Thoughts about Japanese brands

[Winthorpe]

This again
Four Speed leathers is a man on his own working in his shop, very open to cutomise the jacket any way you would want

Thank you, I did not know that. On his website he lists an upcharge of around $400 for horsehide. I wonder if that is the very same chrome tanned horsehide that he used for the IHJ-35. Iron Heart says that is from a small tannery in Himeji (no surprise....).

A little bit ago I was talking to Langlitz about remaking a Brimaco style cafe racer for me, which they would be happy to do. However, I'd love to have that particular jacket in horsehide, but at Langlitz that is a $1,200 upcharge (and it's not really the type of hide they are known for).

I will hook up with the Four Speed owner next time I'm in Japan and visit him at his shop.

 

[tmitchell59]

Thank you, I did not know that. On his website he lists an upcharge of around $400 for horsehide. I wonder if that is the very same chrome tanned horsehide that he used for the IHJ-35. Iron Heart says that is from a small tannery in Himeji (no surprise....).

A little bit ago I was talking to Langlitz about remaking a Brimaco style cafe racer for me, which they would be happy to do. However, I'd love to have that particular jacket in horsehide, but at Langlitz that is a $1,200 upcharge (and it's not really the type of hide they are known for).

I will hook up with the Four Speed owner next time I'm in Japan and visit him at his shop.

I just went to Four Speed, omg!! I spent a few hours on yahoo Japan. I really wanting several jackets. Found one I can wear, just waiting on something to make up my mind. I just think I will see another equally cool jacket after I buy one. I've kinda re-hooked myself.


When I was trading Vintage guitars a few years back the Japanese had a very strong presence in the Vintage guitar market. They were knowledgeable, honest, polite and fair. They were buying guitars the Americans were walking past. They acquired huge collections of the very finest instruments. They had an appreciation and the willingness to pay for what they wanted.

They used that same appreciation to sweep up a lot of Vintage leather jackets. They were the market, the high $ buyer.

Now they deliver the most interesting leather Jackets I've seen, some part vintage, part contemporary. just crazy

 

[tmitchell59]

I will hook up with the Four Speed owner next time I'm in Japan and visit him at his shop.

Take me too! you have to report back after that trip.

 

[Winthorpe]

Your whole article is kind of a textbook example of why people who can't read or write Japanese should be advised to keep their opinions to themselves; they are ill-informed.

Let me preface that what I'm about to say is without any authority, it's just an opinion. I find the general notion that someone who can't read or write Japanese should keep her or his opinions on anything Japanese to themselves ridiculous. Quite offensive actually.

One year I visited Kyoto with my Japanese wife, son and and mother-in law. There we met up with a Japanese born colleague of my wife (they both work in Seattle). We spent a lot of time looking at fabrics and learning about its history. My wife’s colleague in particular was very knowledgeable on this topic and is fluent in English, which enabled him to explain things with a great amount of detail and depth. The things you wrote down in your reply where readily accessible to me without speaking any Japanese (to be honest though, they didn’t stick…).

From browsing some of the history of this board I do get impression that you are a smart and thoughtful individual who is highly respected by a great amount of the other long-time board members. Yet you start your reply to dudewuttheheck in a knee-jerk kind of way that feels really strange for the type of person you are. In my opinion that is not edgy or raw, it’s just being a jerk because you can (rather than just making your point).

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Winthrope
I've been around the FL forum for quite awhile and must say that this type of Big J confrontation and abuse is unfortunately nothing new.
HD

 

[breezer]

Well that escalated quickly

 

[ton312]

I don't see anything abusive in BigJ's post. He didn't agree with what was written but none of it came off as a personal attack worthy of moderator intervention.

Having read dudes blog I found some of it informative but in the end it read like a long and rolling advert for a variety of brands he admires without much beyond his opinions to back up his personal views. Some pictorial comparisons that highlight the differences would've helped solidify his argument.

Monitor and I were discussing this subject and he discovered an interesting article that addresses the subject (largely from the female and street/ fashion) perspective over the last few decades.

https://artsandculture.google.com/e...sfa1QRb4yziG_kcgLelO-jdNzVkZNCzA7HoOCUS_Oqipg

If nothing else you might enjoy the images. The article does not address the workwear/motorcycle/Americana fetish.

 

[navetsea]

hey the pony doesn't look that bad... look at those grains start popping on the base of the neck
however with such price it should have a pair of cute wings though

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I don't see anything abusive in BigJ's post. He didn't agree with what was written but none of it came off as a personal attack worthy of moderator intervention.

