[Delmarco]

It was my understanding that Sylkoil is in fact an oil and not a wax like the Thornproof wax. Is this correct? Thanks in advance ...

I've always believed it to be a wax and it is a wax according to Barbour. See below:

What is sylkoil as it relates to Barbour clothing? Is it an oil, wax or simply a colour?

Sylkoil wax is traditional unshorn wax. The cotton comes straight from the loom and is dyed and waxed. The natural imperfections of weave are reflected in the rich variations of colour and finish. This wax is smooth featuring a soft matte texture providing the wearer with more flex. Sylkoil has a drier handle than Thornproof wax and is available in 3 different weights.

 

[catside]

My slykoil Beaufort is softer than my old Bedale, and my daughter's slykoil jacket (name?) is even softer. Hers is like it has no wax, mine still feels like waxed.

 

[red_shift]

My understanding is that you can have alterations done directly through a Barbour or Orvis store and that the most common request is lengthening the sleeves for about $50. I'm hesitant to buy a Beaufort for this very fact; it makes an already expensive purchase even more costly.

I did own a used Liddsdale jacket, basically a poly-shell number, that I quite liked but it was roomy. The Medium fit in the 44-46 chest range but the sleeves were the correct length for me, I generally wear a 39-40R. I have heard that the Beaufort and Bedale sleeves are notoriously short though.

 

[SG_67]

^ it's only short is you have long arms..;-)

I've never understood why people want to get the jackets tailored beyond the sleeve. Barbour jackets (at least the Classic models) are meant to be worn over layers of clothing or at least provide room for movement. There are plenty of jackets out there if you want a tight fit.

 

[Brio1]

I've always believed it to be a wax and it is a wax according to Barbour. See below:

What is sylkoil as it relates to Barbour clothing? Is it an oil, wax or simply a colour?

Sylkoil wax is traditional unshorn wax. The cotton comes straight from the loom and is dyed and waxed. The natural imperfections of weave are reflected in the rich variations of colour and finish. This wax is smooth featuring a soft matte texture providing the wearer with more flex. Sylkoil has a drier handle than Thornproof wax and is available in 3 different weights.

Ah , thank you.

 

[Brio1]

My slykoil Beaufort is softer than my old Bedale, and my daughter's slykoil jacket (name?) is even softer. Hers is like it has no wax, mine still feels like waxed.

Yes, my classic slykoil Beaufort feels softer than my Thornproof sage Beaufort .

 

[Delmarco]

Yes, my classic slykoil Beaufort feels softer than my Thornproof sage Beaufort .

I always feel that the Sylkoil Wax is a "more" synthetic factory applied wax compared to the original '"organic" hand applied Thornproof. Slykoil is perfect and always seems to be evenly applied through out the jacket and is a dry-looking, odorless, softer, more flexible/pliable wax.

I like Sylkoil for function but the original Thornproof "looked" and smelled much better.

The main disadvantage of the Thornproof was the maintenance and cost of reapplying it annually. For me I never reapplied Thornproof on any of my early Barbours since I primarily worn them in and around New York City no more than 2 to 4 months out of the year (October/November and March/April). As a result I've watched the Thornproof dry out on my jackets and leave behind a nice vintage olive green hue. I know I'm wrong but I don't think I will ever re-wax those coats as a result.

The Sylkoil to me doesn't seem to age the same way. It's a durable finish that actually last much longer so I can't say I've seen or worn a Sylkoil Barbour that was completely dried out and aged.

At the end of the day if I was to choose I would say: Sylkoil for function, Thornproof for looks.

 

[Brio1]

^

Thanks, Mr. Delmarco. I going to recommend to J. Barbour and Sons that they bring you on board as an ambassador for the company. :cool2:

 

[Delmarco]

^

Thanks, Mr. Delmarco. I going to recommend to J. Barbour and Sons that they bring you on board as an ambassador for the company. :cool2:

Thanks. lol.

One more note about the tailoring in regards to sleeve 'lengthening':
I found some pictures of how the tailoring work looks (it ain't pretty) with a fresh coat of the thornproof applied to an old A100 Bedale. I left the pictures purposely big so you can see the detail. My apologies to all my dial up modem and 2G friends.

Sleeves were lengthened to two extra inches ($75) and new storm cuffs ($60) and wrist gaiters replaced the old worn ones. Jacket was rewaxed ($35).

So you are looking at $75 + $60 + $35 = $170 worth of work. Tack on an extra $30 for the shipping. That is $200 for the jacket you get back below.

The sleeve job is a bit of a Frankenstein outcome. The new stitching are visible and there is a slight color difference in the new fabric and old one. Similar to when you repaint one car door and don't fade the paint across the side of the car. That car door will always stand out in the right lighting.

How it looks from inside

You get a business card with your tailor's name written on it. Your coat will ship back with the job number and date tag as well.

You will get a nice clothing bag to keep the newly waxed and tailored jacket in. Nice touch.

 

[Brio1]

My Beaufort jackets may be a little short on my slim frame as I'm 6' 4" with a 34/35 inch inseam. But I'm not sure if it would be worth it to have the sleeves lengthened @ $75 - maybe I will give it consideration when it is time to have the jacket(s) waxed. The Barbour store in Georgetown offered free waxing two years ago. (I don't know what to expect with regard to the quality of the waxing in a Barbour store.)

Thanks again for your report , Delmarco.