Considering buying an AB Deluxe...Advice?

The Penitent Man · Post by **The Penitent Man** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:22 am

Hello,
Any input would be greatly appreciated

Is there any difference between an AB or AB Deluxe other than they are created by different hatters on different parts of the globe? I know they both use the same blocks,ribbons, liners and sweats...but are there differences in the Beaver felt and treatment by the individual hatters?

PLEASE POST PICS OF MARK KITTER CS FEDORAS IF U HAVE WITH YOUR INPUT.

Thank you kindly,

The Penitent Man

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:29 am

My advice is to get one. Marc's hats are tops!

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:32 am

The AB dlx. has a softer, more dense felt compared to a standard AB. I believe that the sweatbands used in the AB dlx. is a different type of leather aswell. Both hats are great! I haven't owned a AB dlx., but I do have a standard AB and that hat is awesome! I'm sure the dlx. is just as good.

I'm sure Steve or Marc will chime in to fill in any gaps that I missed (and I'm sure I missed quit a few).

The Penitent Man · Post by **The Penitent Man** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:41 am

Is that an AB you're wearing in your Avatar Indy89?...Awesome lid!!!

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:47 am

It sure is! Thanks, PM

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:56 am

I have both and both are great hats made by masters at their craft. The delux beaver felt is the is the best there is. Marc also has a great sweatband that is the very top of sweatbands. You will not find a better hat made by anyone.

The Penitent Man · Post by **The Penitent Man** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:11 am

Thanks Bending Oak....u got a pic of your AB deluxe?.....would love to see a CS bash shot as thats the one im feelin

Kaplan · Post by **Kaplan** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:00 am

The best hat I have ever put my hands on, is my ABD from Marc. That's why, after my first ABD, I have ordered three more from him (not including the "Henry" I ordered too) since then. There are plenty of hat makers out there that have been doing it forever but have very little exposure. Most of them don't have websites. I've been to quite a few hat shops and inspected many hats. If you're looking for a great hat, there are plenty of options. If you want a piece of film history buy an AB. If you want a hat that has more thought, care, and love put into it than any other thing on the market than the only choice is AB DELUXE. Marc, adds personal touches to his hats that most people would never notice. He is always honing his skill and making improvements. That's what sets him apart. In fact, that's what sets Adventurebilt, as a company, apart.

So, my advice is. If you have the money, buy one. There is a reason you have never heard a complaint about one of Marc's hats. I am the type of guy that if I had a complaint I would voice it, and I have in the past.

ABD has cured my "Indy Hat fever".....only now I'm addicted to the medicine.

The Penitent Man · Post by **The Penitent Man** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:22 am

Kaplan wrote:The best hat I have ever put my hands on, is my ABD from Marc. That's why, after my first ABD, I have ordered three more from him (not including the "Henry" I ordered too) since then. There are plenty of hat makers out there that have been doing it forever but have very little exposure. Most of them don't have websites. I've been to quite a few hat shops and inspected many hats. If you're looking for a great hat, there are plenty of options. If you want a piece of film history buy an AB. If you want a hat that has more thought, care, and love put into it than any other thing on the market than the only choice is AB DELUXE. Marc, adds personal touches to his hats that most people would never notice. He is always honing his skill and making improvements. That's what sets him apart. In fact, that's what sets Adventurebilt, as a company, apart.

So, my advice is. If you have the money, buy one. There is a reason you have never heard a complaint about one of Marc's hats. I am the type of guy that if I had a complaint I would voice it, and I have in the past.

ABD has cured my "Indy Hat fever".....only now I'm addicted to the medicine.

Thanks Kaplan,
Definately looking for the hat with the "thought,love and care" put in....would you mind posting a few pics of your AB Deluxe's?.....

P.S. If Marc is floating around in here...would LOVe to see a few pics of an AB Deluxe KOTCS style

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:21 am

Kaplan wrote:The best hat I have ever put my hands on, is my ABD from Marc. That's why, after my first ABD, I have ordered three more from him (not including the "Henry" I ordered too) since then. There are plenty of hat makers out there that have been doing it forever but have very little exposure. Most of them don't have websites. I've been to quite a few hat shops and inspected many hats. If you're looking for a great hat, there are plenty of options. If you want a piece of film history buy an AB. If you want a hat that has more thought, care, and love put into it than any other thing on the market than the only choice is AB DELUXE. Marc, adds personal touches to his hats that most people would never notice. He is always honing his skill and making improvements. That's what sets him apart. In fact, that's what sets Adventurebilt, as a company, apart.

So, my advice is. If you have the money, buy one. There is a reason you have never heard a complaint about one of Marc's hats. I am the type of guy that if I had a complaint I would voice it, and I have in the past.

ABD has cured my "Indy Hat fever".....only now I'm addicted to the medicine.

Ditto to everything Kaplan said.

