Greg Field vs Himel vs Freewheeler vs Goodwear SHINKI

[sweetfights]

I think it also depends on the batch. These are two FL pigment dyed Shinki swatches. They should be the same color. The one on the left looks and feels more placticy. The one on the right feels much more substantial and it almost looks a little matte. Because of these variances between different batches of supposedly the same leather, comparing one company's Shinki to another won't really yield useful insights imo.
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Big difference here for sure.

 

[sweetfights]

And I would like to add for Freewheelers, the characters of their shinki leather finish, even for the same name, seem to vary in different time period. I have two FW jackets, both made from their "Black Jack" leathers. The one from 2017 is still quite stiff even with more wears, compared to 2019 one which is much more shiny and pliable since day 1. Another example are the RMC jackets as shown in the photo attached. Both Shinki teacore leather manufactured in the same year. I believe you can tell the difference from the picture. IMHO and according to my limited experience, I think it really comes down to different characters of each individual jacket, and it really brings more fun to the journey haha.

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I hope my Freewheelers Mulholland Shinki looks as nice as yours in the bottom pic.

 

[TheBigEraser]

I hope my Freewheelers Mulholland Shinki looks as nice as yours in the bottom pic.

Do you have one on the road?

 

[jeo]

The black Himel oil-tanned Shinki is magnificent and my favorite so far.

I am excited as I wait for my new Freewheelers Mulholland. From the hundreds of photos I have viewed and from fellow FL testimonies, the Shinki should be pretty impressive and enjoyable.

My Himel shinkis are my favs so far as well.

The leather on my Mulholland I just sold was amazing! @Jin431 can attest to that now. You will not be disappointed.

 

[sweetfights]

Do you have one on the road?

Straight from the Land of the Rising Sun.

 

[sweetfights]

My Himel shinkis are my favs so far as well.

The leather on my Mulholland I just sold was amazing! @Jin431 can attest to that now. You will not be disappointed.

Love to hear that.
What was the difference between the Himel and Freewheelers Shinki?

 

[TheBigEraser]

Straight from the Land of the Rising Sun.

This year's Fall/Winter collection?

 

[jeo]

Love to hear that.
What was the difference between the Himel and Freewheelers Shinki?

Primarily the weight/thickness of the leather. My Himels are thinner than my FWs and a little easier to wear. Definitely no break in period with the Himels. Although bought used, both my black caboose and mulholland I just sold were fairly new and stiff, but not a hard break in at all.

Both Himel and FW can be either smooth or grainy. See below pics.

Good example of FW grain next to smooth on the sleeve on my vintage black caboose.

Grain vs. smooth on my medium brown pigment finish Himel shinki.

Another big difference between my FW and Himel leathers are the finishes and the way they are dyed. Himel being semi aniline vs. the tea core/top coat finish on the FWs.

 

[sweetfights]

This year's Fall/Winter collection?

No. I had a hard time tracking a size 44. Finally found one in Japan, TheWildOne. 2019 stock.
Then had a Japanese associate order it for me then reship. Should take about one month to receive.

 

[sweetfights]

Primarily the weight/thickness of the leather. My Himels are thinner than my FWs and a little easier to wear. Definitely no break in period with the Himels. Although bought used, both my black caboose and mulholland I just sold were fairly new and stiff, but not a hard break in at all.

Both Himel and FW can be either smooth or grainy. See below pics.

Good example of FW grain next to smooth on the sleeve on my vintage black caboose.

View attachment 303788



Grain vs. smooth on my medium brown pigment finish Himel shinki.

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Another big difference between my FW and Himel leathers are the finishes and the way they are dyed. Himel being semi aniline vs. the tea core/top coat finish on the FWs.

That Caboose leather looks bad ass!

 

[sweetfights]

This year's Fall/Winter collection?

I spoke to someone in Japan and they told me I could send full payment for them to hold a new Freewheelers when released, probably this spring/April. But I found one ready to ship.

 

[jeo]

That Caboose leather looks bad ass!

I think all black Mulhollands are 'vintage black' so you can expect something similar with your incoming Mulholland.

 

[Jin431]

My Himel shinkis are my favs so far as well.

The leather on my Mulholland I just sold was amazing! @Jin431 can attest to that now. You will not be disappointed.

Yes it's very rugged and the most grain I've had on any jacket that's not goatskin. I'm not going to distress it or anything but I think the leather is very hard wearing and can take a lot of abuse.

the brown leather they used for the caboose is something else. I can only imagine how nice that is to handle and wear

 

[TheBigEraser]

I spoke to someone in Japan and they told me I could send full payment for them to hold a new Freewheelers when released, probably this spring/April. But I found one ready to ship.

Congratulations then! I can feel your thrill. I was waiting for my la brea for 5 months due to COVID.
2019 batch of Mulholland’s quality is very nice. According to limited observation, 2019 batch, generally speaking, tends to have more matching panels, so more evenly distributed grains. See attached a 2019 mulholland example.

 

[sweetfights]

I think all black Mulhollands are 'vintage black' so you can expect something similar with your incoming Mulholland.

I believe you are correct.

