I just like the way it feels . . . .

[Superfluous]

Over the years, I have seen, and participated in, numerous discussions -- some evolving into debates or even arguments -- regarding which is the "best" leather for a jacket. I am fully aware of the objective criteria that can be applied. However, in the end, the "best" leather for me is not the one that exceeds others in terms of objective criteria. Rather, the "best" leather for me is the leather that feels the best to me. I don't exalt Shinki HH based on objective criteria. Rather, I exalt Shinki HH because, in my ever so subjective opinion, Shinki feels the best . . . it has the right combination of weight and pliability for me. In my humble and subjective opinion, Horween's FQHH is too heavy and rigid, ELMC's HH is too light, BK's Liberty HH is too similar to vinyl, etc. I am luke warm about Vincenza HH. However, in the end, Shinki HH has the right balance for my personal taste. Therefore, Shinki is "best" for me. On the other hand, Shinki is clearly not "best" for everyone.

As we delve deeper and deeper into this Rabbit Hole of leather jackets, we inevitably refine and define our personal tastes . . . what we like best, and what we do not like as much. Ultimately, the "best" leather is the leather that best satisfies our individual and subjective preferences, as refined through personal experience. Objective criteria, while interesting to discuss, must give way to subjective feel.

In the end, I just like the way it feels. Its that simple.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Good for you.
I feel ya...

 

[Mark]

It's all about personal taste, there is no "best". I love my Horween FQHH and BK's Liberty HH. Yet to experience Shinki or Vincenza but i'm sure they are great too.

 

[ton312]

This is 100% truth and I'd even suggest that the "best" can change with season and purpose. To wit, the recent fit jacket I received in Vincenza was a hide I thought I wouldn't care for at all. After trying it on I can almost guarantee I'll most certainly be ordering a jacket in Vincenza despite my swearing not to buy another. It's a sublime leather to wear for sure.

 

[Grayland]

As far as looks go, I like my BK Victory and GW Shinki - in that order. For feel and drape, I like my Rainbow Country Shinki. I do enjoy my Aero FQHH quite a bit, but I'm still breaking it in.

 

[ausreenactor]

Newfoundlanders and Kiwis are berated for their passionate affection for animal hides... At least with a jacket the hide has been removed. I have a BK with a small batch of russet vintage antiqued HH. Not sure what marketing moniker was thrown at it; however, I got to put the pattern panels across the hide my way during the make and it is a belter. The only A-2 repro I wear now.

 

[Blackadder]

The issue is not which is the most suitable leather. When it involves how it looks and feels, there is definitely a subjective element to it.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Totally agree. Best leather I own is a light (2oz) black calfskin jacket. Cost me $25 in a thrift shop. Made in Australia and suited to our warmer conditions. It just feels better (softer with a nice drape) than the others I have owned.

 

[handymike]

I just received a Thedi in Italian Horsehide. I'll post a separate review tomorrow, but wow! it's a nice hide- exactly what I was hoping for

 

[Monitor]

Blah blah blah, this entire thread is nonsense because objectively, the best leather in the world exists and the best leather in the world is

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Well said as always, Superfluous.

Obviously, I feel the same as you and Shinki is undoubtedly my favorite leather. I do agree that there are other incredible leathers out there and I have seen/handled others that do have other great attributes, but for my money and my personal taste, nothing is even close to Shinki. I can give some objective reasons to why I enjoy it so much,m but really there is just something special about it that makes me love it.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I just received a Thedi in Italian Horsehide. I'll post a separate review tomorrow, but wow! it's a nice hide- exactly what I was hoping for

I was going to chime in and say that my Thedi jacket is up there. I think I prefer it to my Shinki jacket in terms of feel when wearing...not sure if it will break in and look as nice as the Shinki is but its damn luxurious to wear.

