• Home
    • Recent
    • Calendar
    • Register
    • Login
    Iron Heart Forum
    Iron Heart Forum

    Fall/Winter 2026 - Collection Preview Now Live

    1. Home
    2. AskAxel
    • Profile
    • Following 0
    • Followers 0
    • Topics 2
    • Posts 14
    • Best
    • Controversial
    • Groups 2

    AskAxel

    @AskAxel

    48
    Reputation
    5
    Profile views
    14
    Posts
    0
    Followers
    0
    Following
    Joined Last Online
    Location Australia

    AskAxel Unfollow Follow
    The Unwoven Raw and Unwashed

    Best posts made by AskAxel

    • Addict Engineer Boots

      Hey all!

      So after a long time saving and an even longer time reading reviews and trying to make up my mind, I purchased my first pair of engineers! I went with Addict due to the really good reviews and hearing from many sources that they have a lower instep compared to other brands. I measure an 11.5D Brannock and I have a low-mid instep height. After some back and forth with Addict regarding sizing, I was advised to go half a size down from Brannock. I also wear an 11D in Iron Rangers and I have an 11.5D in Chisos (which are too big without their supplied insoles).

      Addict recently re-stocked a bunch of their engineers and I was specifically seeking a pair in a teacore horsebutt leather with a soft toe; their narrow last engineer fit all these requirements.

      It took a about 6 days to ship from Japan to Australia, the boots cost $1,180AUD and I had to pay $300AUD in duties which included GST. I was tossing up between these and the John Lofgren Railmaster Shinki Horsebutt which were only an extra $200AUD but the wait time is at least March 2027 and I wanted them now.. Perhaps I'll grab a pair of those later in the year although I think I'd rather a brown pair for my second. Anyway I'm getting carried away.

      Anyway here are some photos. They were very comfy out of the box and quite snug, the leather lining made them much easier than expected to slip on. I've worn them one day so far landscaping and paving so I'm hoping after a week they should break in quite nicely, although they are incredibly comfy already. I was a little cautious about the instep strap not being stitched to the shaft (something I intend on getting a cobbler to fix) but so far I've had it snug and it seems pretty strong. The pull-loop was also very helpful. I have heard these develop a patina really fast so hopefully I'll have some photos of the teacore coming through soon.

      Addict were easy and great to deal with and I'm very happy I went with these for my first pair. I would thoroughly recommend these and they still have a few available on their website from the latest drop too.

      Cheers!

      PS: Apologies for the poor photo quality, my camera is slowly dying 😞

      1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg 5.jpg 6.jpg 7.jpg 8.jpg 9.jpg 10.jpg

      posted in Footwear
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: IH-888S-UHR - 21/23oz Ultra Heavy Raw Selvedge Denim High Rise Tapered Cut Jeans

      Update with photos, after a few days of wear post soak + machine wash. They are still incredibly stiff but starting to crease and form well. So far just work around the property and nothing too serious. I can;t wait to start breaking these in properly.
      What does everyone think of the fit? I tend to have a large butt from riding compared to my long slim legs but I think the high rise is perfect for me even though its a little loose around the crotch and hips. I was concerned with other IH cuts having lower rises as my previous experience with other brands with rises less than 11.5" has made them very difficult to wear and work in.

      3.jpg
      2.jpg
      1.jpg

      posted in Bottoms
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Snap Upgrades

      Hello!

      Recently I made my first Iron Heart purchase, the IHSH-227-IND Wabash 12oz shirt. Needless to say I think the shirt is amazing and the quality unreal, but that's not the point of this post.

      I (nervously) mailed the shirt to the UK from here in Australia to have the snaps upgraded to the heavy pearl option; I thought the white snaps would look better with the Wabash fabric and eventual fades. The service from IH Uk was amazing, the guys were great and the process was simple and much quicker than expected so thank you all!

      Attached is a photo for everyone to see the difference, I think it definitely looks better! Apologies for the poor lighting, I only have warm lights in my home. Give me a few months to get some fades on this beauty and I'll post an update!

