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Double Helix Works?

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
722
Location
San Diego
Just received the classic 1930s in dark seal. All I can say is wow. Absolutely amazing. So happy with the colour. Last pic I took in the evening, had to adjust the exposure to get the colour to look like it actually looked. And yes there is scratch above the chest pocket, I scratched it just to see how the leather would react lol.


View attachment 718036

View attachment 718039

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Congratulations! The seal brown is beautiful! Lots of character out of the box. The 1930s model has a lot of greater.
 

Justsomedude

New in Town
Messages
32
Two pics just after unboxing. The front panels want to hold a shape but I expect this jacket brake in very nicely.

IMG_3805.jpeg


IMG_3807.jpeg
 

Zoro

Practically Family
Messages
698
Location
Europe
It looks great!

I'm very curious for a face to face comparison between this brand and the "heavyweights" like RMC or Freewheelers. To the eye I cannot see anything that makes it inferior but, as you know, there's always more than meets the eye. In the thread I've only seen the second reply explicitly mentioning it's not as good as Freewheelers (who TBH they aren't even making leather jackets nowadays...) and this comparison with RMC. But I want more! :p
 

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
722
Location
San Diego
It looks great!

I'm very curious for a face to face comparison between this brand and the "heavyweights" like RMC or Freewheelers. To the eye I cannot see anything that makes it inferior but, as you know, there's always more than meets the eye. In the thread I've only seen the second reply explicitly mentioning it's not as good as Freewheelers (who TBH they aren't even making leather jackets nowadays...) and this comparison with RMC. But I want more! :p
Me too. I could be totally wrong, but I felt the second reply you referenced was an anecdotal assessment based on preconceived notions, whereas the RMC comparison was clearly based on an actual comparison. I felt DH compared favorably to The Flathead cross zip I compared it to at Snake Oil Provisions, but I’m no expert.
 

panhead_dave

New in Town
Messages
20
It looks great!

I'm very curious for a face to face comparison between this brand and the "heavyweights" like RMC or Freewheelers. To the eye I cannot see anything that makes it inferior but, as you know, there's always more than meets the eye. In the thread I've only seen the second reply explicitly mentioning it's not as good as Freewheelers (who TBH they aren't even making leather jackets nowadays...) and this comparison with RMC. But I want more! :p
I can't comment on the Freewheelers but having owned both the RMC J-24 (latest version) and the DH Innovator, the DH is a better jacket. I base this opinion on both construction quality and overall fit. I no longer own the RMC.
 

jchance

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,204
Location
LA
Pricing isn’t always correlated with value. Pricing has to do with supply and demand, in simple economics terms. For a high demand, the pricing can be high.

For leather jackets in particular, it’s better to look for underrated brands that offer more value for the money spent.

DH has been discussed as an underrated brand, as it is still a new entrant to the leather-jacket game. RMC has been around for two generations, it’s riding on its reputation as a well-known brand.
 

Justsomedude

New in Town
Messages
32
Pricing isn’t always correlated with value. Pricing has to do with supply and demand, in simple economics terms. For a high demand, the pricing can be high.

For leather jackets in particular, it’s better to look for underrated brands that offer more value for the money spent.

DH has been discussed as an underrated brand, as it is still a new entrant to the leather-jacket game. RMC has been around for two generations, it’s riding on its reputation as a well-known brand.
Spot on!
 

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
722
Location
San Diego
So I saw this the other day and it made me wonder if DH’s tea core horse hide is pit tanned so I emailed Matsuda and he confirmed it is. Noice!

 

Justsomedude

New in Town
Messages
32
My jacket is a stock jacket in size 44. I actually ordered from Stuff, I have to say they were very helpful and also made it possible to order two sizes and return the wrong one which took out the stress for me. Huge thanks to their team.

Measurements found on the Double Helix website are spot on, at least these on this specific site:
https://doublehelixworks.com/product/classic-1930s-seal-brown/

I'm 185 cm tall, 93 kg, 110 cm relaxed chest and you can get an idea of my build from the photos.

I have worn the jacket about 6 times around the house as it is too hot outside at the moment. The leather has already softened up so that the jacket is still able to stand on its own but collapses from the belly area if that makes sense. The leather feels moist in a way and has something I believe is called sheen (in contrast to a matte or shiny finish). Double Helix website captures this sheen and texture very well in their photos. What is missing from those photos is the depth of colour (see my previous photos) or more specifically the various tones of warm brown and even red.