 

[ton312]

Blah blah blah, this entire thread is nonsense because objectively, the best leather in the world exists and the best leather in the world is

I laugh out loud every single time I see this gif

 

[plainsman]

Over the years, I have seen, and participated in, numerous discussions -- some evolving into debates or even arguments -- regarding which is the "best" leather for a jacket. I am fully aware of the objective criteria that can be applied. However, in the end, the "best" leather for me is not the one that exceeds others in terms of objective criteria. Rather, the "best" leather for me is the leather that feels the best to me. I don't exalt Shinki HH based on objective criteria. Rather, I exalt Shinki HH because, in my ever so subjective opinion, Shinki feels the best . . . it has the right combination of weight and pliability for me. In my humble and subjective opinion, Horween's FQHH is too heavy and rigid, ELMC's HH is too light, BK's Liberty HH is too similar to vinyl, etc. I am luke warm about Vincenza HH. However, in the end, Shinki HH has the right balance for my personal taste. Therefore, Shinki is "best" for me. On the other hand, Shinki is clearly not "best" for everyone.

As we delve deeper and deeper into this Rabbit Hole of leather jackets, we inevitably refine and define our personal tastes . . . what we like best, and what we do not like as much. Ultimately, the "best" leather is the leather that best satisfies our individual and subjective preferences, as refined through personal experience. Objective criteria, while interesting to discuss, must give way to subjective feel.

In the end, I just like the way it feels. Its that simple.

Fully agree with the subjectivity of "best for me" and at a period of time. It is a personal journey, and possibly it is more important to enjoy each step of the journey than trying to search the ultimate leather. As ton123 wrote, best can change with season and purpose.

 

[Superfluous]

Blah blah blah, this entire thread is nonsense because objectively, the best leather in the world exists and the best leather in the world is

Blue HH is the best?

 

[ProteinNerd]

I'd even suggest that the "best" can change with season and purpose.

The thing that makes me laugh at myself is my "favourite" changes EVERY damn week, without fail....

 

[ton312]

Blue HH is the best?

I'll let you know in 2-3 months

 

[Monitor]

There are these jackets where I am, everyone used to wear them though now they're becoming more and more rare... It is a sort of the Easter bloc work utility jacket, just ugly as a sin. Completely devoid of any notion of aesthetics. Mostly of Italian manufacture, they're somewhere in between a jacket and a coat, baggy all around, with really wide shoulders, four horrendously placed pockets, side straps... Utterly classless horrors they are.
But the thing is, I find the leather on 'em to be probably the most beautiful I've seen, just the way I'd want my jackets to look. It's something I've been after ever since I got into this little hobby. Obviously, considering these jackets are still surviving after 40, 50 years of hard use speaks something about the quality of that leather, but just the way it looks is, to me, unparalleled. Quite smooth and shiny with some hide wrinkling or grain appearing only if the panel had it to begin with, with heavy creases all over. Pliable but not too soft and the weight is in the upper range of mid. weight. Best about it, it's got the most beautiful wear and patina you can find on a jacket, the stuff we see on those photos online.
And I keep thinking, these jackets have really been worn, their owners spent a good part of their lives outside, in the field, working, whatever, in that one jacket so could it be that any jacket could achieve that look with time and wear, or is there just something special about that leather? Special to me, obviously. Makes me wonder if I should really, really try to stick with one single jacket and see how it goes 'cause it just might turn out more rewarding than anything else money can buy. Then again, perhaps not?

There's not much point to any of this, just sharing my thoughts on the subject. I just like the way it feels... You know, if someone offered me to chose any leather in the world for the jacket I want, I would go that leather, without giving it a moment's thought.

I've even managed to get one of those jackets just because of the leather (had plans to turn it into a Cafe Racer, of course) but I gave it away to a friend. For me it is literally unwearable. It wasn't a bad fit or anything, just that I felt... Ugh. But that's also a little bit snobish of me.

 

[A-1]

Monitor, do you have a photo? I’m very curious now!

 

[Monitor]

Monitor, do you have a photo? I’m very curious now!

No, sadly, I don't. But photos don't do it much justice, it just looks very nice but not all that different from any other nice leather.