Finally got my Vanson leather jacket from
Thurston Bros.
Album
It's a size 40 Vanson
Model F in steerhide with a base price of $690. Here's the customization I requested:
- "Octagon Brown" leather (+$103)
- Nickle hardware
- Black rayon lining
- Add 1" to the body length (+$90)
- Replace zippered cuffs with straight cuffs, like on Model J (+$50)
- Remove both chest pockets
- Remove side buckles on back
- Remove snaps on collar
- Remove zippers on pockets
- Remove zip-out lining
The Octagon Brown leather is a medium weight, but as you can see
here, it's still pretty stiff. From what I've gathered online, steerhide breaks in much easier than horsehide, so I think it'll begin to drape better across the shoulders and down the front within a few months of wear. That said, it feels like flexible armor, and as soon as I put it on I could tell the construction would last decades. The zipper, in particular, stood out as especially solid. I seriously think a mother****er could stab me with a pocket knife and get nowhere.
The process is pretty awesome, with the company sending out a fit jacket to help determine where to make adjustments, but I was still nervous as hell dropping nearly a grand on a jacket before trying on the final product. I'm relieved it turned out well, and would recommend them to anybody interested in a custom leather jacket.