TODD'S JACKET IS IN

[Ragingblues]

I'm not willing to bet you on where the cap came from in the movie KT.

I cheated myself, since I know Marc was using G-Mann's photo for the shot. I checked John's jacket screen cap threads (which I recently made a combined version of as a sticky), and found it in the Raider's group.

Ken

[indianatone]

As for looking better than a US Wings? There aren't many out there that 'Don't' look better than a US Wings in terms of Indy. This thing looks very Raiders on so many levels beyond comparison to a US Wings of all things.

Hopefully Marc's question doesn't get buried here cause I'm really curious about that also: Whether Todd is considering the option or using the Tri-Glide strap hardware.

[pitfallharry]

I must have missed this......What Tri-Glide strap config are you and Marc talking about Tone?

[Kt. Templar]

admin said:

I'm not willing to bet you on where the cap came from in the movie KT.

I cheated myself, since I know Marc was using G-Mann's photo for the shot. I checked John's jacket screen cap threads (which I recently made a combined version of as a sticky), and found it in the Raider's group.

Ken

DOH, which makers jacket is that one then? I notice it has a silver zipper.

[todd]

Howdy!

Here's the story. The week before Christmas the India factory pulled the plug on my jacket project and cancelled my order. They couldn't handle the level of precision I required.

I decided rather than to scrap the whole idea, I'd try them myself. What G-Mann has is my first ever jacket. That's the reason for all the delays. I thought it would take me about a day to draw out the pattern - it took me two weeks (yeah, 80 hours and I'm still fussing over it.)

This is all experimental and I need to make a few more before I decide whether it's even feasible. I think it is, so I'm moving ahead.

My plan was always to offer standard off-the-rack sizes with no waiting, and that's still what I want to do. Although I can offer some more custom choices (like leather) I don't want to get into the custom jacket business.

Now to the comments on the jacket. Yes, the thread looks lighter than I expected. On the spool it's super dark. It is the upholstery thread I use for all my brown sewing, and is the darkest brown available in that type thread. Once I started with it, I had no choice but to finish. There was no way I was going to come on this board and say, "It'll be a few more days..." again! I have purchased a different type of thread available in a darker color and I will use that from now on. The up side to the upholstery thread is that it's super strong and it does have a custom look to it.

The leather colors: Sourcing leather is going to be a challenge. The leather I used has a clear finish, meaning that the actual surface of the leather can be seen along with it's color variations. The upside - it is prettier. The downside: color variation. I am looking for leather with a natural finish that is also a consistent color. Really, the leather is a key ingredient in matching the movie look and affects much more than the appearance - it affects the fit as well.

So, bottom line is that I'm going to do a few more to fill the pre-orders I had. After that I will decide whether I want to continue to offer them. Meanwhile, I am working on a low-price off-the-rack alternative (and I mean LOW!) that looks VERY promising.

Todd

[GCR]

kttemplar said:

admin said:

I'm not willing to bet you on where the cap came from in the movie KT.

I cheated myself, since I know Marc was using G-Mann's photo for the shot. I checked John's jacket screen cap threads (which I recently made a combined version of as a sticky), and found it in the Raider's group.

Ken

DOH, which makers jacket is that one then? I notice it has a silver zipper.

Didn't Wested (or Peter's "Pre-Wested" leather company) make the jackets for Raiders? This pic is from Raiders, right?

I'll take a guess and say it's during one of the close-ups of the flying wing fight (perhaps when Indy gets nailed in the gut by Herr Big Bald & Nasty...)

Anyways, yet another instance of a nice grain texture on the film jacket that fits in with what Todd is offering now.

-GCR

[indianatone]

Todd. Definitely move forward with this. Pretty leather aside, I think that cut would look great even if the leather were a slightly different nature. (Although the texture does look good, it's not the end of the world on it. As long as that cut stays consistent. )
What about the single piece strap configuration? Entertaining that at all or are you sticking with sliders?

[todd]

I'll offer both. It's a simple swap.

Todd

[indianatone]

Okay, now THAT is awesome!

This isn't the right hardware in the pic below, but just want to be sure we're talking about this tri-glide option and not d-rings or sliders.

This thing:

[Deleted]

This jacket is NOTHING even similar to the US Wings. Not by a long shot. I have had 3 US wings so believe me. Also those are NOT loose stitches just a thread end here and there that I will trim off.

The picture Marc posted is from the fight scene with the huge bald Nazi.
GCR is on the ball, exactly correct


Cheers,
G-MANN

[Deleted]

I have just added some newer, better pics in the 1st post of this thread for those of you that are interested.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[Kt. Templar]

Before I get completely misread, I said the collar looks a similar shape to a US Wings that's it. And to me it does it has that slight flaring at the tips when on a hanger.

I also said it looks like a custom G&B. I would have thought the G&B fans would consider that a compliment.

Saying it is shorter and closer cut than a US Wings is also supposed to be a compliment.

From the pics the rings on the straps seem to be a bit heavy to me.

I won't be able to give a final opinion (not that that counts for much) until there is a final product and I see it in the flesh, something that may take a while for one to ge this side of the pond!

[jweaver]

The jacket looks like a winner to me! I really like the texture and color of the leather. It seems to match the original jacket quite well.

