Himel Bros. Grizzly Jacket Review

[rosscoinc1]

Perfect or best is certainly not the same for everyone. The Himel jackets seem to be a bit more style focused and are aimed at people who are perhaps more style conscious. They are absolutely beautiful and certainly works of art....but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts I wouldn't trade my Aero or my Vanson for a Himmel. I would never wear thin leather on a motorcycle, even if it came from a magical tannery in Japan. That notion has guided all my jacket purchases. Price has absolutely nothing to do with it. Cost does not always equal quality or value. In my own experience...
This LW was perfectly made by any measurable standard that I've read about here:
View attachment 52791

As was this Aero:
View attachment 52792

But in the end I sold them both and retained my Vanson, a jacket that cost less than half of the above two, is twice the age and of the same measurable build quality b/c it was perfect for me:
View attachment 52790
Is the Vanson the absolute best then? No. But it worked out the best.
The notion that one maker bests another on hide quality is silly and untrue. Those qualities are arbitrary and given to the material by the person wearing the stuff, or the collective hype it receives. For me Vansons comp weight and Horween CXL are the best. Everything else feels flimsy in my hands. Stitch count, straight stitching are measures of craftsmanship and refined technique, but theres something else, that may be impossible to identify, that makes one jacket feel perfect. I'm not one to count stitches and look for wavy lines...these are built by hand and that allows for those kinds of idiosyncrasies . They give the piece a degree of character and are a testimony to the fact that someone out there has a skill I can't even comprehend. And so long as they aren't obvious errors...I'm not bothered. Price or the mystique that surrounds some supossed "best" leather on earth isn't going to get my goat. There's a ton of hype around Shiniki and I'm certain I'll never want a jacket made from it. I bought into the blue horse .gif once already. It's just how you feel when you put it on. I think I've known if I'm keeping a jacket within the first 5 minutes of wearing it...
I don't think there is any one outfit making the best jacket on earth. But fortunately there are enough to keep us all satisfied and arguing about who does

Well said sir!

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Well said sir!

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

 

[willyto]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

I'll try to do my own version next week. The Grizzly has landed in less than 1.5 days in Barcelona since Himel shipped. To be delivered tomorrow or Monday. DHL called me to check with me a few details and to tell me the custom duties I had to pay(Which weren't too high this time)

 

[ton312]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

Stings worse when it's a jacket you reviewed and sold!

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Stings worse when it's a jacket you reviewed and sold!

But I still own this jacket... Or are you referring to someone resurrecting one of your threads?

 

[ton312]

But I still own this jacket... Or are you referring to someone resurrecting one of your threads?

My Bootlegger thread has reared its ugly head. LOL. Nah man you did the right thing where I did my thing! Actually re-reading this thread. Had to laugh at some of the comments. It's a good ass thread. And I still believe this to be one of, if not the coolest, m griz I've seen.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

My Bootlegger thread has reared its ugly head. LOL. Nah man you did the right thing where I did my thing! Actually re-reading this thread. Had to laugh at some of the comments. It's a good ass thread. And I still believe this to be one of, if not the coolest, m griz I've seen.

Oh, gotcha. That must be a little painful.
This was a great thread with a lot of very constructive discussion, especially between the two of us.

Thanks for the kind words. As of now, this is still my favorite jacket that I own and my favorite clothing items period.

Well see what happens when I get my Freewheelers jacket soon...

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Hi, Jake can anyone tell me if “hair on hide” will still mold to the body the same as regular leather jacket does?” Is there a difference? Thanks

If I had to guess, I would say it does not conform in the same way. It doesn't really matter in this case, though. This is still pretty much a perfect fitting jacket for me.

Also, my opinion definitely has changed since buying three Freewheelers jackets in case anyone is wondering

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Really? Well my guess is that he purchases them of course. Some can afford more than others....

 

[Sloan1874]

Almost worth seeing this thread revived just for that question...

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I buy them. Do you really think I'm going to explain that kind of information on a forum or to anybody at all?

And I thought I had already gotten all the tactless, rude questions I could get...

 

[Sloan1874]

You'd think the one thing we'd be grateful around here is that some have a bit more wherewithal to buy this stuff than others. Imagine if nobody on here could afford more than one jacket. The forum would have fallen into the sea years ago! Don't question it, just be glad!

 

[dudewuttheheck]

You'd think the one thing we'd be grateful around here is that some have a bit more wherewithal to buy this stuff than others. Imagine if nobody on here could afford more than one jacket. The forum would have fallen into the sea years ago! Don't question it, just be glad!

My collection is quite modest compared to many on here and other forums. I love seeing the massive collections of others. I don't question it. I just enjoy it.

 

[Superfluous]

How do you own so many expensive jackets and boots?

@dudewuttheheck =

 

[dudewuttheheck]

@dudewuttheheck =

I don't think I'm in good enough shape yet...

Been hitting the gym 5 times a week though so hopefully I get there.

 

[JMax]

@dudewuttheheck =

Ha, if this is how @dudewuttheheck does it I suspect he would only have one jacket...a Wilson's lol.

 

[ton312]

I find it interesting how passionate some people are on this forum about their jackets geeez. That’s okay though different strokes for different folks.


well said. what's the jacket in the first photo?

Lost worlds j-23 in break your back 4oz plus dreadnought dragonslayer FQHH.

 

[Superfluous]

I find it interesting how passionate some people are on this forum about their jackets geeez. That’s okay though different strokes for different folks.

You are reading an internet forum dedicated to outerwear and you are surprised that the members of the forum are passionate about outerwear?

 

[Robbie79]

Whaaat??? Anyway, this is by far my favorite forum and I like the passion of the very nice people here! @dudewuttheheck I love all of your jackets and you do have the most authentic and coolest style here!

 

[jacketjunkie]

Yeah, that guy is trolling. Just look up his other posts, lol. Ban and move on.