Club Obi Wan

Chewbacca Jones

Indiana Jeff wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 2:28 pm
You or the jacket?

BOTH!
The jacket like a military tank.
Me like a water tank.

Chewbacca Jones

I miss when the Signature Series was at it's peak. So many choices. I loved them. I think i had 4 at one point. They were perfect for those of us with generous proportions, and built like a tank.

Chewbacca Jones

Oh, that is sharp! Well done.

Chewbacca Jones

I'm not a stickler for screen accuracy, so I can't comment on that. However, I have owned two Magnoli jackets that loved dearly. They were well made, fit great, and remain my favorites to this day. I still feel the sting of having to sell them.

Chewbacca Jones

Of the two, I have only owned a Todd's. It was quite a few years ago, but if anything has changed, I'm sure it's for the better. It was not a flimsy costume shirt. It could easily be worn as an everyday clothing item. I would not recommend it as a dress shirt, though. It has a casual vibe to it. The...

Chewbacca Jones

Do you know your chest measurement?
Also...

Chewbacca Jones

Ok... want one.

Chewbacca Jones

Wow. I really love what you did with it.

Suddenly, I want one.

Chewbacca Jones

Thank you. I'll have a look.

Chewbacca Jones

So, this is kind of a half Indy relevant post. Hope I don't get singed by the mod fires... I really want the hooked style cable temples that the Indy specs have, but the frame shape doesn't look good on me. The conversion kits are notoriously bad in the durability department, and so far I've only fo...

Chewbacca Jones

Not sure what the Wested cotton is like these days, but the old one I got second hand does feel like it may have been a bit coarse before it was broken in. But not all cotton is equal. Try it on a cooler day. If it feels less itchy, I would recommend avoiding the warmer weather until you've broken i...

Chewbacca Jones

Teneas, you seem to have a nice collection of "who's who" Indy hats. I would say, aim for a complete set. HJ or Steel and Jones.

Full disclosure: those are two I want in to try next!

Chewbacca Jones

Unfortunately, I haven't gotten my hands an a S&J. However, I have owned several Magnoli jackets, all with custom requests and measurements, including a "real world fit." He did a great job. So far, I have not found their equal. My experience with Wested is that they are very hit-or-mi...

Chewbacca Jones

I see it! I've gotten some that a few times.

Anyhow, I agree about wearing it with the pinch lined up how you want it. Then when you take it off, while sweatband is still warm from wearing, put in an the stretcher for a while. Same if you wear it in the rain.

Chewbacca Jones

Castor, I would say it slows the conforming process, but it won't stop it. In some cases, I eventually don't need the stuffing.

Chewbacca Jones

As someone who has ordered many custom hats, I can tell you that head size is not static. Especially when you get down to mm's. Sinus swelling, ambient temperature, and hair growth can all be a factor. And don't rely on previous hat fit. A hat often conforms to the wearer over time. My recommendatio...

Chewbacca Jones

I see. Thanks. I guess I've been out of the jacket market for so long that I missed a big change.

Chewbacca Jones

Didn't USW shorten their pattern a couple of years after Crystal Skull came out? I was under the impression that only the Signature Series had the extra length.

Chewbacca Jones

I didn't keep my Temple long. I was very unimpressed with both look and quality. The felt feels cheap, and the crown is just too tapered and low.
Of Stetons fedora options, I'd recommend a Whippet or a Stratoliner. Both come in various felt choices at different prices.

Chewbacca Jones

I've done a few ribbon swaps. Just make sure you do your research on the proper fiber content. You want something that will shrink with water so it conforms to the hat. Don't use the polyester stuff from the craft stores.

Chewbacca Jones

Speaking from my strictly non-profressional experience, snap brims without modification don't make good Indy hats, regardless of flange. However, I have reshaped snap brims to the point that they no longer snap, and gotten nice results. The Indy brim is a blend of an outback Aussie and a traditional...

Chewbacca Jones

As a rule, I handle hats by the brim most of the time. The friction and pressure needed to lift and hold a hat by the crown will decrease the life of the felt. If I do handle the crown, I do so gently. I sometimes cup the crown to put it on, but that's it. In terms of material making a difference, I...

Chewbacca Jones

It's more like I have a hat or two NOT to wear in the rain... because I know they can't take it. :lol: But I do have a beater for times when things might get dirty, or doing really sweaty work. Up until the sweatband shrank, it was my Federation III. That hat could take anything. Well, almost, appar...

Chewbacca Jones

I found 'em!!!! \:D/ So, this was the my last remaining Fed III, one day out of the box, with a shallow preliminary bash. Sometime in 2007. http://www.23hq.com/23666/88343205_60a9de432fbf317daa0119024a4c474f_standard.jpg After a few days, I settled on this not-quite Indy bash. It thought it was a ni...

Chewbacca Jones

I can't find my pictures!!!!!

Where's an archeologist when you really need one?

Chewbacca Jones

When I got into this hobby, I was a 50, and my jacket hunt was filled with disappointments. I'll spare you the trial and error as best I can. But keep in mind that, at the time, there were far fewer options. Unless you live in the U.K., avoid Wested - custom or otherwise. Returns and such are costly...