Having read dudes blog I found some of it informative but in the end it read like a long and rolling advert for a variety of brands he admires without much beyond his opinions to back up his personal views. Some pictorial comparisons that highlight the differences would've helped solidify his argument.

Monitor and I were discussing this subject and he discovered an interesting article that addresses the subject (largely from the female and street/ fashion) perspective over the last few decades.

https://artsandculture.google.com/e...sfa1QRb4yziG_kcgLelO-jdNzVkZNCzA7HoOCUS_Oqipg

If nothing else you might enjoy the images. The article does not address the workwear/motorcycle/Americana fetish.

You've got to be kidding me. His opening line is clearly a personal attack. Again, I don't care what he said afterward about my article. He does this to me every time he responds to me. It's absolutely ridiculous and has to stop.

@Edward either needs to get him to stop or I'm crazy and I'm out of this place for good.

 

[Edward]

From behind the bar: Let's all try and be a bit mored constructive in how we communicate and comprehend opinions. Escalation of petty argument is likely to have threads shut down.


Addendum: WE're moving on from the dispute above. Further posts on the matter will be disappeared.

 

[Big J]

@ton312, that was a pretty good link you posted! Thanks!
Scrolling through it, I found several styles my wife has been through, and I kept laughing and holding up my phone for her to see, and saying 'You remember when you looked like this?'

I have to say, it was a little before my time here, but the invention of Lycra in the early 90's inspired the 'Bodicon' style of super tight, super short skirts and mini-dresses. I'm sorry I missed that. It disappeared overnight when the economy tanked. I hope there isn't a revival, I'll be telling my daughters 'You're not going out dressed like that!' LOLZ.

 

[red devil]

Thank you, I did not know that. On his website he lists an upcharge of around $400 for horsehide. I wonder if that is the very same chrome tanned horsehide that he used for the IHJ-35. Iron Heart says that is from a small tannery in Himeji (no surprise....).

A little bit ago I was talking to Langlitz about remaking a Brimaco style cafe racer for me, which they would be happy to do. However, I'd love to have that particular jacket in horsehide, but at Langlitz that is a $1,200 upcharge (and it's not really the type of hide they are known for).

I will hook up with the Four Speed owner next time I'm in Japan and visit him at his shop.

I didn't ask him directly when I went to his workshop, but pretty sure it is.

I am planning to place an order from him but haven't finalised it yet.

It's definitely a good idea to visit him directly

 

[lina]

I've had some slight disappointments with the rare Japanese brands I've tried. First, a really cool plaid overshirt from Joe McCoy, which I love the looks and feel of, but which far too quickly began to unravel thread around the button holes. Then, my Rolling Dub Trio coupen boots -- again, love the looks, but again workmanship problems, with thread stitching down the eyelet section to the vamp coming undone very quickly. I don't expect perfection with any brands, but for such high end, hand/bench made stuff I do want it to be more hardwearing.

Of course, this is a limited sample, and perhaps the (bad) luck of the draw..

 

[Bigbenbs]

I love how this post was originally about how polarizing discussions of Japanese brands tends to become. And then, as the conversation proceeds...

@dudewuttheheck, BTW, I like you articles and your blog. It's terrific for people with a bit less knowledge like me who are trying to get oriented on some of the subjects that you love.

 

[Sloan1874]

McCoy's WWII chinos are excellent value for money. I've had two pairs, both bought in from Japan, and even after import tax etc, they're still well within a reasonable price range. and are fantastic quality - they're heavy enough to be worn into autumn and winter.

 

[Monitor]

I really, really want this...

 

[Grayland]

I really, really want this...

I have it and it is fantastic. Fits a bit small; I'm a 40 and take a 42 in this. Very heavy wool; there is no lining, just a thick wool.

 

[Monitor]

I have it and it is fantastic. Fits a bit small; I'm a 40 and take a 42 in this. Very heavy wool; there is no lining, just a thick wool.

I love everything about it. Bet it's warm, too. I can't forgive myself for not buying one that Tony was recently selling.

 

[Grayland]

I love everything about it. Bet it's warm, too. I can't forgive myself for not buying one that Tony was recently selling.

It's warm but I wouldn't wear it as my serious cold-weather coat where I live (upstate New York). It can only provide so much warmth without a liner. It is really nice and can be dressed up a bit as well IMO. Looks great with sweaters and vests.

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ These are ridiculous and, IMHO, do a disservice to the brand.

And a waste of leather, nothing more than conspicuous consumption stuff.

EDIT: This post was in response to the leather animals, lol