MISTER FREEDOM® MIDNIGHT DENIM CAMPUS JACKET

I know there a lot of folks out there who have the opportunity to only wear their leather Campus Jacket during parts of the year due to hot weather. I was able to wear my leather pieces year 'round living in the coastal area of SoCal, but this isn't feasible when I'm in the High Desert. 

The answer? Mister Freedom's upcoming Campus Jacket in midnight indigo denim!!! 

www.vintageengineerboots.comPhotos: Mister Freedom Blog

Joe Green

HAPPY VETERANS DAY 2022

www.vintageengineerboots.com

1940s / 1950s Champion for Harley Davidson and Indian

I've always had a soft spot for these vintage tops, but I've never been compelled to spend the money being asked of them (I get my custom jerseys from Hometown Jersey). 

It's interesting to see they've never really dropped in value. 

www.vintageengineerboots.com

Brand: Champion for Harley Davidson

Circa: 1940s/1950s 

Color: Burgundy/White

 Size: Medium 36-38 

Measurements: 20" Chest

Sold For: Best offer from $600

Brand: Champion for Harley Davidson and Indian

Circa: 1940s/1950s 

Color: Black/White, Red/White

 Size: Both Large 42-44

Sold For: $1,850 (August 17, 2022)

*This Indian Motorcycle t-shirt sold for $1,300 (info below) and then for $1,850 as a lot with this killer HD jersey.

Brand: Champion for Harley Davidson

Circa: 1940s/1950s 

Color: Black/White

 Size: Large 42-44 

Measurements: 20" Chest

Sold For: $1,300

Brand: Champion for Indian

Circa: 1940s/1950s 

Color: Red/White

 Size: Large 42-44 / 19 1/2" Chest 

Sold For: $1,300 (July 17,2022)

THIS JUST IN ...

One design I'll never get tired of making is my long trucker wallet. This one is made with Horween leather and antique brass hardware. For more details or to purchase, visit www.VEBLeather.com.
I have nickel hardware versions available at both VEB Leather locations inside Mojave Flea Palm Springs and Mojave Flea Yucca Valley along with other handcrafted and curated goods.
email: info@VEBLeather.com
www.vintageengineerboots.com

Mister Freedom® Bronco Champ II

This jacket needs no introduction. A revisited pattern from their 2009 Bronco Champ, this 1960s-stsyle cafe racer jacket returns in a 2-3 ounce Vegetable Tanned Cowhide with brown core or "Tea Core" exclusive to Mister Freedom and made in Los Angeles, Calif. This one is going to age beautifully! 
www.vintageengineerboots.comPhoto Source: MisterFreedomStore IG Made in sizes 36-46, so ... for everyone!

Photo Source: www.Misterfreedom.com

Christophe in size 38

Photo Source: MisterFreedomStore IG 

Adam Goldberg IG

Photo Source: MisterFreedomStore IG

Photo Source: MisterFreedomStore IG

Photo Source: MisterFreedomStore IG

Here's my original Bronco Champ.

I'm wearing a size 36. 

1950s ENGINEER BOOTS

Brand: Unknown
Circa: 1950's
Color: Black
Size: 7 1/2
Measurements:
Length: 11 1/4"
Soles / Heels: O'Sullivan Half Sole and Heels
Leather: Oil-Tanned Cowhide (Sorry to burst your bubble, folks -- 99% of vintage boots were NOT Horsehide) Unless boots are clearly marked with the word "Horsehide" be careful when descriptions read:
- "I'm not sure, but these could be Horsehide."

- "Made with Horsehide"
- "They feel like Horsehide" Really??
- "I'm positive these are Horsehide"
- "The original owner said they were Horsehide"
- "Steerhide"
- "Horsehide"
Hardware: Brass
Sold For: $125 Buy it Now

It's clear these aren't in the best condition, but at $125 plus repair costs (resole, patching) they're worth the time. Don't fall for overpriced repair costs -- There are plenty of talented folks out there charging the  appropriate amount. When all is said and done, they should end up costing Way under four bills. 

*These could absolutely be worn as is. 

www.vintageengineerboots.com

Early 1960s Chippewa Engineer Boots

Brand: Chippewa
Circa: 1960s
Color: Black
Size: 10
Measurements:
Length: 11"

Width: 4 1/4"

Soles: Full Composition 
Leather: Cowhide
Hardware: Nickel
Sold For: $850 / 2 Bids

Since the vintage (online) market has been absent of anything really worth mentioning, it's easy to understand why someone would be willing to pay so much for these. Aside from the the flattened toe box, there's truly nothing to write home about. And it's worth noting that unless these are a half size larger than  the buyer's foot size, the toe box will more than likely lose its profile making them just an expensive pair of 1960's Vintage Engineer Boots. 

I'd sooner drop some hard-earned scratch on a pair of modern heritage boots. Congrats to the seller. 

www.vintageengineerboots.com

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

I'm super stoked to be a vendor again at re.findoffmain. This event marks their 3-year anniversary!

Stop by if you're in the area. 

 
Who: VEB Leather and 40+ other vendors
What: Anniversary Makers Market
Where: 146 Eucalyptus Ave, Vista, CA 92084
When: 12 March / 10am - 3pm

www.vintageengineerboots.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022!!

www.vintageengineerboots.com

Mister Freedom Road Champ Boots

THE “RANDALL” JACKET BY MISTER FREEDOM

One thing to know up front when you purchase a natural vegetable tanned leather Randall or Campus is that it beckons to be worn. And worn hard.

Vegetable tanned leather can be very tricky to work with. It’s an absolute dirt and smear magnet, so the process of keeping it clean can add so much more time to a project.

It’s the challenge, though, that makes me love working with this type of leather.

www.vintageengineerboots.com24 December 2021 — Freshly conditioned
• Resist all temptation to introduce any products to the leather until you’ve reached maximum sun tanning levels. Since the leather is treated (protected) at the tannery, conditioner in this type of application serves only to add a deeper color tone — the hide will be fine even after prolonged exposure to the rays when tanning. 
• Put it out under the sun whenever you’re not wearing it.
• The leather WILL attract water and leave (harmless) spots. Resist wiping down certain areas. If you get food spots like me, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the entire jacket, to include seams, creases and folds. Let air dry. The leather will darken following each wipe down session.
• Ready to condition? My personal favorite it Pecard Antique Leather Conditioner (you “might can” — my English teacher used to say that — use other products, but since I can’t guarantee the same killer level of outcome). No need for a rag. I get the best results using just my hand (see mg Instagram post here for the video).

3 November 2021 — The new “Randall” jacket with its older cousin, the man around Campus.

“Randall” Ranch Blouse 

Less than a few hours old it’s clear stacked sleeves are calling to be the star of the show. 

His big bro, the Ranch Jacket

I was forced to give it two wipe downs — early on for pasta splatter — same thing that happened to my natty Campus back in the day — and then juice from an orange just a couple weeks later.  This worked in my favor, though, as it taught me how this particular leather reacts to certain conditions. 

22 November 2021 — Sun and one wipe down 

19 December 2021 — The jacket has seen 75 hours of sun and two wipe downs at this point.

24 December 2021 — Just completed the full conditioning, making sure all the folds, creases and seams get equal attention. 

27 December 2021 — 2.5 days post

conditioning. After applying the conditioner by hand, I let the leather soak up what it needs. I’ll buff away any excess product with a horse hair brush. 

Age: 1 month and twenty-four days

Tanning: 2 weeks (approximately 75 hours) under the SoCal sun

Microfiber Wipes: 2

Conditioning: 1