What Jacket Are You Wearing Today?

[Blackadder]

Yes! This one would make the stitch counters and those that holster rulers sorta happy. Maybe. Probably not. There is one or two typical Cal dodgy lines on the hem.

Though I will say that some of those folks that value perfect stitching see straight lines and I swear the stitch lines sometimes look crooked in the pictures. Must be the camera angle. No way every FW or RC ever made has anything but laser-straight stitching. No way.

Anyways, yes, a very functional and ******proof jacket in one of the nicest vintage HH one can find. That’s enough for me.

Love your jacket. Hope I can find one in my size. I find this straight zip pattern oversized compared to the cross zip pattern. Most I have seen around are pretty loose for their tag size given the general pattern in that era.

No FW or RC don't but it is one thing to having a few defective products (individual item having quality issues) and another to treating it as a norm. I remember White's local dealer telling me that it is normal to have very noticeable wobbly stitching and mis-matched heels. He said that is normal for hand crafted products. Well he also sells Tricker's and I doubt his standard about hand crafted products applies to Tricker's. Yes Tricker's may not be laser straight but at least not easily noticeable. Besides, Tricker's would happily take those back and let you exchange. It is another thing to tell you that it is normal and the next pair would most probably be the same. The real distinction is therefore White's make work boots while Tricker's make dress shoes. However, once you start getting White's with high end leather, it becomes high end product but still with the same sloppy work and QC. That have always baffled me until Dave Himel gave his explanation on mass produced vs custom. I accepted his explanation and decided that I would stick with OTR and avoid custom work.

 

[JMax]

Where can I find Dave Himel’s explanation? I’d like to read it. Is it here? If it is I can go looking through his posts.

What size are you hunting for? I’ll keep an eye out.

 

[ABCD]

No way every FW or RC ever made has anything but laser-straight stitching. No way.

FW French seam sleave on the left vs Thedi on the right.

I've owned a Vanson with straighter stitching than this FW labrea lol.

Vanson :

 

[Carlos840]

Check this thread, I think the same answer applies.

Personally I think it's a shame that RMC uses such scarred hides for their supposedly high end jackets. If I'm buying high end (and paying top dollar) I expect the maker to cut around scars like this.

It's weird to see such massive pores on RMC leather, it almost looks like Vanson's new Comp weight1
Is RMC using sanded leather now? None of my RMC from a few years ago show anything similar...

 

[tmitchell59]

Heavy horsehide police jacket. I dig these snap down collars. Small regional maker.

 

[Blackadder]

Where can I find Dave Himel’s explanation? I’d like to read it. Is it here? If it is I can go looking through his posts.

What size are you hunting for? I’ll keep an eye out.

I think he said it a couple times on this forum. Here is one. Edit #202 and 205
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/himel-an-existential-review.107576/page-11#post-2924846
40-42 inches pit to pit would be the size for me. Appreciate the help.

 

[58panheadfan]

I apologize if this isnt strictly relevant to the thread but I did wear this jacket today and it doesn't feel like it deserves itsown thread. Sorry for no fit pics. After looking over my RMC Nelson today I observed some concerning developments. It appears as though small cracks have been forming along scar lines on the back arm panel on the left sleeve of the jacket. I spoke with the retailer including these pictures and they assured me that this was normal. I have jackets that cost me 1/10 what this jacket cost that I've treated like they owed me money that haven't shown any cracks. The worst that happened here is that I got caught in a downpour one time, after which I let the jacket air dry completely and conditioned after. Jacket is about 2 months old, and I'd say it's been worn maybe 30 times total and only briefly as it's been too hot to wear most days. View attachment 445578 View attachment 445577 View attachment 445576
View attachment 445580
What do you guys think?

As far as I know, RMC had serious problems with the quality of their leather jackets about 3-4 years ago. Unfortunately, I don't know how it looks today... I didn't have any such faults with my RMC jackets.

 

[58panheadfan]

FW French seam sleave on the left vs Thedi on the right.

I've owned a Vanson with straighter stitching than this FW labrea lol.

View attachment 446453

Vanson :

View attachment 446452

In fact, I already had and have a few Thedis leather jackets, but when it comes to laser straight stitching, his leather jackets cannot be surpassed. Also not from FW etc. the thickness of the seams used are another matter...

 

[Canuck Panda]

Hooch Hauler Badalassi Chestnut Steerhide Universal Zips

Very slim pattern. Sale page jacket. Great deal, Badalassi leather feels thicker than Vicenza. If I were custom ordering I would go up one size for my own preference.

 

[Will Zach]

^^
Yeah, but this is the perfect fit.

 

[Hh121]

Hooch Hauler Badalassi Chestnut Steerhide Universal Zips
View attachment 446794 View attachment 446795 View attachment 446796 View attachment 446797
Very slim pattern. Sale page jacket. Great deal, Badalassi leather feels thicker than Vicenza. If I were custom ordering I would go up one size for my own preference.

How do you feel about Aero's measurement? Sleeves and back always shorter than their measurements.

