Two inch brims?

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:40 pm

Okay, so I'm thinking about going a little more individual on my next purchase (or purchase after the next).

If I was to get a Raiders style fed and didn't wanna spend too much money on it and wanted to get a 2 inch brim (to go with the modern times), what would you sirs recommend?

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:57 pm

Ditto, mufflowne. Personally, I'm more of a fan of the short brims (i.e: The Rat Pack) as opposed to the wider brims (which I consider to go with the zoot suit look of the 30s).

I was considering getting one of my two ABs made with a shorter brim, but since they'll be Indy in every other sense of the word, why mess with that.

Another thing is that I have preferred a bathrobe soft fedora as opposed to thicker felts, as whenever I think thick hat, I think of Jungle Jim. For what it's worth, I do have a 3 year old Dobbs Dayton that does just that! It isn't exactly Indy, but it's a pretty awesome fedora none the less. I believe those go for roughly anywhere between 70-120.

But I would think that it would be hard to go for a skinny fedora, and still capture the Indy look, if that's what you're going for...

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:18 pm

Stay tuned....I believe old JerseyJones is working on something along those lines in the near future.....

Regards! Michaelson

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:07 pm

Or order an Akubra and cut the brim yourself in case you see that as an option.

Regards,
Swindiana

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:21 pm

Keep in mind that you may want a shorter crown to match the proportion of the shorter brim, otherwise you may find the hat isn't what you expected.

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:30 pm

My thoughts exactly, bink. It could end up looking sort of like a top hat if you don't shorten the crown a little.

I'd love to see how a hat like that came out though.

In Christ,
Shane

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:09 pm

bink,
I have a hat that is just as tall as my HJ, which is correct height. Comparing, it's pretty much the same height.

You guys think an Akubra might do it justice? Should I go with Dix or standard?

Castor, I need to get an AB Dix if I'm ever going to put an end to my burning desire to own an accurate hat (so I know how you feel), but alongside that, I'd love to have an indy hat that is only 2 inches in brim width, hat would make a swell hat that would be much like this wool dirt-rag i keep draggin' on my noggin'. I'll post pics tomm.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:11 pm

That's one thing I don't like about short brims... Short crowns.

I've got a big head, and when I wear my skinny fedora, it never feels secure as the crown seems to be too small to be pulled down tight. Well, I COULD pull it down tight, but that would pop out the top bash (not sure what that's called)...

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:15 pm

mufflowne wrote: You guys think an Akubra might do it justice? Should I go with Dix or standard?

It doesn't necessarily need to be and Indy hat. If you look around on their website you might find a similar one with a lower crown, and then you could do the cutting. Previous posters might be right about the Indy hat and what it would look like with the tall crown. I just suggested Akubra since they are good quality for a good price.

Regards,
Swindiana

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:20 pm

mufflowne, I'm not saying a hat with a taller crown and a 2 inch brim can't look good. I just think that most folks are used to seeing a shorter brim with a shorter crown, like on stingy brimmed hats. Personally, I like a variety in hats. I'd like to see your results!

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:41 pm

Maybe all it needs is a big ribbon to make up for the difference?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:02 pm

Seriously, the width of a ribbon can greatly alter how tall the crown looks. Take the same hat and put a 1/4" ribbon on it and the crown will appear much taller than if you put a 1 1/2" ribbon on the same hat.

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:50 pm

I reshaped the brim of a modern Stetson and tightened the pinch. The brim is just under 2 1/2" I think, and it has a low cown. Granted, the c-crown is not Indy, but it looks nice for what it is. I don't think the Indy brim would work well on anything narrower.

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:44 am

Akubra it is then. Just one more question: is the Federation Deluxe worth the extra 50 bucks?

I have this hat, see, and I want to get an indy hat and turn it into this type of hat with all the indy props. See:

Notice the awful taper on the factory HJ. 300 dollars, each one of them gives me a different reason to want to cry.

EDIT: Hey, anyone know where to get a vintage NY yankees hat like Jaques had at the beginning of Raiders?

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:00 am

Come to think of it, if you have an Indy hat with a small brim, then going by those comparison photos, I'd think you'd have a hat bordering on a trilby, and would probably look more Inspector Closeau than Indy Jones.

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:05 am

Closeau.....that hurt.

Then again, not really, as long as you're talking Sellers, not Martin.

Ugh, hate Steve Martin.

I wouldn't say I'd go Closeau, it'd still be Indyish hat, because I want a Raiders bash on it. And I plan on giving it some Fullers, too. I love the look that gives.

EDIT: Michaelson, how far into the future are we looking?

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:56 am

mufflowne wrote:Closeau.....that hurt.

Then again, not really, as long as you're talking Sellers, not Martin

Steve Martin is one of my favorite comedians, but he never played Clouseau. At least not in my book.

Back on topic though, I might be mistaken though, as I'm just going by my imagination... But if the end product does look good, I'd have to get one too! Now I wonder if we could convince Adventurebilt to cater to this very niche market!

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:33 am

Yeah dude, think about it, the current Indy brim is too wide to "fit in" in town. Not that I don't love every single thing about a true Raiders hat, but....
...indyviduality has the word indy in it. So go by the rules but make it your own. It'll stand out but won't necessarily look unusual.

I often feel weird wearing a wide-brimmed hat around. (Although I'm sure that feeling will go away once I get my hands on an AB Dix).

