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One more, always one more...

Kuro

Practically Family
Messages
717
So...

I enjoy my Aero J-100, as my clean streamlined easy to wear leather jacket.

But my thoughts are always returning to something a little more significant. That brings me to my dilemma.

It is not possible for me to own many jackets without upsetting a life balance. I am trying REALLY hard to stay at three jackets.

My Centinela fits my need for a fairly unique style.
My La Brea fits my need for a cross zip. So many great options here, but need to keep it at one.
That leaves me with the J-100 style.

I have four ideas, but I can only do one.

1. RMC Buco J-100. I get one with the tag that says it is a Buco. Mission end.

2. The Flat Head version. Not a fan of the handwarmer pockets, but I can get over a lot of things. I have seen a deerskin Rider that looks sublime.

3. Iron Heart version, like the Black Battle for instance.

4. Lost Worlds Buco Rider... Still kicking myself for not jumping on this, if it ever comes up again I am pressing BUY IT NOW:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/lost-worlds-buco-rider-40.103626/

Thankfully FW Speedmaster was never made in my size, or I would already have my third jacket chosen with no dilemma required.

Why am I posting this thread?

I am drawn to the RMC Buco as it is simple and HH, so I know I will be happy with it, mission requirement met.

But I have never owned anything from the four brands above, much less handled any of them. Many of you have owned some or all, but I really can only justify one. I really enjoy HH, I am curious about Deerskin too though. And I am curious about the brands from ownership perspective, weight, ease of wear, quality. I know a bit from research.

Lost worlds will be heavy. I would prefer a light weight J-100 style for spring and fall wear. Ask Stuart if he will do this jacket in Deerskin? Will it be lighter?

RMC will be nice, looks lightweight. Japanese trim fit?

The Flat Head with red liner, also looks nice. I believe The Flat Head designs are more proportioned to American sizes than other Japanese brands? Or am I confusing this with Iron Heart? Deerskin looked really nice. Is The Flat Head no longer making jackets anymore?

Anyways, ramble over. Feel free to move along if I don't make much sense. Some of you may get what I am thinking and have some personal insight on what they have owned.

Thanks!
 
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sweetfights

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3,301
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Honestly- I have been where you are now, and I suspect, many of us here at The Lounge relate 100%.

Based on what you are looking for I would go with the Himel Kensington. Not cheap but a custom fit and in the best Shinki I have ever experienced for a J100 design. Light and a great aroma.
 

Kuro

Practically Family
Messages
717
Honestly- I have been where you are now, and I suspect, many of us here at The Lounge relate 100%.

Based on what you are looking for I would go with the Himel Kensington. Not cheap but a custom fit and in the best Shinki I have ever experienced for a J100 design. Light and a great aroma.

The Kensington looks great I agree, and I have liked all of them that I have seen. And I greatly appreciate your insight, as I have witnessed your hunt.

Unfortunately I have not had a good experience ordering with Himel, a previous order with them fell apart. It has tempered my desire to attempt to work with them again out of stubborn principle.
 

sweetfights

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The Kensington looks great I agree, and I have liked all of them that I have seen. And I greatly appreciate your insight, as I have witnessed your hunt.

Unfortunately I have not had a good experience ordering with Himel, a previous order with them fell apart. It has tempered my desire to attempt to work with them again out of stubborn principle.

That sucks. Nothing like a negative experience to undermine your choices.
Other Cafe Racers are out there you will be thrilled with. Langlitz may be an option for you.
 

dwilson

A-List Customer
Messages
320
Location
LA
The Flat Head with red liner, also looks nice. I believe The Flat Head designs are more proportioned to American sizes than other Japanese brands? Or am I confusing this with Iron Heart? Deerskin looked really nice. Is The Flat Head no longer making jackets anymore?

You're thinking Iron Heart. In general with Flat Head you need to have wide shoulders and a thin waist. And even then probably err on sizing up with Flat Head. Iron Heart generally has larger porportions than TFH.

TFH is still making jackets. Rivet and Hide recently got a shipment of single riders. I'm not sure if they're still making their Cafe Racer at the moment, though.
 

Kuro

Practically Family
Messages
717
I get the two confused. I knew one was more American in proportion compared to traditional Japanese brands.

Thank you for clearing that up!
 

Bfd70

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,347
Location
Traverse city
The IH version is beautiful. The leather is substantial and soft like deer skin. Literally zero break in needed. Pop up used frequently.
 

Kuro

Practically Family
Messages
717
The IH version is beautiful. The leather is substantial and soft like deer skin. Literally zero break in needed. Pop up used frequently.
What is pop up? A lotion/cream/treatment of some kind?
 

navetsea

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,875
Location
East Java
Do you like racer's simple mandarin collar though? I see most of your pictures here you wear your leather over dress shirt and necktie, wont that need some kind of lapel to make triangular opening on the upper chest?
 

Kuro

Practically Family
Messages
717
Do you like racer's simple mandarin collar though? I see most of your pictures here you wear your leather over dress shirt and necktie, wont that need some kind of lapel to make triangular opening on the upper chest?
I do like the simple Mandarin collar. The J-100 style is very easy and simple for me, even in a tie. It is a bit sporty that way.

I could get hung up on lapels, there are MANY factors involved. Thankfully I can accept what my La Brea gives me off the rack, I don't think about it because that is my only option.
 
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red devil

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London
If you like the LW, just get it new. You can specify the lightest deerskin or HH he has (I think it is a lighter 3oz).

I would also recommend looking at Thedi, they have some amazing CRs
 

Kuro

Practically Family
Messages
717
If you like the LW, just get it new. You can specify the lightest deerskin or HH he has (I think it is a lighter 3oz).

I would also recommend looking at Thedi, they have some amazing CRs

I am going to reach out to Stuart today, just to wrap my mind around the legend. I will update.

Here is my current J-100 homage for reference.

20210716_085726.jpg
 
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Kuro

Practically Family
Messages
717
First pitch...

Strike one!

I am pretty sure I struck out on the first pitch... I am not a fan of chrome tanned leather, and he said he was not the market I was shopping for. And he is probably right.

Too bad, I was dreaming about Crown zipper and blue leather...

My thoughts were, delete hand warmer pockets. Zippers on the tops of the sleeves. Navy blue deerskin. Crown main zipper. Kidney panel. Delicious.
 
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