      Cheers 🙂

      Wabash Shirt.jpg

      posted in Hardware
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: IH-888S-UHR - 21/23oz Ultra Heavy Raw Selvedge Denim High Rise Tapered Cut Jeans

      Awesome, thanks guys! Washed inside and out and theyre drying flat now. I'll leave them overnight tonight and see how they go tomorrow after work, keen 🙂

      Edit: update after drying overnight.

      I measured the jeans this afternoon after work and tried them on, they were still a little damp. I spent a few hours walking around in them and they are definitely more snug and forming very well already.

      The waist is now around 84ish-cm's or 33" which is almost a full 1.5" shrink and the inseam is measuring at 89cm/35" which is a full 2" shrink. Inseam is perfect with a single cuff for me now; nowhere nearly as much stacking as before just enough for my liking. The waist is perfect and the hip area isn't as puffy/wide on me now either.

      I'll post some new photos in better lighting after a few more days of wear. I already get the feeling that these will become one of, if not my best, fitting jeans. I'll have to take some comparison photos with my Oni Asphalts and Momo GTB's later down the line.

      Thanks for the tips and help everyone!

      posted in Bottoms
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Introduce Yourself Here

      Hello!

      New member here; a lifelong 13mwz guy who jumped down the rabbit hole of high quality selvedge denim a few years ago. I recently made my very first Iron Heart purchase and love the quality and the range. I can't to add more pieces to my wardrobe and start the fading journey. Currently only own the IHSH-227-IND 12oz Wabash but I'm eager to add a pair of 888's to the mix, preferably the 25oz when they come back in stock! The wabash 12oz is unreal and I love it.

      Currently have the Oni Asphalt, TCB Baggy 50's, and the Momotaro #400's in my rotation/daily wear. I've previously owned and tried Oni's secret denim and quite a few samurai and SDA jeans but sold them all as the cuts were not right for me sadly. I'm eager to learn from everyone here on the forum and eventually hopefully contribute some fade progress.

      Cheers 🙂

      posted in Some Really Boring (but useful) and Some Really Interesting Stuff!
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Samurai Jeans

      @worn2fade Great video, thanks for the update!

      The 25oz arrived this afternoon. Initial impressions are very great, the texture is unreal. They aren't as firm as I expected, probably on par with the IH UHR but the texture is beautiful. Definitely a pain to button up, the gold buttons aren't as tacky in person. I normally wear a 32" and i sized up to a 33 in these and it was definitely the smart move. I would not be able to button up a 32 haha
      I'll get some wear in over the weekend but I think I'll hang these while I break in my UHR as I've not yet hit 50 wears on those.

      I'll keep my eyes on Iron Shop, they have good rates on shipping to Aus. Although I really don't need another pair... 😅

      posted in Other Brands and Shops
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Samurai Jeans

      @popvulture I have two of tees in white/natural, one henley in natural, and i just bought another tee in the dark kuri/brown. I initially wanted the black/kuromame but in person it was more like charcoal dark grey and not black enough for my taste. The dark kuri has an insane depth of colour. No fading on that one yet as I'm only a few wears in.

      I have had the natural's for about 6months now and there has been no change. They quickly became my favourite tee's. The texture and drape is unreal and the fit is perfect for me. I haven't touched my wonderlooper or bronson tees since buying these and have no desire to wear any other t-shirt tbh.

      posted in Other Brands and Shops
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: IH-888S-UHR - 21/23oz Ultra Heavy Raw Selvedge Denim High Rise Tapered Cut Jeans

      @jpvisual Ah I did not do that... Good to know.
      I'll put them through the machine and see how they go. Thanks for that!

      posted in Bottoms
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Introduce Yourself Here

      @Lukenstein Check our Corlection in Sydney, I have shopped from them pretty often and they have a great iron heart range. They also have some stuff available in 34 too 😉

      posted in Some Really Boring (but useful) and Some Really Interesting Stuff!
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: IH-888S-UHR - 21/23oz Ultra Heavy Raw Selvedge Denim High Rise Tapered Cut Jeans

      I managed to snag a pair of these, they've been on my goal list for some time and I was lucky to find a pair in stock around my size here in Aus! I was sad to hear that the UHR will no longer be made, apparently due to some factory issues if I understand correctly, so I made the jump and bought a pair. I was considering holding out for the 25oz XHS instead but I thought that might be a bit too heavy seeing as my daily jeans are around 15-16oz (and I'm unsure when they will be coming back for sale).

