Opinions on my Fedoras...AB, Todds, and SAB...

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:23 pm

I thought this might get a bit off subject on the Post your AB's thread so i just started a new one. Here are my fedoras with pics. I figured i would run to the office real fast and snap a few picks since I had a few mins...first for your thoughts on these...

Todds Side

Todds Front

SAB Side

SAB Front

AB Side

AB Front

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:35 pm

First off, nice hats, all three!

Each one seems to definitely have a character all its own. As far as which one I think LOOKS best? (Of course ignoring brand names, materials used, quality of construction, lifespan, price and all that)

Tough call...

Todd's HJ has a decent crown shape to it, but the brim looks too narrow to me.

The SAB HJ seems to have faded quite a bit, but that gives it character and makes it seem like a true "adventurer's hat". The crown appears to have tapered a bit (or perhaps it always was this way, I don't know) but I don't think it looks bad. The brim width seems to suit you the best out of the three.

The AB crown looks very well proportioned to your face shape, but the brim looks VERY wide. Something a bit narrower, perhaps the same brim specs or even a bit wider than the SAB, would probably look the best on the AB.

They all look good!

-GCR

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:42 pm

I'd agree with GCR pretty much.
Todd's looks pretty good except the brim is a bit too narrow for your face, thus looks too small on you.

SAB looks pretty tapered at the top. The brim looks pretty good on you, but may still be a bit small/narrow IMO.

The AB looks dead straight stovepipe. Brim is a good size. The hole hat could use some breaking in/loving.

moses · Post by **moses** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:45 pm

Are these all HJs? either way, I think Todd's looks the best.

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:48 pm

moses wrote:Are these all HJs? either way, I think Todd's looks the best.

Todd's and the SAB are HJ's...the other is an Adventure Built

moses · Post by **moses** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:56 pm

Ah, I thought it might have been an HJ from eithe Magnoli or Marc.
I still like the look of Todd's best.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:18 pm

Personally, I think your SAB looks the best on you.

Though I generally like a shorter brim, the high crown of the Todd's just makes it not look quite right for some reason. If the crown were a little smaller, I think it would good.

The AB, on the other hand, has a bit too wide of a brim, and there's something I don't like about the shape of the brim that I just don't like.

Btw, does anybody know what SAB stands for? This has been bugging me for a while...

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:22 pm

Castor Dioscuri wrote:Btw, does anybody know what SAB stands for? This has been bugging me for a while...

Swaine Adeney Brigg

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:27 pm

Ah I see, thanks!

Looking back at the pics, I think with the right shaping to the brim, the AB and the SAB would be pretty much tied, since the biggest difference between the two is the brim shape IMO.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:18 pm

I must be alone on this one. I like the brim and the side shot best on the AB. It's the only one that looks like it's not to small for your head. Before everyone gets out the rope and hangs me. Remember it's my opinion.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:32 pm

^ Is that not what I said, in a sort of round about way?

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:32 pm

I must of missed reading your post.

Arkansas Russell · Post by **Arkansas Russell** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:17 pm

All 3 hats look sweet to me.
But my fave has to be the Adventurebilt, I love a wide brim!.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:37 pm

I love that Herbie from Todd's. Looks great! The SAB Herbie looks more like a Temple of Doom hat, but I must admit, that I like the beat up and dissheveled look you've given it. The AB looks brilliant, as always.

Indiana Kev · Post by **Indiana Kev** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:40 pm

I like all three of your hats. If all three were on a table I would say I like the AB best, but on your head I think the SAB looks best. It looks like that hat was made for you.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:41 pm

that's definitely one of the better todd's hj's i've seen for sure. i'm on the fence between either your AB or HJ.......both look great. the SAB comes in last imho.

thePawn · Post by **thePawn** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 9:29 pm

I'm partial to Todd's, but the distressing on the SAB looks great. Would look awesome with a really distressed Jacket.

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:25 pm

Thank you all for you feedback...it's great to get some opinions from everyone despite your fedora preferances. Really the point of this was to give my first impressions of the AB, but i honestly think i would like to critic my own hats and then sum up what i think about the AB compared to the others i own. Honestly there is not one of these after looking at
the pictures that i am 100% content with. I guess the best way to do this would be to pick out what i like and dislike about each hat.

