Mal's Browncoat

[Gimpy]

I just got back from Fan Expo here in Canada, my first trip to one of these conventions and man it was incredible. I'm hooked and I want to go all out on a costume (actually multiple) for next year.

First is first, good ol' Malcolm Reynolds. From what I've read here and on other forums it's going to be a long process getting it as accurate as I can. So I'm here looking for opinions.

My most urgent question is about the coat, specifically the coat that AbbyShot sells. How does that jacket compare to others out there? The reason I ask is that it's on sale at ThinkGeek and if I can snag it cheaper that would be great. But if it suffers greatly compared to other options like... ABQ Leather or Jonathan Logan's then I'll hold out for now. The pricing difference is quite steep, but over the course of the year is manageable. Is the AbbyShot jacket worth getting with those other options out there? Are there ways to improve it AKA make it look dirty and aged like the other options?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[Risu]

I finally saw one of the new Abbyshot ones in person this weekend, and I'd say since the coat isn't a necessary part of the costume, don't waste your time or money on theirs. I'm not up on what the*other vendors*are currently offering, but I think the AS is not worth it.

 

[Black Cat Army]

Well I can only speak to the abby shot browncoat, more specifically I have one of the original ones they sold circa~2006,( I think both abby shot and Johnathan Logan both now make them with non screen accurate 4 section fronts) I loved the quality of the coat I got, my only complaint was that the color was way off, so I never did a con with it til this year, after having to hand dye it with nubuck dye. Otherwise as far as I can tell it's made screen accurate, just with nubuck instead of deer hide. if you can find one of the originals, or maybe talk with them and see if they are willing to make it like the early batches that might be worth it, but either way abby shot and john Logan coats are going to be expensive. I've heard that Logan will still make a screen accurate coat for you if you request it and pay a little more for the bigger hide, but he does stamp his logo on the clasps. Pics added for reference. ( hope this works) plus an example of the color it originally came in

 

[Risu]

The color of the original was WAY closer than the new one. It's tan now, and the hide is way too heavy.

 

[Birdie]

Well I can only speak to the abby shot browncoat, more specifically I have one of the original ones they sold circa~2006,( I think both abby shot and Johnathan Logan both now make them with non screen accurate 4 section fronts) I loved the quality of the coat I got, my only complaint was that the color was way off, so I never did a con with it til this year, after having to hand dye it with nubuck dye.

What colour dye did you use?

 

[Black Cat Army]

What colour dye did you use?

I used fiebing's dark brown suede dye and dark brown leather dye on the cuffs.

 

[Birdie]

Thanks

 

[Gimpy]

Black Cat, that coat does look pretty good. What a difference between that colour and the one I saw at the Expo last weekend. You guys are right, it's tan now, not brown.

I've been in touch with Mr. Logan and the idea of having one made the same way the original prop was made with the same materials, custom fitted, sounds fantastic to me. I don't mind paying a little extra to have that accuracy. Seems like the way to go!