LC style fedora question regarding PB/Akubra.

Flowah · Post by **Flowah** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:39 pm

What's up guys?

New member here with a question. I've done searches on Peter Bros, LC style hats, Akubra Feds, and some other things, read the FAQ's and whatnot, and came away with a few impressions.

The PB hats are inconsistent? Some people seemed to have had better experiences than others, while Akubra experiences seemed to be really good all around. I was wondering how hard it was to shape "bash" the hat into an LC style. I have 0 experience and no special tools. Is there a website that has the process with pictures specifically for the LC style? The tutorial links in the FAQ are 404ed now. Or, if I'm wrong about PB experiences, I could just go that route.

This is my first fedora by the way, but I've been a long time Indy fan, since I was about 5 and I first saw The Last Crusade. Thanks :

viper80134 · Post by **viper80134** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:00 pm

The first hat I purchased was a PB, I got their custom that they offered. After talking with one of the hat bashers all I had to do was provid pictures of the LC style and he took care of the rest. The over all result was great, I've had the hat now for 4 years now and has distressed naturally quit nicely. My only complaint was that the bow wasn't perfect, and when i wore the hat in the rain i had this pink dye drip down on my white shirt. It all came out of my shirt and it only happend once. I'm not sure on other hats but with a little water I was able to bash the hat myself to make suddel changes. For one thing I love the sharp pinch in the front of the hat from Raiders but the over all style of LC. So I put the pinch in the hat myself. Hope this helps, I can always provide pic's if you need some. Happy hat hunting.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:05 pm

PB's new felt is supplied by the same felter as obtained for AB's in the U.S. as well as Art Fawcett's shop. You can read about them in the vendor's section.

I've seen two of the three (rabbit and pure beaver) and they are impressive in their quality. I'm still waiting to see the 50/50 beaver blend, which Joe has told me is his personal favorite.

Regards! Michaelson

Flowah · Post by **Flowah** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:29 pm

Hope this helps, I can always provide pic's if you need some.

That would be very helpful thanks!

With regards to Michaelson, my concerns with PB were oriented more towards the bash than the quality of felt. This thread is where I became a little hesitant about ordering one right away.

Indy French wrote:I had a heck of a time with my PB. The hat's bash was way off, despite being my proper size, it fit like a vice and was always uncomfortable - Eventually the hat faded and turned gray/green while the ribbon turned a near purple. The only reason it ended up being so soft was because I put it through the ringer trying to get it to loosen up.

Bending Oak had a bad experience as well with reblocking.
This thread also has someone named JAGordan who doesn't seem entirely happy with his hat.

I was just wondering if these are very rare occurrences or not. Also, if I did order from PB, could I just request an LC bash or would I need to go through the DVD and take screencaps and such?

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:35 pm

As many custom PB Indy's as they've pushed out their doors over the years, I see the situations listed above as rare occurances. In that very string, I counted at least 7 satisfied customers to the 3 that caused you to turn your head.

And the felt IS important, as the ones everyone that had problems with was the old material they used. They no longer make the Indy hats from that felt, but from the same felt as used in the AB line today. The post by Mike French was talking about the color shift and dye coming out of the hat. This no longer is a factor.

My best advice is to call Joe directly at the shop and tell him what you want. They were one of the very first hat vendors to ever work with our group years ago, and will make a hat the way you want it, and will continue to work it until you are satisfied.

Regards! Michaelson

viper80134 · Post by **viper80134** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:40 pm

My hat too was a little stiff when i first got it, but after it got drenched in the rain and just using it regulary it lossend up. Plus i just saw that now you and pic how stiff you want your hat from PB. When i contacted them they are very familure with the LC style, i provided pic's to guarenty what i wanted. They always said if it wasn't what i wanted they would redo it. They work closley with you during the build of it. The turn around time wasn't bad, i waited a month or so which is very short considering other wait times. Give me a day and i'll post some pics of my PB on your thred.

Flowah · Post by **Flowah** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:48 pm

Michaelson wrote:As many custom PB Indy's as they've pushed out their doors over the years, I see the situations listed above as rare occurances. In that very string, I counted at least 7 satisfied customers to the 3 that caused you to turn your head. And the felt IS important, as the ones everyone that had problems with was the old material they used. They no longer make the Indy hats from that felt, but from the same felt as used in the AB line today. The post by Mike French was talking about the color shift and dye coming out of the hat. This no longer is a factor.

That reassures me, thanks. I plan on ordering one soon now. I look forward to those pics though, viper.

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:13 pm

I agree with the PB camp. The Fed is too tall for what I would consider a good LC hat, and the new felt options from PB can only improve what they do.

viper80134 · Post by **viper80134** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:56 pm

Flowah wrote:That reassures me, thanks. I plan on ordering one soon now. I look forward to those pics though, viper.

Here some pics of my PB that i've had for 4 yrs now all disstressed naturally, I whear it as offten as i can. I took some pics in different light settings to get the color right. Hope this helps your out.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/ ... MG1458.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/ ... MG1463.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/ ... MG1456.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/ ... MG1451.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/ ... MG1452.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/ ... MG1465.jpg

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:59 pm

Hey, Viper! Nice hat! By the way, the helmet is awesome!

viper80134 · Post by **viper80134** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:36 pm

indy89 wrote:Hey, Viper! Nice hat! By the way, the helmet is awesome!

LOL "IF ANDVENTURE HAD A NAME IT MUST BE INDIANA MASTERCHIEF"

Thanks for the complement, I'm saveing up to get me a AB-Deluxe eventually but this will hold me over till i get it for the10 month wait i have to look forward to.

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:30 pm

I'll be ordering a Raiders PB fed pretty soon, so what Michaelson said about the new felt that Peter bros. is using just reassured me on my order. I'm really looking forward to doing business with them.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:34 pm

Glad to hear it.

Read their website closely. The soft felts are his new rabbit and 100% felt. His stiff felt is his custom 50/50 blend, so chose your poison.

If you're ever in Ft. Worth, the shop is definitely worth stopping at and visiting. They're great folks to get to know, and there's a GREAT coffee shop right across the street....... 8-[

Regard! Michaelson

viper80134 · Post by **viper80134** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:10 pm

indy89 wrote:I'll be ordering a Raiders PB fed pretty soon, so what Michaelson said about the new felt that Peter bros. is using just reassured me on my order. I'm really looking forward to doing business with them.

I ordered my hat before they had all that felt options it will be intristing to see what they produce now. Indy89 you'll have to post some pics when you get it, can't wait to see.

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:11 am

I'll post pics for sure!

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:27 am

Flowah, if your main conern is about the bash, why not go open crown and bash it yourself? Just pic a scene of the movie that best represents the style you want and go for it! The problem with having someone else bash you hat is that you are asking someone else to bash you hat. What they see in a scene may not be what you see, so you may end up with something that doesn't meet your expectations. Don't worry that you may not be able to pull it off, anyone can! Your bash can be tweeked and altered as you go. An LC bash is especially forgiving because of the very relaxed pinch.

Weston