REPOST - 45rpm -- sorahiko, bc4000, or aihiko?

[Guest]

Hi, I'm new to the board. I posted this below but I don't think it went through properly.

I'm just getting into some serious denim. I currently have (and like) some helmut lang, rogan, and one pair of PRPS.

After much reading of this board and online research, I am planning to buy a pair of 45rpms. I live in Los Angeles but have not found a store that carries them here. I would probably have to order, sight unseen, from the NY store.

I am trying to decide between a pair of sorahikos, bc4000s, or aihikos and would really appreciate any information on the differences between the jeans. From what I understand, the bc4000s are a different kind of denim than the sorahikos, and the aihikos undergo a different dying process. Is the dying process the only difference between the aihikos and the bc4000s? Are the basic cuts and fit of the three jeans all the same?

One previous poster (I believe on the 5EP thread) had recently bought a pair of bc4000s and, after recovering from the sticker price shock, seemed really happy with them and felt that they were a step way above his PRPS or the sorahikos. Would others agree?

And what about the aihikos? Most of the opinions I have found on this board are about the same--great jeans if you're willing to pay the price. I definitely have some money burning a hole in my pocket and really want to buy a pair of truly exceptional jeans. But are the aihikos that much different or better than the bc4000s?

For the amount of money, it would almost be worth my while to fly to NY and handle the jeans in person, but any opinons/advice from people who have tried on, seen, or own some of the new 45rpms would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[tyco19]

Hi, I'm new to the board. I posted this below but I don't think it went through properly.

I'm just getting into some serious denim. I currently have (and like) some helmut lang, rogan, and one pair of PRPS.

After much reading of this board and online research, I am planning to buy a pair of 45rpms. I live in Los Angeles but have not found a store that carries them here. I would probably have to order, sight unseen, from the NY store.

I am trying to decide between a pair of sorahikos, bc4000s, or aihikos and would really appreciate any information on the differences between the jeans. From what I understand, the bc4000s are a different kind of denim than the sorahikos, and the aihikos undergo a different dying process. Is the dying process the only difference between the aihikos and the bc4000s? Are the basic cuts and fit of the three jeans all the same?

One previous poster (I believe on the 5EP thread) had recently bought a pair of bc4000s and, after recovering from the sticker price shock, seemed really happy with them and felt that they were a step way above his PRPS or the sorahikos. Would others agree?

And what about the aihikos? Most of the opinions I have found on this board are about the same--great jeans if you're willing to pay the price. I definitely have some money burning a hole in my pocket and really want to buy a pair of truly exceptional jeans. But are the aihikos that much different or better than the bc4000s?

For the amount of money, it would almost be worth my while to fly to NY and handle the jeans in person, but any opinons/advice from people who have tried on, seen, or own some of the new 45rpms would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[peteyross]

If the 45rpm store doesn't take returns, I wouldn't buy them without trying them on. No matter how nice the denim on a pair of jeans is, if they don't fit perfectly you'll never like wearing them. I am lucky enough to live in NYC and once I went to their store and saw the denim, I thought it was great. Then, I tried them on and realized that they fit me terribly. Now I don't even think twice about going there anymore.

[Yakboy Equals Nurturer]

I'd tend to agree with peteyross...if you're planning to spend that kind of money on a pair of jeans you'd really be better off waiting until you can try them on first. At the very least, you'll miss getting them hemmed at the store using the same cotton / stitching as in the rest of the jeans. If you're set on getting a pair though, then go for the one-wash Sorahikos in whatever waist size you wear a pair of Levi 501s in. The cut on is a classic straight leg and the inseam is 34" in larger sizes (may be 32" in smaller, but I'm not 100% certain).

The Aihikos are just too overpriced - unless you reckon that vegetable indigo dye is worth close to the cost of a second pair of already very expensive jeans - since the construction / cut is pretty much identical to the Sorahikos. If there is any difference at all in the actual denim it may be that the Aihikos are a little bit slubbier.

I've never seen BC4000 jeans in the SoHo store myself (do they definitely currently stock them?), but I reckon that, since part of the appeal of 45rpm is the reproduction of classic denim, getting a lightweight left hand twill would be kind of a waste. Totally depends on your personal preference I guess.

Edited by Yakboy Equals Nurturer on Apr 27, 2005 at 03:01 PM

[Yakboy Equals Nurturer]

Hmmm...just read the post by shinobi2000 in the 5EP thread regarding the BC4000s...now I'm thinking that they sound pretty good

Time to go knock over a liquor store...

Edited by Yakboy Equals Nurturer on Apr 27, 2005 at 03:10 PM

[Analyst]

Does any one know the pricing for bespoke denim from 45rpm?

Has anyone brought a pair of "bespoke" denim from them? love to hear about them

[krush021]

a. yeah, the atore in soho stocks the bc4000. they're def dope, but cost $175 more than the sorahiko, which i think are great jeans. i don't know if they are worth it considering what you get.

b. the bespoke start at around $800, i think, and are fully customizable in terms of washes.

RHFIV