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Double Helix Works?

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
722
Location
San Diego
I’ve been wearing this at night in my air-conditioned house trying to get it broken in. I’d say it’s coming along nicely.
IMG_7593.jpeg
 

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
722
Location
San Diego
I’ve lost my mind (again) and I’m considering a 1930s model to give me something more appropriate for work. I’ve seen a number of criticisms of the Hookless zipper. Can anyone explain the shortcomings of this zipper?
 

Leathergato

One of the Regulars
Messages
130
I’ve lost my mind (again) and I’m considering a 1930s model to give me something more appropriate for work. I’ve seen a number of criticisms of the Hookless zipper. Can anyone explain the shortcomings of this zipper?
That 1930s model looks really nice. Seems like it would be a great jacket for a work setting to dress up or down.

I don’t know much about the hookless Zipper but I do have one on my Hugging the Curve that I got about 6 weeks ago or so. So far what I have noticed is that it takes a little more to set it in place just right before zipping it up and then when you unzip and you get to the bottom you kind of have to gently turn and slide the zipper apart to unlatch it. I usually wear my jackets unzipped so it hasn’t been an issue for me yet but I have read the stories of some people getting stuck in their jackets.

Would they possibly be able to make your jacket with another zipper as a custom order? How is the zipper on your DH D-Pocket?
 

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
722
Location
San Diego
That 1930s model looks really nice. Seems like it would be a great jacket for a work setting to dress up or down.

I don’t know much about the hookless Zipper but I do have one on my Hugging the Curve that I got about 6 weeks ago or so. So far what I have noticed is that it takes a little more to set it in place just right before zipping it up and then when you unzip and you get to the bottom you kind of have to gently turn and slide the zipper apart to unlatch it. I usually wear my jackets unzipped so it hasn’t been an issue for me yet but I have read the stories of some people getting stuck in their jackets.

Would they possibly be able to make your jacket with another zipper as a custom order? How is the zipper on your DH D-Pocket?
Thanks for sharing your experience with your Hugging the Curve, and congratulations on your jacket! How did you like it so far?

For my experience thus far, they are willing to customize a jacket, but how much I don’t know. I emailed Matsuda yesterday asking him if I could order one with a different zipper and I’m still waiting to hear back. Previously, I had asked him if he could make a jacket in a highwayman style and he said he can but he would base it off of an existing pattern they have and then match the details. So I’m guessing the zipper shouldn’t be a problem.

The Waldes zipper on my d-pocket is OK, but not as nice as the YYK on my Vanson. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s smaller or if it’s something else. I’ll report back after I hear back about swapping out the zipper.
 

Leathergato

One of the Regulars
Messages
130
Thanks for sharing your experience with your Hugging the Curve, and congratulations on your jacket! How did you like it so far?

For my experience thus far, they are willing to customize a jacket, but how much I don’t know. I emailed Matsuda yesterday asking him if I could order one with a different zipper and I’m still waiting to hear back. Previously, I had asked him if he could make a jacket in a highwayman style and he said he can but he would base it off of an existing pattern they have and then match the details. So I’m guessing the zipper shouldn’t be a problem.

The Waldes zipper on my d-pocket is OK, but not as nice as the YYK on my Vanson. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s smaller or if it’s something else. I’ll report back after I hear back about swapping out the zipper.
I really like my Hugging the curve. Like you I have been wearing mine when I can in the AC cooled house to break it in. The sleeves are breaking in quickly. The front panels are taking a little more time, especially the one with the chest pocket. I like the cut of the jacket but one thing about it is it is a little more cropped and so it tends to look better with a tucked in shirt whereas some of my other jackets still look okay with a longer untucked shirt. That is a good excuse for me to have multiple jackets though.

The Nitta leather is really nice. How is your jacket breaking in so far? Is it less stiff than when you got it?

Hopefully they will be able to make your 1930s jacket with a zipper you like. I agree that the Universal Zipper on my other jackets seems sturdier and easier to use.
 

