Extremely Customized Himel Bros Grizzly

[dudewuttheheck]

Himel Bros has had an interesting history on this forum. My personal experiences have all been quite positive and I wanted to share that on here. My favorite jacket from several years ago was my custom Himel Grizzly.

I got heavy into Freewheelers jackets for a while and lately ive mainly been into vintage leather (and wool) jackets. I havent ordered a new jacket in a while and i have tried to order a custom jacket a couple times in the past few years, but dropped out of all for various reasons.

I really wanted another grizzly and another mtm jacket that would fit as nicely as my Buco J-22 does. I went back to Himel because he gave me my previous best experience.

Well, the new custom Wolverine jacket arrived and to say that I am happy would be an understatement!

I was not an easy customer, sending in my own cow fur, going with a different pocket layout and adding buttons to the grizzly model. Most difficult was fitting my measurements.

Not only do I have a far from normal body type, but I wear quite high rise jeans and trousers and need a short body length. It took some time, but Dave and his team really nailed the job of completely modifying the pattern to my body. I really don't think this jacket could fit any better. The jacket isn't as tapered as my J-22, but it really shouldn't be. This type of jacket should have a bit more room and it does.

It's comfortable and looks exactly as I wanted it to. Not everyone is going to like how this jacket looks, but it was custom. I can guarantee there's nothing else like this jacket out there.

It gives me a very western vibe IMO. I feel like it could look as comfortable in a western film as it would in a 1930s outfit or just with jeans and a t shirt here.

 

[tmitchell59]

I love it!!! You would never find a vintage piece like this. There are many cool Grizzly out there. Many of the vintage have condition issues and size issues and $$ issues. This is one style where the new products are very competitive with the vintage.

I bought a Buzz Rickson Grizzly here last spring and wore it out. This is Illinois so it was cold. Folks loved it on.

Congratulations on an heirloom piece!

 

[ÆXander]

Himel Bros has had an interesting history on this forum. My personal experiences have all been quite positive and I wanted to share that on here. My favorite jacket from several years ago was my custom Himel Grizzly.

I got heavy into Freewheelers jackets for a while and lately ive mainly been into vintage leather (and wool) jackets. I havent ordered a new jacket in a while and i have tried to order a custom jacket a couple times in the past few years, but dropped out of all for various reasons.

I really wanted another grizzly and another mtm jacket that would fit as nicely as my Buco J-22 does. I went back to Himel because he gave me my previous best experience.

Well, the new custom Wolverine jacket arrived and to say that I am happy would be an understatement!

I was not an easy customer, sending in my own cow fur, going with a different pocket layout and adding buttons to the grizzly model. Most difficult was fitting my measurements.

Not only do I have a far from normal body type, but I wear quite high rise jeans and trousers and need a short body length. It took some time, but Dave and his team really nailed the job of completely modifying the pattern to my body. I really don't think this jacket could fit any better. The jacket isn't as tapered as my J-22, but it really shouldn't be. This type of jacket should have a bit more room and it does.

It's comfortable and looks exactly as I wanted it to. Not everyone is going to like how this jacket looks, but it was custom. I can guarantee there's nothing else like this jacket out there.

It gives me a very western vibe IMO. I feel like it could look as comfortable in a western film as it would in a 1930s outfit or just with jeans and a t shirt here.

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Fits you fantastically well, Jake

 

[Will Zach]

I intensely dislike grizzly jackets (don't want to use the H word), but I can see myself wearing this. I cannot give this jacket any higher compliment.

PS - how is the stitching (lol )

 

[TLW '90]

I don't know how I feel about the whole grizzly thing, but I definitely like the contrasting colors and overall style.

 

[handymike]

It's got a fantastic vibe!

 

[Canuck Panda]

Nailed it! I love the silhouette. Nice mid brown Shink? Custom tannage for HB I think.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Perfect! I really like it on you Jake, and it's totally your own jacket!

I really like the color mix on this jacket, indeed not something you see everyday.

Hope you do a video review of it, and as always, excellent photography work there *you have a great photographer!

 

[Guppy]

It looks well thought out, and it suits your personal style very well. Himel really nailed it on the fit and construction.

 

[Bfd70]

I’m curious about some numbers. What is the front rise on those jeans and what is the jacket length?

 

[tuanhng614]

I intensely dislike grizzly jackets (don't want to use the H word), but I can see myself wearing this. I cannot give this jacket any higher compliment.

PS - how is the stitching (lol )

You’re stirring the pot with that PS, lolz!!!