      How's the shrinkage been from everyone else? I purchased a 34" which is according to the unwashed size chart is a little too big for me. I have done one initial hot soak in water around 35C for about 30mins. I tried them on when they were damp and they are a little roomy around the waist and hips. I have about 6hrs of wear in them so far as of these photos and already they are starting to form to my body. The denim is incredibly stiff, it's unreal! I thought my Asphalt 20oz were tough but these are on another level, the texture however is very soft and feels wonderful. I can't wait to break these in, although atm I need to wear a belt. I'm hoping that with more wear and some loving abuse they will conform a little and sit better on my waist and hips, the denim.

      The inseam shrunk by about an inch and the waist by roughly 3/4 of an inch. I was hoping for a little more shrinkage in the waist but it's definitely close enough. I was surprised the inseam didn't shrink more but that may have been to me wearing the jeans in the hot bath. I like a little extra for some stacks and horse riding so this is a win in my books.

      Excuse the poor photo quality, my phone's camera is partially broken so it doesn't pick up detail very well. I will take more photos as I get more wear in the coming weeks.
      I finally have my first pair if Iron heart denim after months of saving and I can't wait for the fades!

      Cheers 🙂

      1.jpg
      2.jpg
      3.jpg
      4.jpg
      5.jpg
      6.jpg
      7.jpg

      posted in Bottoms
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel

    Latest posts made by AskAxel

    • RE: Samurai Jeans

      @americanathreads Yeah my apologies, I meant I normally wear a 32" and buy close to that measurement accordingly. The 33 in the 25oz had the closest post wash measurements on denimio to what I like. I probably could have gone for a size 34 for more comfort out of the gate but I'm expecting these to stretch an inch.

      As a side note, I've found self edge's measurements to be completely cooked for some reason compared to other sites like Denimio and Okayama denim.

      posted in Other Brands and Shops
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Samurai Jeans

      @cyclops Denimio, cost $6 for express. Arrived within a week

      posted in Other Brands and Shops
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Samurai Jeans

      @worn2fade Great video, thanks for the update!

      The 25oz arrived this afternoon. Initial impressions are very great, the texture is unreal. They aren't as firm as I expected, probably on par with the IH UHR but the texture is beautiful. Definitely a pain to button up, the gold buttons aren't as tacky in person. I normally wear a 32" and i sized up to a 33 in these and it was definitely the smart move. I would not be able to button up a 32 haha
      I'll get some wear in over the weekend but I think I'll hang these while I break in my UHR as I've not yet hit 50 wears on those.

      I'll keep my eyes on Iron Shop, they have good rates on shipping to Aus. Although I really don't need another pair... 😅

      posted in Other Brands and Shops
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Samurai Jeans

      @worn2fade Mate I think these look great on you! Sadly I missed out on getting a pair of these but i managed to buy a pair of the 25oz so I guess I can't complain. I've only had Samurai's 17oz zero+ denim before and the heaviest denim I have so far is the 888 UHR so I'm keen to see how these 25oz's go. Theyre set to arrive tomorrow!

      posted in Other Brands and Shops
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Samurai Jeans

      @popvulture I have two of tees in white/natural, one henley in natural, and i just bought another tee in the dark kuri/brown. I initially wanted the black/kuromame but in person it was more like charcoal dark grey and not black enough for my taste. The dark kuri has an insane depth of colour. No fading on that one yet as I'm only a few wears in.

      I have had the natural's for about 6months now and there has been no change. They quickly became my favourite tee's. The texture and drape is unreal and the fit is perfect for me. I haven't touched my wonderlooper or bronson tees since buying these and have no desire to wear any other t-shirt tbh.

      posted in Other Brands and Shops
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: Addict Engineer Boots

      @northsouthdenimguy Awesome! Post some photos when they arrive!
      I also didn't know JL lined their Shinki. I saw Attractions have some of their 444's in a beautiful brown horsebutt.. I'm hoping there are still some available by the time I have enough funds for a second pair.

      posted in Footwear
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • Addict Engineer Boots

      Hey all!

