RAIDERS GOLDEN DAYS

[Dr.Seuss]

Are these the Golden Days? It certainly appears the time of “close-enough” is past. Apparently only a few questions remain during a fedora quest. Among others, “Is it SA,...Do I consider it a perfect fit vis a vis my face,...how much does it cost,... how long is the wait,... how long will it last?”

Wool is passé, rabbit, blends and beaver are the order of the day. The number of high quality hat suppliers is growing. In no particular order, some of the most discussed include: Steve and Marc with their Adventurebilt variations; Akubra (HatsDirect/Ron) Federation models; Peter Brothers with the Custom; JerseyJones (Ken) the Fieldmaster and its derivations; the plethora of HJs available from Todd’s, Indy Magnoli and Marc; JP Design (Jimmy) with his Indy rendition; Lee Keppler and the Keppler Fedora; Wolf’s Hattery (Dave) and his recent Raiders lid; Barons Cliffhanger TOD special; and David Morgan, now adding the “Explorer.” If any vendor was omitted, please excuse me, such was unintentional; identify them.

Was there ever a time in the history of gear collecting, except now, when so many exceptional hat offerings were on the table? Or, is this the pinnacle, in the hat gear timeline?

If we are indeed at the summit, what next? Where do we go from here?

BTW: Thanks to all who were involved in creating these high times for the Raiders style Fed.

Sincerely,

[AppalachiaJones]

It definitely sounds like a golden age or maybe an "Era of good feeling" type of time. I know I went on somewhat of an Indy "hiatis" for a little while, only lurking here every now and again as opposed to daily, and as I've gotten more time to get back into this hobby, I am truly amazed at what is available now as opposed to even three or four years ago. It's almost like now, if you want something and you can't get it from one vendor, you can simply go to another where in the past, that one vendor controlled that piece of Indy Gear. I have to agree that this hobby has definitely come a long way in a short period of time.

As for where we go from here? As long as we don't move backwards, I think we'll be ok. As with anything else, hopefully continue to improve. Continue watching, researching, and so on to continuosly improve the hobby for newcomers. And there will, almost without doubt be many newcomers to the hobby after memorial day. A new generation....

[Dr.Seuss]

It definitely sounds like a golden age or maybe an "Era of good feeling" type of time. * * * I am truly amazed at what is available now as opposed to even three or four years ago. It's almost like now, if you want something and you can't get it from one vendor, you can simply go to another where in the past, that one vendor controlled that piece of Indy Gear. I have to agree that this hobby has definitely come a long way in a short period of time.

As for where we go from here? As long as we don't move backwards, I think we'll be ok. As with anything else, hopefully continue to improve. * * *

IJ, appreciate the input. Exactly my thoughts.

But, what can we improve, concerning the hat? Is there any way to make it better?" Is there a need for more hat craftsmen? It appears this aspect of the gear is now fairly well defined, and covered.

Sincerely,

[fatwoul]

...But, what can we improve, concerning the hat?...

I guess as long as somebody is still asking that question there will always be something to improve. I'm sure the release of the next film will also spark a renewed enthusiasm, new enthusiasts, and a new set of criteria for the fans to attempt to duplicate.

Based on my own experience, I think the future is a renewed interest in vintage attire in general; I wanted an early 20th century-style fedora, I searched for sites that could help, I found COW, and then I found FL. Now my interest is broadening to other hat styles, etc.

[AppalachiaJones]

But, what can we improve, concerning the hat? Is there any way to make it better?" Is there a need for more hat craftsmen? It appears this aspect of the gear is now fairly well defined, and covered.

Very true, I think the hat has basically been perfected. I don't know what could be improved except perhaps production times and things like that. I certainly don't mean having Steve open a factory and start mass producing licensed Adventurebilts or anything but, maybe gentlemen such as him could take on some moreskilled help and make it so that a guy who wants a perfect Indy hat can get it in three months instead of six and so on (just using Steve as an example, since he seems to make the hat nowadays) . If memory serves, I think I recall a time when Wested took months to provide a custom Indy jacket. Now you're looking at maybe three weeks.

But, you're dead on; as far as making a precise reproduction SA Indy hat, I think we're here. With things like the Akubra's and some other offerings, which cost only a few dollars more than the licensed junk, There is simply no need for that kind of stuff anymore...at least as far as hats go. As you said, the time for "close-enoughs" is past.

[Castor Dioscuri]

If any vendor was omitted, please excuse me, such was unintentional; identify them.

Don't forget Disney's official fedora (and whoever is currently producing them), for those gearheads so inclined. Don't discount that niche; there's a market for everything! Anyway, I'd be happy to bet that those fedoras are THE top selling Indy fedoras!

