Himel Bros jacket, 1st winter update

[sweetfights]

There's a few of us here.....

There certainly are!

 

[Brandrea33]

Aye, good to see another fellow Canuck here.

Another.

I owned a Himel Imperial jacket. I thought it was beautiful, just didn’t fit quite the way I had hoped. Passed it on to another member here.

 

[58panheadfan]

Okay, I've been thinking whether I should speak up or not... but Monsieur pissed me off because he banned me from IG even though I didn't make any negative comments in this thread, only from my point of view objective criticism. I think now it's time to give the boy a little beating:

1. There is no doubt that this monsieur has a lot of experience when it comes to original jackets. He had the right instincts back then and acquired a considerable collection of original leather jackets.

2. He decided to run his own business related to the manufacture of leather jackets. Again, he undoubtedly did some nice work at the beginning and a lot of innovation got in his designs.

3. I bought a Heron from the very first series from a reseller, back then it still had a deadstock lining. I really liked the jacket. Unfortunately, after a short wearing time, the lining got holes. I then contacted Monsieur and he offered to replace the lower part of the lining, where the holes were showing, with a leather strap. I sent the jacket back and forth at my expense. I was not charged for the repair work. Monsieur also mentioned that if he had known how complex the repair had been, next time he would replace the entire lining. He also mentioned that the lining is fragile because it's deadstock stuff. Even then I had the feeling that Monsieur was rather reluctant to carry out the repair. Today I personally spoke to another Himel customer. He told me that his Heron had a tear from a buttonhole across the chest area. He noticed that the leather sucks. I myself know that he doesn't coddle his clothes, but he doesn't destroy them unnecessarily either.

4. As said before, I have had 7 Himel (leather) jackets (4 Heron, 1 Pinecrest, 1 Canuck Harris Tweed, 1 HTC x Himel Peregrine). Basically, I was satisfied in terms of quality and workmanship, except for the jacket I mentioned. Nevertheless, I no longer own a Himel Bros leather jacket, but that has less to do with the manufacturer and more to do with me.

5. From my experience, I can say that Monsieur's jackets have cool designs, and that always appealed to me. In terms of quality, however, they are not worth the price. The Shinki leather used by Monsieur is second choice and can't compared with e.g. Shinki leather from FW or RMC.

6. What really annoys me is how Monsieur treats his customers, especially when it comes to customer service, the customers are really screwed there. As I mentioned before, there is a big difference between just collecting jackets and making them.

7. I hope, despite everything, Monsieur has also learned something from the current debate, although if I'm honest I rather doubt it. Ultimately it's all just a matter of character and Monsieur leaves a lot to be desired, or to put it a bit more blatantly, a good collector is by no means a good manufacturer, he acts clownish...

I'm not malicious, but I'm sure Monsieur will get his punishment for his indecent behavior. It's a small world, especially in which he moves with his leather jackets, he will notice every order that is missing. But I feel sorry for is his employees who are suffering...

 

[Jiaward]

Aye, good to see another fellow Canuck here.

We are everywhere. Some just stuck in California.

 

[ton312]

View attachment 509488 View attachment 509489 View attachment 509490 View attachment 509491 View attachment 509492
View attachment 509493 View attachment 509494
I complained April '23 after receiving my jacket in August'22

Jeo complained March '21 after receiving his jacket October '18

What makes my case different?

His main concern was chest pocket among others

Compare my chest pockets to his

This is what I suspected, though Jeo never did comment to confirm. It’s odd indeed that the passage of time was only a problem when it came to your jacket and Himel’s response is the polar opposite of what you received. I wonder what changed? Maybe lots of tribe members are asking for the same as they begin to educate themselves beyond the vacuum of IG?
I will say this, for your own sake, probably best to just let it go. It would drive me (and everybody here) mad so we all get it. But torturing yourself won’t make it better or make his substandard product and customer service any better.

What you can do is find better makers. There are plenty. When you get your Regius jacket you will forget you even own this Himel.

 

[El Marro]

This has obviously hit a nerve with Himel, otherwise, why would he be purging his IG of TFL members. Rather than stewing and lashing out, seems to me he would feel a lot better about himself (and his tribe) if he stepped up, and remade the jacket. Just a thought.

 

[Aloysius]

What you can do is find better makers. There are plenty. When you get your Regius jacket you will forget you even own this Himel.

What he should do first is find a hype nutrider who’s also a mid height but huge lifer and sell him the jacket (not hiding the flaws but using the talking points like Himel used with him when first selling it “just enough imperfections to let you know a human being made it”) before this thread kills the Tribe that would be willing to pay it.

 

[TheDonEffect]

View attachment 509488 View attachment 509489 View attachment 509490 View attachment 509491 View attachment 509492
View attachment 509493 View attachment 509494
I complained April '23 after receiving my jacket in August'22

Jeo complained March '21 after receiving his jacket October '18

What makes my case different?

His main concern was chest pocket among others

Compare my chest pockets to his

I suppose this is what he calls bringing balance.