I'm getting really excited about it just thinking about having a turned federation with a 2 inch brim and a raiders bash. It's just something....unusual and who knows, might even stick. That "other" hat on the pic above is possibly my fav hat. Just cause of the specs.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:13 am

You know, I'm wondering whether Camptown would be willing to make an Indy-inspired 'modern' fedora for the city... Something along the lines of that distinctive Raider's crown, but with an oversized ribbon, and a brim size of 1.5" to 2" for those of us that share Mufflowne and my preference for stingy brim fedoras... I hope JerseyJones reads this, seeing as how Camptown seems to experiment with non-Indy styles!

And since this style would be more like the 50s-60s of fedoras, that would mesh pretty well with Camptown's curret line of hats! Especially seeing as how Camptown is doing fedoras based on decade...(Model 1936, Model 1945... and perhaps if this new hat were to be added to that line up, it might be called Model 1954?

)

I'm no expert with Microsoft Paint, but here's something that kinda shows what I mean:

Only thing missing from that picture is the smaller brim (which I can't seem to get right)... But as BinkmeisterRick pointed out, the extra long ribbon would take the emphasis away from the contrasting high crown and short brim...

I guess to understand what I mean, you'll have to reference the photo a few replies back with the Dean Martin picture.

Now I suppose we just have to start an interest petition!

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:02 pm

I get it. Yeah.

I like the super-wide ribbon, but that may actually be too wide....or is it just me? Haha

I was thinking- leave the regular lid, just cut off the brim at 2inch marker, maybe do a dimensional cut with 1.75 on the sides. And do it flat in the back, instead of curling up.

But a slightly wider ribbon wouldn't hurt, as long as the bow is somehow given justice.

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:07 pm

SO, I need expert's opinion.

I'm trying to decide between getting an Akubra Bushman or Federation. With Bushman, I should have to get a ribbon from Todd and do some work to get it done, but the thing is, i REALLY love the color/tan of the Bushman, but probably want the shape of the Fed.

Any of you have both and can compare the shapes vs quality?

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:32 pm

I'm not sure what the Bushman looks like in person, but you could try the Federation in the Tawny Fawn. I've seen other pictures and read posts by owners that say the color is much nicer than what it looks like on hatsdirect's website. Some even think it's better of an Indy color than midbrown.

You'd get the Fed shape with more of a tan color.

that_dog · Post by **that_dog** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:12 pm

mufflowne wrote: Hey, anyone know where to get a vintage NY yankees hat like Jaques had at the beginning of Raiders?

Try http://www.ballcap.com/.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:25 pm

You guys might want to check out this thread:
viewtopic.php?p=319515#319515

JerseyJones shows a prototype Fieldmaster which looks to have the shorter brim. Though it's not standard, it might be a good option for a brim-trim.

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:01 am

I am about to order my Federation Hat. Will I need to do surgery on my hat to have the brim cut closer on the sides like the Herbert Johnson ROTLA Market Place version?

How close is the Hebert Johnson, pre-bashed version of the Market place hat? I've read threads about how the Herbert Johnson is hard to get the Raiders look but Todd's says they can "Bash" it to be accurate? Does anyone have one pre-bashed?

mufflowne · Post by **mufflowne** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:20 am

Erin, I got mine from Todd prebashed and It didn't stand up to the shape very well. That said, I'm selling it on ebay right now, and buying a Federation. Federations come with a dimensional cut already, so no surgery is necessary.

Bink, That's a pretty cool brim, I might try that before I go all the way to the 2".

THANKS for the link. I just bought a Yankees hat on ebay that looks darn similar but I'll happily waste another bunch of cash on this one, especially cause it's authentic to 1935!

HAPPINESS!

JUST bought that Yankees hat. Can't wait man!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:53 am

mufflowne, the Fieldmaster has a wider brim, but the prototype in that picture has a shorter than usual brim. I point to it for reference as something closer to what you're looking for in appearance. I'm sure Jersey could trim the brim down for you if you wish.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:13 am

Agreed, Bink.

Since JJ got his new brim cutter, I'm sure if you tell him the dimensions you want, he could easily make it anything you want. Its easier to do now.

If you take a look at mine in the vendor section of the Camptown photos, you 'll see a before shipment and after arrival photos of my hat. You'll also notice that the brim is narrower as the hat is sitting on my head when compared to the before photo. I had the brim reduced a bit, as it's just to wide for my face shape as it comes from JJ, but easily 'fixed' for each owner. I'm pleased with the final results.

Regards! Michaelson

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:41 pm

Erin Jones wrote:I am about to order my Federation Hat. Will I need to do surgery on my hat to have the brim cut closer on the sides like the Herbert Johnson ROTLA Market Place version?

How close is the Hebert Johnson, pre-bashed version of the Market place hat? I've read threads about how the Herbert Johnson is hard to get the Raiders look but Todd's says they can "Bash" it to be accurate? Does anyone have one pre-bashed?

Erin,
Sometimes the Federations are cut a little wide, but 3 out four in my collection are the proper brim measurements.

If you're interested in a Herbert Johnson bashed as a Streets of Cairo/Marketplace hat that will hold the bash better, contact Indy Magnoli. You'll get an Adventurebilt block shape, optional bashing, the HJ felt, and the always magnificent service of Magnoli. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy from Todd, but his HJ's are better suited to ToD and LC bashes. Aries_Canon (Tone) has the skills to get the Todd HJ just right for a Raiders look, but it's not something everybody can do.