The Flat Head White Label: Counterfeit?

[Mike417]

Hello! Long time reader, first time poster. Having just sold my Schott Perfecto HH jacket, I was looking into upgrading to some Japanese brands. I came across a jacket I like, but am a bit confused about the white label instead of the customary green or blue The Flat Heat label. Are there reports of unauthorized Flat Head jackets floating around the seller sites? Has anyone owned one of these white labels and if so, how do they differentiate in cut and materials to the more recent models. This is considering the seller saying this is a “like new” 2017 model they purchased in Japan but they are unable to produce any online examples with white labels other than their specific jacket). Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Mike417]

This is a closeup of the label.

 

[Marc mndt]

Having just sold my Schott Perfecto HH jacket, I was looking into upgrading to some Japanese brands.

I wouldn't consider going from Schott to TFH an upgrade perse. Schott patterns are great (as long as you stay clear of their fashion jackets with elongated body length).

Personally I'm not a huge fan of TFH patterns, they often come with huge neck holes and wide shoulders.

 

[Mike417]

I wouldn't consider going from Schott to TFH an upgrade perse. Schott patterns are great (as long as you stay clear of their fashion jackets with elongated body length).

Personally I'm not a huge fan of TFH patterns, they often come with huge neck holes and wide shoulders.

Appreciate the input! That actually may benefit me, I happen to have a big head and wide shoulders lol.

 

[jeo]

It's not counterfeit. Here are a bunch of links to FH jackets with this label.

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/k1090068350?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/h1088712720?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/n1033954035?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/l1095898739?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top


If a Flat Head jacket fits you there is nothing more flattering IMO. I own two and they are my best looking, best fitting and most flattering out of all my Japanese jackets. They also use nice hardware that won't break on you after long and hard use. Their liners are also super nice. They just all around get it. But I'm also lucky because it's like these jackets are made for me and they definitely don't fit everyone.

 

[Marc mndt]

Appreciate the input! That actually may benefit me, I happen to have a big head and wide shoulders lol.

This is what I mean...

This TFH cafe racer looks nice though

RE the label, I think it's an old label.

 

[Mike417]

It's not counterfeit. Here are a bunch of links to FH jackets with this label.

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/k1090068350?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/h1088712720?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/n1033954035?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/l1095898739?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top


If a Flat Head jacket fits you there is nothing more flattering IMO. I own two and they are my best looking, best fitting and most flattering out of all my Japanese jackets. They also use nice hardware that won't break on you after long and hard use. Their liners are also super nice. They just all around get it. But I'm also lucky because it's like these jackets are made for me and they definitely don't fit everyone.

Thanks so much! Very informative and I expected nothing less from this fantastic forum! The fit is the issue as I’ve never tried on one of their jackets before and no returns with this seller, I am 5’8” 165, 39 inch chest with normal reach. From measuring other cafe style jackets I own this one should fit spot on but so hard to tell without the try-on. Fit was my issue with the Schott, I did try it on but was convinced to upsized to account for wearing it as both a fashion and a riding jacket with armor vest underneath but the stiffness of HH made both activities quite uncomfortable and without the armor the jacket was rather unflattering on my frame.

 

[jeo]

This is what I mean...

View attachment 540011

View attachment 540013

Both of these guys are completely the wrong body type for this jacket. Especially on the second guy you can see how it's big on him in shoulders and body (hence the large looking neck hole) yet still small/short in the sleeves.

It's not a pattern issue with large neck holes. Here's the same jacket on people that it actually fits. Neck hole looks perfectly fine.

 

[jeo]

Thanks so much! Very informative and I expected nothing less from this fantastic forum! The fit is the issue as I’ve never tried on one of their jackets before and no returns with this seller, I am 5’8” 165, 39 inch chest with normal reach. From measuring other cafe style jackets I own this one should fit spot on but so hard to tell without the try-on. Fit was my issue with the Schott, I did try it on but was convinced to upsized to account for wearing it as both a fashion and a riding jacket with armor vest underneath but the stiffness of HH made both activities quite uncomfortable and without the armor the jacket was rather unflattering on my frame.

What size and model was your Schott? Do you have any fit pictures?

 

[Mike417]

What size and model was your Schott? Do you have any fit pictures?

618HH size 40 and sorry no erased the jacket from my phone after selling.

