Herbert Johnson vs. Acubra

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:34 pm

I just got a Herbert Johnson in a package deal I bought. Here's some pictures next to my Acubra. Unfortunately, I can barely squeeze it on my head, though I think to some degee it looks better on me than my slightly too big Acubra. (trimed brim on the HJ so it's slightly narrower) So I'll probably be selling the HJ soon (along with some other duplacates I've got) so keep a lookout in the Classifieds if you're in the market for a HJ size 57 (7-1/4 US).
Pic 1 Pic 2

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:21 pm

Which one is the HJ?

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:24 pm

The one on the left. Sorry, I guess I assumed every one could tell.

Now if it was a AB I'm sure that would be a different story.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:49 pm

Yes, your right Tone. HJ is on the left (the dark one) Glad some one keeps an eye on me.

I'll edit my previous answer.

Thanks for the comlements. It's been "dirtied" sense my last gear photo shoot.

I may try to trim it a little some time. It just seems too wide for my head/face.

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 4:49 am

THose two hats are both amazing. The Akubra looks... incredible! Honestly i have seen few raiders akubra like that.
The herbert-johnson looks very close to an AB. In the first post i thought you mistaken an Akubra for an AB. It really looks like my adventurebilt in the first pic you posted.

I would not sell the HJ unless it's really VERY bigger than your head. You might always think of that "cairo-hat-trick" under the sweatband

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 8:16 am

It's actually that my head is bigger than the hat Erri.

I wonder how far Fedora can upsize hats?

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 8:18 am

IndyDoc wrote:It's actually that my head is bigger than the hat Erri. I wonder how far Fedora can upsize hats?

Is the head a lot bigger or just half size?

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 8:29 am

I'd say at least one size. The Acubra is a 60 and the HJ is a 57. I can barely squeeze the HJ on and the Acubra ok, but slightly too big even with the head band doubled over. I'm a 7-3/8 US and the HJ is a 7-1/4, so I guess thats one full size.

Fedoraman · Post by **Fedoraman** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:30 am

You can size up -but unfortunately that could have bad effects on brim width as you only have a limited amount of felt to work with. The best scenario is to size down - but you are dealing with rabbit fur on both those lids so some shrinkage could happen either way...

But, 1 size should not be a problem - contact Steve.

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 1:25 pm

Is the HJ directly from HJ or was it from another vendor from here? Also, when was it made? What year?

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 2:15 pm

That is a dark HJ. Most HJs are a bit lighter in color than the Federation, or Deluxe. That is what I have witnessed over the years in re-blocking HJs. The browns varied from supplier to supplier as well as runs from the same supplier. That is why I want to see that Raiders HJ. What was the exact shade of brown? That is important to me. Fedora

Fedoraman · Post by **Fedoraman** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 3:15 pm

Steve - I thought you had it in the works to go and look at a screen used Raiders a few weeks back. Did that fall through?

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:49 pm

agent5 wrote:Is the HJ directly from HJ or was it from another vendor from here? Also, when was it made? What year?

It's from ebay (and a member, but looked like they may have registered just to post in the classifeds). I'll try and find out the year and if he got it straight from the company. I'm guessing it's several years old if it's like the Wested he had. (he got that before they were offering dark brown as an option)

Fedora: this one is definiatly not lighter than my FedDelux. (though my Fed is dirty, but not that dirty) From the pictures on here it looks like an AB in color.
I also noticed the ribbon is 1/4" wider than the Acubra ribbon.

Are HJs still availible? Their web site didn't have much on it. I remember seeing a thread about a new staff or management working there and they were much more helpful and such...

Ha! Just found the original price tag stuck under the head band. 165 pounds.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 10:30 am

Ok, I got the scoop. It was bought "new, directly from Richard Swales at Herbert Johnson in London" in the year 2000.

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 11:33 am

Cool and thanks. Does the Swales letter come with it?

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 2:25 pm

No, no letter. Just the price tag.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 3:00 pm

I think this hat is valuable due to the fact that Mr. Swales did his cut on the brim. Those are gonna be real rare, soon. Fedora

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:16 pm

I'm not sure that it was acutally cut by him. It looks kind of sloppy. (not excactly blended well in the transition from 3" to the thinner areas) I'm thinking they guy got it from him but did the brim trim himself.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 5:26 pm

From my understanding, his cuts were pretty "rough" as they were. The brim could very well have been cut by Swales. If so, I'd hold on to that hat!

bink

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:14 pm

Yes, if it is a rough cut with little knobs at the cut transition, that is Swales alright.

Another trademark is the cut is uneven. He just grabbed some scissors and "eyeballed" the cut. Fedora

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:32 pm

Wow! I'd say this is a pretty sweet hat then.

Too bad it doesn't qutie fit.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:36 pm

Any hatters intersted in owning this one? I like it but, as I can't ware it, it might be better off in the "archives" of a hatter or collector.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:38 pm

Doc, ever think of sending it down to Fedora to resize it for you. A size up is no problem at all.

Regards! Michaelson

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:18 pm

Ok. I'll see if I can get ahold of him. I assume that would need reblocking if it was sized up?

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:13 am

Not much, but Steve has worked on so many HJ's, I'm sure it will look perfect.

Regards! Michaelson