Iron Heart X Simmons Bilt Horsehide Western Shirt - The Pale Rider - Natural
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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.
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Oh yeah
hopefully I’ll grab one -
@Autorotate looks good mate. Still very fresh yours is.
Once you get those few wears in and the creases sets in, it should feel a lot better. Including the length and sleeve. I tend to think of mine more as a jacket than shirt so I’m quite okay with the length
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@Giles i spy an Extractor!
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I need these snap hacks. Still popping buttons since I gained a few over the holidays. In meantime, shirt getting wears.
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@weegeebee1 i tried using a needle nose plier and ever so slightly bending the circularity of the male snap. Did not achieve desired results. I got scared midway through the project and didn’t want to risk permanently warping the hardware. They are quite malleable.
I have another idea that I’m going to try when I get home next week. I’ll post my findings. -
Should add… I’m committed to soaking the jacket- and while wet and drying - while I wear it, I’m hoping to achieve some stretch in the back and shoulders. I think then the snaps will have less stress in them. Will document and post findings of course.
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What are the care instructions for this shirt? How do you guys go about keeping them clean? Patina is fine, but most of my IH shirts, after wearing them for quite some time, they have developed a stain around the collar and I could not get it cleaned. So wondering how it is on this leather shirt? I'm considering getting one this time.
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My experience with natural leather like this shirt is that permanent darkening/staining is inevitable on contact areas (collar, cuff, placket…). For cleaning, I would use Lexol cleaner followed by Lexol conditioner. This would help to keep it clean, remove salt and dirt, but I’d not expect it to remove the discoloration. The Lexol product will normally not darken the leather post-treatment. Initially, it will darken from the moisture of the product, but will return to pre-treatment shades (30 mins).
I am using Pecard’s Antique for softening, conditioning and achieving darker hues. Probably annually, or as the leather needs it. Don’t want to over do this. Can weight the jacket down, and too much can harm the leather fibers. YMMV.
I am of the school of “I am impatient for it to darken and patina”. LOL. -
So, this like a leather jacket is not a candidate for the washing machine? Correct? Excuse me for my stupid question!
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@the246guy I personally wouldn’t do that.
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@the246guy wipe down the collar every few months with damp rag. After apply conditioner if you're wearing and or sweating a lot. The lexol cleaner is good call too if it's like extreme wearing or maybe just once a year kind of thing.
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If it starts to stink after a few months, how do you care for it then? Excuse me again for another stupid question.
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