Which fedora should I get?

Indiana Charles · Post by **Indiana Charles** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:55 am

Hi,
I am new to the forum and I was wondering if you guys could help. I am thinking about getting a fedora and don't know what kind to get. I have seen some on Ebay and I've looked on the Peter Bothers site. Should I get one from Herbert Johnson, Peter Brothers or of Ebay? I saw that Peter Brothers had an "official" one and a "custom" one, which do you guys recommend?

Thanks for your help.

Charlie

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:10 am

Welcome to COW, first of all.

Second order of business. I know this can be tricky, so I'll see what I've got.

This all depends how much money you have to throw around. I'll touch upon the hats that are worth talking about.

The Akubra Federation and Akubra Federation deluxe are great starter fedoras, whether or not you're on a budget. They come open crowned (which means they are not styled), and you get to choose the way you want your hat to look, which is great, because you can style it to fit a specific scene you like. The price is also very reasonable. You can get 'em at Hats Direct In many corners, this hat is considered to be one of the best starter hats on the market.

The fan favorite around these parts (before it comes booming in ... I'll save you the trouble) is the Adventurebilt fedora, made by our Steve "Fedora" Delk. If you've got some extra cash to toss around, you'll really enjoy this lid. You can order it open crowned, or styled. I own one of these and love it to death. You can read about these hats, and acquire them from Adventurebilt Hats

You can acquire a Herbert Johnson from Todd's Costumes in the US and Indyfedora in the UK and Europe. Todd's Costumes, Indy Fedora.com. The quality of Herbert Johnson hats have gone down over the years, and with the money you will spend on one of these hats, you can buy an Adventurebilt for cheaper, at a much better felt quality. The HJs are made from rabbit felt (who knows what else), and the Adventurebilt is made from 100% pure beaver felt. Long story made short, the Adventurebilt fedora is cheaper than HJs currently are, and is better quality felt. Of course, if you want the same brand of hats that were used during filming of the trilogy, then there it is.

Lee Keppler also makes a good fedora, but be prepared for a steep wait time, from my understanding. Lee's wares can be seen at his Adventure Supply website. Adventure Supply

Optimo makes an Indy fedora, as well, and the ones I've seen and held look and feel very good. Thin felt, STEEP price. I don't know the address for Optimo.

There are other hats that I COULD mention, but I just don't think it's worth the time.

Is that a lock I see coming around the bend, fellas?

Indiana Charles · Post by **Indiana Charles** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:35 am

What about the Peter Brothers' hats?

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:43 am

This is just my observation of things, not necessarily a reflection of how they really are ....

From what I understand, most folks used to think Peters Bros was cool, but are pretty much overlooked now, in the way of Indy lids. I've heard some horror stories in regards to turn around time, but I've never heard anyone say they flat out didn't like the PB lid. Well, except a member who has since taken a vaction from COW for "a good, long spell".

I have owned one, and the brim was a little too short, and the crown a tad too tall for me, in the way of a Raiders lid. The hat is also stiff as a board, or at least the one I had was. Keep in mind that I picked mine up from eBay for only 100$, so it's kind of a mystery meat situation. The brim would've made a good Last Crusade brim, though. They are good hats, if you're not picky, but cost a bundle from the source, unless you get them on eBay or the like. Like I said, this is just my opinion.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:50 am

That's a pretty good summary, Strider - although there will always be differing opinions on one hat or another, but that sounds like it is basically a good summary of where we are today. A year ago, the story would have been completely different, and who KNOWS by this time next year!

But Charles, that's a pretty good summary he put together for you. The onlyl thing he didn't mention were the cheap as heck hats that are really only good if you have ZERO budget or are just looking for a costume hat for one Halloween and don't mean to keep it. I'm not even mentioning them unless that was what you wanted, but it doesn't sound like it was. For a decent Indy hat, you are basically starting at $100 with the Akubra Federation.

Good job, Strider.

