newbie w/ AB delux

e.m.t. jones · Post by **e.m.t. jones** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:30 pm

Hello, Hello. Since I introduced myself on the jacket page lets talk fedoras. I haven't had a fedora since my first cheap TOD Steadson at age 12. Recently, I followed one of the tutorials and tried to modify an assuie cowboy hat which worked for a while. Since I have a real indy jacket I guess the hat was just the natural next step.

Although I was concerned about the longevity of rabbit fur, I decided I would go with an HJ from Todd. I felt that for the money it would be the best chance at getting the look that I wanted. Then AB went online. I knew who fedora was from reading his postings and so I sat back and waited for the COW members to do thier work, And then it came, post after post of how incredible the AB was. Members who own HJ's, Peter bro's, and Kepplers claiming the AB to be the best hat that they have ever purchased. I spoke with fedora on the phone and he turned out to be one of the nicest people I have done business with.

I ordered ROTLA to orginal spects with the ravenwood bar scence style without the turn (sorry I was not sold on the turn at that time and now I am a true believer). I got lucky because I got one of fedora early runs just after he finished filling the COW orders. It arrived in 2 months. I remember being surprised at how tall the crown was. When I placed it on my head I realized how important the the crown is to get the indy look. I steamed the swoop into the brim. The first two weeks I treated my hat gingerly but then decided it needed to be distressed. So I sat on it, kicked it around, and slept with it on.

Next was the Cairo mushroom, so I tried several tricks. I sat on it some more, steamed it, tighted the ribbon, and decided my head was to fat for the Cairo look. Then several months ago came some posts on folding or trimming the sweat band. After retreiving my hat from the dog who decided it made a nice soft pillow, I decided to fold the sweat band in half and TA DA! there was the Cairo mushroom and the bump half way up the ribbon. Now my hat looks like a well loved AB dlx indy style.

The AB is a hat to be reckoned with although it is soft and supple the hat is built to last. Fedora has become a fine hatter and has the built the terminator of all adventure hats. emt jones

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:33 am

Awesome! Let's see it.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:38 am

Sounds like a keeper! Congrats on the hat of your dreams!!! - But why do you call it a AB Dlx.?!

Not that the reg. AB is not a Deluxe hat. It is just that. But I think that when you start to call the reg. AB an AB Deluxe, people will confuse it with just that...

Regards,

Marc

e.m.t. jones · Post by **e.m.t. jones** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:59 am

I will post pics once I figure out how, sorry not very computer savy. Perhaps I'm incorect I thought delux was the pure beaver fur, If I am wrong please enlighten me. emt

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:22 am

The AB Deluxe is also a pure beaver Indy Fedora, but made from some chap over in Germany. It costs more due to the more expensive materials used (hence the "Deluxe").

So, Steve makes the reg. AB and that chap over in Germany makes the AB Deluxe... - I'll see if I can find the thread to answer some questions.

Regards,

Marc

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:24 am

Here it is: viewtopic.php?t=18859

Regards,

Marc

soulman · Post by **soulman** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:25 am

Sounds like a great lid. Can't wait to see the pics.

e.m.t. jones · Post by **e.m.t. jones** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:07 pm

Sorry guys I did not realise they were 2 diff hat, by 2 diff hatters. Hope I did not insult anyone. I did not know anyone else was using the letters AB so when people spoke of it I just assumed they were refering to fedoras hat. sorry marc. Thats what I get for assuming, thanx for the thread, I promise to become more familiar. emt

The real Henry · Post by **The real Henry** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:47 pm

Which chap are you talking about, Marc? Could you probably give us a name?!

I heard some guy called Kitter makes an Indy hat, but hey I'm not sure!

Regards,
Henrik

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:59 am

Hope I did not insult anyone.

Heck, NO! - Just wanted to point it out. It is one and the same company after all, just two different versions

I heard some guy called Kitter makes an Indy hat, but hey I'm not sure!

Yeah, that's the same rumors I have heard. That guy seems to be a bit on the fanatic side, when it comes to hats... Ah well.

Regards,

Marc