 

[Canuck Panda]

How do you feel about Aero's measurement? Sleeves and back always shorter than their measurements.

This one was spot on. Or within 0.25"
But on my sale page Highwayman jackets the difference is more noticeable, especially the sleeve lengths. That model is always hard. With the relaxed curved sleeve. I would say it's safe to add an inch to sleeve length on that model for sure. The sleeves always seems to be short on that jacket.

 

[Observe]

As far as I know, RMC had serious problems with the quality of their leather jackets about 3-4 years ago. Unfortunately, I don't know how it looks today... I didn't have any such faults with my RMC jackets.

As promised, here is an update as I reached out to RMC regarding the leather. I've copied and pasted the email for simplicity's sake. I sent them the same photos that I posted here last week.

"Thank you for your patience. We have just heard back from our headquarters.

Upon inspection of the photos by our factory and leather tannery, the cracks have been determined not have have a direct effect on the durability of the jacket. If the jacket was unworn and in this condition, we would be speculative; however, after wear it is difficult to distinguish the causation. In conclusion, the durability should have no effect and we consider this healing wound to be within the acceptable range."

So there you have it. Guess I will grin and bear it. I hope they're right about the durability.

 

[ABCD]

As promised, here is an update as I reached out to RMC regarding the leather. I've copied and pasted the email for simplicity's sake. I sent them the same photos that I posted here last week.

"Thank you for your patience. We have just heard back from our headquarters.

Upon inspection of the photos by our factory and leather tannery, the cracks have been determined not have have a direct effect on the durability of the jacket. If the jacket was unworn and in this condition, we would be speculative; however, after wear it is difficult to distinguish the causation. In conclusion, the durability should have no effect and we consider this healing wound to be within the acceptable range."

So there you have it. Guess I will grin and bear it. I hope they're right about the durability.

This is like Ferrari saying that a dull spot on your brandnew Ferrari is acceptable because it doesn't have a direct effect on the durability of the car.

This is a high end jacket that's supposed to be much more than just durable.

 

[Hh121]

匠の精神

 

[Observe]

This is like Ferrari saying that a dull spot on your brandnew Ferrari is acceptable because it doesn't have a direct effect on the durability of the car.

This is a high end jacket that's supposed to be much more than just durable.

I figure the main issue is they aren't sure whether or not wear caused it. Anyway, for now I wear the jacket and try to ignore it. I've already conditioned the area to prevent any spread. It is a sobering lesson in expectations vs reality.

 

[Will Zach]

Wear does not cause cracks in new jackets that were not there before, hidden under a layer of paint.

 

[Robbie79]

Hooch Hauler Badalassi Chestnut Steerhide Universal Zips
View attachment 446794 View attachment 446795 View attachment 446796 View attachment 446797
Very slim pattern. Sale page jacket. Great deal, Badalassi leather feels thicker than Vicenza. If I were custom ordering I would go up one size for my own preference.

@Canuck Panda Great jacket and perfect fit. I've often heard that the thickness/weight is similar to Vicenza. When I compare the leather thickness/weight of my Vicenza Wayfarer with my two-tone Badalassi Hooch Hauler and tobacco Badalassi orig. Hercules there is a significant difference, i.e. the Badalassi weight is similar to CXLFQHH (about 3.5oz I would say). However I have to say that I received Badalassi from an old batch about 3.5 years ago before they decided to introduce Badalassi in their standard portfolio. .

 

[Al 916]

As promised, here is an update as I reached out to RMC regarding the leather. I've copied and pasted the email for simplicity's sake. I sent them the same photos that I posted here last week.

"Thank you for your patience. We have just heard back from our headquarters.

Upon inspection of the photos by our factory and leather tannery, the cracks have been determined not have have a direct effect on the durability of the jacket. If the jacket was unworn and in this condition, we would be speculative; however, after wear it is difficult to distinguish the causation. In conclusion, the durability should have no effect and we consider this healing wound to be within the acceptable range."

So there you have it. Guess I will grin and bear it. I hope they're right about the durability.

A long time ago I learned this lesson.

Find out who their Chairperson is. Write / send a (recorded delivery) letter to them in a very business like way giving all details and contacts asking if this is what they deem acceptable quality and customer service.

Do not deal with middlepeople.

 

[LeatherHunter]

As promised, here is an update as I reached out to RMC regarding the leather. I've copied and pasted the email for simplicity's sake. I sent them the same photos that I posted here last week.

"Thank you for your patience. We have just heard back from our headquarters.

Upon inspection of the photos by our factory and leather tannery, the cracks have been determined not have have a direct effect on the durability of the jacket. If the jacket was unworn and in this condition, we would be speculative; however, after wear it is difficult to distinguish the causation. In conclusion, the durability should have no effect and we consider this healing wound to be within the acceptable range."

So there you have it. Guess I will grin and bear it. I hope they're right about the durability.

Classic stonewall but after following this thread that is what I expected the posturing would be from the maker. Elevate the correspondence to the upper management if possible, you never know what may happen. If nothing else you voiced your displeasure and that they lost not only you as a repeat customer but other potential customers that may be turned off.