J

P.S. Oh, and Charles, like your grail tablet question, this question has been asked before, too, many, many times - so don't be surprised if you get some curt replies or just silence. Even questions can be put in the search engine (although it's less likely to hit). Just fair warning in case you get some odd responses. Again, welcome to COW!

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:23 am

You can go three ways...

You can go with the Akubra Federation... great hats for an awesome price. Word is that they're blocking them diffrent so that they have taller crowns and a more pronounced block but you still have to bash them yourself.

Or, you can go with Art Fawcett who makes great fedora's that are pretty close to the fedora's made in that era... he's got the Bogart Bash DOWN!

Or, you can go with our buddy Steve... here's a page dedicated to what other people think of Steve's products

All these are great products, and you can’t go wrong.

Welcome to the madness... first drink is on me!

You came for the gear, but you'll stay for the people.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:29 am

First of all, I'd just like agent5 to know I'm here, and yes, I did see this thread.

Secondly, Strider and Jerry have done some pretty good summarizing of the basics. My personal favorite is the pure beaver AdventureBilt, but I've owned an Akubra before (rabbit felt) and they are great hats unto themselves. Indeed, the first thing you need to ask yourself is how much you're willing to spend. If money is not an issue and you want the best quality hat, you want a 100% beaver if you can get it. Beaver felt is tougher than rabbit felt. Wool felt will shrink and taper go from this || to this /\ as soon as it gets a good douse of water or rain on it. If you're only after something to wear at parties or for the sake of display, then it might not matter what you get. But if you want a hat to wear every day, then it's best to invest in a well made hat if you can.

Although you can use the search feature to find out tons of information and opinions on hats (which I recommend) the hats worth reading about (in no particular order) are the Akubra Federation and Federation Deluxe, the Peters Brothers offerings, AdventureBilt hats, Optimo, Keppler, and the Camptown. There are people who love and dislike many of these hats. Some of it comes down to personal taste. It's worth it to do some research and reading and figure out what suits you.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THIS: you should be happy with whatever decision you make. You're bound to hear many of us (and I've been guilty of this) touting one hat over another. Sure, there may be good points on all sides, but what matters most is that you are happy with the hat you get. You should be the one to enjoy it and wear it proudly. Heck, there have even been some "official" wool Dorfman Indy Hats (yes, I mentioned them!) which have been proudly worn, and they're considered to be at the bottom of the heap. Don't buy a particular hat just because of peer pressure or because someone just told you to. Buy a hat because you figured out what you're looking for in an Indy fedora, the budget you have for it, and your needs in a hat. If it ends up beinbg an AdventureBilt, great! If it ends up being a Dorfman, great! Enjoy the hobby, don't be intimidated by it.

Of course, that said, many of us will be happy to answer any questions you may have, but try to do a little homework first.

Welcome aboard!

bink

The real Henry · Post by **The real Henry** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:14 pm

I think it really depends what you want, but for me the only real ones you should think of are The Akubra Federation(Reagular or Deluxe) and The Adventurebilt!

The Federation is, as Strider, is the best starter fedora, because it's so cheap! (In price, NOT in quality)

The Adventurebilt is in my opinion THE hat to choice and it's also worth every dollar!!!!!

G-MANN · Post by **G-MANN** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:29 pm

Hello,
I am new here also, I received a Peter's Bros. Hat last week and have to agree about the look and stiffness. As well as the 6 week wait. However I just ordered a Raiders SOC Fedora from Steve at Adventurebilt this morning.
I also have 4 others that were made in Chicago by a long time Hatmaker here that are beautiful.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 2:23 pm

Yep, that oughta do it. Good contributions, guys, and fairly non-partisan for once!

G-MANN, welcome, and thanks for chiming in!

Ren, I think I missed something...I thought Art didn't do 'an Indy hat', per se. His hats are GREAT, though, and I toy w/ the idea of ordering one of his Bogie Fedoras someday...*sigh*...

(If you didn't see it, go check out the QM Saturday night pics and you'll see the great RED fedora he made for his wife!)

