Grades of Shinki

[ProfG]

I have heard that the Shinki tannery produces different 'grades' of Shinki HH. Not all Shinki is equal - some Japanese jacket makers get a first go at the hides, and the hides which they choose not to use are then sold on the broader market. Is that true? If so, what determines the quality of the Shinki HH which you encounter in the wild? I am considering Shinki HH for my next custom order from JL, but I am not sure how good their Shinki HH is.

 

[codex]

Johnson uses this:

ヴィンテージの革ジャンをイメージして作られたアメカジ好きにおすすめのホースレザー｜レザージャケット・レザークラフト｜SFホース #1 茶

経年変化が現れてこそ完成する衣料用本ヌメ馬革 上質なポーランド産原皮を使用し、表面を衣料仕上げ(顔料)し経年変化により表面が擦れて下地の色が現れてくる、本格的衣料用馬ヌメ革です。 お使いになられているうちに本ヌメ革特有の風合いで体に馴染んできます。 レザージャケット用として使用されることが多く、様々なメーカー様に採用頂いております。 塗料仕上げ（顔料仕上げ）の為、ハシモト産業が取り扱う馬革の中では、一番傷が目立ちにくく、扱いやすいホースレザーです。 タンニン鞣しされた馬革特有の質感は、牛革とはまた違ったエイジングを楽しむことができます。 新喜皮革社製の姫路レザー 革の種類 馬革 原産国...

shop.hashimotoindustry.com

 

[Monitor]

You shouldn't worry about it. Just pick the leather you like as not a single bit of information anyone online can tell you will ever make a difference to you.

 

[cbez]

it's probably more like the japanese brands get first dibs on new stuff or unique recipes, might get custom batches made for them. after all they are visiting the tannery, going to the same trade events, etc.

it's not like 'lets make a bunch of ****ty leather and send it to the americans'

 

[dinhnguyen57]

I’ve never heard or read of “bad” Shinki leather so I think whatever jacket you‘ll get, it’ll be ok.

there are some with more grain than others. And whether the leather pieces all match up may be more of a concern, but I am sure any reputable maker are mindful of that.

 

[Tom71]

Ok, so Shinki is a tannery, like Horween or many lesser known shops. That means they offer a huge variety of hides in different tannages, finishes, overdyes etc.

Of course, some of those will come in smaller or smallest batches, so in terms of supply and demand there will be "A-tier-customers" getting preferential treatment in the sense that they get to offer some hides more or less exclusively.

Other hides are produced in large quantities to meet the ww demand, altough they may be marketed by makers like Himel, Field, Schott etc. under different names.
I wouldn´t rule out the possibility that Shinki will occasionally sell second grade hides (with deficiencies in the hide or even the process) at a discount and that the jacket maker still relies on the label"Shinki", but I do NOT believe that Shinki has a policy to issue hides of a lesser quality as their default overseas product.

 

[Zoro]

I think Tom is correct here.

In the same way that Horween may have CXL steerhide, CXLFQHH or Pinnacle, neither of this being better or worse than the other, Shinki will do the same storing different leathers.

 

[dmash]

I'm not an expert on the subject to definitively say the 'grades' used. but what I *can* say is that the Shinki I've personally felt on my Flat Heads as well as my Buco J100 were a cut above other Shinki jackets I've touched. I'm not sure if makers pay a premium, or certain vendors get access to better 'grades' as you mentioned, but to me there was definitely a difference. FH and Buco are 2 of my favorite makers because of this.

But I will reiterate something mentioned above, that ANY Shinki jacket still feels quality though. I've never felt a Shinki jacket and been displeased with what I felt.