AB Hat options, your thoughts?

Andy Buse · Post by **Andy Buse** » Wed May 25, 2005 1:57 pm

OK, once I found out that AB hats has a layaway, I decided to get one of those wonderful creations.

What are the pros/cons of the different types of hats Steve offers (i.e. pure beaver, nutria blend, rabbit blend, medium weight felt, light weight felt, etc.) excepting the look I want (I am thinking a Crusade look.)

I don't plan on putting it through the ringer, but I will wear it regularly in winter or summer and plan on taking care of it per proper insturctions and tools (hat brush, etc.) We have moderate but ever changing weather here, as cold as -10 F in the winter and as hot as 110 F in the summer, rain or snow, hail, sleet, or high winds, we've got it all.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:00 pm

I was born and raised in Southern Ohio, and our weather there mirrors what you have in your location. Heck, as I recall, most of our weather CAME from your direction.

That said, I'd suggest you go with the full beaver. It will handle anything your weather can throw at it, and keep it's shape and integrity. Anything else, though fine material, will not perform as well as the beaver.

JMO here, but based on personal experience with your area, and what I'D go after (and have!).

Regards! Michaelson

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:02 pm

Forgive me if I am wrong, but I don't believe Steve offers blends anymore.
That being said, and even if you had to choose between a rabbit and a beaver, I would encourage you to get the beaver, as long as it is economically feasible. There is no finer fur felt, so why not stetch a bit and get the best?
Beaver will stand up to anything. As Michaelson said above.
So, you're going for the LC. Good job. I spoke to Steve about a LC Pier of Venice hat and he told me that he has the perfect block for it. So, if that is what you are going for, I am sure it will be an excellent hat!
Bets of luck,
HJ

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:03 pm

He does have the perfect LC block, HJ. That's my standard order when he makes one for me. Regards! Michaelson

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:08 pm

Pagey wrote:HJ got their first...hmmm very Belloq like

"Now you see, there iz nothing that you can post that I cannot take away from you, or post first."

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:10 pm

HJ's like that. Give him an inch, he thinks he's a ruler....

Just to be fair, the rabbit version is also a fine hat, and those who own and have worn the Akubra Fed line can attest to how well rabbit fur felt performs in good AND bad weather. Like Pagey said, either way is a winner....beaver is just, uh, more of a winner?

Regards! Michaelson

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:10 pm

Michaelson wrote:He does have the perfect LC block, HJ. That's my standard order when he makes one for me. Regards! Michaelson

You know, Michaelson, you should post some pics. You have this awesome hat collection and most of us have never seen any pics of you wearing any of them.

Oh, and I hate to bring this up, but doesn't bink live in or near Indianapolis? 8-[

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:12 pm

Living in the shadows is what I do best. 8-[

Yep, bink does indeed live in Indy, and he owns and wears a beaver AB, and swears by it (well, at least he swears.

)

Regards! Michaelson

Luisiana Jones · Post by **Luisiana Jones** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:13 pm

Yeah true, Michaelson id love to see your hat collection, and you wearing them would be awesome!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:19 pm

With boxes? Could prove to be a monumental task....

Regards! Michaelson

Luisiana Jones · Post by **Luisiana Jones** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:29 pm

Affffff .... you know what i meant guys...

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:30 pm

Yeah, I did.

Regards. Michaelson

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:32 pm

I didn't. I really thought he meant all of them.
Hey, is it just me or is my avatar gone? Where did he go???

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:34 pm

I noticed that earlier, HJ.

Regards. Michaelson

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:44 pm

Pagey wrote:I thought you were just being coy.

I do like to live in the shadows.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 25, 2005 2:54 pm

See there? It's catching!

Regards! Michaelson

Andy Buse · Post by **Andy Buse** » Wed May 25, 2005 3:39 pm

Thanks for all the helpful replies everyone! I'm thinking Beaver, and if Steve has a block for the crusade look, then that's what I'll ask for.

