Freewheelers Leather

[Guppy]

I like the look of quite a lot of the FW stuff I've seen (particularly the Switchyard Coat), but I am hesitant about ordering because of a) sizing, b) prices and c) the relative complexity of possible returns. If I were in Japan and could try one on, I might be swayed...

My Freewheelers Switchyard fits me so perfectly, it's easily one of my favorites. But before I got it, I was really nervous and uncertain about what size to get. I was torn between 42 and 44, leaning 44, but got a 42 when one popped up in the classifieds that I couldn't pass on. The 42 is form fitting, but I bet I could also wear a 44 without any problems.

 

[zebedee]

That's good to know- the Switchyard is a thing of beauty. Other FW designs I could take or leave, but that one is great.

 

[zebedee]

I am right with you. I see so many nice jackets but the fit is strange and none ever seem to match up to the measurements I need. Also, It would be nice to actually see in person since returns are pricey due to post to Japan.

It is the kind of thing where my experience of Asian cuts is that if it's a bit off, it's likely wholly off. Sizing up would be a good idea.

 

[Superfluous]

I am right with you. I see so many nice jackets but the fit is strange and none ever seem to match up to the measurements I need.

This is my problem with FW’s leather jackets. The ones I like — e.g., the Caboose — do not fit me. Narrow chests, short sleeve, and/or excessively wide shoulders compared to the chest. I have three non-leather FW jackets and they fit great, but the leathers are a different story.

 

[Colin G]

This is my problem with FW’s leather jackets. The ones I like — e.g., the Caboose — do not fit me. Narrow chests, short sleeve, and/or excessively wide shoulders compared to the chest. I have three non-leather FW jackets and they fit great, but the leathers are a different story.

We have exactly the same problem. Shoulder vs chest.

I find a chest size that fits then the shoulder is 19" + so too big.

Someday I'll be a bride and not a bride's maid with this Japanese stuff. Although, the FW Buco J100 in a 40 seems to fit but I'm not after a J100.

 

[El Marro]

We have exactly the same problem. Shoulder vs chest.

I find a chest size that fits then the shoulder is 19" + so too big.

Someday I'll be a bride and not a bride's maid with this Japanese stuff. Although, the FW Buco J100 in a 40 seems to fit but I'm not after a J100.

I have the opposite problem with a lot of Aero jackets I see on the sale page. Chest measurements on most size 44’s work perfectly for me but the shoulders are at least an inch too narrow

 

[Colin G]

First world problems my friends.

 

[Dr H]

Wow how old?

That one was around 2016, I think.

 

[Colin G]

It is the kind of thing where my experience of Asian cuts is that if it's a bit off, it's likely wholly off. Sizing up would be a good idea.

The size up is usually far too wide at the shoulders to get the chest width I need. Its a vicious cycle. The odd jacket I find could fit but then it is impossible to find for sale at a reasonable price.

 

[zebedee]

This is all getting a bit Ben Shapiro (who is also shiny, and might yet be discovered to be hand-finished). I think it boils down to why FW does anything extra to Shinki when Shinki is regarded as being top-shelf and what that mysterious process entails, as it may have a bearing on price.

Do the FW guys spray the Shinki with Silvikrin while playing The Vapors at full volume and throwing yen up in the air, for example? Is it a more robust, Springsteen varnish that's being applied?

At these prices, we should be told.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Well when you belittle, get personal and nasty with another member it's time for a mod to step in and clean up the public mess. That is too lively. You may see no need for deletions or corrections however there are rules and just simple proper polite behavior that should be observed.
HD

 

[navetsea]

Given the brand name cache that Shinki Leather has (undeservedly in my opinion, but whatever) I'm really surprised that they'd sell an unfinished product to a jacket manufacturer and allow the jacket manufacturer to 'finish' the hide themselves, since the possibility that the finish could be less than excellent would negatively impact the customers experience and damage the Shinki brand name.

I'd be really interested to know;
How to FW finish this leather? Who does it? What training and experience do they have? Where do they do this?
Why do they do this if Shinki is so good? Why don't Shinki finish their own leather like this themselves?