Chewbacca Jones

I doubt that Indy 5 would be at the hat-making stage, but John has a lot of well-known and well-connected clients. He could be involved in any number of projects as a result. Or perhaps he has a big personal crisis. Not uncommon these days. For his sake, I hope he's working on some top secret Hollyw...

Chewbacca Jones

I don't know for sure what Thee doesn't like about Penman, but I've heard some say that John's hats look more like caricatures rather than the real deal. I own 2 Indy hats from John, and they do NOT look caricature-like at all. Although, I have noticed that many of the offerings these days are made...

Chewbacca Jones

Never owned a deluxe Akubra, but I love the standard Federations. I have a closet overflowing with top-notch custom beaver and rabbit felt hats, made by some of the best (Delk, Penman, Fawcett, Tumwater, etc.), but I don't see the Akubra as a step down. The difference is very obvious, but it would b...

Chewbacca Jones

I usually email the event organizers about the whips. So far, I have never had an issue. The only place that says "no" is the Ren Faire. Zip tie it, and everything should be fine.

Chewbacca Jones

When it comes to guns, the more realistic it looks, the less you want to carry it. Most cons ban anything that can or used to fire a proectile. Some say no moving parts. Personally, unless it's really obvious (like a sci-fi gun), I only bring it to small personal gatherings. Better safe than sorry.

Chewbacca Jones

Yes, I am mainly interested in seeing if I can save my Fed 3. There aren't too many left in circulation. I will look up that Etsy vendor. As far as getting a good Indy hat, I'm already very satisfied. I own 2 ABs and a Penman, and I don't feel like I need more Indy style hats. I'm just a hat guy, ge...

Chewbacca Jones

I've been putting it off for a long time, but my last remaining Federation 3 has reached the point that I can't wear it anymore. It needs a full refurb (reblock, sweat, liner), and I would like to get the block and brim shape as close as possible to the original Fed 3 design. Yes, I know, I could ju...

Chewbacca Jones

When I saw the title of this thread, I was expecting to see Robert DeNiro wearing a leather jacket, chewing a cigar, and saying something about doing, "Fourteen years in a 4x9 cell with men who were less than human." Anyway, never mind. :oops: Glad I'm not the only one. But I am old enoug...

Chewbacca Jones

As long as the neck size is close, it will look ok. But if you want to pull off the tie look, you'll have to keep looking. I'm pretty sure Ford's shirts fit his neck, but since it would have been designed for specific purposes, they easily could have had some that fit, and others that would stay ope...

Chewbacca Jones

Oh my! Always wanted a russet Indy jacket.

Chewbacca Jones

If it ain't broke.... You know the rest.

Chewbacca Jones

How curled are we talking?
My first attempt was a Last Crusade curl that involved flattening a snap brim, then curling by hand. I would only use my method on a hat that I trust the dye on, though... I use a lot of water.

Chewbacca Jones

Oh, my...

Chewbacca Jones

Charybdis wrote:And remember that pants can be lined down to the knee to add some weight and drape.

I highly recommend having that lining, at least the mid-thigh. I find cavalry twill wool to be a bit itchy without it.

Chewbacca Jones

Since you have the fur felt, you could try tighten the pinch a bit. I don't recommend the Raiders razor pinch, think LC or TOD. Just boil some water (in a kettle if you have it). When the steam is strong, hold the pinch area in the steam and reshape by hand slowly. Not too close, don't burn your han...

Chewbacca Jones

There isn't much that can be done, but how much depends on which Dorfman you have. Is it wool felt, fur felt, crushable?

Chewbacca Jones

Assuming the jacket hasn't been gathering dust at all since receiving, I would demand a complete replacement. That shouldn't happen to a new jacket if made properly. That is how I would fix it.

Chewbacca Jones

I mix & match frequently. It's all about what works for you. The fact that you are asking suggests that total accuracy is less important to you than wearing the gear you love most. If that doesn't reflect the spirit of fandom, I don't what does.

Chewbacca Jones

Not anymore. I had to sell them all when I lost 50 lbs.

I only have one.

Chewbacca Jones

I've had a few different Indy jackets, including Wested and a mountain of US Wings. I have also had the chance to examine a few others. But if I could pick only one, it would be a Magnoli. If you communicate what you want you can get it. And nothing else has ever fully satisfied me the way a Magnoli...

Chewbacca Jones

Did Penman specifically say the REBLOCK time was June 2019? If not, that might just be for new hat orders.

Chewbacca Jones

Local Parks are good, if you can find an out of the way spot. A quick call to the nearest police department can give you the answers you need about laws governing whips and noise. If you want to enjoy the puzzled reactions more, go in person. :lol: The park I live near is actually very close to the ...

Chewbacca Jones

I was curious if some hatters might have slightly different thicknesses in felt and of course rabbit vs rabbit/beaver combos which might impact warmth on the head. :) In that case, I know that Optimo has a light weight felt, as well as Vintage Silhouettes. Not sure, but Penman and Tumwater might ha...

Chewbacca Jones

If you are going to wear felt in warm weather, I suggest removing the liner, or replacing it with just patch inside the crown top. But you should consider straw. There are plenty of inexpensive straw hats out there that are decent, if you don't want to start off high-end. They won't look like an Ind...

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