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HIMEL BROS "CHEVALIER"

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16,851
It's a nice jacket but yeah, if a maker has to resort to such classy acts as to shit on another peoples work to justify their wonderland price tag, you know they don't really have all that much to sell. If anything at all. . .

But yeah, it's a very nice jacket. Right up there with the rest of the high end makers.
 

dudewuttheheck

I'll Lock Up
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4,422
Absolutely stunning jacket!!! I'm not sure if any other leather brand can match Himel due to the combination of quality and incredible designs. Goodwear quality is incredible, but he is more of a repro specialist.

Listening to Himel insult other jacket makers is part of the fun of working with him. He's also right so it's OK :p

Your English is better than that of some native speakers so no need to apologize. I only wish I were able to wear mine all the time like you!
 

navetsea

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i like the front panel is actually symmetrical, just one side sewn and one side has a zipper. is it wearable while totally unzipped?
 
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I wanted to ignore this but I can't because if anyone actually believes that, they believe in a lie. And lies suck.

Listening to Himel insult other jacket makers is part of the fun of working with him. He's also right so it's OK :p

He really isn't. But I guess after dropping $3K on a leather jacket, one's bound to believe anything not to feel like a fool. Listening to Himel insult other jacket makers is just a part of him being an pompous ass, and only that.
 

Mysteryo

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I wanted to ignore this but I can't because if anyone actually believes that, they believe in a lie. And lies suck.



He really isn't. But I guess after dropping $3K on a leather jacket, one's bound to believe anything not to feel like a fool. Listening to Himel insult other jacket makers is just a part of him being an pompous ass, and only that.

Hi, Dude. Hold on! We're not dealing with a "Bill Kelso" kind of guy!
Actually, Dave was quiet soft, he just pointed what a mass production jacket is regarding a one piece crafted . He just couldn't help being cynical: after all, I meet a maker, wearing a competitors jacket!
 

Harris HTM

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Hi, Dude. Hold on! We're not dealing with a "Bill Kelso" kind of guy!
Actually, Dave was quiet soft, he just pointed what a mass production jacket is regarding a one piece crafted . He just couldn't help being cynical: after all, I meet a maker, wearing a competitors jacket!

well, price-wise I don't think Schott is a competitor brand to be honest.
 

dudewuttheheck

I'll Lock Up
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4,422
Hi, Dude. Hold on! We're not dealing with a "Bill Kelso" kind of guy!
Actually, Dave was quiet soft, he just pointed what a mass production jacket is regarding a one piece crafted . He just couldn't help being cynical: after all, I meet a maker, wearing a competitors jacket!
No, he's not. He is very opinionated, but definitely is able to back up his claims. Also, he does not act like Bill Kelso at all. He doesn't go around forums making false claims and talking crap for no reason. He really only says things like that once you have engaged him in person. I listened to him talk some smack on other jacket makers before I had even decided to buy my Himel jacket and it did not deter me at all.
 

Harris HTM

One Too Many
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No, he's not. He is very opinionated, but definitely is able to back up his claims. Also, he does not act like Bill Kelso at all. He doesn't go around forums making false claims and talking crap for no reason. He really only says things like that once you have engaged him in person. I listened to him talk some smack on other jacket makers before I had even decided to buy my Himel jacket and it did not deter me at all.

Personally as a customer I wouldn't find it pleasant if an owner of company "A" talked crap about the products of (competitor) company "B" I am using. Still this is my own opinion, I know that many people like this attitude.
When I ordered my new car a couple of months ago I felt a bit the same when they tried to promote this specific brand.
I really love my Schott's by the way. I have no doubt that a Himel is a much better product and if I could afford it then I'd probably order one but I definitely don't find a Schott a shitty jacket. My humble opinion.
 

l0fielectronic

Practically Family
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666
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UK
Just to chime in, great fit and suits you perfectly. A winner.

I've never been a fan of companies rubishing other companies products and I do think 'makers' both posting on forums and social media sometimes do themselves and their business' no favours, not just speaking about the jacket business either. I guess its just one of those things now that we are all so connected.
 
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Messages
17,511
Location
Chicago
When you're the best at something you don't need to talk about it. If you have to point out flaws and failures in others you inadvertently admit you are not the best. There is no best leather jacket. No best maker, etc. It's a silly notion to think there is. We all seek individual properties we find attractive in our gear. There's no way to universally declare one superior to another. I know I know, the stitch count man, the stitch count!!
Personally I would've been less than amused if any maker insulted another I chose to wear. It seems a very odd approach and one I've never experienced in my dealings with SB, Aero, Vanson and Johnson Leathers, whom all talk up the quality of their jackets without disparaging remarks against those they are in direct competition with.
You've got yourself a very nice jacket Mysteryo. Enjoy it!
 

nick123

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When you're the best at something you don't need to talk about it. If you have to point out flaws and failures in others you inadvertently admit you are not the best. There is no best leather jacket. No best maker, etc. It's a silly notion to think there is. We all seek individual properties we find attractive in our gear. There's no way to universally declare one superior to another. I know I know, the stitch count man, the stitch count!!
Personally I would've been less than amused if any maker insulted another I chose to wear. It seems a very odd approach and one I've never experienced in my dealings with SB, Aero, Vanson and Johnson Leathers, whom all talk up the quality of their jackets without disparaging remarks against those they are in direct competition with.
You've got yourself a very nice jacket Mysteryo. Enjoy it!

I will say, in my phone conversations with Johnson it was always kind of an amiable reverence for the other makers. In retrospect I kind of appreciate that now that I think about it.
 