First, is Todd's HJ. For the most part i really do like this hat. As for the crown, although i think it might be a bit too tall, i really like this shape more then the other 2. I know most people like it with no taper at all, but after watching Raiders yesterday it seems to me that both are right. I see about half the movie were the hat seems to have a bit of a taper in it while other parts there does not seem to be any taper. I personally like the look with a little taper. Also, I do agree with what many of you have stated, this brim seems to look way to thin. I am not sure if it just looks too thin on me or if it is thinner then the other 2. I also like the feel of this hat, i guess really the feel of the HJ's in general. They are very soft and not stiff at all which i think makes the HJ a great pick for an adventure hat IMO. The only thing about this hat is that it is fresh out of the box and not been exposed to any type of weather or had any wear to break it in.

Second, the SAB which is a hat that i have had for around 2 years now. I cannot believe how much this has tapered!!! I had not noticed it until these pictures, but it looks horible here. I have also always been frustrated with the band color...it just drives me crazy! However, i have tell you that this hat has been an awesome hat. I have totally abused and experimented with beating, bashing, and torturing this hat really trying to put it to the test. The fit on this hat is perfect...i love the way it feels. The brim on this one i think looks the best out of all 3 fedoras from the front. The felt color on this is bad off but i think that is due to my latest aging experiment on it. I put a bit too much white sheet rock dust on it and it seems to have given it a faded look in these pics. I also just got back from the beach with this hat and that combined with mowing lawns and taking my dog on walks in the extreme heat we have been having in Arkansas this past month i believe has really started to take its toll on the taper. However, i did post a pic of this hat maybe 2 months ago and it did not seem to have nearly the amount of taper as it does now so i think this extreme taper has to be fairly new.

As far as the AB goes I am impressed with it. I love the look and stiffness but I would really want this only as a dress hat. The fit is not so good...it feels tight front to back and a bit loose on the sides (of course I think my funky head shape probably plays a bigger part in the fit as apposed to the hat itself). Either way there is not much "give" to the hat which i dont like so much. I definatly like the way this hat looks from the side and out of the 3 i think this one looks the best from a profile view. The view from the front though the brim feels like it is too wide on me. The shape of the crown to me feels a bit too perfect and straight, but this hat is new out of the box and i have not really worked on shaping it at all. This is probably something that i could work with to fix, but have not attempted to do so just yet.

So finaly i think despite the pros and cons of each hat i would have to pick the SAB from the 3. The reason is the things that i dont like on this one i know i can fix. With a reblock and a darker band i think this one has the most potential. Also, this has been a very tough hat so i know this is going to last me for many years to come. Not to mention the fit and the feel, it is by far the most comfortable out of the 3. I know this one can become a screen accurate hat just because of the experimenting i have done with it and other HJ's i have seen from people who have known how to bash them. Anyway, this is quite a bit more then i myself would have read so without trying to make this any longer i will end by saying that my opinions tend to change and after wearing the hats a bit more and looking at them more they might change. These however are my impressions as they stand today.

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:55 pm

Hey Ydam, if you don't mind me asking, what is your hatsize? After looking at a pic of AC's HJ, I was surprised at how dramatic the difference was in the brim width on his and the brim width on your Todd's HJ. Your HJ from Todd came that way, right?

ydam wrote:They are very soft and not stiff at all which i think makes the HJ a great pick for an adventure hat IMO.

Wow...you don't hear THAT everyday.

By the way, the AB should soften up nicely over time. If you don't want to wait, try sitting on it a few times. I've heard Steve's hats can get pretty floppy in their own right if you work them enough. Might help give the crown a bit of extra character. As for the brim, if I were you, I'd see about getting another 1/16th of an inch taken off on the sides (front and back look good in the profile), and if that still looks too wide, try another 1/16th. Any hatshops out your way who could help you get that trimmed down?

Nice hats once again!

