Y'2 Leathers

[handymike]

That leather N-1 is so badass!
Love it!

 

[Marc mndt]

I 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.

I'm surprised to see how good a Hercules back looks with the addition of back gussets. Interesting. Really cool actually.

 

[Brandrea33]

I 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.

View attachment 476872

I'm surprised to see how good a Hercules back looks with the addition of back gussets. Interesting. Really cool actually.

View attachment 476873

Hercules back with gussets…. You don’t say

The only problem I have with my GW Hercules is a bit of lack of mobility. It’s not horrible, but it’s not great either.

 

[handymike]

I went to Snake Oil Provisions to look at Y2 jackets today. I'm not really a fan of the cross-zip, but I loved the N-1!
SOP has tweaked the standard offering with some nice touches.
A chest pocket
Chunky #10 main zipper
Western yoke in back
Removable fuzzy collar
Zip sleeves
Thinner lining (for LA weather)
All in all a great jacket IMHO.

Fit is TTS- I tried on a 38 and it was comfortable (SOP says size down 1- I disagree)

 

[Canuck Panda]

That one is cool! The retailer Y2 specials are always better than y2’s own stocking line.
Quilted lining makes more sense in these coats. My was pile lined so is my BR B2, and I had wish both were just quilted, and save the piled fur lining for the actual sheepskins.

Stay away from eco horse though, its Japans CHL. All other leathers are good.

 

[handymike]

The leather on this one was good. The back seam is odd though- just noticed in the photos. Also noticed the bottom piece is only on the back…odd. On @Canuck Panda’s it goes all the way round. Which makes sense for the string.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I've handled Y2 and have been far from impressed. Construction is fine, but not worth the price imo. I don't like the leather either. It's shiny in a plastic-y looking way to me.

Badalassi often has a shine to it, but it's more of a beautiful luster which is much more appealing. The patterns are my biggest issue, though. Super boxy and I'm not sure what body types they're supposed to look good on.

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. If you are willing to go beyond Japan, you have Thedi, Field Leathers, Lost Worlds, Himel, etc. I would personally go for any of those over Y2. Johnson Leathers or Vanson as well if you can get something besides their standard leathers.

 

[Marc mndt]

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.

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.

Repro vs original

Buco repro

Notice how RC flattened the seams instead of folding them over.

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.

Outside - inside

Rainbow uses this technique on pretty much each and every seam. They even use it on halfbelt construction.

RC vs vintage

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):

 

[MrProper]

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.

View attachment 483634 View attachment 483630
Repro vs original

Buco repro

Notice how RC flattened the seams instead of folding them over.

View attachment 483631
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.

View attachment 483633
Outside - inside

Rainbow uses this technique on pretty much each and every seam. They even use it on halfbelt construction.

View attachment 483632
RC vs vintage

View attachment 483635

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):

View attachment 483646

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.
Leather is rugged and that's where I find that fine (you call it over engineered) doesn't go so well with it. I would then expect the fine more for lamb, calf or fabric.
Of course, that doesn't mean the workmanship should be sloppy.
But as we all know, there's no accounting for taste.

 

[Imuricecreamman]

Folded seams also add a lot of 3 dimensionality and movement when compared to flattened ones .

 

[Mich486]

Yeah RC is in another league compared to Y2, gotta agree with dude here. Y2 gives me CIDU vibes. Not to say they don’t make nice jackets but it’s a different product.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

@Marc mndt I think you mean you prefer the construction on the Y2, not that it's better. Even with your own explanations, the techniques used by RC and FW are better. You may not prefer that, but they are better. Although you basically said that yourself, I think we may just be disagreeing about semantics here. I define "better" here as the jacket that is constructed more neatly with better techniques and better materials. I think "more accurate" is a different category to discuss that is worth discussing, but slightly separate.

The point about it not being period accurate is fair, but I don't see Y2 making exacting replicas either, though I'm happy to be proven wrong on that.

I could see this being a problem for some people though who really want an exact repro of a J-100, for example.

Either way, in terms of actual quality, Y2 is not on the same level.

Again, there are also other options outside of Japan for the OP as I mentioned. If I were him right now I'd be very tempted to just go with Thedi or Field Leathers instead of any of the Japanese makers.

I appreciate the detailed information, though. You really get into the nitty gritty with jackets and it's highly educational.

 

[Marc mndt]

@Marc mndt I think you mean you prefer the construction on the Y2, not that it's better.

Exactly, I prefer the old school technique.

Even with your own explanations, the techniques used by RC and FW are better. You may not prefer that, but they are better.

This of course depends on how you define better.

I define "better" here as the jacket that is constructed more neatly with better techniques and better materials.

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?

It's impossible for a seam to break like the one above when it's folded over.

I could see this being a problem for some people though who really want an exact repro of a J-100, for example.

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.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

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?

View attachment 483703

It's impossible for a seam to break like the one above when it's folded over.

View attachment 483704
View attachment 483711


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.

View attachment 483700

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.

We're all just playing dress up and should be more honest about that. This isn't a dig at you, just something I thought about because a lot of people who bring up your points about flat seems and shiny heels act like they really need the heaviest duty stuff to sit at a desk all day.

Shiny heels are awesome btw

 

[ton312]

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?

View attachment 483703

It's impossible for a seam to break like the one above when it's folded over.

View attachment 483704
View attachment 483711


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.

View attachment 483700

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....

 

[dudewuttheheck]

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....

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.

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.

 

[ton312]

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.
View attachment 483729
View attachment 483730

View attachment 483731

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.

No need to explain, this is a phenomenon that can't possibly make sense to me no matter how it's defined.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

No need to explain, this is a phenomenon that can't possibly make sense to me no matter how it's defined.

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

 

[ton312]

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

Well I'm sure my bellbottoms have returned the favor....

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Well I'm sure my bellbottoms have returned the favor....

Actually I kind of like those in certain situations so you may be disappointed by my reaction.