J

P.S. Disclosure: I loved my Dorfman (easy Bink) for a year. For my budget, it was the way to go, but when I came into a little unexpected cash, it went for and AdventureBilt.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:45 pm

Oh, don't worry, Jerry, I even toyed with the idea of getting a Dorfman just because it was the hat my parents never let me get when I was a kid. Maybe they knew I'd be better off with beaver felt...?

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:50 pm

No, son, that's a poor-man's Indy hat. Wait until you save up your pennies and you can by a screen-used piece instead. If you eat all your vegetables and don't betray Shiva or your mother, that is.

Dr._J · Post by **Dr._J** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:00 pm

Yep, that oughta do it. Good contributions, guys, and fairly non-partisan for once!

Yes, the reactions were very different than the usual "BUY AN AB!!!" one usually get's from this question. Very informative and helpful everyone. My hat's off to you all.

Regards, Dr. J

P.S. Now, go buy an AB!

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:14 pm

Dr._J wrote:P.S. Now, go buy an AB!

Thanks for the grin, Dr. J.

J

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:25 pm

Which fedora should I get?

ehhh what can I say... ADVENTUREBILT HAT of course!

welcome on board

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:37 pm

erri_wan wrote:
Which fedora should I get?
ehhh what can I say... ADVENTUREBILT HAT of course!

Strider wrote:(before it comes booming in ...)

Eaton · Post by **Eaton** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:59 pm

Renderking Fisk wrote:You can go with the Akubra Federation... great hats for an awesome price. Word is that they're blocking them diffrent so that they have taller crowns and a more pronounced block

I have a size 60 Federation Deluxe arriving any day soon. I'll compare it to my stock grey size 59 regular Federation and let you folks know if there's any notable difference.

Regards,
Eaton

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:47 pm

I can really only second whay everyone else has said. The Akubra is an excellent hat at an excellent price. However, if you've got the $ the beaver Adventurebilt is probably the best value in the hat world.

Indiana MarkVII · Post by **Indiana MarkVII** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:48 pm

The loads of praise for the Adventurebilt hat by Fedora (Steve) seems to warrant a listing in the Indygear site. How often does that site get updated information? Does anyone else have the Herbert Johnson Poet hat? I've ordered one and it's due by the end of the month. Should I have invested in an Adventurebilt instead?

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:11 pm

The site hasn't had an update in a while, due to changing hands and directions, but it is underway now.

This thread has relevant info.

viewtopic.php?t=15303

Rusty Jones · Post by **Rusty Jones** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:30 pm

My adventurebilt is my favoright hat ever, skeptical about the price vs. quality of the AB against the Akubera for some time, I'm very glad I went with the AB... It was blocked and shaped excellently to the scene i wanted and out of top materials... I can rest in peace with my AB, but I fear if I'd have gone with the Federation I would have loved it too, but felt like I wasnt "done" ... there would still be better out there...

-however-

If you're looking for a sub $100 price tag... Dorfman... it will work; you can rebash it (although it will be terribly / \ tapered in the crown... and a little misproportioned... I also found the tones of the felt and band too light and too close together for screen accuracy...) but like I said, if money is an issue I lived with a dorfman for awhile... becuase I have both I can kinda view it like this:

Tom Selleck was orginally going to be indy... Ford was way better, obviously, however even with Tom Selleck, the character would have been cool but it wouldnt be the Indy we love... The Dorfman is the Tom selleck of the indy fedora world...... is still cool, it has some chacter, but not the perfect Indy character you know... if you want that, AB or Even Akubera, if you cant afford Ford, Tom Selleck would be better than nothing...

Vannevar · Post by **Vannevar** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:07 pm

Indiana MarkVII wrote:The loads of praise for the Adventurebilt hat by Fedora (Steve) seems to warrant a listing in the Indygear site. How often does that site get updated information? Does anyone else have the Herbert Johnson Poet hat? I've ordered one and it's due by the end of the month. Should I have invested in an Adventurebilt instead?

