Ordered a Raiders AB beaver fedora 11 days ago. It is in the post and will be here Thursday. I will post pics soon. Very excited and can not believe the turn around time. Here is a pic Steve sent before he finished it. <pic removed>] Quick question... How did you reach Steve? The phone number on hi...

How about the "Indiana"

I don't think anyone can copyright a state name...

Pete

I bought the first one last month from Steve (see Brassy Brown Raiders with Original Block thread) - lighter colored felt than the normal AB offering and it was one of only several bodies that Steve received last year and experimented with. Upon using minimal teakettle steam this felt body tapered ...

Thanks for all the great replies...

Sounds like one size is it...

I like the idea of adding another "internal" sweatband but I can see that if they are more than one size different it could get messy.

Pete

I am a 59 (7 3/8) and have used sizing tape to reduce a 60 (7 1/2) but how far can I push it? I am seen some great deals on hats on Ebay but in 61 - 63 (7 5/8-7 3/4).... Reasonably ;) , what is the largest size I can buy and use sizing tape? Some of the hats or the prices aren't worth the added cost...

I appreciate all the replies... I understand a little more but mainly that it is confusing for everyone... Actually some answers have raised more questions... If Akubra is the only felt maker to include wild hare in their rabbit felts and that is better, does that mean Akubra actually has a tougher ...

Sorry if this has already been addressed but searched and I didn't see anything... What is "100% Fur Felt" or "Fine Fur Felt" or just "Fur Felt"? :-k On these boards there is a great effort to state clearly Beaver or Rabbit or Wild Hare (Akubra) but so many hats are lis...

Fully agree....

The cost to gearup for a one hat conversion is not worth it.

Is there anyone out there (or know of anyone) who would take this project on at a reasonable price?

I can see it being worthwhile if the cost could be at or under $50...

Is this possible?

Pete

Is it cost efficient to take a cowboy hat and reblock it, trim the brim to Indy specs, and get a new ribbon etc? If so... who would do something like that and any idea of cost? I look at it this way... if I take a hat I have and the conversion cost is the same or higher cost as buying something like...

Can anyone do a comparison of the uptowner vs downtowner? Best I can tell: Felt: DT=100%fur felt UT-100% Rabbit Styling: DT=prebashed and not easy to change UT=easier to style yourself and even get unbashed Stiffness: DT=stiffer coarser UT=softer smoother Durability ? Liner ? Headband ? If any of th...

While there are a number of opinions comparing the Downtowner to the DP line... what about the Downtowner compared to the FEDIV? Also, there is a a hint early in the thread to an Uptowner... was that a joke or something else to look forward to? If it is real, what will the differences be? Thanks, Pete

Thanks for the insight! That is why I don't want to mess with my pending AB order, Steve you understand the hat better than anyone else. The only 100% beaver hat I presently own is a vintage piece and it is a dress fedora so it hasn't been tested in bad weather, and other than that my hats are myste...

Beaver would be your best bet but it doesn't need to be stiff to hold up. I understand the Beaver felt being tough but if it covered in snow and rain and soaked through and gets tossed in the corner or in the car trunk and a few days later, will it hold it's original shape eventhough it was wedged ...

Thanks for all the insight... To answer some of the questions brought up.... I have an AB on order and want it to be just as Steve made them for Indy4, so I won't change anything on that. As far as saying the PB fits the bill the best of the two I mentioned... please don't limit yourself, if there i...

I am waiting on an AB and bought a FedIV to get me through. I wear a hat every day, rain/sun/snow, for decades.... I don't abuse them except that I wear them constantly and in all conditions... and on recommendations from others bought the FedIV and it is a great, tough hat but it has softened up a ...

This hat has raised my interest... I am waiting on an AB and bought a FedIV to get me through. I wear a hat every day, rain/sun/snow... have since a couple years BEFORE Raiders. I don't abuse them except that I wear the constantly and in all conditions... and on recommendations from others bought th...

Great Hat!

Does any of the present vendors use this thick/stiff/western felt?

I would be surprised if no vendor has jumped on this for those that like the feel of a western hat.

Which western model Akubra did you start with?

Pete

As a long time lurker and now a COW member... My head is spinning over the recent announcements... It seems there are at least three new AB inspired hats to try and compare... I have read all the info comparing the ABs and the AB Deluxe but... Can anyone compare these three on quality, cost, deliver...