . Hope They can be convinced . Thanks for lending me
your ear ....... Gary

[jnicktem]

You might want to check Wested. They can make a good Indy jacket in horsehide.

[garylafortuna]

Thanks Jnicktem , I've sent Gemma several emails , telephoned them
twice , resulting in no satisfaction at all . Man , that Nowak CS jacket
of yours is an uptown piece of merchandise . Would you tell me what
kind of leather it's made from ? I'd give half my kingdom for a quality
jacket like that . Love everything about it , especially the color and the finish . Really looks good on you .

[jnicktem]

Wested does seem to be faulty at responding to emails. If you do get ahold of them they have been making some great jackets recently.

As for the Nowak- thanks! I love that jacket...and every jacket Tony or Riley have made me! It is made out of cowhide- very strong and durable.

[garylafortuna]

Hi Jnicktem ...... It is a little frustrating . As soon as I started asking
questions , the communication stopped . About your Nowak CS , it
seems like nobody knows for sure if they are still available , and if they are , they wouldn't come cheap by any stretch . But for a jacket like
that , I would be willing to take out a second mortgage on my house .
If you have any info where one could be acquired , please send me a
PM . Thanks ......G

[jnicktem]

Riley at TNO has stopped taking individual orders for the moment to focus on making jackets for large events- including one in Spain. I don't know if/when he plans to return to taking individual orders... if at all. Last I heard his CS jackets were priced around $950. You can try e-mailing him at [e-mail]

Also- you might want to check the forums or eBay and see if anyone puts one up for sale.

[garylafortuna]

Thanks Jnicktem , I'll give them a try . Let you know .......G