A testament to the AB's durability and perfection

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:36 pm

Hey all,

I've had my Adventurebilt for around three years now. I wear it regularly in all weather (barring raining frogs or greek fire). It is a pure beaver in the Cairo style - and yes, Steve called me personally way back then to make sure I sat on it for five minutes once I got it out of the box. A vivid memory, as I had known "Fedora" from way back in the Indyfan days and it was a strange but wonderful feeling to be buying a hat from someone who only years before I was buying hats alongside and both of us were posting reviews of the merits and failings of various models.

I have never received more compliments than I have with this hat and I have worn more than 10 fedoras in the span of 19 years (not including two outback hats). This hat RARELY gets mistaken for a "cowboy" hat. Most of the time it's, "Wow, you look like Indiana Jones in that hat."

In all that time, no shrinkage, no taper, a brown that has faded subtly into the PERFECT color and the felt is now perfectly soft and rumpled into an increasingly frantic Streets of Cairo situation.

Tonight, I was at the grocery store picking up some milk and as I went to check out, two ladies at the cashier both exclaimed, "That is a beautiful hat!" "That hat is just perfect for you!" "That hat look exactly like Indiana Jones'!"

Rarely have I been more proud, as I was able to tell them with confidence and a straight face - "This hat was made by the man who made them for Indiana Jones himself." Three years ago, Steve was one of my friends from Indyfan. Now, he's a living legend.

The one lady was so impressed she stopped the checkout line to pull out her camera and take a picture of me! Then she said, "That hat is so perfect. It looks brand new! Did you just get it recently?"

With a grin, I said, "No, ma'am. I bought this hat three years ago."

This is the hat I waited and waited for my whole life - a true, rugged companion that never complains and looks better and better with age.

Thanks again Steve. I can't find the words, my friend.

Indiana Kev · Post by **Indiana Kev** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:44 pm

That's an awesome story, and one that makes it even harder to wait to get my hats

...I can't wait to get my Abs.

Oh and I've never had the chance to do this so I have to... ;0

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:51 pm

LOL - I'll get some current pictures of my AB real soon. Until then, here are some pics when it was spanking new!

Yes, my Adventurebilt is the star of another site's gear page, photoed back in early 2005.

http://www.theraider.net/information/in ... fedora.php

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:05 pm

That is just a great story IndyFrench, I just ordered an AB a few weeks ago so I won't be getting one till late this year sometime. But hearing your story really just makes me feel like the hat eventually I am going to get is not only legendary, but will last a long time. That is kind of freaky sitting on it for five minutes, but I have heard many stories that you should do that. Thanks for the great story and I look forward to getting my hat from Steve later this year.

IndianaChris

airforceindy · Post by **airforceindy** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:43 pm

Good story! Makes me feel even better about my two hats on their way; imagine that, I have two Adventurebilts with my name on them, and I haven't even laid eyes on one!!! My used/unworn ToD hat should be here tomorrow, according to NevadaJones, and I will post pictures of it. Then, the still-long wait for my KotCS (ordered Sept 15 '07).

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:45 am

Thanks again Steve. I can't find the words, my friend.

You are welcomed my friend. And this is what keeps me going, and working from daylight to midnight. You HAVE to have a certain motivation to continue robotically making hats 7 days a week, and this is the motivation that keeps this old geezer going. That and the antiscipation of seeing our hats on the big silver screen. Thank you kind sir. Fedora

JulianK · Post by **JulianK** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:05 am

Well that's just bloody lovely! You've just reminded me of how anxious I am to get mine....oh well, only 35,920,000 seconds left! 8-[

Seriously though, that's great to hear. I'm looking forward to some of that action when I get mine!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:34 am

indyfrench,

I've had my first AB from Steve 3 years myself and your posts sounds just like what mine would sound like. except I did get hit with some frogs.

Thanks again Steve. I can't find the words, my friend.

I would like to repeat that myself. thanks again Steve..................and Steve. I almost didn't know you posted here beause of the Avatar change. looks good.

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:20 pm

Wow I consider myself lucky that I only have about 216,000 seconds left.

Thanks for all the work you've done, Steve. You've truly brought about a revolution in Indy Gear. And that hat you sent me is still holding up like a champ.

iViva la revolucion! :junior: -IJ

Ripper · Post by **Ripper** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:21 pm

That is a GREAT story French ! I need to quit messing around and buy one already !