Cowhide vs horsehide vs buffalo?
#22
03-03-2012, 10:49 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
I think all hides are naturally waterproof. Can you imagine if they weren't? Soggy cow innerds, soggy buffalo innerds, soggy horse innerds, soggy duck innerds, soggy people innerds. Hmmmm.
#23
03-03-2012, 11:26 PM
I don't like Goat because every goat jacket I've ever seen looked like a deflated balloon. Goat is a relaxed leather, it doesn't really hold it's shape (not great for an MC jacket), it's perfect for fashion jackets and comfort, but for an MC jacket I think there are better leathers.
And the vast majority of period authentic A2's were generally horse, goat came much later when A2's were simply civilian repros sold to the masses. Gibson and Barnes, Aero, Lost Worlds etc... all of their authentic A2's are horse with the civilian models being goat. Flight-suits today that the pilots use are not leather, they are all synthetic materials, A2's are not actually used by pilots today, they are just fashion jackets.
And the vast majority of period authentic A2's were generally horse, goat came much later when A2's were simply civilian repros sold to the masses. Gibson and Barnes, Aero, Lost Worlds etc... all of their authentic A2's are horse with the civilian models being goat. Flight-suits today that the pilots use are not leather, they are all synthetic materials, A2's are not actually used by pilots today, they are just fashion jackets.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-1_military_flight_jacket
Interesting how many companies had the contracts to make these goatskin jackets before they where changed to leather.
#24
03-03-2012, 11:32 PM
USN and USMC G-1 Jacket
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-1_military_flight_jacket
Interesting how many companies had the contracts to make these goatskin jackets before they where changed to leather.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-1_military_flight_jacket
Interesting how many companies had the contracts to make these goatskin jackets before they where changed to leather.
Last edited by babalu; 03-03-2012 at 11:40 PM.
#25
03-04-2012, 12:02 AM
You do understand that pilots in the USMC and Navy do not actually wear the G-1 jacket in fighter jets and haven't for like 60 years though correct? I think the last time the Navy flew with a G-1 as part of the uniform was the Korean War. It's just a historical uniform they don't wear them in Jets at all. The G-1 and even the A-2 were developed more to keep the pilot warm than to offer any protection relative to what they would experience in a motorcycle slide anyway.
#26
03-04-2012, 02:15 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
I have a heavy cowhide jacket, and elkskin chaps. Love both of them. Elkskin is really soft. Heard it is tough, but never tested that.
I would like a lighter jacket for temps over 75.
I would like a lighter jacket for temps over 75.
#27
03-04-2012, 03:42 AM
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I would also be curious about elk- heavy, winter weight and wonderfully soft if Indian-tanned- but I don't know about abrasion resistance. The info about hide processing and which section of the hide the tough jacket/ pants or leggings are made is interesting. Thanks for the direction to Langlitz for advice. I do have a custom pair of mulehide boots I expect to be very tough. Have used glove weight horsehide for craft work- oddly stretchy. No MC clothing from it yet. Goat might make sense in the summer. Sliding down the rain grooves sounds like a genuine test of abrasion resistance.
This has been an interesting thread- thanks guys.
This has been an interesting thread- thanks guys.
#30
03-04-2012, 04:12 AM
I make, and restore, a lot of saddle bags and bike accessories and have used Cow, Buffalo and Horse hide for various items. Simply put, regardless of the hide, if you use the correct weight hide for the application and look after it properly, all of these hides will last as long as each other.
As far as abrasion resistance is concerned, Buffalo tends to be the hardest wearing, especially for really hard scrapes, or god forbid sliding down the road with 300 lbs of motorcycle on top. That said, any of these hides arent gonna look pretty after a bad scrape.
Horse hide marks easier, but as far as tough goes it wears very well, and tends to be more supple than cow or buffalo.
Deer or Elk is the way to go for gloves.
As with everything, looking after your leather will significantly increase its longevity. I see gear come in for restoration all the time that could have been avoided if it's owner spend 30 mins once a month oiling or treating the leather.
If you are storing bags etc for winter, dont shove them in a plastic bag, leather needs to breath. Moist or Humid storage aint good either. Cool dry storage with a simple cotton sheet over the top will be just right, and oil your gear before you store it away.
Sorry for the leather lesson, as much as I appreciate the restoration work, i would rather see the gear out and in use and looked after
As far as abrasion resistance is concerned, Buffalo tends to be the hardest wearing, especially for really hard scrapes, or god forbid sliding down the road with 300 lbs of motorcycle on top. That said, any of these hides arent gonna look pretty after a bad scrape.
Horse hide marks easier, but as far as tough goes it wears very well, and tends to be more supple than cow or buffalo.
Deer or Elk is the way to go for gloves.
As with everything, looking after your leather will significantly increase its longevity. I see gear come in for restoration all the time that could have been avoided if it's owner spend 30 mins once a month oiling or treating the leather.
If you are storing bags etc for winter, dont shove them in a plastic bag, leather needs to breath. Moist or Humid storage aint good either. Cool dry storage with a simple cotton sheet over the top will be just right, and oil your gear before you store it away.
Sorry for the leather lesson, as much as I appreciate the restoration work, i would rather see the gear out and in use and looked after