      So after a long time saving and an even longer time reading reviews and trying to make up my mind, I purchased my first pair of engineers! I went with Addict due to the really good reviews and hearing from many sources that they have a lower instep compared to other brands. I measure an 11.5D Brannock and I have a low-mid instep height. After some back and forth with Addict regarding sizing, I was advised to go half a size down from Brannock. I also wear an 11D in Iron Rangers and I have an 11.5D in Chisos (which are too big without their supplied insoles).

      Addict recently re-stocked a bunch of their engineers and I was specifically seeking a pair in a teacore horsebutt leather with a soft toe; their narrow last engineer fit all these requirements.

      It took a about 6 days to ship from Japan to Australia, the boots cost $1,180AUD and I had to pay $300AUD in duties which included GST. I was tossing up between these and the John Lofgren Railmaster Shinki Horsebutt which were only an extra $200AUD but the wait time is at least March 2027 and I wanted them now.. Perhaps I'll grab a pair of those later in the year although I think I'd rather a brown pair for my second. Anyway I'm getting carried away.

      Anyway here are some photos. They were very comfy out of the box and quite snug, the leather lining made them much easier than expected to slip on. I've worn them one day so far landscaping and paving so I'm hoping after a week they should break in quite nicely, although they are incredibly comfy already. I was a little cautious about the instep strap not being stitched to the shaft (something I intend on getting a cobbler to fix) but so far I've had it snug and it seems pretty strong. The pull-loop was also very helpful. I have heard these develop a patina really fast so hopefully I'll have some photos of the teacore coming through soon.

      Addict were easy and great to deal with and I'm very happy I went with these for my first pair. I would thoroughly recommend these and they still have a few available on their website from the latest drop too.

      Cheers!

      PS: Apologies for the poor photo quality, my camera is slowly dying 😞

      1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg 5.jpg 6.jpg 7.jpg 8.jpg 9.jpg 10.jpg

      posted in Footwear
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: IH-888S-UHR - 21/23oz Ultra Heavy Raw Selvedge Denim High Rise Tapered Cut Jeans

      Update with photos, after a few days of wear post soak + machine wash. They are still incredibly stiff but starting to crease and form well. So far just work around the property and nothing too serious. I can;t wait to start breaking these in properly.
      What does everyone think of the fit? I tend to have a large butt from riding compared to my long slim legs but I think the high rise is perfect for me even though its a little loose around the crotch and hips. I was concerned with other IH cuts having lower rises as my previous experience with other brands with rises less than 11.5" has made them very difficult to wear and work in.

      3.jpg
      2.jpg
      1.jpg

      posted in Bottoms
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: IH-888S-UHR - 21/23oz Ultra Heavy Raw Selvedge Denim High Rise Tapered Cut Jeans

      Awesome, thanks guys! Washed inside and out and theyre drying flat now. I'll leave them overnight tonight and see how they go tomorrow after work, keen 🙂

      Edit: update after drying overnight.

      I measured the jeans this afternoon after work and tried them on, they were still a little damp. I spent a few hours walking around in them and they are definitely more snug and forming very well already.

      The waist is now around 84ish-cm's or 33" which is almost a full 1.5" shrink and the inseam is measuring at 89cm/35" which is a full 2" shrink. Inseam is perfect with a single cuff for me now; nowhere nearly as much stacking as before just enough for my liking. The waist is perfect and the hip area isn't as puffy/wide on me now either.

      I'll post some new photos in better lighting after a few more days of wear. I already get the feeling that these will become one of, if not my best, fitting jeans. I'll have to take some comparison photos with my Oni Asphalts and Momo GTB's later down the line.

      Thanks for the tips and help everyone!

      posted in Bottoms
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    • RE: IH-888S-UHR - 21/23oz Ultra Heavy Raw Selvedge Denim High Rise Tapered Cut Jeans

      @jpvisual Ah I did not do that... Good to know.
      I'll put them through the machine and see how they go. Thanks for that!

      posted in Bottoms
      AskAxelA
      AskAxel
    Copyright Iron Heart 2025.