How many new jackets do you have coming (and how many potential ones)?

[Superfluous]

I wouldn't call that an apples to apples comparison. I also wouldn't consider a Himel Bros jacket to be an actual piece of riding gear. Despite the hem alignment the Vanson would out perform the Himel on every possible level as a piece of functional riding/protective gear. I would say the same of my Aero's. They are no more worthy of functional use on an M/C as well. I'd also put forth that my latest Aero is stitched as well as any Himel

First, my observation about the misaligned seams has nothing whatsoever to do with whether the jackets are serviceable for riding a motorcycle. Rather, as I clearly stated, my objection is based solely on the appearance/aesthetic of the misaligned seam. Therefore, your reference to serviceability as a motorcycle jacket is a non-sequitur. The jacket might give the owner super-powers, but the misaligned seam is still visually unappealing. If I share my opinion that a woman is unattractive, your opinion that she is a good wrestler is non-responsive. This falls under the heading of “yeah, but . . .”

Second, having owned, handled and inspected multiple Himel and Aero jackets, I do not share your opinion regarding the relative quality of their stitching (lets not debate the subject). That said, my comments about the misaligned seams did not address stitch quality, nor Aero jackets, and therefore, your references to both was another non-sequitur.

No need to debate any of this. I find the misaligned bottom seams totally unacceptable. This is simply my subjective opinion. Others obviously disagree. Neither is right or wrong.

 

[Carlos840]

I would not be pleased if I received a jacket with such a visible misalignment of the bottom seam/hem. This is simply poor workmanship.

We often debate the merits of more expensive jackets, and whether the delta in quality is worth the additional cost. Personally, I will gladly pay more to receive a jacket with aligned edges/hems.

The bottom edges on this cross-zip are perfectly aligned:

Fortunately, my wife feels differently.

I agree, but you are comparing a brand new $2500 jacket with a 50 years old $250 jacket.

Not saying it's ok, but i am not expecting the same standards...

Regarding stitching, my Himel is probably my most expensive jacket with proportionally the worst stitching. It probably has more imperfections than this old jacket, other than the misaligned zip.

 

[ton312]

Rather, as I clearly stated, my objection is based solely on the appearance/aesthetic of the misaligned seam.

While I agree that the misalignment of the hem is indeed a QC snafu this statement really says it all. I suspect that, not knowing your history in the hobby, you approached purchasing a leather jacket solely from this perspective. Nothing wrong with that.
This isn't the case with most people buying a Vanson jacket. Vanson's form follows function. It's primary function is protection and rider ergonomics.
Point being to then compare a Vanson or Apparel Annex to a Himel jacket (which merely looks like a motorcycle jacket, but certainly does not function like one) is weak. That's why I stated I don't believe the comparison is apples to apples. I could also say I prefer not to have jackets with sloppy stitching:

and buttons that become holes:

The delta might be a bit of a slippery slope, and everybody makes mistakes...

 

[Monitor]

No need to debate any of this. I find the misaligned bottom seams totally unacceptable. This is simply my subjective opinion. Others obviously disagree. Neither is right or wrong.

But Super, you bought a vintage Buco, jackets which are known to be a pinnacle of careless if not downright shoddy stitching - yours not being an exception if my memory serves me well, regardless of how beautiful it is - for what I imagine must've been a considerable sum of money. . .

 

[jacketjunkie]

I don't think these misaligned bottom hems matter too much because when you're wearing the jacket casually, you'll wear it open and noone sees it and if you wear it zipped up, you're most likely sitting on a bike and noone sees it either.

That being said, if I received a new jacket with that flaw, I would return it. I just checked my Vanson CHP and my two Langlitz jackets and all of them are perfectly aligned at the bottom and I would expect no less from any jacket that cost me more than say 300 USD. For what Carlos paid for this, i think it is a great find though and I would rock it without a second thought because of what I said above. In most scenarios noone will notice.

I don't think the rare occasion of a flawed Vanson should stand as example for their product and I believe the same regarding that messed up Himel posted above.

Bottomline, this is the "we all price different attributes in a jacket differently and buy accordingly" we had with BigJ a while ago all over again, just exercised on different jackets. Ton and Carlos do value the attributes of the jacket worth it to pull the trigger, SF doesn't. All good. You guys just value different attributes differently. Let's not turn this into another "Himel jackets worth 2k USD my ass" thread!

 

[ton312]

I don't think these misaligned bottom hems matter too much because when you're wearing the jacket casually, you'll wear it open and noone sees it and if you wear it zipped up, you're most likely sitting on a bike and noone sees it either.

That being said, if I received a new jacket with that flaw, I would return it. I just checked my Vanson CHP and my two Langlitz jackets and all of them are perfectly aligned at the bottom and I would expect no less from any jacket that cost me more than say 300 USD. For what Carlos paid for this, i think it is a great find though and I would rock it without a second thought because of what I said above. In most scenarios noone will notice.

I don't think the rare occasion of a flawed Vanson should stand as example for their product and I believe the same regarding that messed up Himel posted above.