And I'd be really interested to see them explain this in Japanese. I suspect there's a bit of sleight of hand going on that exploits the language barrier to misrepresent the truth. Wouldn't be the first time a Japanese company has said something in English and something completely different in Japanese. The Fukushima report is a classic example.

if you buy natural vegtan basically you buy unfinished leather, manufacturer can't stop people from buying natural vegtan cant they?
shoemakers make their own "patina" coloring on natural vegtan, same with wallet maker, maybe fw do the same, they buy black and tea colored leather and do their own coat with fiebing or something and put varnish on top, there are many products and applicator for DIY hobbyist and professional alike to finish a leather as you say no magic involved certainly no need special certification of skill just to put a second layer of dye or pigment and varnish on top of leather, it is as easy or hard depending on one's craftiness as repainting or woodstaining your wooden door

 

[Big J]

@navetsea,

That's an interesting comment, and I'd love to discuss it with you, but I just can't. If I do, someone might become hysterical, so I just want to leave this thread.

 

[navetsea]

Given the brand name cache that Shinki Leather has (undeservedly in my opinion, but whatever) I'm really surprised that they'd sell an unfinished product to a jacket manufacturer and allow the jacket manufacturer to 'finish' the hide themselves, since the possibility that the finish could be less than excellent would negatively impact the customers experience and damage the Shinki brand name.

sorry Big J, even I think japanese brands like to sell off myth to hype off their products , but I disagree with your logic there

just because someone further customized a bike for example, if you paint the fuel tank of a bike and sell it, you would still mention the brand of the bike, and the brand of the bike won't be affected by how awesome or bad that custom work done on it.

 

[Big J]

@navetsea,

Seriously, I just said that I'm not going to talk about it even though I want to.
Did you not follow this thread over the last couple of days?

 

[navetsea]

no I didn't follow lol

 

[zebedee]

I'd buy a FW used, but I cannot see that - shiny special treatment (or not) or whatever - I'd pay that much money for a new one. I really, really like the Switchyard Coat, but the prices are daunting.

 

[Dr H]

I'd buy a FW used, but I cannot see that - shiny special treatment (or not) or whatever - I'd pay that much money for a new one. I really, really like the Switchyard Coat, but the prices are daunting.

My (used) HH Brakeman has lost its gloss and has a warm sheen. The deerskin Journeyman was always slightly matte from the start.

 

[Maitiu]

Well when you belittle, get personal and nasty with another member it's time for a mod to step in and clean up the public mess. That is too lively. You may see no need for deletions or corrections however there are rules and just simple proper polite behavior that should be observed.
HD

I don't know. I guess for some of us it gets old seeing someone parade around every corner of the internet like Paul Revere telling anyone that will listen how superior shinki leather and freewheelers are to any other jacket manufacturer. Plus it's hard to take the kid serious living in sunny and warm southern California as a leather jacket authority. Seems all a bit bizarre to me.

I do like some jackets I've seen in shinki leather, but I kinda agree with Big J, shinki has taken on some sort of mythical status and the price of shinki leather is just obnoxious.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I don't know. I guess for some of us it gets old seeing someone parade around every corner of the internet like Paul Revere telling anyone that will listen how superior shinki leather and freewheelers are to any other jacket manufacturer. Plus it's hard to take the kid serious living in sunny and warm southern California as a leather jacket authority. Seems all a bit bizarre to me.

I do like some jackets I've seen in shinki leather, but I kinda agree with Big J, shinki has taken on some sort of mythical status and the price of shinki leather is just obnoxious.

Are you really going to start this again? First of all, I am not saying Shinki is the best. I say it is my favorite. This is what I say on my blog and on here. As far as talking about how great Freewheelers is, you only have to read around the forum to know that I am not the only one who believes they are at or at least near the top when it comes to construction and finishing.

I apparently need to clarify that my point about Freewheelers doing the finishing on Shinki was not me trying to say that Freewheelers is better in any way because of it. It is just something that I am pretty confident is true based on my conversations in Desolation Row (Freewheelers' flagship store) and with other trusted sources. I never said this makes Freewheeler's better than other makers or other brands that use Shinki, it just means they have colors/finishes that are different from other brands.

What does my location have to do with it? I wear leather jackets over 150 days out of the year and probably closer to 180. It's 74F right now and I still wore one for the first 4 hours of the day- and it's June!

Let's summarize: You twist my words by claiming I say Shinki is the best, when even on my blog I only say that it is my favorite. You complain about me talking about how great Freewheelers is when I am far from the only member on this forum who has expressed how excellent their construction quality and design is. Lastly, you call me a "kid" which is clearly derogatory and say I can't be an "authority" on leather jackets because of where I live despite not realizing how often I do wear leather jackets.

My goodness, if you are going to try to discredit me, at least put some effort into it, especially when you're pretty new here.