Hercules back with gussets…. You don’t sayI absolutely love the brown one, that's a great design. Good to see a Japanese repro maker doing something other than just another copy of a Mulholland j24 leather togs or what have you.
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I'm surprised to see how good a Hercules back looks with the addition of back gussets. Interesting. Really cool actually.
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If you want a Japanese jacket and are willing to spend more, get a Freewheelers. If you want something much better for around the same price, go Rainbow Country.
You speak to me from the soul. Not that I could name all those details like you, but I know which leather jackets I like better. And it tends to be the chunky ones with a rather lower stitch count.That depends on how you define better. Personally I feel like Rainbow Country and Freewheelers jackets are over-engineered, and as a result they lack character.
Some examples
Windward repro
Take a look at the way the collar is attached.
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Repro vs original
Buco repro
Notice how RC flattened the seams instead of folding them over.
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Repro vs original
This is how a flattened seam looks from the inside. It's a fancy technique which makes the jacket look 'cleaner'. However, this is not something you'd see on the vintage originals.
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Outside - inside
Rainbow uses this technique on pretty much each and every seam. They even use it on halfbelt construction.
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RC vs vintage
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I realise most people won't notice the over-engineering and even if they would they probably wouldn't care.
But personally I feel like the result is a jacket that looks 'too clean' and lacks character. So for me 'better' construction techniques don't make a better jacket.
Now back to Y2, nicely folded seams (better imo):
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Exactly, I prefer the old school technique.@Marc mndt I think you mean you prefer the construction on the Y2, not that it's better.
This of course depends on how you define better.Even with your own explanations, the techniques used by RC and FW are better. You may not prefer that, but they are better.
No discussion with regards to materials,, FW/RC use much nicer materials than Y2. I also agree with you that the construction techniques used by RC look more neatly.I define "better" here as the jacket that is constructed more neatly with better techniques and better materials.
I could see this being a problem for some people though who really want an exact repro of a J-100, for example.
Ah ok I get what you're saying. My only retort would be that none of us are buying any of this stuff as workwear. If you are buying a leather jacket for riding a motorcycle or boots to do real work in, there are specific options that are made for just those purposes. Otherwise, I understand what you're saying.Exactly, I prefer the old school technique.
This of course depends on how you define better.
No discussion with regards to materials,, FW/RC use much nicer materials than Y2. I also agree with you that the construction techniques used by RC look more neatly.
However, those techniques are not better. They may look neat but those seams are inherently weaker than seams that are folded over.
Here's an example of a broken 'flattened' seam. More neatly but weaker. Better?
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It's impossible for a seam to break like the one above when it's folded over.
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For me it's also a problem with non-exact repro's because I think all those fancy construction techniques are overkill for a garment that was designed to be workwear.
I feel the same about using shell cordovan for workboots, or giving workboot heels a mirror shine. That's like a coalminer who drives to the pit in his Rolls-Royce with shiny rims.
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Is that boot an actual thing?!?!?! Looks like something I would expect to see on a woman's platform boot or a gogo dancer, etc...Exactly, I prefer the old school technique.
This of course depends on how you define better.
No discussion with regards to materials,, FW/RC use much nicer materials than Y2. I also agree with you that the construction techniques used by RC look more neatly.
However, those techniques are not better. They may look neat but those seams are inherently weaker than seams that are folded over.
Here's an example of a broken 'flattened' seam. More neatly but weaker. Better?
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It's impossible for a seam to break like the one above when it's folded over.
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For me it's also a problem with non-exact repro's because I think all those fancy construction techniques are overkill for a garment that was designed to be workwear.
I feel the same about using shell cordovan for workboots, or giving workboot heels a mirror shine. That's like a coalminer who drives to the pit in his Rolls-Royce with shiny rims.
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They are. I own two pairs. Best anything I own. They're unbelievably good. I can explain if you want, but I doubt anyone here who hasn't already heard me rant about them cares.Is that boot an actual thing?!?!?! Looks like something I would expect to see on a woman's platform boot or a gogo dancer, etc...
I am not a boot guy but that can't really be a thing....
No need to explain, this is a phenomenon that can't possibly make sense to me no matter how it's defined.They are. I own two pairs. Best anything I own. They're unbelievably good. I can explain if you want, but I doubt anyone here who hasn't already heard me rant about them cares.
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I'm actually wearing the Cognac pair right now. They're not just for show. They're the most comfortable footwear I've ever owned as well. They're not just flash. They have substance, but yes they are silly. That's part of why I love them.
I figured as much. This is why I didn't bother. I hope I've given you a bit of bewildering entertainment at the very leastNo need to explain, this is a phenomenon that can't possibly make sense to me no matter how it's defined.
Well I'm sure my bellbottoms have returned the favor....I figured as much. This is why I didn't bother. I hope I've given you a bit of bewildering entertainment at the very least
Actually I kind of like those in certain situations so you may be disappointed by my reaction.Well I'm sure my bellbottoms have returned the favor....