I think that while this may very well be the 'Golden Age', this is not the tip of the glacier. Eventually, a gearhead will have free, unrestricted, and unprecedented access to all of the fedoras from the quadrilogy. Combine this with whatever technology the future awaits, and who knows where we'll find ourselves!

[GCR]

But, what can we improve, concerning the hat? Is there any way to make it better?" Is there a need for more hat craftsmen?

As far as I can tell, the answer to question #1 would be "nothing".

Answer to question #2 would be "no". Unless you want to include turnaround times, THOSE could be improved, though I know the guys who are busting their butts to make hats for many of us can't be expected to work 24-7. That leads me to...

Answer to question #3 would be "possibly, depending on the circumstances". Those circumstances would be to have a few more skilled folks assisting with the production of the more popular brands in order to improve turnaround times. But more folks with new offerings? That I'm not too sure about, after all, what's left to bring to the table?

There is literally a hat to fill just about every need. You want the same type (brand) of hat that was used in the movies, with the screen-accurate rabbit felt, correct blockshape and ribbon? You can buy an HJ from Magnoli or Marc. You want a hat that is made to last, using 100% beaver felt, the correct ribbon and blockshape and fully customizable? Buy an AB from Steve. Want a similar hat, that is fully custom, made to take real world use and abuse, correct ribbon, blockshape, etc, but constructed using the absolute finest material made anywhere in the world and sold at an EXTREMELY fair price? Buy the AB DELUXE from Marc.

Still want a decent hat but for not a lot of dough? Then sort through all the great offerings in the "Under $200" club. Akubras, JPDs, Kepplers, Dave Wolf, PB, there aren't any shortage of more affordable options that will still look good.

The days of the Stetsons and Dorfmans have passed, thankfully. Those were the only affordable options that existed when I first got online and started searching for gear and found the Indyfan forum many years back. And back then, if the Stetson or Dorfman didn't suit your fancy, you had to take out a 2nd mortgage to buy an HJ. We have come a long, long way...no need to go reinventing the wheel now.

So Seuss, when you say "Golden Days" you have no idea how right you are!

-GCR

[fatwoul]

...Those circumstances would be to have a few more skilled folks assisting with the production of the more popular brands in order to improve turnaround times. But more folks with new offerings? That I'm not too sure about, after all, what's left to bring to the table?...

Surely that's often the case until something new comes along. Almost every member of COW seems to have a preferred bash, felt, and we all wear our hats under different conditions. The more small independent operations there are, the more variety that can encourage. It's not as if we just get one hat and that's it - those of us sufficiently interested to be ordering AB/AB Deluxes are inevitably going to also order other hats. I have my Fed Dlx, but I have a Fieldmaster and an AB on order. With Ken's current slowing of operations, I am considering getting also getting a Fed Reg at some point as a second hat, depending when he decides he's ready to get back to hatting.

What I'm getting at is that the market is far from flooded, and there is plenty of room for new hatters; the GCRs and Chewies of the world will just end up buying more hats, and the rest of us will choose, and perhaps buy hats that would otherwise would never have existed. It will just enable the existing custom vendors to remain specialised, and allow others to come along offering hats that are better suited to a different climate, or source new felts, or whatever else someone might be looking for.

Not to mention the fact that a little additional competition - albeit friendly, healthy competition - might up everyone's game a little. I'm sure there isn't a hatter out there (well, maybe one, but let's not talk about him) who would claim their work was perfect. I'm sure every hatter on here can list a few things they have on a little list that they'd like to fix but haven't worked out yet - maybe not hat quality issues, but devices or techniques that would make their work easier.

Even if a hatter's hats are as good as they are willing or able to create, there will always be room for other improvement in their business; quicker turnaround, better communication, or whatever.

[Dr.Seuss]

* * * We have come a long, long way...no need to go reinventing the wheel now. So Seuss, when you say "Golden Days" you have no idea how right you are!
-GCR

Precisely, my friends. A toast to these times! Could anyone ask for more, when it comes to Indy hats?

Well, perhaps a computerized conformator/formillion.

Sincerely,

[Renderking Fisk]

When I read this thread, there was only two responses. I wrote a reply to this question, but taking it into a different context - what's going to happen to this hobby now that we can get anything/everything and since everything is perfect and there's nothing new to strive for.

I think the next phase of this hobby, or the next level, is traveling to exotic locations in gear, Our Names Will Be Synonymous With "Adventure."

[Dr.Seuss]

*.*.* I think the next phase of this hobby, or the next level, is traveling to exotic locations in gear, Our Names Will Be Synonymous With "Adventure."

King:

Thank you. Contemplative and eloquently said.

Now that the gear is in place, "Are we up to the challenge?"

Sincerely,

[Renderking Fisk]

Dr. S - Thank YOU for giving me the insperation to write that article.

Between this forum and the folks on my site, this is the best bunch on the Internet. And I think we are. I think that once there's no new movie to look forward to, we'll be getting our fixes from our own travels and others.

