new guy with legitimate(?) questions

kiltie · Post by **kiltie** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:32 pm

First post:
This is my Akubra Adventurer. I started off wanting an Indy-esque hat for the flick ( regular fedora wearer outside of that...) and opted for this one, not being terribly concerned with screen accuracy. Well, as you all know, that didn't last long. The crease got more and more "Raiders" until I really started getting "the bug". Here's what I've got so far -

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... IM2037.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... IM2039.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... IM2027.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... IM2026.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... IM2028.jpg

I'm hip to the fact that the color of the felt and ribbon are off, but having several hats already, I don't want to commit to buying another Indy hat (yet!). That said, here are my questions:

What's going on with the right side of the crown (MY RIGHT) in picture one? You see how it - not really tapers, but kinda rounds out there near the top? I've got a good fit, purely in terms of size, but the oval is only just beginning to become properly trained ( on the long side...). Blocking issue, or is my creasing off and causing this? OR, is this the unholy and infamous taper I've seen discussed on the Raven's Bar bash that some people love, and others love to hate ( it's probably my favorite look of the IJ hat in the movie...)?

Secondly, has anyone done a ribbon change on an Adventurer? How does it like a darker brown, purely in terms of an asthetically pleasing hat?

I'm aware of the (in)famous "turn". Is this something I wanna mess with this far into the project - i.e., complete overhaul? ( I'll just say now, I'm resistant to this idea, as my long oval head in a regular oval hat has already lent a nice bit of "dynamic tension".

Finally, any suggestions/criticism is welcome. Where do I need to take this guy, or should I just leave it alone?

I was too timid to post the actual pictures for fear of breaking the rules on my first post ( you guys are STRICT

). If anyone can help me in that dept.,... I'm not especially computer savvy.

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:12 pm

hey Kiltie! Welcome to the dark side! Looks good to me...maybe a black ribbon?

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:14 pm

Based on your criteria, I'd say you've done exactly what you set out to create.

It looks great! Don't change a thing, in my opinion!

Regards! Michaelson

Piker · Post by **Piker** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:15 pm

Welcome to COW! can't see the pics till later on, but it sounds like a lovely lid!

Vegeta · Post by **Vegeta** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:24 pm

I agree...I think it looks great!!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:25 pm

First off, kiltie, welcome! It's always nice to see fresh faces.

Let's see if I can help to answer some of your questions.

The rounded out top, if you will, is caused by several things. First of all, it's affected by how you shape the creases and dents and how far down you set the pinch/front crease. It's also affected by the shape of the block the hat was made on in the first place. The sides and dimensions of the "dome" (top of the hat block) will make the hat respond differently when you try to put the exact same bash into hat hat made on a different block. The Adventurer is a fine hat, but the block shape is a bit different than the Federation, Adventurebilt, Camptown, JPD, etc. Each hat model (for the most part) uses a block slightly different than the other, and as subtle as it may appear, each hat will show different characteristics when you try to shape them identically.

Taper can be best described this way:
An untapered hat looks like this from the front: | |
A tapered hat looks like this from the front: / \
The Raiders hat was generally untapered, so many folks are very particular about having a hat that's either untapered. The ToD hat had taper built in, as does the LC hat, to a degree. It comes down to a matter of preference, I think.

I have not seen a ribbon swapped out on an Adventurer, but folks have done this with other hats to a good degree. It should like a darker ribbon just fine.

Turning your hat is also a matter of opinion. Essentially, during Raiders, and for whatever reason, the hat ended up on Ford's head slightly askew, yet it got pinched to where the crease was aligned, but the brim distorted a bit. Some folks will say the only way to obtain a Raiders fedora is to turn the hat. That is untrue. In some scenes (like art the beginning of the movie) the hat is very much UNturned. So it's a matter of opinion, in my book. But you don't have to tear apart a hat to turn it, either. Basically, just put it on your head, turn it a little to the right, and re-pinch the hat. Bingo.

As to "where to take your hat," if you like it, that's all that matters. Make it your hat! I think it looks pretty good. Wear it and enjoy it.

As for picture posting, yeah, we have rules, but it helps keep the load time from bogging down due to a bunch of oversized images! You can post as many links as you want (like you've done) or include the images as posted in the rules section.