 

[ton312]

This has obviously hit a nerve with Himel, otherwise, why would he be purging his IG of TFL members. Rather than stewing and lashing out, seems to me he would feel a lot better about himself (and his tribe) if he stepped up, and remade the jacket. Just a thought.

I wasn’t even following his account. I did watch the “story” and then commented on it here. It does strike me as odd that a $2650 Himel, by this stories assumed purpose, is comparable in quality to a $150 Brimaco, a maker I would put on equal playing field with Brooks, Kehoe or Reed as an American made counterpart.
I blew the forearm seams wide open on this guy. Wasn’t even that tight just not put together well at all.

Great pattern though. I know he has his version.
I owned those jackets in every color you can possibly imagine. Like Bates, they were frisky with colors and design. In fact, I bought one from Himel off eBay around 2009-2010, I believe.

To put it mildly, I would not expect him to compare one of his own creations (in terms of construction) to one of these. These are cheap jackets. Cheap hide and absolutely awful build quality. Best thing about them aside from the pattern is the lightning zips. Although I think the later ones had Clix. Anyway blocking me is hilarious. I have like 3 followers.
#smalltribe

 

[jeo]

Tony - didn’t feel the need to comment to confirm. The answer is out there for anyone who wants to know. If anyone wants to revisit the thread just please read front to back.

To briefly summarize. I did not reach out and did not intend to. Himel reached out to me 18 days after I got my jacket to tell me he can make me the Imperial. Sent him chest photo to show displeasure with hopes that Imperial will be better. He assured it would and it was. Two years later I got my remake under completely different circumstances and I made the thread for completely different reasons.

Don - In the spirit of Mike’s thread all I’ll say is that while I disagree with you, I respect your opinion.

 

[ton312]

Tony - didn’t feel the need to comment to confirm. The answer is out there for anyone who wants to know. If anyone wants to revisit the thread just please read front to back.

To briefly summarize. I did not reach out and did not intend to. Himel reached out to me 18 days after I got my jacket to tell me he can make me the Imperial. Sent him chest photo to show displeasure with hopes that Imperial will be better. He assured it would and it was. Two years later I got my remake under completely different circumstances and I made the thread for completely different reasons.

Don - In the spirit of Mike’s thread all I’ll say is that while I disagree with you, I respect your opinion.

I see. So your disappointment with your jacket was brought to his attention as a byproduct of sorts when discussing the next build, and the areas you felt needed improvement. And this happened within roughly three weeks of you receiving it. Is that correct? I did read through your thread but I do not remember all the specifics.

 

[jeo]

@ton312 correct.

 

[ton312]

@ton312 correct.

Ok. So I suppose it’s fair to say that even though you were outside the Himel Bros return policy window, your interest in purchasing another jacket may have softened the idea of a rebuild on the first. Perhaps this is why Damon was not extended the same opportunity for a corrected jacket. That’s the sword he’s falling on I guess.

I will say too that I can’t imagine the standards at Himel haven’t fallen. If I recall, @Superfluous would never have accepted the level of refinement seen on your first and Damon’s first jacket. It’s a true shame that @superflous no longer posts here as I don’t believe he ever even remotely mentioned the desire for a rebuild due to quality control/construction, which leads me to believe the jacket(s) he received were in fact very well made. We had many exchanges about the qualities that make jackets worth the asking price and his standards were far more rigid than mine. His were so strict that I often felt he missed out on some of the joys of the hobby, which includes items built to looser standards (of course that does not include jackets purchased in the custom made price tier).

 

[TheDonEffect]

Don - In the spirit of Mike’s thread all I’ll say is that while I disagree with you, I respect your opinion.

Don't you take away the last word your promised me, it's the only thing that's sustaining my life

In all seriousness, I understand and respect your perspective. Where we deviate, I feel, is the impact of what you say and how it fits within the context of this discussion, putting intentions aside. OP has an issue which you agree is an issue, however you felt compelled to bring balance, fairness, positivity, etc to a situation where it's not warranted.

If you will indulge my clumsy and cringey metaphor, it's like telling a rape victim that John always treated me nice, or maybe you shouldn't have worn that dress. While there may be truth in both points, the crime is what it is, so neither of those comments, I feel, are constructive in this discussion, and comes off as defending the perpetuator. This is especially true when you consider the OP was essentially retracing your steps. And to be clear, I'm not equating you to being a rapist supporter, or that Himel is anywhere near that level of heinous, just trying to illustrate my point with my limited communication skills, so please don't take offense to the words I employed.

So while we may agree to disagree on alot of this, can you say you agree with Himel's ultimate reaction and handling of this situation?

 

[jeo]

Ok. So I suppose it’s fair to say that even though you were outside the Himel Bros return policy window, your interest in purchasing another jacket may have softened the idea of a rebuild on the first. Perhaps this is why Damon was not extended the same opportunity for a corrected jacket. That’s the sword he’s falling on I guess.

