First Fedora

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:27 am

Jpevh, you'll want to measure your head with a tape measure going around the part of your head where the sweatband will sit (right above the ears). Then you can look on a hat chart and figure out your size from there.
http://www.hats.com/cgi-bin/Hats.storef ... emplate/61

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 9:47 pm

If you're looking for the perfect Raiders look, I highly recommend the Adventurebilt fedora. However, if you're more of a Temple of Doom fan, the Akubra Federation is good for that stle, and a little less hard on the wallet. If it's the Last Crusade look that you like, an Akubra is good for that as well.

Alternatively, you can get yourself an all rabbit felt Adventurebilt, and have Steve "Fedora" Delk style it up for you in any style you like. I really believe he has the perfect stovepipe shaped block for Indy lids, and the man has an incredible eye for detail, and can style your hat to look like any scene you like. Steve also has the most fantastic customer service I've ever experienced.

My personal recommendation is to grab yourself an Adventurebilt. If you can afford the 100% beaver felt version, go with that. If you're looking to spend a little less, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the all rabbit version. J_Weaver has one, and is thrilled with it, so I understand. I really feel like it is worth your money to buy one hat, and be done with it, rather than buy a cheaper hat just to have one now, and ending buying the better hat later.

Regards,

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 10:06 pm

Strider wrote:J_Weaver has one, and is thrilled with it, so I understand.

Yes, you understand correct.

Obviously, the quality of the AB is tops. As for the rabbit felt itself, well, I find Steves rabbit felt to be pretty similar to that of the Akubra Federation. My dad has a Federation about the same age, so it cool to see how the two hats age together. IMO, I think that Steve's rabbit felt is a little more dense and smooth. The Akubra rabbit felt seems to have a bit more "nap" to it. Its really hard to put into words. You kinda have to be able to handle both hats side by side.

There is no comparison in teh block shape between the Akubra and the AB. My dad's Akubra was tapered right out of the box. The only change I've seen in my AB have been for the better.

Well, I'll hush before I confuse anyone any more than I already have.

What I'm really trying to say is that I don't think you'd be disappointed by a rabbit AB. Of course you won't be disappointed by the Akubra either, unless your looking for the perfect Raiders hat.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 10:19 pm

I wish i could buy an AB,but the price is too much for me,at least right now.i honestly wouldnt mind wearing a Camptown or an Keppler.I mean i could buy one but it would be that much longer before i could get some of the other gear,cause by xmas i plan on having a fedora,jacket,shirt,web belt,pants and,boots.maybe a MkVII too.then by this time next year i should have the rest of the gear.slow and steady, thats how im going to stay out of poverty.and BTW my hat size is 7 1/2.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 10:43 pm

Jpevh, do you know about the AB discount for COW members. You could get a rabbit AB for the same as the Camptown and the Keppler.

I'm not trying to sway you one way or another, I'm just offering info.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:12 pm

i know about the discount but i figured a beaver/rabbit mix is better then a pure rabbit fedora.i wish there was a COW store that i could go to and check out these hats in person so i could make a better and easier choice.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:02 am

Jpevh, yes, the decision on what hat to buy around here can be very daunting, especially when so many of us have our favourites. I love hats. Always have. And I've bought plenty over the years to know what I like and don't like. My personal experience with owning vintage hats has led me to fall in love with the AdventureBilt, but even a couple years ago I couldn't see myself spending over 200 clams on most any hat.

But buy only one hat in your lifetime and be done with it? Not me. It's too much of an addiction.

I will readily admit that I always recommend an AdventureBilt for its quality and relative low price for the superior quality you get with the hat. However, not everybody can shell out the cash. It's true. There are those of us who will tell you to go ahead and save/spend the extra money for the AdventureBilt. Is the AB worth the money? No question. But don't feel pressured into buying a specific hat because people tell you to. Even if I'm the one telling you to. It's no fun when you find you've got a nice hat, but can't afford to put food on your table beacause of it.

From what I've learned about the Keppler and Camptown hats, they are both very good fedoras. Yes, you can buy a rabbit AB for the same price as a rabbit/beaver blend Keppler or Camptown, but the ultimate choice is yours, and yours alone. Personally, I've prefered a rabbit/beaver blend felt over the pure rabbit of an Akubra hat. I cannot vouch for the AdventureBilt rabbit, though, since I've only owned and seen the 100% beaver AB. If you want a blend, go for the blend. And from what I've read, that's what you're leaning toward.

You have only so much money in which to purchase a fedora. Well, don't go over your budget if you don't need to or can't. Just because you buy a Keppler or a Camptown now, doesn't mean you're not allowed to save up for an AdventureBilt in the future. It also doesn't mean you have to only own one brand of hat, either. By what I'm hearing from you, either the Keppler or Camptown seems to be the fit for you and your current hat needs. I think it's great that you're trying to get as many opinions and as much feedback as possible to aid in your decision. Just remember that the choice is yours, not ours.

I also like that Indiana_Tone is offering to meet up with you in order to see the Keppler first hand. It would be great if there was a physical C.O.W. store where we could try on all the different makes of Indy hats, jackets, bags, and attire, but then none of us would ever leave the shop and we'd be thrown in jail for loitering.