Again, welcome aboard!

Regards,

bink

DanielJones · Post by **DanielJones** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:39 pm

Welcome from the natives!
From what I see your hat looks fine. Maybe a deeper center dent, but that is up to you. Good job!

Cheers!

Dan

kiltie · Post by **kiltie** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:44 pm

Thanks for the input, thus far.
Yeah - don't misunderstand: I'm a big fan of this hat as it is, and I wear it with confidence. You guys just crack me up! Most of my other hats, I've put a crease in, and it's just kinda the way it's supposed to be ( with some minor tweaking here and there ), but this is my first "project hat". It's absurdly addictive, and ya'll are vicious enablers! Since December, when I first purchased it, I've resisted the idea of messing with it too, too much. But then...first came the 1/8" brim trim, then the more pronounced creases. I've finally come to the understanding of why people have more than one Indy hat. It's that you can't stop messing with the d***ed thing. I'm resigned now to the fact that I'm going to end up with another hat that I can play with. That and ( good God Almighty in Heaven, dare I say it ) - GEAR! Please suspend my membership NOW! Next stop... bankruptcy!

DanielJones · Post by **DanielJones** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:54 pm

It's too late, you're addicted. There's no turning back now.

Cheers!

Dan

Piker · Post by **Piker** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:31 pm

I'm resigned now to the fact that I'm going to end up with another hat that I can play with. That and ( good God Almighty in Heaven, dare I say it ) - GEAR! Please suspend my membership NOW! Next stop... bankruptcy!

Cheaper and way cooler than golf!

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:08 pm

Piker wrote:
I'm resigned now to the fact that I'm going to end up with another hat that I can play with. That and ( good God Almighty in Heaven, dare I say it ) - GEAR! Please suspend my membership NOW! Next stop... bankruptcy!
Cheaper and way cooler than golf!

Ha! and you don't have to wear plaid!

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:18 pm

What's wrong with wearing plaid?

Regards! Michaelson

JerseyJones · Post by **JerseyJones** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:28 pm

Michaelson wrote:What's wrong with wearing plaid?

Regards! Michaelson

He means golf plaid !

Hey Kiltie,

Welcome to the fold. Enjoy !

Ken

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:30 pm

Oh...I knew that. 8-[

Regards! Michaelson

Indiana Max · Post by **Indiana Max** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:44 pm

Welcome on board kiltie

If you want to change something, then change the ribbon, but I have to agree with those who said, that you shouldn´t change anything on your adventurer, it looks great :!:

imagine671 · Post by **imagine671** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:07 pm

The hat looks excellent, in my opinion. Yeah...maybe change the ribbon, if you feel up to it. Shouldn't be too difficult - I just did it today, as a matter of fact, with my old DP - just for a laugh. Maybe order a ribbon (or two) from Todd's Costumes? Just a thought. Nice looking lid, mate. See you around!

alanseijas · Post by **alanseijas** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:09 pm

I also sport the Adventurer. I thought it was perfect until I found this site. Curses, another addiction (I have many -- let's NOT go there).

Once I found out that Akubra made this hat from a tapered block, I've been a little disappointed in it. It is rugged, durable, and quality built; but just cannot support enough of a Raiders look for me.

Funny thing is that I never even realized that the hats were different in all 3 (now 4) movies until signing up here. What started as a "Hey, maybe I'll try that Indy fedora from Hemmacher Schlemmer" to "It's definatley gotta be a Raiders pinch with no taper."

I like what you've done to yours Kilte. The dents go back a little far for me, but overall it looks pretty good. Again, though, that darn taper. I often think back to my own ignorance and realize that nobody else notices it because they don't know what to look for. How far I've come in 2 short years.

Wear yours in good health my friend. It is still a very cool hat.

Fink · Post by **Fink** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:40 pm

I’m not a gearhead specialist, but if that Akubra was mine, I would only dare to change the ribbon. I recommend Todd’s replacement ribbon, they are cheap and they look great!

http://www.toddscostumes.com/indy/acces ... ribbon.htm

Piker · Post by **Piker** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:28 pm

Is it a 60 cm? I'll take it off your hands..... for a fair price.

Seriously, looks great!!! I'd wear that on my own head!!