I will say too that I can’t imagine the standards at Himel haven’t fallen. If I recall, @Superfluous would never have accepted the level of refinement seen on your first and Damon’s first jacket. It’s a true shame that @superflous no longer posts here as I don’t believe he ever even remotely mentioned the desire for a rebuild due to quality control/construction, which leads me to believe the jacket(s) he received were in fact very well made. We had many exchanges about the qualities that make jackets worth the asking price and his standards were far more rigid than mine. His were so strict that I often felt he missed out on some of the joys of the hobby, which includes items built to looser standards (of course that does not include jackets purchased in the custom made price tier).

I'm sure you mean the fact that I made second purchase softened the idea and not my interest in a second purchase? Again, rebuild happened two years after my second purchase.

Yes I agree a true shame that he isn't with us anymore. I very much enjoyed his posts.

 

[ton312]

I'm sure you mean the fact that I made second purchase softened the idea and not my interest in a second purchase? Again, rebuild happened two years after my second purchase.

Yes I agree a true shame that he isn't with us anymore. I very much enjoyed his posts.

Ah I see, now I understand the timeline, also explains the 10% off offer, however paltry and awful a “solution” that is.

I enjoyed arguing with Craig. We are polar opposites…. But he had a sense of humor I could appreciate and get a kick out of. I would be “super” interested to hear his thoughts on this matter. We’d have had a good dust up on this one I’m sure.

 

[Aloysius]

I can’t stop laughing at the 10% off next order offer to be honest. Wested gave me one (without asking) for ordering an Indy jacket. Aero regularly has 15-25% off sales and their stock page is more than a 10% discount anyway. Schott does a big Black Friday sale and a warehouse sale where you can get any stock item at 20+% off, not counting the clearance racks. Hell I’ve gotten discounts on Buzz Rickson’s and Sugar Cane stuff which is immeasurably higher quality than anything the Canucks are s—ting out up there.

 

[jeo]

Don't you take away the last word your promised me, it's the only thing that's sustaining my life

Hahahaha!

however you felt compelled to bring balance, fairness, positivity, etc to a situation where it's not warranted.

It's at this point where we deviate. I think that it is healthy in situations like this to truly try and see things from both perspectives. I think it does make an impact.

Just to be clear, I've acknowledged my biases many times over in this thread. I love my Himel jackets. That is also another reason I posted what I posted.

I can see that as not being warranted from your perspective. I disagree vehemently with that perspective because people on here post in favor of brands they've patronized all the time.

If you will indulge my clumsy and cringey metaphor, it's like telling a rape victim that John always treated me nice, or maybe you shouldn't have worn that dress. While there may be truth in both points, the crime is what it is, so neither of those comments, I feel, are constructive in this discussion, and comes off as defending the perpetuator. This is especially true when you consider the OP was essentially retracing your steps. And to be clear, I'm not equating you to being a rapist supporter, or that Himel is anywhere near that level of heinous, just trying to illustrate my point with my limited communication skills, so please don't take offense to the words I employed.

If I'm trying to be positive then I think some of my posts were constructive, like posting how Himel can construct a clean jacket. Just one example. Won't post more.

Yes, my initial thread set the precedent.

If I'm trying to see things from both parties perspectives, I must be able to put myself in Himels shoes. Because of my old thread he's having to address yet another incident of a customer who went on a public platform to air grievances which is damaging no matter how he would have handled it just like @Canuck Panda outlined in his great post.

And lastly I also saw this from OP's point of view, acknowledging his legitimate issues. I mean heck, I know all to well how he felt, I went through it myself.

So while we may agree to disagree on alot of this, can you say you agree with Himel's ultimate reaction and handling of this situation?

Yes I think we will agree to disagree. And I really do respect your opinion. Everyone's opinion.

To answer your question.... I would have handled it differently. I would have humbly apologized again, eaten the cost of the remake again and hope it doesn't happen, again.

 

[navetsea]

I think it won't improve his brand even if he agree to remake the jacket, its just like he/ the brand can actually produce flawless jacket worthy of the price but has no problem sending out flawed works and let the client mentally process themselves if they should be happy with it by counting the other positives , or trying to contact the maker and start a complaint case as this kind of stitching won't even pass mall jacket's QC.... sometime complaining is hard to do there is mental barrier to it for some people who just want to have smooth and peaceful experience.

 

[Damon141]

I think it won't improve his brand even if he agree to remake the jacket, its just like he/ the brand can actually produce flawless jacket worthy of the price but has no problem sending out flawed works and let the client mentally process themselves if they should be happy with it by counting the other positives , or trying to contact the maker and start a complaint case as this kind of stitching won't even pass mall jacket's QC.... sometime complaining is hard to do there is mental barrier to it for some people who just want to have smooth and peaceful experience.

That's the thing, even the cheapest jackets at the mall don't have these mistakes.
He can't use the one off custom made excuse because this is a Kensington which he has been producing for over a decade, so the machinist has surely made many and on the same equipment.