 

[Will Zach]

You’re stirring the pot with that PS, lolz!!!

Hence the wink....

 

[Biff42]

Looks great.

 

[Marc mndt]

It's a stunning jacket, I love the color combination. But personally I would have added two or three inches body length.

Not only do I have a far from normal body type, but I wear quite high rise jeans and trousers and need a short body length.

I don't see a reason why you should confine to short jackets only. Actually, I think the longer body length of the Vanson for instance looks absolutely great on you. Much more flattering than the Buco imo. I'm not sure how to put this into words but the longer jacket length makes the outfit as a whole look more balanced and relaxed.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Thanks for the kind words everyone! I really appreciate them! Ill respond to the specific questions, but I appreciate all the kind comments left here!

I love it!!! You would never find a vintage piece like this. There are many cool Grizzly out there. Many of the vintage have condition issues and size issues and $$ issues. This is one style where the new products are very competitive with the vintage.

I bought a Buzz Rickson Grizzly here last spring and wore it out. This is Illinois so it was cold. Folks loved it on.

Congratulations on an heirloom piece!

That's a big reason why I went for this jacket- I don't think I'd be able to get anything like this vintage. There are grizzlies, but they wouldn't fit like this, have this fur and leather combo, the condition would be poor, and/or the cost would be insane. I'd still love to get a vintage grizzly as well, but it would be quite different from this jacket.

I intensely dislike grizzly jackets (don't want to use the H word), but I can see myself wearing this. I cannot give this jacket any higher compliment.

PS - how is the stitching (lol )

That is indeed an extremely high compliment! Thank you! The stitching is excellent overall. It's a bit better than the stitching on my Freewheelers Bodie, but not quite as clean as on my best Freewheelers jackets I had. I see one stitch line that is slightly imperfect, but overall I'm very impressed. I'm more than satisfied with the Construction quality.

I don't know how I feel about the whole grizzly thing, but I definitely like the contrasting colors and overall style.

Thanks! I was very specific about the color combination that I wanted. That's why I supplied the hair on hide piece myself. I'm thrilled with the results as mid brown is my favorite leather color and ecru/cream looks amazing with every earth tone.

Perfect! I really like it on you Jake, and it's totally your own jacket!

I really like the color mix on this jacket, indeed not something you see everyday.

Hope you do a video review of it, and as always, excellent photography work there *you have a great photographer!

Thanks! I was extremely specific on the color combo. It's something I've wanted for a long time. I will definitely be doing an initial video review snd then some longer term videos later on. And thank you, my wife does do great photography work!

I’m curious about some numbers. What is the front rise on those jeans and what is the jacket length?

The front rise of the jeans is 13.5" and the back length of the jacket is 20"

 

[Leather_nube]

Slick AF!

 

[ton312]

I agree with what Marc wrote. The color combo and materials are superb! It does have a cool western vibe. The fit to my eye is just too short. I’m surprised to hear myself say that because I was encouraging you to go much shorter and I think you have with great success. But to me this looks 2” too short, even with the mega high rise jeans. I’d personally want a more significant front drop, even if the back length were left alone.

 

[Boyo]

eye catching for sure.. you wont be unnoticed in too many places.
"knowing you" here on TFL this jacket is very consistent with your personal style, and I get it 100%. not sure it will translate in other places.
that said, its you, its your jacket, you like it. enjoy it

 

[TLW '90]

ecru/cream looks amazing with every earth tone

I absolutely agree.
OD green does as well, but maybe not quite as universally appropriate as this.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

It's a stunning jacket, I love the color combination. But personally I would have added two or three inches body length.


I don't see a reason why you should confine to short jackets only. Actually, I think the longer body length of the Vanson for instance looks absolutely great on you. Much more flattering than the Buco imo. I'm not sure how to put this into words but the longer jacket length makes the outfit as a whole look more balanced and relaxed.

View attachment 660829

I don't confine myself to only short jackets. I'm sure you saw that already with my recent Sears Topline. I also have several other jackets that are much longer than the Himel and Buco that I have no intention of selling.

Also, you're cherry picking with those photos. The Vanson photo has the jacket unzipped and I'm leaning on a wall, both of which make me look more relaxed.

I'm not saying you're wrong to prefer more length in a jacket, but I actually feel more relaxed in shorter jackets because it's much easier to put my hands in my pockets.

Here are a couple of better comparison photos.

Again, I'm not saying it's wrong to prefer the length of the Vanson. I much prefer the Buco length, but I do like more length on other styles of jacket and I still love the Vanson itself. I just don't think those images were the best to compare.