On that note, I want to clear up one thing about the original Raiders jackets. I've "heard" Peter state many times that the leather used to produce the Raiders jacket was made using an old world technique that no one uses anymore. This old process produced a lambskin that was thicker, grainier and tougher than that of today.

[pitfallharry]

todd said:

So, bottom line is that I'm going to do a few more to fill the pre-orders I had. After that I will decide whether I want to continue to offer them. Meanwhile, I am working on a low-price off-the-rack alternative (and I mean LOW!) that looks VERY promising.

Todd

Todd,

If you do decide to move ahead after you finish these pre-orders yourself then how will you be able to offer the jacket without any "wait time" since you don't have a factory that will be churning these out quickly?

It just sounds to me like your going to have to "custom make" every jacket you do regardless of them being "off the rack" sizes because your making them yourself.

I'm also wondering if you don't have a constant supply of leather from the same place that this will cause inconsistency in the look of the jackets you sell? For example, if I bought a jacket it might not look the same as G-Mann's and I like how G-Mann's looks.

I hope everything works out because from what I see you've got a great jacket there.

I'm also very interested in the other "Low Price" idea you have brewing.

[GCR]

gmann said:

The picture Marc posted is from the fight scene with the huge bald Nazi.
GCR is on the ball, exactly correct

Woo-hoo! What do I win? ;D

I'm seriously itchin' for one of these now...I've already added it to my gear wishlist (yes, I have an actual gear wishlist, written down and everything). Very excited to hear that the jacket will be offered with the actual sliders as an option (instead of the rectangular loops we're all used to). I beginning to think there may be something to this new theory about the sliders...

Todd, are there any plans to offer this jacket in other choices of leathers and in other colors, or possibly a pre-distressed version?

-GCR

[todd]

GCR - yes, I will offer leather choices.

Pitfall, I realize it is going to be difficult to avoid being in a constant backorder situation, but I hope to keep a supply of standard sizes on the shelf. As far as the leather, I am working on it now. My main leather source is sending me samples of leather he can get me custom processed from the tannery. That should ensure a dependable source of carefully matched leather. So far, so good.

Todd

[pitfallharry]

Well, it sounds good. I think I'm better off buying "off the rack" sizes anyway. Even though my Wested turned out fine I think I would have been just as happy with a regular XL.

[pitfallharry]

I'm starting to get whiplash trying to follow this thread around. ;D

I just wanted to ask what's the difference between the zipper on Todd's jacket and say the zipper on the Wested or other jackets?

My biggest problem with any jacket I've owned is that the zipper usually craps out on me before anything else. My Wested seems to have a pretty solid zipper installed and I was wondering if Todd's was just like that?

[Deleted]

Round and round and round she goes where this thread lands nobody knows. ;D

This thread will now remain in the Jacket thread for good.

The zip Todd used is nice and solid on par with the Wested zip. Also screen accurate Nickel.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[pitfallharry]

Sounds good. Hopefully someday I'll be able to own one myself.

[Deleted]

Here are a few more pics.


Drape and softness of the leather:




Squirrelage factor:



Pockets, yes my hands do fit inside:



Side View:




Jacket Unzipped:



Cheers,
G-MANN

[pitfallharry]

I like the way the jacket tapers toward the waist when you have your arms out. That, I'm assuming , is what you would get with an 80's cut, correct?

When I do that my Wested kind of puffs out at the sides. I don't think the "squirrelage factor" on mine is to bad but I can tell the difference between the two.

I'm aware that you can customize the Wested and correct that to some degree but why go through all the trouble of giving a giant list of things you want done when you can buy a jacket right off the bat that practically has all of these features already built in? For me it's a no brainer!

Thanks for the new pics, G-Mann. The jacket looks better everytime I see it.

[Ragingblues]

John, I like the new pics, as they add a great deal more information about the jacket for me. I can see how well it drapes now, I can really tell how well it fits you around the body too. This is so key to the look, along with the higher cut on the bottom of the sleeve joint, and higher back seam placement.

The higher sleeve joint increases arm mobility without drawing the sleeves up, and practically eliminates any squirrelage factor in the jacket. I think this has about as low as you can go on the squirrelage factor scale too.

I really like the look of the leather the more I see it. This line of jackets from Todd is sure to be a big winner in my book. Todd, whatever you do, don't give up on this project! You seem to have nailed a great Raiders cut, right out of the gate.... and that's nothing to be taken lightly.

Ken

[pitfallharry]

Just thought I'd pop in and ask how the jacket is holding up, G-Mann?

I'm assuming because of the extreme cold weather around here that it hasn't gotten much use. I just wondered though if the collar has relaxed at all along with the rest of the coat.

By the way does anyone know what the status is on Todd's jacket? I saw that he was gathering info on the pocket sizes over at COW and I didn't know if he he had started working on another prototype with the changes.

[GCR]

Thanks for dusting this thread off, Harry. I was beginning to wonder about Todd's jacket as well. Anyone have the scoop on Todd's jacket progress? Even with the new Wested annoucement coming on the heels of Todd's prototype "debut", I'm still very interested in seeing what develops with Todd and his jacket and I'm also very interested in getting one of 'em if all turns out well.

-GCR