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Freewheelers LaBrea

dudewuttheheck

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So does that mean Shinki makes "combination tan" as well?
Will have to ask the shopkeeper again next time I am in Tokyo
I am not sure. They might, but I do not think so. I believe they only do vegetable tanned based on the people that I have spoken to. I have never spoken to someone from Shinki specifically unfortunately, just a wide variety of people who use their leather.
 

red devil

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I am not sure. They might, but I do not think so. I believe they only do vegetable tanned based on the people that I have spoken to. I have never spoken to someone from Shinki specifically unfortunately, just a wide variety of people who use their leather.


Will ask next time I am in Tokyo, curious about this :)
 

dudewuttheheck

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The more I look at this jacket...I think it's not only one of the coolest but also best built I've ever seen. Took some time on the CPU instead of the phone to check out the pics. Amazing man.
Won't argue with this at all. Freewheelers is one of the very best. Top 5 at the least.
 

red devil

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I know that I am repeating myself... But looking at the pics again, this really seals it, you're sorted. I hope we can see more pics of it as it ages now :D
 

Carlos840

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Top 3 IMHO... (plus Good Wear Leather and Himel Bros.)

Honestly, without wanting to start a VS war, the Himel and Freewheelers are on two different levels...
Can't compare with Good Wear yet, but right now i don't own another jacket that comes close to the level of detail and execution as this one. (the closest is probably my LL Dominator, but it still isn't as nicely put together)
Yes, a custom Freewheelers would cost 1/3 more than a custom himel, but at equal price the standard Freewheelers is much better made. If you don't need the customization and can have both for the same price, you would be insane to go for the Himel.
In my case the LaBrea was actually cheaper than the Himel, and it really doesn't look that way.
 
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dudewuttheheck

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Honestly, without wanting to start a VS war, the Himel and Freewheelers are on two different levels...
Can't compare with Good Wear yet, but right now i don't own another jacket that comes close to the level of detail and execution as this one. (the closest is probably my LL Dominator, but it still isn't as nicely put together)
Yes, a custom Freewheelers would cost 1/3 more than a custom himel, but at equal price the standard Freewheelers is much better made. If you don't need the customization and can have both for the same price, you would be insane to go for the Himel.
In my case the LaBrea was actually cheaper than the Himel, and it really doesn't look that way.
You all know how much I love Himel, but I can't argue with you at all here. I think Himel and Good Wear make the best fully custom jackets, but having handled FW in person and tried them on, nothing beats them construction wise. I would have more of them if they fit me better and I liked more of the designs. I'm still really eyeing one of their Caboose jackets or the new Journeyman right now though.

I think you just pushed me over the edge...

And if you're just talking about construction, Freewheelers wins vs Good Wear as well. I owned a Good Wear for a short period and it was very well made, but it he doesn't even go for the perfection that Freewheelers goes for and hence his jackets are not laser stitched and embellished the way Freewheelers are.
 
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BlueWallpaper

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Honestly, without wanting to start a VS war, the Himel and Freewheelers are on two different levels...
Can't compare with Good Wear yet, but right now i don't own another jacket that comes close to the level of detail and execution as this one. (the closest is probably my LL Dominator, but it still isn't as nicely put together)
Yes, a custom Freewheelers would cost 1/3 more than a custom himel, but at equal price the standard Freewheelers is much better made. If you don't need the customization and can have both for the same price, you would be insane to go for the Himel.
In my case the LaBrea was actually cheaper than the Himel, and it really doesn't look that way.

ut-oh... you mentioned the H word. bracing myself for the coming storm...
 

dudewuttheheck

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ut-oh... you mentioned the H word. bracing myself for the coming storm...
Why? The three people that like Himel the most on this forum are myself, @Superfluous , and @Benj and all of us think Freewheelers makes insanely good jackets. There will be no argument. I'm honestly very happy that s brand as good as Freewheelers is getting such great press here right now. I could hardly be happier.
 

BlueWallpaper

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Why? The three people that like Himel the most on this forum are myself, @Superfluous , and @Benj and all of us think Freewheelers makes insanely good jackets. There will be no argument. I'm honestly very happy that s brand as good as Freewheelers is getting such great press here right now. I could hardly be happier.

Yep, was just joking! Sad for me that I’d need to customize to get one long enough for me. Would definitely like a Shinki J-100 style jacket. Still annoyed the RMC fit wasn’t quite good enough for me.
 

dudewuttheheck

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Yep, was just joking! Sad for me that I’d need to customize to get one long enough for me. Would definitely like a Shinki J-100 style jacket. Still annoyed the RMC fit wasn’t quite good enough for me.
If Himel doesn't work for you, take a look at Rainbow Country. They also use Shinki and are very high quality. Less crazy details then FW, but still excellent and more affordable.
 

BlueWallpaper

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If Himel doesn't work for you, take a look at Rainbow Country. They also use Shinki and are very high quality. Less crazy details then FW, but still excellent and more affordable.

unfortunately i’d need to be able to add length to the arms. if memory serves RC don’t let you customize unfortunately.
 

red devil

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Thanks for the honest opinions @Carlos840 and @dudewuttheheck

I have been wondering about this for quite a while, I own a freewheelers but no Himel or Goodwear.

Maybe it's finally time for the centinela, I just need to lose some more weight, and this is very motivating :D
 

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