Some more pictures outside. Very slight downward angle, so the proportions are marginally off.
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All I can say to that is, I feel I got very good value for money with this jacket.
I wanted the blue Shinki, so there was really no other option available for me. Shinki is always expensive and most makers are japanese OTR manufacturers. Prices are usually higher than what I paid.
Himel offers great jackets, of course but at top prices too. Thedi is very nice (and very Special), and the prices are slightly above Field Leathers too. LW easily surpasses FL as well, and that is not including custom.
Bottom Line (and this is really just my personal view): You can’t get a Shinki-jacket substantially cheaper if you are set on this hide.
With Greg you get classic patterns (that he is willing to tweak to your preferences) and superb craftsmanship.
Aero is slightly cheaper at entry-level, but they use totally different leathers. I will always be a big fan of both Aero (as a jacket maker as well as as people) and Horween CXL, but it is a different product IMO.
How cool and unique is this back design. It's art.
In a cave deep in Petra there's an 800 year old knight saying, "Tom, you have chosen wisely." As well as the top-notch craftsmanship, that is a sweet shade of blue.
You mean, this is a carpenter´s jacket…?
On the cusp of ordering my own navy Field jacket and I’ve been very curious about how yours has been wearing in over the past three years. Rare to see an “evolution” pic of this hide.
Some updated pictures. Lighting is so-so, but it’s not gonna change soon, so I gave it a go.
As to evo, the blue colour has lost a bit of its initial shine, but not to the extent that Horweens blue CXL dulls. It’s still blue only somewhat subdued. The light blue stitching has darkened, as was to be expected.
The leather is holding up quite well, despite a fair share of adverse weather. It seems the topcoat is pretty tough, so there’s no teacore or chipping off at wear points.
If I was to do it again, I‘d have an inch more at the bottom. It also seems that the pattern thinks, I should have a tad more shoulder width relative to my waist. Yeah, well, not gonna happen any more…
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I missed this reply at the time but it looks better than ever, and like the hide holds up pretty well to some water (because of the pigment finish I assume?)
The stitch shade almost gives the effect of beads of leather crossing the jacket. Fantastic.