Bottomline, this is the "we all price different attributes in a jacket differently and buy accordingly" we had with BigJ a while ago all over again, just exercised on different jackets. Ton and Carlos do value the attributes of the jacket worth it to pull the trigger, SF doesn't. All good. You guys just value different attributes differently. Let's not turn this into another "Himel jackets worth 2k USD my ass" thread!

I agree. I think had the image of the Avro not been included in SF's post I wouldn't have taken the comment's tone in quite the same way. I'm also not saying Himels aren't worth the $$ but I am saying they are equally prone to human error. As all makers and jackets surely are.

 

[Mich486]

Are we sure though that the zip misalignment is a misalignment as such and not just a feature of the jacket? I admit I can’t see what the purpose would be but I don’t ride either.

If it is a mistake it’s a pretty big one, 1” off it’s a lot.. I mean not even mall jackets have such a messed up stitching... but it’s a vintage piece so I guess it’s fair to close an eye.

After seeing you wearing that La Brea Carlos I just cannot look at those pictures and not making a comparison [emoji4] that one is just stunning and I wonder how could you open your wardrobe and pick this one over La Brea. [emoji4]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Seb Lucas]

This thing about perfection versus mistakes or earthiness... All I can say is I often prefer the misalignments and errant seams and mismatched leather panels of some of the vintage jackets myself.

This phenomenon reminds me of good blues music. If the blues is played too perfectly, with rigid precision and a total fidelity to notation, it generally sounds less interesting and alive. I prefer the earthy, looser recordings of the 1950's or '60's, where character and imperfections provide a warmer and more vital sound.

Jackets can be like that, the whole point of a leather jacket for me is that they are rustic items, a showcase for wear and imperfections. I feel this way more broadly about much design, whether it be architecture or furniture.

 

[Superfluous]

You are absolutely correct that I prioritize appearance/aesthetics over functionality for riding a motorcycle – the latter being entirely irrelevant to me.

I did not realize that the referenced jacket was a vintage piece and Carlos paid a mere $250 for it. That certainly changes the equities and a comparison to a new jacket costing ten times more is inappropriate.

Yes, all manufacturers are capable of off days and production snafus that deviate from their traditional standards.

While my Buco is certainly not perfect, it does not have any eye-catching defects similar to the misalignment discussed above. Interestingly, I was presented with two Bucos when I chose the one that I purchased. The other had a bizarre shoulder irregularity on one side. In retrospect, this irregularity may have been caused by an asymmetrical production flaw. Again, I did not recognize that Carlos’ jacket was a vintage piece, which should be judged according to different standards.

 

[Hh121]

I am trying to resist the lure of Lost Worlds Trojan

 

[steve u]

Hh121, "I am trying to resist the lure of Lost Worlds Trojan. "
That's a hard one to resist!
At your request

steve

 

[Hh121]

Hh121, "I am trying to resist the lure of Lost Worlds Trojan. "
That's a hard one to resist!
At your request

steve

Thanks Steve!

I must resist .....

 

[Logician]

Thanks Steve!

I must resist .....

I'm afraid that putting wax in your ears just won't cut it!

 

[Logician]

I am trying to resist the lure of Lost Worlds Trojan

I much prefer the LW Leathertogs (with Crown zippers). Maybe next year. For now, I want to purchase a work coat (Himel Canuck or Aero Premier). Just can't make up my mind...

 

[Logician]

Hh121, "I am trying to resist the lure of Lost Worlds Trojan. "
That's a hard one to resist!
At your request

steve

Thanks Steve!

 

[Hh121]

I much prefer the LW Leathertogs (with Crown zippers). Maybe next year. For now, I want to purchase a work coat (Himel Canuck or Aero Premier). Just can't make up my mind...

Well, keep us posted of your Test!

 

[Monitor]

View attachment 129830
I'm afraid that putting wax in your ears just won't cut it!

Literally this!

 

[Jejupe]

This may very well be my next leather jacket. ( I know...I know..I was done.. ).
Any hints about this jacket..? Is it a tight fitter? Would a size 40 fit like a 40..??
Thanks
HD

I received this jacket in goat today. Mine was measure made so its imbossible for me to say how true its fit is. But I can really recommend this style. I love it!

You can check out some photos here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/my-new-thedis-mtc-127915-and-mtc-c127913.94508/

 

[pak]

But Super, you bought a vintage Buco, jackets which are known to be a pinnacle of careless if not downright shoddy stitching - yours not being an exception if my memory serves me well, regardless of how beautiful it is - for what I imagine must've been a considerable sum of money. . .

I'm willing to speculate if the aforementioned Buco had a misaligned zipper by one inch no one here would have purchased it at just about any price

 

[ton312]

I'm willing to speculate if the aforementioned Buco had a misaligned zipper by one inch no one here would have purchased it at just about any price

I'd be willing to bet quite the opposite. The Buco label, quite inexplicably, demands that those jackets sell for roughly ten times their near pattern equivalents (Brooks, Reed and Kehoe). This despite the fact that they were all produced in the same geographic location and almost simultaneously. Granted the latter were derivatives based on company ownership/ struggles issues.
The first Brooks I owned was a pattern copy of the j-100 with a small difference in the sleeve zippers location. The back/collar was identical and it carried a white Brooks label. I've never seen another like it and I sold it for about 1/2 of the going rate for a Buco. Tanaka effect.