Himel: An Existential Review

[marker2037]

In seriousness, that is a fine looking jacket. I love the choice of leather. I probably couldn't pull it off, but it's a great choice. The Chevalier is a badass design and one of, if not the, best Himel patterns they make.

As for the whole process, I'm sorry that it soured you a bit, but as others have said I tend to forget about wait times or even the order altogether as most makers in this industry don't ever come close to their projected timelines. I don't know why they just aren't honest up front (or perhaps they are even lying to themselves), but it's pretty common practice to go well beyond your quoted time. It's annoying for sure, but the end jacket is really all that matters. In all the reviews of Himel jackets I've ever seen, your sentiments are pretty much spot on. I.E. it's not a great process, but the end result is nice, albeit perhaps one that's not worth the effort and money.

But hey, wear the shit out of that jacket! And let's see some fit pics please!

But I'm probably too German to be more relaxed about it *lol*, and besides, I hate waiting. That's why there's no new Field Leather at the moment.

See, I now know why @Monitor and I thought you were German!

 

[MrProper]

See, I now know why @Monitor and I thought you were German!

*lol*
In fact, I am German. I only live in Austria.

 

[El Marro]

And if there's one thing that really makes me puke, it's when a boss exposes his employees.

This was my thought as well as soon as I read about the first round of delays blamed on Jasmine. To see it occur again and again only makes it worse. This is a hallmark of a very poor manager as far as I’m concerned.
For the last few years I had an employee who was absolutely great at his job, he made me look good 90% of the time. Inevitably he did make mistakes from time to time, and whenever this occurred I would always take responsibility when dealing with the client. At the end of the day it was my responsibility and furthermore nobody wants to feel like they are working with someone who is not in control of their operation.

 

[marker2037]

This was my thought as well as soon as I read about the first round of delays blamed on Jasmine. To see it occur again ito see it occur again and again only makes it worse. This is a hallmark of a very poor manager as far as I’m concerned.
For the last few years I had an employee who was absolutely great at his job, he made me look good 90% of the time. Inevitably he did make mistakes from time to time, and whenever this occurred I would always take responsibility when dealing with the client. At the end of the day it was my responsibility and furthermore nobody wants to feel like they are working with someone who is not in control of their operation.

Blaming and shaming seems to be his Modus Operandi.

 

[ton312]

And if there's one thing that really makes me puke, it's when a boss exposes his employees.
Even if I wanted to afford a jacket in this price range, that would be a knockout criterion for me.

100% agree. That’s pure cowardice. Even if it is her “fault”. It’s his company. He should own it. It’s not Jasmine Bros.

 

[JMax]

This was my thought as well as soon as I read about the first round of delays blamed on Jasmine. To see it occur again ito see it occur again and again only makes it worse. This is a hallmark of a very poor manager as far as I’m concerned.
For the last few years I had an employee who was absolutely great at his job, he made me look good 90% of the time. Inevitably he did make mistakes from time to time, and whenever this occurred I would always take responsibility when dealing with the client. At the end of the day it was my responsibility and furthermore nobody wants to feel like they are working with someone who is not in control of their operation.

Totally agree. The old are you an umbrella or magnifying glass-type manager. Jasmine at least better get a nice bonus as the very public office piñata.

 

[handymike]

At this level, I feel that the actual jacket (while a beautiful product) is only part of the equation. The experience is just as important. Stories of visiting Thedi to get measured or having him stay up late to give a customer a jacket before he leaves Greece is the umami that makes these truly memorable pieces of our lives.
There are great stories of visiting with Dave as well, I have one about spending the day with John Chapman. Sorry yours is missing that piece- but it is still a gorgeous jacket.

We do need to see the fit however
;-)

 

[Carlos840]

How long before the Master himself joins in to tell us we don't understand what it's like to be him and that we have no idea what it's like to be the best in the world...

 

[handymike]

Too early in the day.

 

[Monitor]

How long before the Master himself joins in to tell us we don't understand what it's like to be him and that we have no idea what it's like to be the best in the world...

Lol! Wanted to post something to that extent but decided its better I don't. . .

Himelator, whatever happens, for the love of everything that is holy, paragraphs!

 

[red devil]

First, thanks for writing such a great abnd detailed review, we certainly enjoyed reading it!

Most of everything has been said, 5 months is not too bad of a wait, but I really dislike the way they communicated. And Himel makes it a sport to throw his employees under the bus... I wonder how long Jasmine will stay in that role, Parker left soon after that previous QC disaster.

When it comes to Himel, they know how to get a good fit, so you were expected to get the fit the way you wanted. You are lucky to have received a decently made jacket, they generally leave the QC to the customer it seems from previous stories.

So all in alll, look on the positive side, you got a good jacket out of Himel and you don't have to fight for a remake. You're one of the winners among his clients.

Great review the outcome of the jacket looks great. But one thing that concerns me. Waiting on an injured sewer.
Just curious, Can he not sew these jackets himself?

Good question, did he ever make jackets himself?

They cite the different tiers of jacket makers as making it a non-comparison. I think it's totally fine to make that comparison

I would not put LL at a lower tier than Himel, they have great patterns and their veg tan cowhide is something special! I have yet to see their veg tan HH which looks as good if not better. And they have better QC...