 

[jeo]

618HH size 40 and sorry no erased the jacket from my phone after selling.

Here’s the 618HH in a size 36.

Here’s my FH double rider size 36.

The Flat Head fits shorter in the body and sleeves compared to the Schott.

If the Schott 618HH size 40 was a little large on you without the armor, I’d imagine the FH size 38 would be what you want.

 

[Mike417]

Here’s the 618HH in a size 36.

View attachment 540037

Here’s my FH double rider size 36.

View attachment 540042

The Flat Head fits shorter in the body and sleeves compared to the Schott.

If the Schott 618HH size 40 was a little large on you without the armor, I’d imagine the FH size 38 would be what you want.

Appreciate the visuals! Very helpful

 

[Mike417]

It's not counterfeit. Here are a bunch of links to FH jackets with this label.

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/k1090068350?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/h1088712720?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/n1033954035?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top
https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/l1095898739?conversionType=search_suggest_buyee_top


If a Flat Head jacket fits you there is nothing more flattering IMO. I own two and they are my best looking, best fitting and most flattering out of all my Japanese jackets. They also use nice hardware that won't break on you after long and hard use. Their liners are also super nice. They just all around get it. But I'm also lucky because it's like these jackets are made for me and they definitely don't fit everyone.

This one of the links you shared: https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/h1088712720?lang=en

Is the exact model the person is selling. Howbeit a 38. Thanks for sharing, I had not seen this model anywhere else and another reason for skepticism of authenticity. I tried (in vain) to get the seller to consider accepting returns for the sale as I am still wary of the sizing especially as this is an out of manufacturing cut/model and correct me if I’m wrong but I would think the more current/different styled models at my local self edge would likely fit differently. Anyone own this particular model? And if so: How does it compare to current models? Also, the seller is asking $850 and I see the yahoo seller from the link having no bids at only $540, worrying me if I take the risk, get the jacket and it doesn’t fit I’ll have issues reselling to recover my losses.

 

[Canuck Panda]

That padded jacket could be made when Flat Head was still offering full custom jackets. More info @ bottom left corner of the jpeg below. There is a video about the Stockberg leather workshop on Youtube too. This magazine was from 2016 so it's been a while.

Some more pages, google translated:

I also think at 39" chest you can fit into either the 38 or the 40, I think. Safer with the 40. If too small then cannot wear. But it is worth it to try a jacket in 38. Because that's the most available size in Japan and you're likely to score better deals on some really awesome jackets. I am also in the used market for a FH myself. But the one I'm after is a deerskin one and not horsehide. I also suspect that the Japanese FH and the Western dealer FH are the same jackets. It's just that the western dealers will stock size up to 46 where as the Japanese dealers will only stock up to 42. The measurement numbers can be misleading. 2nd Street in Japan is the worst offender. They sometimes measure panel to panel as P2P and make everything looks wacky. Good luck on your first FH.

 

[newtojackets]

Here’s the 618HH in a size 36.

View attachment 540037

Here’s my FH double rider size 36.

View attachment 540042

The Flat Head fits shorter in the body and sleeves compared to the Schott.

If the Schott 618HH size 40 was a little large on you without the armor, I’d imagine the FH size 38 would be what you want.

TFH one fits you spot on

 

[jeo]

This one of the links you shared: https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/h1088712720?lang=en

Is the exact model the person is selling. Howbeit a 38. Thanks for sharing, I had not seen this model anywhere else and another reason for skepticism of authenticity. I tried (in vain) to get the seller to consider accepting returns for the sale as I am still wary of the sizing especially as this is an out of manufacturing cut/model and correct me if I’m wrong but I would think the more current/different styled models at my local self edge would likely fit differently. Anyone own this particular model? And if so: How does it compare to current models? Also, the seller is asking $850 and I see the yahoo seller from the link having no bids at only $540, worrying me if I take the risk, get the jacket and it doesn’t fit I’ll have issues reselling to recover my losses.

I wouldn’t go for it at that price, especially if you’re not married to that exact model. You can find good condition second hand FHs from Yahoo Auctions Japan for much cheaper. That’s where I got both of mine.

 

[Creed]

Bought this brand new about a year ago in Flathead’s Tokyo shop.

https://www.flat-head.com/fn-lj-hs004/

Apologies about not being able to see the collar properly. Had to wear a hoody underneath cause of the sub-zero temperature in Korea.