Himel Canuck

[Superfluous]

I had been looking for a slightly longer engineer/railroad/chore style leather jacket for awhile. Last Fall, RRL released the Stratton. It fit the bill and I pulled the trigger. Then, in December, Nick posted photos of his new Himel Canuck in brown Shinki. The jacket was/is epic and I was awestruck. Unfortunately, I had just purchased the Stratton, which was also dark brown. Therefore, I contemplated a black Canuck. I discovered that Himel was attending Inspiration in February. Therefore, I went to Inspiration to meet the master and seal a deal for a black Canuck. Himel had a black Canuck at Inspiration in my size. As I was trying it on, Nick pulled up wearing his brown Canuck. Damnnnnnnnnn! Nick's jacket was an order of magnitude more stunning in person. Now I was really regretting buying the brown Stratton. Thus, I pulled the trigger on a black Canuck. While I was waiting for Himel to make my black Canuck, I could not stop obsessing over Nick's brown Canuck. My Stratton no longer fit the bill. Thus, I sold my Stratton and ordered a brown Canuck from Himel to join my black Canuck.

Himel's Canuck is based on a 1910 Shanhouse and Sons railroad workers jacket.

I recently received my black Canuck. I love this jacket. The black Shinki is fantastic . . . sturdy and rugged, yet not excessively rigid, with a wonderfully subtle grain. The stitching and craftsmanship are first rate. Most importantly, the jacket fits light a glove. Now, I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the brown Canuck.

The departed RRL Stratton:

Nick's inspiring brown Canuck (posted with Nick's permission):

My black Canuck:

 

[Peter Graham]

Awesome jackets all, but I think you made a mistake. The Stratton looks way superior to the others, in the photos at least.

 

[asiamiles]

Awesome jackets all, but I think you made a mistake. The Stratton looks way superior to the others, in the photos at least.

I like the Stratton best too, both in terms of design and the softer, grainier hide. But as Peter says, photos don't necessarily show the whole picture.

 

[MikeyB-17]

I gotta agree, given the pick of the three, I'd have the Stratton every time, although admittedly that's without a shot of it being worn.

 

[bseal]

Canuck +1.

 

[Superfluous]

I am a big fan of RRL and I own many of their products, including a stellar leather jacket. That said, the quality of the Stratton was disappointing. The stitching was remarkably imprecise. When I compared the stitching on the Stratton to the stitching on the Himel, what was once acceptable became unacceptable. Moreover, while not a quality issue, the heavy wool lining did not work for me. Living in a desert-ish climate, heavy wool lining is very limiting -- it was rare that the weather justified the weight of the jacket. The Stratton's leather -- Italian veg-tanned cowhide -- was first rate. Unfortunately, the entire package did not work for me. The Himel is a much better fit for my use.

 

[Superfluous]

I received my brown Canuck a few weeks ago. I know most here do not care for this jacket. Nevertheless, here it is:

 

[bseal]

I love it.

 

[Vcruiser]

Me too..!!

 

[flyboy]

I think it will look just great after 5 to 10 years hard use! Enjoy the ride!

 

[ausreenactor]

Love the colour in that last photo! Great jacket.

Couchy