Himel is certainly not on the top end of the jacket makers we discuss here.

On the Himelbrothers IG, they refer to the jacket as Canadian Deerskin.
View attachment 420080

You will never know where the hides come from, but who cares after all lol

And if there's one thing that really makes me puke, it's when a boss exposes his employees.

Completely agree!

Edit: typos

 

[Canuck Panda]

The boss is never right... But he is always the Boss...

Just make sure you get compensated well for taking the fall on a regular basis. They never say this but it's always part of the job description.

 

[Geekrobot]

This is why I love this forum. So many varied and hilarious experiences, responses, and opinions. I appreciate all the supportive input I woke up to find on this thread on my way into work.

 

[Geekrobot]

I would not put LL at a lower tier than Himel, they have great patterns and their veg tan cowhide is something special! I have yet to see their veg tan HH which looks as good if not better. And they have better QC...

Himel is certainly not on the top end of the jacket makers we discuss here.

Lewis Leathers is actually my favorite jacket maker! Haha. I guess what I mean is they're more mainstream than Himel, and though expensive for the average joe, way more affordable than Himel.

And yes, their sheepskin and Veg tanned stuff is great. I have 2 customs from them and another on order!

By comparison, I get no less satisfaction from my Lewis jackets than I do from my Himel, except maybe that the Himel is a nicer hide and a rarer pattern. I could have 2 LL jackets custom made under the cost of the one Himel.

I've also had pretty good service from them: while they can be slow to respond, all jackets have fit great, are awesome quality, and my last one was done several weeks early. They're pleasant to deal with, though / and I've not had to fight with them on anything.

 

[Cyber Lip]

I actually think your experience doesn't sound so bad. Nov to April IMO doesn't sound bad at all, especially considering the Covid situation (and yes, I get that you were told sooner). Mine took a heck of a lot longer than that. And the fact that your jacket was perfect out of the box and it didn't need to be sent back for a fix or re-do is awesome. I say that because I've purchased 3 custom Himel jackets and each one had to be sent back for a fix or re-do. I'm guessing they nailed yours because you did a fit jacket situation first? They didn't do fit jackets for me with my orders. To be fair though I'm not sure the first time was their fault...it was that the sleeves were longer than what I specified, but I'm willing to concede that maybe it was my bad as possibly they measure sleeves differently than I do, as there are a few different methods in doing that that will yield different results. So I gave them the benefit of the doubt on that one. And they did charge me a fee for the fix btw, they didn't do that fix for free. But the other two were crazy screw ups that they never should have sent out. However, I will say that in those instances they DID take care of me and resolve the issues and at NO charge, and I'm super happy with my jackets and have no regrets.

Communication etc issues similar to what you described did happen in my dealings with them also, and were very frustrating. Even so, they did come through each time, and I never got the feeling that they were not good people, or were going to screw me, and it all ended well. And believe it or not, I'm actually considering another order from them. Yes, it can get headachey, but in the end the jackets are worth it IMO.

 

[Tom71]

Thanks for taking the time. I am really sorry about how you feel about the process. I completely understand your frustration. Sadly, not the first account in that direction.

I‘ve had only positive experiences with Himel (Parker, to be precise), and I love the jackets I have from them. It appears, I got somewhat lucky, but personally, I’d order again.

Your jacket is absolutely spectacular! Please post some fit pictures. This is one very special piece, even for this exclusive circle of ours. I do hope you will come to like - love the jacket despite the birthing issues. It‘s so worth it!

 

[DamonCyclee]

Himel and Viberg, as a Canadian I wouldn't recommend either. Both overpriced and catered to specific audiences. There are just too many alternatives that make the same product with better QC at half the price.

 

[Marc mndt]

There are just too many alternatives that make the same product with better QC at half the price.

I'd like to know about these makers who make a chevalier type of jacket for half the money.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Not half but at least 40% less.

Tricker's imo is same quality (or better) for 40% less than Viberg at retail. Even less at their factory store.

Langlitz is going to be better than a Himel period for on and off the bike, and their real leathertog jacket cost less. I can also get a Johnson custom leathertog jacket that will be half of what a Himel designer leathertog would cost.

But it's not all about the numbers. The luxury makers are suppose to offer the luxury experience. That's why I understand the OP's rant about the wait. I can either have a perfectly cooked Prime Ribeye at home, or pay more for it at a fancy restaurant. The experience will be totally different. But if the 3 star restaurant gave me a no star experience, I'd be pissed too, and would not return, even if the food was still 3 star. I believe this is what the OP was trying to say. Not about the actual numbers or the jacket, but the experience was shit. And hence it was a no star experience.

This really applies to all jackets that are close to $2k and up. They are NOT better jackets. In most case they are lesser than $1k jackets. But it is all about the whole experience. Which is very hard to service over the internet. In person yes, but not online, not yet.

 

[marker2037]

I agree that for that kind of dough, you need to enjoy the ride. With Greg Field, for example, our little back and forth on Instagram messaging is enjoyable, never stressful, always fun, even if I am multiple months to a year out. I feel like he caters and cares so much, even caring as much as I do. So with the big bucks, the joyful experience needs to follow, otherwise you just feel like nothing special happened.

Seems to be the case with many experiences I've read regarding the HB brand.