-GCR

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:01 am

GCR wrote:Hey Ydam, if you don't mind me asking, what is your hatsize? After looking at a pic of AC's HJ, I was surprised at how dramatic the difference was in the brim width on his and the brim width on your Todd's HJ. Your HJ from Todd came that way, right?

-GCR

The hat from Todd's is fresh out the box and my hat size is a 61...honestly though i really think my big head may make the brims look a bit smaller.

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:08 am

ydam wrote:
GCR wrote:Hey Ydam, if you don't mind me asking, what is your hatsize? After looking at a pic of AC's HJ, I was surprised at how dramatic the difference was in the brim width on his and the brim width on your Todd's HJ. Your HJ from Todd came that way, right?

-GCR
The hat from Todd's is fresh out the box and my hat size is a 61...honestly though i really think my big head may make the brims look a bit smaller.

Thanks...yeah, that might explain it. From what I've seen on AC's HJ, he's got a generous amount of brim on that thing, but his is several sizes smaller, so maybe that's why.

-GCR

Dostacos · Post by **Dostacos** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:23 am

I like Todd's on you myself. if they are 7 5/8s they all look cruddy and you need to send them to me so I can dispose of them for you

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:03 am

Aeris_Canon wrote:Ydam, I think you might just wear them a bit tall. It's easy to see your Todd's and SAB brims are relatively the same specs. (Well, maybe it isn't for some.) The angle on the Todd's gives it the illusion of a shorter brim.

I think if you drop that front pinch down a bit none of these will look quite so out of proportion as the pics suggest.

The way you caught the brim on the Todd's (from the top side rather than underneath it) it does look like a much shorter brim there.

I will see if i can shorten up that pinch and post a couple of pics to see what you think tomorrow.

prairiejones · Post by **prairiejones** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:53 am

I like the Todd's HJ and AB the best. They suit your face the best.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:27 am

ydam wrote:...

Todds Front

SAB Front

AB Front

For comparison sake, I would like to see the AB, "pinched" as tightly as the Todd's and SAB. As is, Todd's and AB are my choices.

Sincerely,

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:35 pm

The Todd's HJ would be tied for the best with the AB, if it weren't for the narrow brim. As it is, the AB is definitely the best of them all. :junior: -IJ

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:06 pm

Dr.Seuss wrote: For comparison sake, I would like to see the AB, "pinched" as tightly as the Todd's and SAB. As is, Todd's and AB are my choices.

Sincerely,

I am still debating on if i am going to keep it or sell it. I will say that after looking at these pictures the AB is growing on me but i am just going to keep it out and look at it for the next couple of weeks before i make my decision on the AB (I am actually doing the same thing with Todds).

Also...

I tried to lower the pinch here on the SAB and knocked off some of the dust....lookin better? Be honest with me...if you say it looks good but there are things that need to be fixed it wont help me get the hat i am looking for and to be honest i have stared at this thing for so long it is all looking the same to me now. When I do something it is really hard for me to tell if i have actually done something. You arent gunna hurt my feelings unless you start callin my momma names

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:09 pm

I still say it could use some work, but it's definitely an improvement. Right now it reminds me of some of the better ToD fedoras. :junior: -IJ

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:23 pm

The SAB HJ looks much better in that new pic, ydam. But I think the Todd's HJ is really the one that needs the pinch lowered. The crown looks too high compared to the amount of brim on it (The Todd's, that is). And since you can't add brim, I'd say it would look much better proportioned with a bit less height to the crown.

As for the AB, a tighter pinch, a few good sitting sessions and a major brim trim and that thing should look great.

The SAB, while not my exact cup of tea, looks best on you. It definitely has the look of a well loved, well used, signature hat. It looks like it belongs on your head.

-GCR

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:32 pm

Hey there - great hats! I like the Todd's from the front, but not the side. I think it would look better from the side if you pushed it back a little on your head. The SAB I'm not too into - it kind of reminds me of my old Akubra (it's all dusty and beat up right now). The AB I think could use a little more curl on the brim (it might not look as wide) and a tighter pinch, but I like the shape of the crown. It kind of looks a little Cairo to me, in that the brim looks quite wide but not TOO wide; especially for your face, which is good for the width of that brim.