Chief, I did what you did, I regret buying the johnson. sure it was used in the film but imho it just doesnt hold up as good as an adventurebilt beaver. Being an owner of the two most expensive indy hats on the market I can tell you, first hand, AB is better. better material, accuracy, loads more care put into it by steve and he is just a great hatter. plus you get way better service from steve and he does a custom job for you.

riccardo · Post by **riccardo** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:17 am

Hi to all,
I'm new here, but I've just seen a lot of guys that I know!!
In these last days I'm very interesting in Indy's fedora, I don't like the extreme Indy look, but I really love the Indy Hat, like the Akubra Fed or the Adventurebilt...
Did you advice these kind of hat for formal dress?
May I dress an Akubra Fed for my business days...look at my job: I'm a travel salesaman..not gun, army or archeologism...
How do you consider the Akubra Fed, I would to purchase the De Luxe...any advice?
I've read that the Federation isn't a good hat, and it loose its color...what do you think about?
Many thanks.
Riccardo.

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:20 am

Ciao Riccardo

welcome on board

riccardo · Post by **riccardo** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:29 am

Ciao Erri,
sei il primo italiano che ho il piacere di incontrare in un forum di questo tipo...

(Hi Erri,
you 're the first italian guy I've met in a forum about hat...)
...best regards.

Riccardo.

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:33 am

riccardo wrote:Ciao Erri,
sei il primo italiano che ho il piacere di incontrare in un forum di questo tipo...

(Hi Erri,
you 're the first italian guy I've met in a forum about hat...)
...best regards.

Riccardo.

Vale anche per me

Me too

So are you looking for a nice dress hat and possibly indy-looking eh?

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:46 am

riccardo wrote:Hi to all,
I'm new here, but I've just seen a lot of guys that I know!!
In these last days I'm very interesting in Indy's fedora, I don't like the extreme Indy look, but I really love the Indy Hat, like the Akubra Fed or the Adventurebilt...
Did you advice these kind of hat for formal dress?
May I dress an Akubra Fed for my business days...look at my job: I'm a travel salesaman..not gun, army or archeologism...
How do you consider the Akubra Fed, I would to purchase the De Luxe...any advice?
I've read that the Federation isn't a good hat, and it loose its color...what do you think about?
Many thanks.
Riccardo.

Riccardo,
I wear my Adventurebilt to the office almost everyday. I wear the gray hat the most. It is a little more dressy, but I wear my brown one quite frequently as well. If I were to craft an Indy hat just for wearing to work, I would probably model it after an "Idol Grab" hat and I probably wouldn't do "the turn" meaning, I wouldn't wear the hat off-center to distort the brim.
I did not have good luck with my Akubra. Many other folks here love theres. I have had nothing but great experiences with Adventurebilt.
Good luck!

riccardo · Post by **riccardo** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:47 am

Yeah,
I'm looking for it, I'm thinking about an Akubra Fed deluxe, good price, I think...
What hats do you have?
Do you know any others italian hat lovers?
Where are you from?
Riccardo.

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 8:51 am

riccardo wrote:Yeah,
I'm looking for it, I'm thinking about an Akubra Fed deluxe, good price, I think...
What hats do you have?
Do you know any others italian hat lovers?
Where are you from?
Riccardo.

Other Italian hat lovers?? mmh ... it's a rare kind.

About the hat i would suggest you an Adventurebilt Hat. I have 2 myself. They are the best (and amid the cheapest) indy hat IMO and they work great also as dress hats. The colours which Steve (the hatter), known on this forum as "Fedora", can make are many. Well i guess you'll learn a lot in few time as well as i did

Again welcome to this wonderful Forum

riccardo · Post by **riccardo** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 9:04 am

Ok...
so you advice me to purchase an Adventurebilt...
I'll collect some $$$$ to buy it...

Which fedora should I get?

Which fedora should I get?

Why not list the Adventure Bilt in the Indygear site?

Re: Why not list the Adventure Bilt in the Indygear site?

New here.

Toh....un italiano!!! ( ...an italian guy...)

Re: Toh....un italiano!!! ( ...an italian guy...)

Re: New here.