Saturday, March 18, 2023

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!!! 

Friday, September 30, 2022

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)



Saturday, July 23, 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.com
Photo Source: MisterFreedomStore IG 
Made in sizes 36-46, so ... for everyone!

Photo Source: www.Misterfreedom.com
Christophe in size 38

Photo Source: MisterFreedomStore 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. 


Saturday, April 30, 2022

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. 

Saturday, February 26, 2022

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








Monday, January 17, 2022

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

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Monday, December 27, 2021

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.com
24 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.



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