Oh, and who's bink? If he lives in Indy, maybe I've run across him before.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 25, 2005 3:41 pm

He has a VERY good LC block, I assure you. Good choice!

binkmeisterRick is a regular here, and (gulp) a really nice guy. 8-[

(don't tell him I said that, though.

)

Regards! Michaelson

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Wed May 25, 2005 5:04 pm

Michaelson wrote:See there? It's catching! Regards! Michaelson

I knew there was a bunch of shady characters around this place.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed May 25, 2005 8:52 pm

I'm a nice guy?! Stop it, Michaelson. How am I supposed to maintain my scoundrelness with all this "nice guy" talk?

Actually I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, not Indianapolis. I'm two hours north, but not for long, as I'm moving east this summer. Andy, I have a full beaver AB which has handled the weather quite nicely, so from personal experience, I'd go with the 100% beaver if it's within your budget. I've also worn mine in cold midwest weather as well as in hot and humid Mexico. I've worn mine nearly every day since I got it. As for thickness, Steve can pounce your hat thinner or thicker per request. I believe mine is pounced "medium thin" if that makes sense. Either way, you can't go wrong with an AB!

bink

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Wed May 25, 2005 9:23 pm

When I love something, I let everyone know.

And then I let them know....

... And then let them know some more.

And just when I think they know by now... I make a joke of it.

Pop quiz: What's my favorate drink and who made my favorate fedora before the Adventurebilt came along?

Enough said. My advice is this... ask Steve to make a fedora that's "Generic" of the era. High crown, medium brim.... center dent and a relaxed pinch. Then when you get it, wear it every day. It may not look screen accurate to any one particular scene, but I swear on all that is holy that you'll have the most incredible looking fedora that suits you.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed May 25, 2005 9:29 pm

Lets see Ren. If I recall correctly you are partial to Johnny Walker Black, maybe red, I can't remember. And of course you used to swear by the Akubra Federation until the AB came along.

Now back on topic. Go for the beaver. The rabbit is great, I have one and love it to death, but the beaver is as good as it gets.

Richard~Buxton · Post by **Richard~Buxton** » Wed May 25, 2005 9:51 pm

agreed if you have the money, beavers the only way to go.

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Wed May 25, 2005 11:02 pm

My point is that if you have to have an Adventurebilt but don't know what bash to go with, go with Steve's "Generic"... that's what he did with mine and I love it.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed May 25, 2005 11:33 pm

Sure, Ren, you'll take a "generic" fedora, but you won't take a "generic" whiskey.

By the way, I thought of you the other day. Our dear old landlady cleaned out her liqour cabinet, and in the process, we ended up with a bottle of Jonnie Walker Red Label.

bink

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Thu May 26, 2005 8:16 am

binkmeisterRick wrote:Sure, Ren, you'll take a "generic" fedora, but you won't take a "generic" whiskey. By the way, I thought of you the other day. Our dear old landlady cleaned out her liqour cabinet, and in the process, we ended up with a bottle of Jonnie Walker Red Label.

bink

I'm there in spirit. You have a wonderful land-lady. Be sure to thank her and give her lots of wonderful hugs!

I might recomend a "genaric" block... but these are NOT generic fedoras!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu May 26, 2005 9:32 am

Yeah, Ren, we've got the best landlady ever. It's like having your dear grandmother live below you, but you can never do anything wrong in her eyes. She even told us we're not allowed to leave, since we're her favourite tennants, so I told her that she'll just have to move east with us and be our landlady there, too! Believe me, she DOES get lots of hugs from us!

And I agree that Steve makes a wonderful fedora for that "look" even if you're not after a pure Indy hat. But I'm also excitied to see how he Camptown evolves in that department, too!

bink

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Thu May 26, 2005 12:41 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:She even told us we're not allowed to leave, since we're her favourite tennants, so I told her that she'll just have to move east with us and be our landlady there, too! Believe me, she DOES get lots of hugs from us!

Why would you ever leave! She gives you scotch!

I want a picture of this woman wearing a fedora so I can errect a shrine in her honor.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu May 26, 2005 11:55 pm

If I ever get one, I'll be sure to send it your way!

bink