Himels: who's kept, who's sold?

[Sir Jacket]

Getting close, once again, to that lifetime purchase, a Himel Bros leather jacket – it's the Canuck, in particular, I've long coveted. What I want to know is, who, among those of you who own one, has kept it and wears it a lot and who, despite finding the jacket beautiful to look at and maybe even a source of others' admiration and envy, has nonetheless flogged it after a few months or a year because it's impractical or downright uncomfortable to wear.

I ask this because I have noticed a decent handful of Himels on sale, either here or on the 'bay, and unavoidably find myself asking: why?

Yours

SirJacket (it's been a while)

 

[Carlos840]

I have kept mine, it is still to this day my best fitting jacket.
Saying that, i do not wear it as much as i wear others, brown just isn't my colour, i more often go for a black jacket. It also feels more "fragile" than other jackets i enjoy wearing more.
I still think it is very nice, the stitching isn't as perfect as RMC, LW or Freewheelers, but it is very good.
The best part is the pattern and the way he tweaks it to fit.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/himel-bros-chevalier-bis.93446/

 

[Sir Jacket]

I have kept mine, it is still to this day my best fitting jacket.
Saying that, i do not wear it as much as i wear others, brown just isn't my colour, i more often go for a black jacket. It also feels more "fragile" than other jackets i enjoy wearing more.
I still think it is very nice, the stitching isn't as perfect as RMC, LW or Freewheelers, but it is very good.
The best part is the pattern and the way he tweaks it to fit.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/himel-bros-chevalier-bis.93446/

Carlos, that's definitely a beauty.

 

[ton312]

I don’t see Himels in the second hand market very often at all compared with some other makers. I don’t think there’s a satisfactory answer to your question, but I understand why you asked it.
I tried on a couple in a retail store here in Chicago and wasn’t impressed. I’ve also sold jackets that were perfect for me. Fit, material, construction all perfect. Still sold them. Then bought others. Then sold them. Then bought others. See what I mean?
I’ve never read a single post about a person being disappointed with their Himel jacket. Not a single one. That alone says quite a bit.

 

[Cyber Lip]

I've got a Himel Canuck for sale here in the classifieds if you or anyone's interested:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...size-42-dark-brown-shinki.97180/#post-2587570

 

[tmitchell59]

Sir, I've noticed the Himel Canucks on ebay. I have not owned one. I did own a Himel Heron which I sold. I've seen a few of those show up in a group on ebay, some of them were very interesting jackets. I have not seen a Heron recently. That is a jacket I could see myself owning again. They have been made in some pretty interesting variations.

The Heron is my favorite of his jackets. The Canuck does not have the same appeal to me. The Himel and Canuck are probably his most popular jackets. The Himels I've seen have often been good values. Lot of competition in high end leathers.

 

[El Marro]

I’ve also sold jackets that were perfect for me. Fit, material, construction all perfect. Still sold them. Then bought others. Then sold them. Then bought others. See what I mean?

This really gets at the heart of it. Someone once posted a similar inquiry about Good Wear Leather and I think the answer would be the same no matter who the maker is. For many of us the hunt never ends and what was meant to be a lifetime purchase might not last through the winter.

 

[ton312]

This really gets at the heart of it. Someone once posted a similar inquiry about Good Wear Leather and I think the answer would be the same no matter who the maker is. For many of us the hunt never ends and what was meant to be a lifetime purchase might not last through the winter.

Excellent point. I don’t think I’ve ever felt a single jacket I’ve purchased is a lifetime purchase. Just a rotating roster. Like a pro sports team. Some players have longer careers than others on my team...but they all eventually get traded or retire.

 

[jonesy86]

I was thinking of selling my Himel Heron, but changed my mind even though I can’t wear it on a tropical island.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/himel-heron-shinki-horsehide-44.95731/


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[mtrlr]

I would like to have a Canuck, but every time one comes up, size is always off by a little somewhere, either on shoulder or chest. A custom made Canuck is priced out of my range, unfortunately.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I have owned two Himel jackets. One I sold because of sizing and the other I still have (this is the one I have owned the longest). I am very happy with my Himel jackets. I really love his designs and the materials that he uses. The stitching on both of my jackets was/is excellent. Very neat and dense overall, but as @Carlos840 points out, not at the same level of consistency as some other makers, though still much higher than many others still.

I now own 3 Freewheelers jackets because I love those designs even more and I love the ornate and perfect stitching, but my Himel jacket is still incredibly special and probably my most recognized jacket. Himel is probably my second favorite maker after Freewheelers, but importantly, Himel does custom.

As @ton312 demonstrates, people sell great jackets all the time. This happens with all jacket makers as far as I have seen. Don't let that put you off any maker.

 

[Superfluous]

I still own four Himel jackets -- two Frobishers and two Kensingtons -- all four are stellar.

I sold my two Canucks. I love the cut of the Canuck, but neither fit me well (my mistake when ordering them). I considered purchasing another Canuck, but I am also contemplating a Freewheelers Brakeman. As much as I love the Canuck, I like the Brakeman even more. If the Brakeman fits, I will probably get that over the Canuck. The Colimbo Stockman is also an intriguing jacket with a similar design.

 

[Whitters]

I bought a Himel Heron goatskin zip closure, on ebay in the summer. Love the jacket, especially the feel and drape of the leather. It was an early custome cut, that the previous owner had ordered, he stated that it did not fit him too well and had barely worn it, so it is pristine.
The jacket fits me perfectly upper body, unfortunately its roomy around the waist (made for gents carrying a little timber!)
I will post fit pics when I have the guts!

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[Carlos840]

I bought a Himel Heron goatskin zip closure, on ebay in the summer. Love the jacket, especially the feel and drape of the leather. It was an early custome cut, that the previous owner had ordered, he stated that it did not fit him too well and had barely worn it, so it is pristine.
The jacket fits me perfectly upper body, unfortunately its roomy around the waist (made for gents carrying a little timber!)
I will post fit pics when I have the guts!

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Posting a fit pic is the only way you will be able to avenge your father!

 

[Whitters]

Posting a fit pic is the only way you will be able to avenge your father!

Hello my name is Whitters, I will post some fit pics; I am prepared to cry...

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[Whitters]

As promised...

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[jeo]

I own two and don’t ever see myself parting with them. Both of them are my two most practical and comfortable jackets that I own.


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[dudewuttheheck]

@Whitters that's a great looking jacket!!

 

[Will Zach]

@Whitters this is not a bad fit!

 

[Whitters]

Thanks guys. I pulled the sides, in a little which helped. It fits great when they are drawn in completely, but I don't like the way it sits when they are.
I guess that I just need to stress less, it was a big outlay by my standards and its has made me hyper critical...

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