At any rate, Jpevh, I think you'll make a wise choice whatever hat you end up with. Enjoy this hobby and the choices it brings, don't be frightened and coaxed into it. Good luck!

bink

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:05 am

Indiana_Tone wrote:Bink, you always give the most honest and reasonable statements here. Ever try not to like someone and then just realize it can't be done due to their endeavoring sincerity?

HA! I folled 'em all again! Oh, how I love being a scoundrel....

Seriously, thanks for the compliment. I have to post like that once in a while just to keep myself focused on what is really important around here.

For me, collecting hats is a hobby I enjoy tremendously. If I had the money to buy a hat every week, goodness knows I'd probably do it! You are right in saying that the choices for a good Indy hat are better than ever these days. Heck, the good choices seem to have blossomed even since I've been around these parts! Our vendors (many equally fans) do their best to provide us gearheads with the best products they can offer. I really wish I had the cashflow to support every one of them. As it stands, if I can buy a couple good hats a year (new or vintage) then times are good. Though I'm a solid fan and client for the AdventureBilt, I really hope to be able to own a Camptown some day. I've even been greatly impressed with the ultra thin felt of Agent5's Optimo, though that, I will confess, is out of range for what I'm willing to spend on a hat.

Each hat I've owned (or still do) has its own personal magic that makes it a great hat. As long as the hat you purchase contains some of that magic for you, then it's a good buy, no matter if it's a Dorfman Pacific, Peters Brothers, Optimo, Akubra, Camptown, Keppler, or AdventureBilt.

Happy hat buying, everybody!

bink

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:24 am

Indiana_Tone wrote: I'm headed out to So Cal on the 17th.

What part of So Cal? We ought to hang out.

Regards,

DanoSaurus · Post by **DanoSaurus** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:55 am

Just to throw in my 2 pennies...don't base your buying decision solely on material. The Keppler and Adventurebilt Rabbit are both around the same price, but even though the Keppler is a beaver blend I would still recommend the Adventurebilt because it is handmade, whereas the Keppler is still basically a mass produced hat. For example, the Keppler's liner is just glued in, unlike the AB which is carefully sewn in like they were in the old days.

I own a Keppler 6x beaver blend as well as two Adventurebilt 100% beavers. In my opinion, the Keppler felt feels no different than the all-rabbit fur felts I've handled and probably doesn't contain very much beaver at all. It feels like sandpaper compared to the AB beaver felt.

The point I'm trying to make is, don't choose the Keppler for it's beaver content.

Also consider there is usually a long wait time for a Keppler, sometimes on the order of several months.

Whichever you chose, they are both fine lids and I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:32 pm

Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions.basically its come down to either a AB rabbit or a Keppler.after i meet up with Indiana_Tone this next weekend then i will be able to make a solid choice,because Tone is generious enough to meet up with me and let me check out his keppler first hand.and if i like it ill go with a keppler blend fedora but if lee doenst have my size then i will go with a AB rabbit from Fedora.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 4:22 am

does Strider have the beaver or rabbit? but yeah it would be cool for all of us to meet up at Barons and then go have lunch.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:18 am

elodies HJ is an awesome looking hat.Check these HJs out for $240.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:31 am

which one ,the Indy fedora($233) or the poet($208).

Zach R. · Post by **Zach R.** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:42 am

Why is the Indy fedora with a black lining almost 70 dollars cheaper? Because it doesn't have a crest in the liner?

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:47 am

Zach R. wrote:Why is the Indy fedora with a black lining almost 70 dollars cheaper? Because it doesn't have a crest in the liner?

thats just another one of lifes mysteries.

Zach R. · Post by **Zach R.** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:48 am

I guess they are kinda like the dented can of soup you get for half off at the supermarket.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:58 am

Zach R. wrote:I guess they are kinda like the dented can of soup you get for half off at the supermarket.

i wonder why they're 70 bucks cheaper.just cause the linings black

Zach R. · Post by **Zach R.** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 4:04 am

That was exactly my question at 3:42AM(12:42 for you).

Indiana Wayne · Post by **Indiana Wayne** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:50 pm

I bought a Herbert Johnson fedora with a black liner for $50 dollars in the Classifieds.

Felt quality: On a 1 to 5 scale, 5 being a rabbit AB, a HJ would be a 2 or 2 1/2. The Herbert Johnson is rabbit felt.

Jpevh wrote:which one ,the Indy fedora($233) or the poet($208).

The Indy fedora is a modified Poet fedora. If you get the Poet you would have to modify it to make it an Indy fedora.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:28 pm

so a rabbit AB is better then a HJ? the reason i ask is im going to buy a rabbit AB

.so im glad to know ill be getting a quality hat.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:34 pm

From what I hear the rabbit AB blows the HJ out of the river. As a rabbit AB owner I can believe it.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:56 pm

and even though beaver is better in quality,the hats that harrison wore in the movies were made from rabbit.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:18 pm

Yup, you got it.

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 9:49 am

The Adventurebilt fedora is also made by one of our own fellow fans. He worked really hard at researching the ones worn by Harrison Ford and replocked dozens of other people's fedoras before he started out with his own buisness.

Through out all the years while I was trying to find the perfect fedora, he was too. It seems right to get one from someone who was as obsessed as the rest of us on the perfect look.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 9:16 pm

well ive made my final decision and im for sure going with a rabbit Adventurebilt

the beaver ABs are really good looking but thats too much to spend for a first timer like me but my next hat will be a Beaver AB but until then the rabbit one will do me nicely.