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17,511
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Chicago
I will say, in my phone conversations with Johnson it was always kind of an amiable reverence for the other makers. In retrospect I kind of appreciate that now that I think about it.
Couldn't agree more. Alan seems to share in the joy of his craft and appreciates what others do. When I sent him pics of my other makers jacket he said it was beautiful. And he was right!
 

Superfluous

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There is a fine line between educating the customer and disparaging the competition. It really depends on how these comments are made.

Exactly! I could not agree more.

When you're the best at something you don't need to talk about it.

See above. Dave is undeniably entitled to inform and educate the public about the nuances of his craft and jackets that often go unnoticed and/or are not common knowledge. Dave is entitled to explain the details of his jackets, and compare those details to other jackets, in order to explain why his jackets cost more. There is nothing wrong with appropriate education and respectful comparisons.

At some point, appropriate education and comparison cross-over to inappropriate disparagement. As Red-Devil observed, this is a very fine line. Broad statements of superiority (e.g., BK) and/or contempt detached from any notion of education or proper comparison are plainly inappropriate. Frankly, both education and comparison can and should be accomplished without derogatory language.

I do not recall what Dave said that has caused this uproar. Therefore, I cannot comment on whether he crossed that ever so thin line. That said, wholesale statements suggesting that a jacket maker cannot educate or compare are, IMHO, unwarranted.

If you have to point out flaws and failures in others you inadvertently admit you are not the best.

See above. Respectfully, your statement is a non-sequitur.

There is no best leather jacket. No best maker, etc. It's a silly notion to think there is. We all seek individual properties we find attractive in our gear. There's no way to universally declare one superior to another.

I completely agree. I HATE the term "best" -- it is profoundly subjective and meaningless. Equally important, it is insulting. I know Dave would never say he is the "best." To the contrary, I have heard him exalt others over himself.

You've got yourself a very nice jacket Mysteryo. Enjoy it!

Amen!

But I guess after dropping $3K on a leather jacket, one's bound to believe anything not to feel like a fool.

Respectful discourse must be bilateral. If we are going to insist that Himel not disparage his competitors, we also must refrain from disparaging Himel's customers. We must lead by example. IMHO, the above statement is inappropriate and disrespectful. You are better than that Ivan!

Himel's jackets are not the same as other jackets (Aero's jackets also are not the same as other jackets). Rather, every jacket manufacturer approaches the process slightly differently, and incorporates different components -- different leather -- different construction -- different hardware -- different stitching -- etc. Every jacket manufacturer is unique in their own right. Many here do not perceive value in the unique aspects of Himel's jackets. That is undeniably their prerogative. Many also do not perceive value in the unique aspects of Aero's jackets, and patronize less expensive jackets instead. We all attach different subjective importance and value to different components of individual jackets. Thats entirely appropriate. However, when someone posts that a Himel customer has overpaid, and is attaching value to worthless details associated with Himel's unique process so that they do "not feel like a fool," the line of respectful discourse has been crossed.
 

Harris HTM

One Too Many
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1,890
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In the Depths of R'lyeh
Exactly! I could not agree more.



See above. Dave is undeniably entitled to inform and educate the public about the nuances of his craft and jackets that often go unnoticed and/or are not common knowledge. Dave is entitled to explain the details of his jackets, and compare those details to other jackets, in order to explain why his jackets cost more. There is nothing wrong with appropriate education and respectful comparisons.

At some point, appropriate education and comparison cross-over to inappropriate disparagement. As Red-Devil observed, this is a very fine line. Broad statements of superiority (e.g., BK) and/or contempt detached from any notion of education or proper comparison are plainly inappropriate. Frankly, both education and comparison can and should be accomplished without derogatory language.

I do not recall what Dave said that has caused this uproar. Therefore, I cannot comment on whether he crossed that ever so thin line. That said, wholesale statements suggesting that a jacket maker cannot educate or compare are, IMHO, unwarranted.



See above. Respectfully, your statement is a non-sequitur.



I completely agree. I HATE the term "best" -- it is profoundly subjective and meaningless. Equally important, it is insulting. I know Dave would never say he is the "best." To the contrary, I have heard him exalt others over himself.



Amen!



Respectful discourse must be bilateral. If we are going to insist that Himel not disparage his competitors, we also must refrain from disparaging Himel's customers. We must lead by example. IMHO, the above statement is inappropriate and disrespectful. You are better than that Ivan!

Himel's jackets are not the same as other jackets (Aero's jackets also are not the same as other jackets). Rather, every jacket manufacturer approaches the process slightly differently, and incorporates different components -- different leather -- different construction -- different hardware -- different stitching -- etc. Every jacket manufacturer is unique in their own right. Many here do not perceive value in the unique aspects of Himel's jackets. That is undeniably their prerogative. Many also do not perceive value in the unique aspects of Aero's jackets, and patronize less expensive jackets instead. We all attach different subjective importance and value to different components of individual jackets. Thats entirely appropriate. However, when someone posts that a Himel customer has overpaid, and is attaching value to worthless details associated with Himel's unique process so that they do "not feel like a fool," the line of respectful discourse has been crossed.

As I said in my post I would order a Himel if I could afford it, unfortunately I cannot! I definitely do not disparage Himel's customers, I wish I were one of them.
 
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17,511
Location
Chicago
See above. Respectfully, your statement is a non-sequitur.
Insulting the work of another maker ("he could'nt help but notice I was wearing a S....t jacket when I arrived, and demonstated me how awfully it was built and what a crappy leather it was made of:-D") is not aimed at education...the need to do so, in fact, undermines credibility and becomes more a bully inflating their own fragile ego.
 

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