To me, the fit is perfect. Does not look large with a t-shirt, yet a thin merino sweater just about fits underneath. Most importantly, the jacket is very comfortable. I can reach forward/up, wash my teeth, talk on the phone etc. without feeling the jacket restricting me. I contribute this to a great pattern overall as well as the little extra material behind the armpit which is probably required as this jacket does not have any mobility features. Also the hand warmer pocket placement and lack of zippers on the pockets make the pockets extremely usable.

Here are some additional pictures. Shirt length is typical for me and I never tuck in. Jacket length is about 5 cm or 2" longer than many other 1930s style sports jackets but works perfectly for me.

I could not be happier with jacket.

front.jpg


back.jpg
 

Authenticstyle

Familiar Face
Messages
70
My jacket is a stock jacket in size 44. I actually ordered from Stuff, I have to say they were very helpful and also made it possible to order two sizes and return the wrong one which took out the stress for me. Huge thanks to their team.

Measurements found on the Double Helix website are spot on, at least these on this specific site:
https://doublehelixworks.com/product/classic-1930s-seal-brown/

I'm 185 cm tall, 93 kg, 110 cm relaxed chest and you can get an idea of my build from the photos.

I have worn the jacket about 6 times around the house as it is too hot outside at the moment. The leather has already softened up so that the jacket is still able to stand on its own but collapses from the belly area if that makes sense. The leather feels moist in a way and has something I believe is called sheen (in contrast to a matte or shiny finish). Double Helix website captures this sheen and texture very well in their photos. What is missing from those photos is the depth of colour (see my previous photos) or more specifically the various tones of warm brown and even red.

To me, the fit is perfect. Does not look large with a t-shirt, yet a thin merino sweater just about fits underneath. Most importantly, the jacket is very comfortable. I can reach forward/up, wash my teeth, talk on the phone etc. without feeling the jacket restricting me. I contribute this to a great pattern overall as well as the little extra material behind the armpit which is probably required as this jacket does not have any mobility features. Also the hand warmer pocket placement and lack of zippers on the pockets make the pockets extremely usable.

Here are some additional pictures. Shirt length is typical for me and I never tuck in. Jacket length is about 5 cm or 2" longer than many other 1930s style sports jackets but works perfectly for me.

I could not be happier with jacket.

View attachment 718893

View attachment 718894
Thank you for the detailed response! That jacket looks fantastic on you!
 

Zoro

Practically Family
Messages
698
Location
Europe
My jacket is a stock jacket in size 44. I actually ordered from Stuff, I have to say they were very helpful and also made it possible to order two sizes and return the wrong one which took out the stress for me. Huge thanks to their team.

Measurements found on the Double Helix website are spot on, at least these on this specific site:
https://doublehelixworks.com/product/classic-1930s-seal-brown/

I'm 185 cm tall, 93 kg, 110 cm relaxed chest and you can get an idea of my build from the photos.

I have worn the jacket about 6 times around the house as it is too hot outside at the moment. The leather has already softened up so that the jacket is still able to stand on its own but collapses from the belly area if that makes sense. The leather feels moist in a way and has something I believe is called sheen (in contrast to a matte or shiny finish). Double Helix website captures this sheen and texture very well in their photos. What is missing from those photos is the depth of colour (see my previous photos) or more specifically the various tones of warm brown and even red.

To me, the fit is perfect. Does not look large with a t-shirt, yet a thin merino sweater just about fits underneath. Most importantly, the jacket is very comfortable. I can reach forward/up, wash my teeth, talk on the phone etc. without feeling the jacket restricting me. I contribute this to a great pattern overall as well as the little extra material behind the armpit which is probably required as this jacket does not have any mobility features. Also the hand warmer pocket placement and lack of zippers on the pockets make the pockets extremely usable.

Here are some additional pictures. Shirt length is typical for me and I never tuck in. Jacket length is about 5 cm or 2" longer than many other 1930s style sports jackets but works perfectly for me.

I could not be happier with jacket.