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
722
Location
San Diego
I really like my Hugging the curve. Like you I have been wearing mine when I can in the AC cooled house to break it in. The sleeves are breaking in quickly. The front panels are taking a little more time, especially the one with the chest pocket. I like the cut of the jacket but one thing about it is it is a little more cropped and so it tends to look better with a tucked in shirt whereas some of my other jackets still look okay with a longer untucked shirt. That is a good excuse for me to have multiple jackets though.

The Nitta leather is really nice. How is your jacket breaking in so far? Is it less stiff than when you got it?

Hopefully they will be able to make your 1930s jacket with a zipper you like. I agree that the Universal Zipper on my other jackets seems sturdier and easier to use.
It sounds like we’re having very similar experiences and results. I love the leather and mine is breaking in nicely as well. The d-pocket area is breaking in more slowly. One thing I used to do with my competition weight Vanson’s is to keep them somewhere nearby and every time I walked by them I lift the jacket up and throw it on the floor. Sometimes I’ll just throw it on the floor in the closet as well. It’s definitely starting to break in nicely.

The length is part of the reason I like the 1930s jacket. I think it’s just better for casual wear, I’ve got plenty of biker type jackets, but I don’t have one that’s more casual.
 

Leathergato

One of the Regulars
Messages
130
It sounds like we’re having very similar experiences and results. I love the leather and mine is breaking in nicely as well. The d-pocket area is breaking in more slowly. One thing I used to do with my competition weight Vanson’s is to keep them somewhere nearby and every time I walked by them I lift the jacket up and throw it on the floor. Sometimes I’ll just throw it on the floor in the closet as well. It’s definitely starting to break in nicely.

The length is part of the reason I like the 1930s jacket. I think it’s just better for casual wear, I’ve got plenty of biker type jackets, but I don’t have one that’s more casual.
Those are good ideas. I will have to add that technique to my break-in strategy. Thanks!

Yeah I know what you mean. It is nice to have cross-zips and then also some jackets that you can dress up or wear to work.
 

Justsomedude

New in Town
Messages
32
I believe I've lost my mind as well. I've been eyeballing the classic 1930 in black deerskin for some time now, might pull the trigger soon. I've read everything I can about deerskin jackets and people seem to really like them.

The fact is that my classic 1930s in size 44 is at its best with just a t-shirt underneath. Like I previously wrote, a thin extra layer is doable but if I'm honest with myself, if extra layers are needed I find myself reaching for my other jackets.

Only difference between size 46 and 44 is shoulders and pit to pit. Also deerskin supposedly drapes nicely and is very comfortable as it's soft and pliable. So basically I've convinced myself I need the deerskin in size 46 for the colder days of autumn. Lol.

IMG_4120.jpeg
 

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
722
Location
San Diego
I believe I've lost my mind as well. I've been eyeballing the classic 1930 in black deerskin for some time now, might pull the trigger soon. I've read everything I can about deerskin jackets and people seem to really like them.

The fact is that my classic 1930s in size 44 is at its best with just a t-shirt underneath. Like I previously wrote, a thin extra layer is doable but if I'm honest with myself, if extra layers are needed I find myself reaching for my other jackets.

Only difference between size 46 and 44 is shoulders and pit to pit. Also deerskin supposedly drapes nicely and is very comfortable as it's soft and pliable. So basically I've convinced myself I need the deerskin in size 46 for the colder days of autumn. Lol.

View attachment 734638
Yes, you’re firmly in the grips of the unnecessary! My friend had a custom deerskin riding jacket from the now defunct Thurlow Leathers in San Diego. It was very soft and it draped like nobody’s business. He loved that jacket. I’ve lost touch with him but I wouldn’t be surprised if he still had it.

Is your 1930s in seal brown?

Edit: I went back through the thread and found where you said it is indeed dark seal brown. Beautiful color. I’ve been leaning towards this color and I think your photos may have helped me decide.
 
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Justsomedude

New in Town
Messages
32
Thanks! The lining is cotton, feels dense and sits tightly in place. However it is nothing special. Perhaps most telling is that I haven't really thought twice about it whereas I've had jackets with liners that feel cheap and/or loose.
 

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