Believe it or not, I'm actually looking forward to what's going to happen when everyone owns a copy of the next movie on DVD, we've all done the screne captures and compaired notes, we all have our "Indiana Jones And The Secret Of The Incas" or "Indiana Jones And The City Of The Gods," or "Indiana Jones And The Ravages Of Time" or "Indiana Jones And The Saucer Men" gear and people start leaving the forum for days or weeks at a time and come back with new adventures. THAT is going to be The Second Golden Era for COW. And you're going to be a part of it.

[Dr.Seuss]

I guess as long as somebody is still asking that question there will always be something to improve. * * * Based on my own experience, I think the future is a renewed interest in vintage attire in general * * *.

Fats:

Is not the act of questioning the very means to avoid complacency in this "hobby"? Can we improve the wheel? Perhaps, or did we simply think up more uses to which to put it.

Fisk wrote an provocative article on the "use" of the gear. Per my read, a way to express the very individualism/excitement/adventure the gear personifies.

I liken your comment to another "use" for the gear. Are you suggesting the hat becomes a means of preserving something cherished from the past (whether a feeling, tradition, some idyllic concept, or a historical time with more "appeal")?

And, unless I read your comments incorrectly, are you both not saying, "get out, live fully, and have fun doing it." If the fedora/jacket/whip help us do just that, then perhaps they are "perfect" the way they are.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with a couple of new hats.

Sincerely,

[indy89]

Fisk, I really enjoyed your article and I agree with you 100%. It's time for adventure...

[McFly]

I also enjoyed the article! Good stuff! I'm looking forward to being out of college, and hopefully being able to travel a little. Lately I've wanted to visit places I've seen in Guybrush's trip around the world. He's visited some awesome places, and I want to go there! I think travelling the world with a fedora, MkVII, and safari shirt will help this hobby continue long after Indy IV. Even if people are travelling to locations from the movies. Or even learning how to use a bullwhip - I think that'll help the hobby along too. I think if it's videos of us guys (and gals) showing off new tricks we've learned with a whip, that is still something productive. It's learning, and it's a good little exercise (after you do it for a while, your arms get sore!), granted not as good as running or something, but still good for you to be out doing something. I think summits, trips, adventures, and things like that will help this hobby along. That's what we do after we get our stuff together.

Besides - maybe you'll ruin your Aldens in Laos or rip your Wested in Saigon or something and then you'll have new gear to look forward to!

In Christ,
Shane

[Renderking Fisk]

indy89 and IndyMcFly, thanks for the kind words - but please be sure to thanks Dr. S for giving me the insperation for writing one of by best rants in a while. Please give him some credit, too.

I think on of the things we're going to see is someone buying up the Real Estate around the shooting locations of these four movies and charge money for us to go to these locations to have pictures and video of us doing some of the same things we see in the movies.

Impossible? Some of the members here started their own gear and prop stores... so one of us buying up the shooting locations (or even building replicas) isn't that impossible. Curator Rick had some help with the Idol-Grab temple.

[Dr.Seuss]

[* * * But more folks with new offerings? That I'm not too sure about, after all, what's left to bring to the table? There is literally a hat to fill just about every need. * * *

I have a hard time seeing what else can be brought to the smorgasboard.

* * * What I'm getting at is that the market is far from flooded, and there is plenty of room for new hatters; the GCRs and Chewies of the world will just end up buying more hats, and the rest of us will choose, and perhaps buy hats that would otherwise would never have existed. It will just enable the existing custom vendors to remain specialised, and allow others to come along offering hats that are better suited to a different climate, or source new felts, or whatever else someone might be looking for. * * *

Certainly "variety" is the spice of life. But will "we," be able to support a growing number of craftsmen/women? A closet is only so large (yes, it does hold more than one hat).

I think summits, trips, adventures, and things like that will help this hobby along. That's what we do after we get our stuff together.

Another vote for "Club Live It." (It's good exercise, too.)

Fisk:

Credit where credit is due. Your "Rant" said it all.

Sincerely,

[fatwoul]

...Certainly "variety" is the spice of life. But will "we," be able to support a growing number of craftsmen/women? A closet is only so large (yes, it does hold more than one hat)...

I think so, because there will continue to be new members, who are interested in obtaining the gear (in particular single elements, rather than the complete ensemble), and the existing collectors will not wish to pass up on the opportunity to have a new - good - hat in their collection. IN particular, everyone is anticipating a renewed interest following the release of the fourth episode, and we all know how vast the scope of merchandise could be - look what happened when episodes 1, 2 and 3 of Star Wars were released.

That's not necessarily a good thing, of course, but I think that there would always be room for other craftspeople creating these sort of limited edition, custom items. Clearly Mr Delk thinks so too, based on his recent thread encouraging new people to get into the industry.