Iron Heart X Simmons Bilt Horsehide Western Shirt - The Pale Rider - Natural
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Treated or untreated, these shirts look amazing!
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@weegeebee1 don't get me wrong, I love mine to bits. I just think mine has evolved in a very different way compared to yours.
I use mine a lot for riding, so they do occasionally come into contact with rain. that's also why I think it hasn't got the sheen and shine as compared to yours.
Also, riding in a tropical climate, the sweat also plays a huge part in the evolution along the collars. it tends to be darker around those contact points. but just like you, I'm still waiting for it to soften up. -
Has anyone soaked this jacket? I’ve been doing research (Fedora Lounge) on what guys will do with vintage and repro horse jackets. I was surprised to learn that this is common. Machine washes and Dryer cycles!!! Whoa!!
I spoke to another forum member here who advised against getting this shirt wet. Mostly to do with the stitching construction (puckering) and possible uneven stretching and drying of the shirt.In an effort to get a custom, form fit - and to soften the leather and encourage draping, my vision:
-using a hair drier, hand apply Pecards to exterior of the jacket. Liberal amounts. Wear for a full day.
-cold soak jacket. Just to inundate with water.
-drain tub water, roll shirt up in a towel to remove excess water.
-immediately wear the shirt, with a thin long sleeve t shirt. Wear until dry. Hike, calisthenics, general movement.
-paying attention to sleeve length, placket puckering, collar shape, etc. stretching, pulling… whatever it takes.Here’s my rationale…. If this jacket is uncomfortable I just will not wear it.
Am I nuts? Impatient? Will I ruin the jacket? Or will this yield the potential of this shirt as the most spectacular, fitted, second skin garment?
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In theory the process you describe accelerates what would happen over time with wear. Rain, activity, etc. I personally appreciate these sorts of processes and think it is cool to play around with the garments to test what they do. My vote is to go for it and document the results. But then I have a brand new pair of 21oz denim in the wash right now with some grey dye, and I've also bleached Iron Heart before with results I am very happy with, so I am probably an outlier.
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There is a chance you can ruin the jacket, but there is also the chance you get the exact fit you want from a soak.. My thoughts would be to only wet/soak the areas you want to change.. ie the shoulders or the collar.. then wear it dry and condition after dry if necessary.. i would not soak the entire shirt.. at least to start, and i would not put it in the washing machine. id wear it in the shower.
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I mean I've rode in thunderstorms where I've come off dripping wet. does that count?
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What about going outside to do a Hike, calisthenics, general movement while it’s raining, then continue same while it’s drying.
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Thanks for the initial responses.
@Nik ive been appreciating your bleached jeans. So good! Interested to see how the dye job come out.
This will ultimately be a moto-riding jacket, and I’d wear it never fearing for foul weather. So yes, accelerating the process.
The issue I see with “spot -wetting” is the uneven shades that could result.
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@Bigdog i like to do things on my schedule, not mother nature’s. Hahaha. But yes, a perfect idea.
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@Autorotate said in Iron Heart X Simmons Bilt Horsehide Western Shirt - The Pale Rider - Natural:
Thanks for the initial responses.
The issue I see with “spot -wetting” is the uneven shades that could result.
you're right about the water stains, you could do a light rub down of the entire shirt with a wet towel to set the water stain for the full shirt then fully soak the areas the need to be further broken in..
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@Autorotate I wouldn't apply pecards and then get wet. Pecards is pretty much vaseline with some extra oils. So that will repel water. Not totally waterproof, but definitely make it harder to fully absorb. Which brings me to my next point. If you get it wet, make sure it is fully wet and soaked all over. Don't try spot treatment and that kind of thing. Whatever evolution is going to happen, you want it all over to make it look more natural and even.
You probably read some of my posts on TFL. I go by "Toomanyhatsonlyonehead" over there. I've washed many, many leather jackets, put in dryer full blast, etc. I haven't had a "ruin" yet, but I definitely can see ways it could go wrong. The biggest issue with doing with jackets is the zipper. It will cause waves since the zipper doesn't shrink with the leather.
Also, I wouldn't try the wet and dry method with the pale rider unless it's at least a size too big. I don't think this shirt will wear comfortable skin tight. The shirt pocket, placket, etc. adds a lot of thickness, and some of the edges almost feel sharp if that makes sense. I'd be curious to know more about the kind of tanning they did to the leather. It doesn't feel like veg tan to me. It has more CXL type qualities, so maybe it's a combo, or maybe it's veg tan, but there's some sort of top coat, pigment finish, etc. Anyway, I'm really curious to see the journey over the next couple years with lots of wears. I think those wearing on motorcycles are going to speed up that process with the exposure to elements, all that motion, etc. vs someone just wearing around the house like me.
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That is looking so great @louisbosco
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@Nik cheers mate.
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@Autorotate cheers mate, sharing so that you can see how different lifestyles evolve this shirt.
Mine has just been through a second mustang paste coating
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@louisbosco looking niceeee
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The Pale Rider has landed. Fit is perfect for me. I’m shorter, so the front length is about an inch longer than I prefer, but it’s a minor complaint. Also I am popping buttons with extreme arm movement. I’m going to explore mods to make the snaps just a tad more tight.
In the pic with my unhappy-at-this-moment son, you really can see the stout, cardboard-like hand of the leather. My initial thoughts are: if one can break this beast, you’ll have a friend for life. Like 3 lifetimes.
I liberally hand slathered it with Pecard’s Antique formula and put it outside in the sun. It’s sunny and cold here… I believe the leather shade/color benefits from the UV and not the air temp…
TBD if I decide to soak it. I like the idea of “form fitting” it, but I also recognize the process will probably do nothing to soften it. It’s just gonna take days/months/years of hard wear. That said, I’ve noticed on @louisbosco jacket that the seams have puckered slightly and the collar has formed beautifully. I really like those details!
I’m taking off to Spain tomorrow, and the shirt will stay home, passively absorbing the Pecard’s in the closet.
Thanks to all you Pale Rider Riders for the insight, advice and first hand experience. This will be a cool ride.
