Simmons Bilt offering Shinki - and many other leathers

[AeroFan_07]

Greetings folks,

I am starting a new thread as a question was asked later last evening on my earlier post in the classified about this. It was late and I was not thinking as well, as I did not do a good job of helping to contribute to what actually became a very good discussion on this subject.

So I am starting a new thread here: The Vast Array of S-B leathers. I really was shocked as I researched this last evening, since I want what I say on here to be truthful. Simmons-Bilt has really started offering a vast array of leathers. One note right off the top, the "Shinki" name is not found in their current offerings. Instead, they list Japan Horsehide in both Teacore & non-teacore types, black & brown.

They also offer Oiled Steerhide, Blattwerk Horsehide, Clayton Horsehide, Diesel Steerhide, Epsom Horsehide, Goatskin, Horween CXL Steerhide, Horween Lux, Horween Metro & Horween Milan, Natural Italian, Ranger Horsehide & Steerhide, Waxy Horsehide, the Japan Horsehides and Nordic Elk. And those are all just on their J100 pattern Cafe Racer! They have a few others for different models.

Here is a direct link to the page showing most of their leathers:
https://simmonsbilt.com/pages/leathers

Now may the discussion resume in the Outerwear section...

 

[Pandemic]

£200 surcharge for mystery brand Japanese hide. What an uncharacteristic obfuscation.

 

[El Marro]

I think thet the Japanese leather almost certainly is something other than Shinki, because I doubt anyone would pass on the opportunity to highlight the fact that they had access to this very popular hide. I would be curious to see it though because there are certainly other tanneries in Japan producing great horsehide . My IH jacket is made from leather from a tannery in Himeji Japan and it is really nice stuff.
Incidentally, I do own an SB made from Shinki that I purchased through Drifter Productions back in 2017, a black J100. Out of the five Shinki jackets I own it is probably my least favorite example, the hide has a shiny plasticky feel to it. On the other hand, it has not seen much wear and the leather does work well with that style of jacket.

 

[ton312]

£200 surcharge for mystery brand Japanese hide. What an uncharacteristic obfuscation.

LOL. That’s right up their alley?!
In truth, they’ve had shinki for at least a few years now. I’m surprised they don’t call it by name, as the hide generates quite a fuss among those who like it. I personally like the Clayton and Horween Lux, with the Lux being my favorite. It’s thick as Hell but very soft, patina set to warp speed.

 

[JMax]

I think thet the Japanese leather almost certainly is something other than Shinki, because I doubt anyone would pass on the opportunity to highlight the fact that they had access to this very popular hide. I would be curious to see it though because there are certainly other tanneries in Japan producing great horsehide . My IH jacket is made from leather from a tannery in Himeji Japan and it is really nice stuff.
Incidentally, I do own an SB made from Shinki that I purchased through Drifter Productions back in 2017, a black J100. Out of the five Shinki jackets I own it is probably my least favorite example, the hide has a shiny plasticky feel to it. On the other hand, it has not seen much wear and the leather does work well with that style of jacket.

I wonder if the shine disappears or if my batch was different. No shine to mine, at all. Sometimes I would like a bit of it.

 

[El Marro]

I wonder if the shine disappears or if my batch was different. No shine to mine, at all. Sometimes I would like a bit of it.

Good question. Had your jacket been worn much when you got it?

 

[JMax]

Good question. Had your jacket been worn much when you got it?

It did flow through a few TFL hands. Best guess, sort of the typical TFL per jacket usage rate. I could tell it was worn, but nothing major.

 

[handymike]

There’s always Urad...

 

[red devil]

I remember Shinki offered Shinki for a while, after that not sure what happened. If they called this Japanese HH, then it is probably not Shinki. Does it matter?

Shinki is the most famous tannery, it is a brand name, that's it. There are many tanneries in Japan producing great leather. Langlitz uses a tannery from Himej as well for example and their surcharge is very different...

 

[Monitor]

@red devil, Exactly & spot on.

And honestly, with all the information currently available online, I'm fairly convinced that by now all of us here (and elsewhere) should be able to just freaking decide if we like the look of the leather & determine it as being quality - which really isn't hard at all 'cause when exactly did a really good looking leather turned out to be junk? - without scanning for whatever combination of letters that guarantees resale value.

 

[JMax]

Exactly. I like that SB just used a HH label on their Shinki jackets.

I posted too soon- But the collector in me likes some info to track what is what. It doesn’t have to be on a label.

 

[Grayland]

Good Wear uses Shinki on many of his jackets. It isn't mentioned in the Available Leather section:
https://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/leather.html

 

[nattevagten]

Is the £150 upcharge for Blattwerk worth it?