 

[sweetfights]

Congratulations then! I can feel your thrill. I was waiting for my la brea for 5 months due to COVID.
2019 batch of Mulholland’s quality is very nice. According to limited observation, 2019 batch, generally speaking, tends to have more matching panels, so more evenly distributed grains. See attached a 2019 mulholland example.
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I have not seen these photos before. Thank you. And this 2019 batch is just what I was looking for. Tremendously attractive leather. I am thrilled to be receiving this Mulholland. Cannot wait!

 

[Superfluous]

Over the years, I have owned ten jackets made from Shinki HH:

Himel Frobisher (black)
Himel Frobisher (brown)
Himel Kensington (black)
Himel Kensington (brown)
Himel Canuck (black) (sold)
Himel Canuck (brown) (sold)
RMC Steinbeck
RMC Buco J-100 (sold)
Good Wear Imperial
FCL Tyler

The leathers vary considerably in terms of grain and finish, but have one commonality that, in my experience, is the hallmark of Shinki HH: All of the foregoing hides are robust, yet pliable, and immediately comfortable without a break-in period. The RMC Steinbeck is a tad heavier than the rest, but still comfortable from day one.

Himel Frobisher (black)

Himel Kensington (brown)

RMC Steinbeck

Himel Frobisher (brown)

FCL Tyler

Good Wear Imperial

Himel Kensington (black)

RMC Buco J-100 (sold)

Himel Canuck (black) (sold)

Himel Canuck (Brown) (sold)

 

[sweetfights]

Over the years, I have owned ten jackets made from Shinki HH:

Himel Frobisher (black)
Himel Frobisher (brown)
Himel Kensington (black)
Himel Kensington (brown)
Himel Canuck (black) (sold)
Himel Canuck (brown) (sold)
RMC Steinbeck
RMC Buco J-100 (sold)
Good Wear Imperial
FCL Tyler

The leathers vary considerably in terms of grain and finish, but have one commonality that, in my experience, is the hallmark of Shinki HH: All of the foregoing hides are robust, yet pliable, and immediately comfortable without a break-in period. The RMC Steinbeck is a tad heavier than the rest, but still comfortable from day one.

Himel Frobisher (black)

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Himel Kensington (brown)

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RMC Steinbeck

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Himel Frobisher (brown)

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FCL Tyler

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Good Wear Imperial

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Himel Kensington (black)

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RMC Buco J-100 (sold)

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Himel Canuck (black) (sold)

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Himel Canuck (Brown) (sold)

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The RMC Steinbeck, Himel's and Goodwear all have that gorgeous Shinki look I love.
Amazing collection. They all look superb but selling the Canucks is no loss. I do not like the style personally and do not think you suited the style. But the others are perfection on you. Style, fit and they really look gorgeous.

 

[diabel]

Over the years, I have owned ten jackets made from Shinki HH:

Himel Frobisher (black)
Himel Frobisher (brown)
Himel Kensington (black)
Himel Kensington (brown)
Himel Canuck (black) (sold)
Himel Canuck (brown) (sold)
RMC Steinbeck
RMC Buco J-100 (sold)
Good Wear Imperial
FCL Tyler

The leathers vary considerably in terms of grain and finish, but have one commonality that, in my experience, is the hallmark of Shinki HH: All of the foregoing hides are robust, yet pliable, and immediately comfortable without a break-in period. The RMC Steinbeck is a tad heavier than the rest, but still comfortable from day one.

Himel Frobisher (black)

View attachment 303911

Himel Kensington (brown)

View attachment 303912

RMC Steinbeck


View attachment 303914

Himel Frobisher (brown)

View attachment 303915

FCL Tyler

View attachment 303913

Good Wear Imperial

View attachment 303916

Himel Kensington (black)

View attachment 303918

RMC Buco J-100 (sold)

View attachment 303919

Himel Canuck (black) (sold)

View attachment 303920

Himel Canuck (Brown) (sold)

View attachment 303921

Himel's and goodwear's Shinki looks the best to me. I really like the Shinki's color on your Goodwear Imperial. Really unique. The fit of the brown Frobisher is the best. Really great custom fit. That said you like your sleeves a bit longer than I do. I like Canuck's design on you. I think it may not be the most practical jacket for Southerner California though.

 

[TheDonEffect]

And Shinki are not the only ones, these two jackets are both black CXL HH and were part of the same order of CXL:

I didn't even bother asking Greg for samples, to me they are worthless, it's a gamble anyway!

Yup, when I ordered my CXL HH, I was generally expecting the jacket on the left since that's what JL had in stock for viewing, but I gave them control to choose the hide for me and wound up with the one on the right. It worked out since I was going for a more black look, but the wrinkling/creasing threw me off initially, and your jackets illustrates this perfectly. In the end I really love the hide they chose for me, and it feels really special and unique to me, but it goes to show how much variance these hides have.

I wish a thread like this existed before, it shows so clearly the vast variances between hides. Makes total sense, these are animal skins being treated by humans through a uniform but imperfect treatment process that these things end up being similar but still unique.

Btw, awesome jackets everyone!