Just to insert a caution

Posted by Michaelson from leospace047.utsi.edu on October 27, 2000 at 13:13:55:

In Reply to: Another great leather option for the Flight Suits Expedition jacket... posted by Patterson on October 26, 2000 at 19:27:25:

I have no intention of dampening any enthusiam on the part of my good friend, Patterson, as he knows what my opinion is concerning deerskin. I would caution the individual to consider where they live and the climate they live in concerning the purchase of deerskin for a jacket, though. Just to follow up on what Patterson says, and having past connections with law enforcement, I did some checking in my neck of the woods and found the exact opposite concerning use of the leather for motorcycle patrolmen and motorcross sports. It is not a leather used that much in this area, but as said below, is probably used extensively out West and in arid areas. So just to be a rounded discussion here, I'd suggest you consider your location and do some research as to what is used in your area. There may be a reason for the non-use of deer leather there. Oh, cowhide and goatskin is the favorite here for this type of use here, by the way. Just a thought. Regards. Michaelson

Well, I’ve done it again. In the wait for veg tanned goat to show up at Flight Suits, I’ve found another option that some of you may be interested in, and changed my order again. Hey, no skins have been cut yet, right? No harm, no foul.

: Anyway, I’ve been fielding questions on different leathers, and deerskin came up. Well, FS carries a really nice chrome tanned deerskin, so I asked about the price and basic characteristics of deerskin. First of all, the upgrade price is the same as the horsehide - $100 – so it is in the same ballpark I was in with my initial horsehide jacket order. On the characteristics, this is how they laid it out:

: · Durability: Deerskin is supposed to be one of the most durable leathers out there. Dave Marshall put horsehide and deerskin at the top, with goat just slightly below them, then cow, then lambskin at the bottom. Apparently the motorcycle police and motor cross crowd swear by the stuff. Nothing better to be wearing if you’re sliding across pavement at 35 mph?
: · Appearance: Well, to this Indyfans eyes, this leather looks a lot like lambskin in grain, texture, and sheen. It is very, VERY soft and supple. It has the draping characteristics we’ve all heard attributed to lambskin, but again it is as tough as horsehide. One characteristic I’ve heard people mention is a “sponginess” to the leather. It does have a slightly spongy feel to it, though personally I like it. It’s a little like having two layers of lambskin, if this makes sense? A bit of Pecards pretty much eliminates it, though – if you want. It is thicker then lamb, and I prefer that. The color is a very dark brown – darker then the Wested lambskin – which I also like very much. A good point of reference would be the appearance of the jacket in the Temple, Imam, Well of Souls, and Flying Wing scenes. Not as accurate as the dark seal brown veg tanned goat to the actual original “in the flesh”, but true to what it looks like on screen in these scenes. Does this make sense?
: · Other Characteristics of Deerskin: Deerskin keeps you warm when its cool, but breathes well when it is warmer. It even retains heat very well when wet, and is supposed to “survive” a drenching better than other leathers. It is, therefore, a favorite of hunters and makes particularly excellent work gloves. It also is reported to be just about the best leather to wear in hot arid climates – and folks I live in the desert, so… What am I forgetting? Oh, well – I’m sure it will come to me…

: Anyway, give this one some thought. I know there were some out there who had initially gone for the horsehide who had some reservations. This seems like a pretty good option. Also, the stuff is in stock – they’re still awaiting the veg goatskin to show up.

: Oh, the wait is painful! I know, however, the end is near and I’m excited to see that box show up!

: Cheers!

: Patterson

Follow Ups:

Good point... Patterson 15:49:28 10/27/2000 (2)
- By the way - I keep getting emails returned as undeliverable from you. (nm) Patterson 15:53:27 10/27/2000 (1)
  - Must be a glitch in the line. Been pretty slow today, so I guess the network is still not working. Try through the IndyGear address, if you haven't already. (nm) Michaelson 16:18:48 10/27/2000 (0)

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: I have no intention of dampening any enthusiam on the part of my good friend, Patterson, as he knows what my opinion is concerning deerskin. I would caution the individual to consider where they live and the climate they live in concerning the purchase of deerskin for a jacket, though. Just to follow up on what Patterson says, and having  past connections with law enforcement, I did some checking in my neck of the woods and found the exact opposite concerning use of the leather for motorcycle patrolmen and motorcross sports. It is not a leather used that much in this area, but as said below, is probably used extensively out West and in arid areas. So just to be a rounded discussion here, I'd suggest you consider your location and do some research as to what is used in your area. There may be a reason for the non-use of deer leather there. Oh, cowhide and goatskin is the favorite here for this type of use here, by the way. Just a thought. Regards. Michaelson

: 
:  Well, I’ve done it again.  In the wait for veg tanned goat to show up at Flight Suits, I’ve found another option that some of you may be interested in, and changed my order again.  Hey, no skins have been cut yet, right?  No harm, no foul.

: : Anyway, I’ve been fielding questions on different leathers, and deerskin came up.  Well, FS carries a really nice chrome tanned deerskin, so I asked about the price and basic characteristics of deerskin.  First of all, the upgrade price is the same as the horsehide - $100 – so it is in the same ballpark I was in with my initial horsehide jacket order.  On the characteristics, this is how they laid it out:

: : ·	Durability:  Deerskin is supposed to be one of the most durable leathers out there.  Dave Marshall put horsehide and deerskin at the top, with goat just slightly below them, then cow, then lambskin at the bottom.  Apparently the motorcycle police and motor cross crowd swear by the stuff.  Nothing better to be wearing if you’re sliding across pavement at 35 mph?
: : ·	Appearance:  Well, to this Indyfans eyes, this leather looks a lot like lambskin in grain, texture, and sheen.  It is very, VERY soft and supple.  It has the draping characteristics we’ve all heard attributed to lambskin, but again it is as tough as horsehide.  One characteristic I’ve heard people mention is a “sponginess” to the leather.  It does have a slightly spongy feel to it, though personally I like it.  It’s a little like having two layers of lambskin, if this makes sense?  A bit of Pecards pretty much eliminates it, though – if you want.  It is thicker then lamb, and I prefer that.  The color is a very dark brown – darker then the Wested lambskin – which I also like very much.  A good point of reference would be the appearance of the jacket in the Temple, Imam, Well of Souls, and Flying Wing scenes.  Not as accurate as the dark seal brown veg tanned goat to the actual original “in the flesh”, but true to what it looks like on screen in these scenes.  Does this make sense?
: : ·	Other Characteristics of Deerskin:  Deerskin keeps you warm when its cool, but breathes well when it is warmer.  It even retains heat very well when wet, and is supposed to “survive” a drenching better than other leathers.  It is, therefore, a favorite of hunters and makes particularly excellent work gloves.  It also is reported to be just about the best leather to wear in hot arid climates – and folks I live in the desert, so…  What am I forgetting?  Oh, well – I’m sure it will come to me…

: : Anyway, give this one some thought.  I know there were some out there who had initially gone for the horsehide who had some reservations.  This seems like a pretty good option.  Also, the stuff is in stock – they’re still awaiting the veg goatskin to show up.

: : Oh, the wait is painful!  I know, however, the end is near and I’m excited to see that box show up!

: : Cheers!

: : Patterson

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