I would take... Hmmm...

I still think I would take the AB, but I would try and crease it more tightly.

All in all though - pretty good - almost a tie between the Todd's and AB, but I like the rich color and shape of the AB. My only complaint is the pinch, which I would make tighter.

Great hats!

In Christ,
Shane

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:43 pm

I think you improved the HJ.
Whatever you do. Don't trim the brim of the AB. It's the onlt hat (out of the three) that doesn't look like a kids hat on you.

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:20 pm

Agreed! The brim width of the AB is perfect as it is. :junior: -IJ

fatwoul · Post by **fatwoul** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:54 pm

- - -

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:29 pm

fatwoul wrote:Do people really do things like brim trims on AB/ABDs? I mean, I don't plan on changing anything on mine.

(Steve - don't let that be your excuse to give me a comedy 6 inch brim or anything. )

They do if the brim on their hat is too wide. My beaver AB came from Steve with brim specs wider than what I requested, and I had to sand it down in order for it to look right. I also ironed my brim to try and get some of the extra curl out of it, as it looked to be flanged rather liberally.

In ydam's case, his brim would probably look better with MORE curl, as McFly stated, that might help it look less wide. Even so, I still think it could stand to be a few millimeters narrower on the sides.

ydam, I honestly think the pefect brim width for you is somewhere in between the SAB and the AB. The SAB could stand to be wider, but the AB is too wide.

-GCR

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:21 pm

i am going to do some more work on the SAB and if i decide to keep the AB and Todds HJ then i will mess around with them to tighten the pinch or lower the crown. I really just want 2 hats...1 to look like a good Indiana Jones adventure hat and another to have as a dress hat. Since the SAB is already had a good beatin i figure i am going to stay with that one for the adventure hat. As for the other 2 i am not sure...i am seriously thinking about selling both of them and pickin up some others to see how they fit. I am really thinking of trying one of Mag's HJ's and one of the AB deluxes. I didnt realize that the regular AB and the delux were any different. After reading what everyone says about the different indy style fedoras i would really like to just keep trying them on for myself to see which looks best on me since there are so many different opinions on them. What do you all think? Would it be worth my search to try others? Any suggestions on which? Would you dump the Todds and the AB to pick up one in particular? Can you talk to someone who can hook me up with a good deal on one?

(sorry...always lookin for a deal and had to throw it in there)

WeeMadHamish · Post by **WeeMadHamish** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:08 am

Just my opinion, but I think the SAB looks best on you. The tall, square stovepipe crowns of the "more Raiders" styled HJ and AB don't compliment the shape of your face and look a little too top-heavy for my tastes. The SAB is the best fit in more ways than one, I should think.

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:27 pm

I would have to agree that the SAB ilooks best on you. But it's a close call-- they're all great-looking hats.

Jack

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:50 am

Isn't it amazing what one day of just looking at hats can do. I have decided to keep the AB and Todds HJ, but instead of being satisfied i have just placed an order with Marc for the AB deluxe. Since GCR and others have spoke so highly of this hat i just can't let this one go without giving it a fair shot. Until this thread i assumed that the 2 hats were the same. It was actually this thread that helped me to make my decision on the Indy fedora...
viewtopic.php?t=22381
Anyway, i am truly excited about seeing how my new AB deluxe comes out and cant wait to show it to you 7 months from now

Also, i will be posting new pics of my SAB in the next couple of months. I have decided to send it off to have some professional work done on it. I cant wait to get it back and look forward to getting some new coments on the hat when it arrives.

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:22 pm

Congrats on ordering your new ABD, ydam! I'm a little late on the uptake here, I know, but, I must agree with the vast majority and say that the SAB fits you the best IMO. The ONLY thing I would change if it were my hat would be to try and take a LITTLE bit of the taper out, but not all of it. In this hat, and on you, the taper adds character. I'm sure the reblock and whatever other work you're having done on it will only polish the personality it already has. The Todd's just needs a little 'love' along the brim, to lay it down. To my un-experienced eye, I believe that's all it should take to widen the brim. With the AB, as GCR said, just beat on it a bit!!! It's almost guaranteed to stand up to it, and improve in the process! Play with the sides of the brim, turning them up slightly, that should even out the "too wide" look, and balance it nicely.

