Just another indy fan, this time from St. Louis. Haven't gotten the fedora yet, but will be soon. I came to this site to research which one to get, and lo and behold, was presented with dozens of options. I was thinking of a fed deluxe first, since I was operating off of a budget, but after all posts I figured what the ####, I'll go for the gung ho gusto and get the AB beaver.
Welcome to the club, you will find out real soon that the folks here are like an encyclopidia of Indy gear info and about the nicest group you may ever meet. (Speaking as a newer member who was made to feel at home the moment I entered the door here).
first let me say welcome aboard. secound let me say you will not go wrong with the Adventureilt ( I have two and going for a third soon). You will also save money in the long run by getting the Adventurebilt. If you wan't to hear the long of it PM me.
Welcome Walden, glad to have new memembers to keep the forum intersting. Im a new memeber myself, but i have everything but props now. The AB is def the best hat from what i hear and have seen. I opted to get the Fed Deluxe though because i didnt want to spend so much for a Fedora, and felt that i could get something just as good with the Fed Deluxe. It all depends on what you would really rather have. If you have the money and just want a hat right now then go for the AB. Personally i wanted to get all my gear right away (aftering reasearching, i didnt rush my decisions) so i got a cheapr hat (price , not quality) that is 1 of the best Indy Fedoras out there , and many are very happy with. I would rather have my jacket and all my other gear then have to wait and save more for an AB. Maybe 1 day ill get an AB but i wanted my hat to get worn in good and figured it get beat around, so the Deluxe is great. Here is a post with pics i jsut took, and some pics from Freuad. viewtopic.php?t=15840
Youll get opinions from everyone, go with what you want in the end, but the Fed deluxe is a great quality hat, dont ever doubt that. Good luck!
Dont rush yourself when it comes to gear and props. They will all come in time and before you know it you have more stuff than you know what to do with and you keep looking for more.
Its a never ending hobby and I'm very proud to be a part of it.
"Welcome to the party, pal!"
There's nothing like starting at the top. After buying an Adventurebilt, you will never need another hat again. You won't need another one, but I'm sure you get more.
Welcome Walden! You have just joined a great bunch of folks.
Don't rush to buying gear. Some of it is expensive. Read the forums and decide based on what fits your tastes & budget. You can also find good stuff in the 'For Sale & Want Ads' section. I got a great cotton Wested from there.
Welcome to COW! Yes, the AdventureBilt is a top notch fedora. You can't go wrong with it. It will last you a lifetime. But to echo what some of my fellow gearheads have said, don't feel like you have to rush into buying everything all at once. If your budget is a big concern, there are plenty of options. Having owned an Akubra, I can tell you that it is a wonderful hat at a good price. It's a good option. That said, don't let me stop your from getting an AdventureBilt if you plan on saving up for it. My AdventureBilts are the best hats I own. They rank up there with my best vintage fedoras!
binkmeisterRick wrote:Welcome to COW! Yes, the AdventureBilt is a top notch fedora. You can't go wrong with it. It will last you a lifetime. But to echo what some of my fellow gearheads have said, don't feel like you have to rush into buying everything all at once. If your budget is a big concern, there are plenty of options. Having owned an Akubra, I can tell you that it is a wonderful hat at a good price. It's a good option. That said, don't let me stop your from getting an AdventureBilt if you plan on saving up for it. My AdventureBilts are the best hats I own. They rank up there with my best vintage fedoras!
Good luck!
bink
The fedora will be the only thing I'll be getting (for now ), and the budgetary constraints aren't a problem as soon as the income tax comes in (marriage+small child+head of household= CHA CHING!!!). I've got several regular akubras already, but from what I can tell the AB is the best fedora out there (period), and I'm a firm believer in Thoreaus credo that if you're going to go, go all the way. The jacket will probably be the next item on the list, but that will have to wait a bit , since I have several coats/jackets already (Barbour and Filson, mostly, with one Driza Bone).
My wife will kick me in the head if I come home with another jacket
binkmeisterRick wrote:Good call, then! Nothing like an educated consumer. You won't be disappointed with the AdventureBilt!
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I have to be educated, I was a debt collector
I've never been shy about spending money on stuff that I know will last, just because it's far less expensive over the long run than simply buying cheaper items that you will have to replace. It's better to look at the long term, in my opinion.
That's also why I'm such a huge barbour and filson nut, although now I don't think I'll be so sure of Filson now that they will be own by Ralph Lauren *sob*
), and the budgetary constraints aren't a problem as soon as the income tax comes in (marriage+small child+head of household= CHA CHING!!!). I've got several regular akubras already, but from what I can tell the AB is the best fedora out there (period), and I'm a firm believer in Thoreaus credo that if you're going to go, go all the way. The jacket will probably be the next item on the list, but that will have to wait a bit , since I have several coats/jackets already (Barbour and Filson, mostly, with one Driza Bone). 