View attachment 718893

View attachment 718894
That looks great on you and it seems you are almost my exact size! What other jackets do you have? :p
 

Justsomedude

New in Town
Messages
32
That looks great on you and it seems you are almost my exact size! What other jackets do you have? :p
Thanks! Actually my only other leather jacket is an Avi leather "B3-A" which I bought on a whim before I even registered on this forum if I recall correctly. Funny how at the time (less than a year ago) I looked at other sheepskin jackets and found the 1000+€ jackets shockingly expensive.

Other than the two leathers my favourite jackets are Manifattura Ceccarelli New Deck Jacket (size 44), Barbour Beaufort (size 40), Rogue Territory Supply Jacket (XL) and Alpha Industries M-65 (M, had the sleeves slimmed a touch).

Do you have any cross zips? Because surely I absolutely need one of those...
 

Zoro

Practically Family
Messages
698
Location
Europe
Thanks! Actually my only other leather jacket is an Avi leather "B3-A" which I bought on a whim before I even registered on this forum if I recall correctly. Funny how at the time (less than a year ago) I looked at other sheepskin jackets and found the 1000+€ jackets shockingly expensive.

Other than the two leathers my favourite jackets are Manifattura Ceccarelli New Deck Jacket (size 44), Barbour Beaufort (size 40), Rogue Territory Supply Jacket (XL) and Alpha Industries M-65 (M, had the sleeves slimmed a touch).

Do you have any cross zips? Because surely I absolutely need one of those...
Sending you a DM, as I was writing but it would basically highjack the thread, lol. Still in case anyone who happens to be our size comes across this message at any time: My crosszip is a Vanson Highwayman size 44, because I also have a 42 (currently up for sale in the Classifieds) that I wouldn't be able to layer and was a bit restrictive even when only wearing a tshirt.
 

JonS1967

Practically Family
Messages
722
Location
San Diego
My jacket is a stock jacket in size 44. I actually ordered from Stuff, I have to say they were very helpful and also made it possible to order two sizes and return the wrong one which took out the stress for me. Huge thanks to their team.

Measurements found on the Double Helix website are spot on, at least these on this specific site:
https://doublehelixworks.com/product/classic-1930s-seal-brown/

I'm 185 cm tall, 93 kg, 110 cm relaxed chest and you can get an idea of my build from the photos.

I have worn the jacket about 6 times around the house as it is too hot outside at the moment. The leather has already softened up so that the jacket is still able to stand on its own but collapses from the belly area if that makes sense. The leather feels moist in a way and has something I believe is called sheen (in contrast to a matte or shiny finish). Double Helix website captures this sheen and texture very well in their photos. What is missing from those photos is the depth of colour (see my previous photos) or more specifically the various tones of warm brown and even red.

To me, the fit is perfect. Does not look large with a t-shirt, yet a thin merino sweater just about fits underneath. Most importantly, the jacket is very comfortable. I can reach forward/up, wash my teeth, talk on the phone etc. without feeling the jacket restricting me. I contribute this to a great pattern overall as well as the little extra material behind the armpit which is probably required as this jacket does not have any mobility features. Also the hand warmer pocket placement and lack of zippers on the pockets make the pockets extremely usable.

Here are some additional pictures. Shirt length is typical for me and I never tuck in. Jacket length is about 5 cm or 2" longer than many other 1930s style sports jackets but works perfectly for me.

I could not be happier with jacket.

View attachment 718893

View attachment 718894
That looks incredible on you! Beautiful jacket.
 

jchance

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,204
Location
LA
I keep wanting to try Rainbow Country, but their designs are boring. Nothing I want each season. Freewheelers have much better styles but they are too prohibitively expensive.

Y’2 has some interesting styles and hides. Their indigo-dyed hide is pretty unique.

Double Helix has both styles and pricing going on for them. DH and Tenjin are currently the most affordable options if I were to buy new. Tenjin’s designs look a bit rough, not sleek, to my taste.

One thing that has held me back from buying a Double Helix, based on what I’ve read, is their hardware. I’d prob need to replace the hardware at some point if I buy a DH.

Black crosszip is pretty boring to me, I could just buy a vintage jacket instead. If I were to buy new or go custom, I’d get one in natural leather or tan/light brown. Those are hard to find in crosszip design. DH offers natural leather crosszip at a very affordable price point, relatively.
 
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