For myself, I'll be ordering an AB (Indy IV bash) on the 15th (payday!). I'm pretty partial to the coloring, and the apparent resistance to taper even when these hats have taken a fair bit of pounding. One thing is for certain, they have certainly garnered a fantastic reputation, due in no small part to Steve's uncommon business integrity as well as the integrity of the hats themselves.

Regards, Andy

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:32 pm

Allow me to edit my last comment about the Todd's HJ: upon looking at the pic a little closer, there's really not that much brim to lay back down!

Excuse me while I remove my foot from my mouth.... On second thought, perhaps the best thing would be to just deepen the center dent, thus lower the crown height, and forcing the brim to 'appear' wider.

...just some wild ideas from the newbie 8-[

Regards, Andy

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:39 pm

airforceindy wrote:The ONLY thing I would change if it were my hat would be to try and take a LITTLE bit of the taper out, but not all of it. In this hat, and on you, the taper adds character.

You make a good point here, Andy. Most of us are obsessed with having a perfectly straight crown, but not everyone looks good in a straight crown. In fact, some folks look better with a tapered hat. It all depends on the shape of the face, etc. ydam, I agree that a bit of taper suits you well. That SAB looks pretty good on you.

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 1:15 am

thanks guys. Just to update you all i have been wearing my AB everyday this since my last post just to get used to what it looks like. After alot of effort I have managed to give it a little better shape as well. I definately think it looks much better now then the original picture i took of it. I will try to get a pic or 2 of it tomorrow and post it again just to get some more feedback.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 1:07 pm

ydam wrote:Just to update you all i have been wearing my AB everyday this since my last post just to get used to what it looks like. * * * I will try to get a pic or 2 of it tomorrow and post it again just to get some more feedback.

Looking forward to seeing the "new and revised."

Sincerely,

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:30 pm

OK...here is the semi-bashed AB. I definatly think it is an improvement on the original picture, but still fee that brim is just a bit to wide on me. Anyway, what you all think?

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:47 pm

I'm a fan of the wide brim, so it looks perfect to me. Great looking hat. :junior: -IJ

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:52 pm

YDAM - That AB looks excellent now! I think working a bit of curl into the rear part of the brim might help to make it seem a little less wide. In these shots it certainly seems in better proportion to the crown height and your face shape.

You really gave that AB a lot more character and it looks great on you now!

-GCR

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 3:33 pm

ydam, nice! You did a great job breaking it in. I agree that if you work on getting some brim curl on the sides, the brim won't appear so big to you. I like the wide brim, though.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:35 pm

ydam wrote:OK...here is the semi-bashed AB. * * * Anyway, what you all think?

Very nice job. Regarding the crown, IMHO, the AB now appears to best "fit your face," and offer that "angular" Raiders look. As for the brim, curling may be the only step necessary to allay any "width concern."

Last look:
Todds Front

SAB Front

Liking the AB.

Sincerely,

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:24 pm

I think I need to trim the AB brim. I do think it is too wide. Send her back, and I will do the trim the same day I get it, and ship it back fast. I can do that trim in a couple of minutes. I think it really needs it. Geez, what did I cut that brim anyways? 3 inches??? I am shocked. And I don't want that hat out there with the brim being out of proportion with your face. I sure missed getting that one right. Fedora

PS Oh, no charges for my screwups.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:33 pm

Fedora wrote:I think I need to trim the AB brim. I do think it is too wide. * * *

Ydam:

When the AB comes back, kindly post a picture. I would like to see the final proportions.

Sincerely,

Opinions on my Fedoras...AB, Todds, and SAB...

Opinions on my Fedoras...AB, Todds, and SAB...

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Re: Opinions on my Fedoras...AB, Todds, and SAB...

Re: Opinions on my Fedoras...AB, Todds, and SAB...

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