I currently own 2 AB Deluxes and they are by far the best hats I've ever owned. The beaver felt Marc uses is the nicest felt I've ever laid my hands on. It's incredibly soft but it's also extremely tough. The kangaroo hide sweatbands are also remarkably tough and very resistant to shrinking. The service I got dealing with Marc was just as outstanding as the finished product. The best service I have ever received from any vendor in all my years in this hobby, hands down.

Here are a few pics of my two ABD's

This one I got last August, I bashed it Raiders style with a slight turn. Granted it's not a CS style, but it is from the CS felt run.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD101.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD075.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD090.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD105.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD119.jpg

This one is older, I got last June, and I originally bashed it Raiders style, but then decided to go for more of a loose-pinch, LC/CS style. I think it's probably a lot closer to the CS hat than LC, but this was not, however, purchased as a CS style hat (it wasn't blocked on a CS block).

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD002.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD008.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD013.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD001.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD015.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p163 ... ABD023.jpg

The prices are not cheap, but in my opinion, after many years searching for the right hat, and after many hundreds (probably thouands if I added it all up now

) of dollars spent on hats that didn't cut it in one way or another, the AB deluxe from Marc is easily worth every penny. If it is the only hat you ever buy, then it will be the only hat you'll ever need.

Piker · Post by **Piker** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:23 am

The Penitent Man wrote:Hello,
Any input would be greatly appreciated

Is there any difference between an AB or AB Deluxe other than they are created by different hatters on different parts of the globe? I know they both use the same blocks,ribbons, liners and sweats...but are there differences in the Beaver felt and treatment by the individual hatters?

PLEASE POST PICS OF MARK KITTER CS FEDORAS IF U HAVE WITH YOUR INPUT.

Thank you kindly,

The Penitent Man

The Dollar is gaining on the Euro and I can put you in touch with my mortgage deptartment regarding a home equity loan.

senkusha · Post by **senkusha** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:48 am

Kaplan wrote:.... If it is the only hat you ever buy, then it will be the only hat you'll ever need.

That is great advice, and I followed it the other day, as I placed my order for an ABD, my first and probably only fedora I'll have. So far, Marc has been very generous and kind in his emailings. Now, to measure my head to get the whole processes of waiting 14 months begun! *evil cackle* (sorry) LOL

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:05 pm

here you go.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:23 pm

How much are the ABD's? thanks.

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:01 pm

Texan Scott wrote:How much are the ABD's? thanks.

399.00 EURO (about $584 bucks)

They are certainly not cheap by any means, but if you're a frequent hat-wearer and you don't want to keep spending dough on cheaper, "expendable" hats that can't handle lots of heavy, real world wear, then the ABD is well worth it.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:40 pm

GCR wrote:
Texan Scott wrote:How much are the ABD's? thanks.
399.00 EURO (about $584 bucks)

They are certainly not cheap by any means, but if you're a frequent hat-wearer and you don't want to keep spending dough on cheaper, "expendable" hats that can't handle lots of heavy, real world wear, then the ABD is well worth it.

I'm glade I'm not the only one who understands that wisdom of buying a great high quality hat once and not spending money on a bunch of low quality hats. You will end up spending more money than you would have if they just went to the higher end hats.

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:32 pm

senkusha wrote:
Kaplan wrote:.... If it is the only hat you ever buy, then it will be the only hat you'll ever need.
That is great advice, and I followed it the other day, as I placed my order for an ABD, my first and probably only fedora I'll have. So far, Marc has been very generous and kind in his emailings. Now, to measure my head to get the whole processes of waiting 14 months begun! *evil cackle* (sorry) LOL

That's the same advice Kaplan gave me on the ABD, which I ordered 2 weeks ago. Luckily I was able to get a Camptown while I wait.

The Penitent Man · Post by **The Penitent Man** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:08 pm

I guess the ABD is the winner...now to plunk down the dough and play the waiting game......thanks for the pics of the Penman CS Bending Oak...nice hat my friend.

"14 Months"....Marc's wait time is that long?....I figured by now the Movie Buzz tapered off?

senkusha · Post by **senkusha** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:32 pm

When I was emailing him the other day, that's the timeframe he gave me. I guess it could always be worse.....

Piker · Post by **Piker** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:12 pm

The Penitent Man wrote:......tapered ......?

He said the word!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:00 pm

The Penitent Man wrote:I guess the ABD is the winner...now to plunk down the dough and play the waiting game......thanks for the pics of the Penman CS Bending Oak...nice hat my friend.

"14 Months"....Marc's wait time is that long?....I figured by now the Movie Buzz tapered off?

Thats not my hat, Thats Marcs ABD.

The Penitent Man · Post by **The Penitent Man** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:37 pm

Oh.sorry Bending Oak
..well it does look like a helluva nice lid!!!....I figure...After watching the featurette on idiana Jones.Com on the Hats...and seeing how sturdy and beautiful the AB's were when Ford was handling them...the price just didnt become an issue anymore. I want the real deal that i can wear and enjoy for years. And I already have My Mag HJ by fedora so I have that end of the spectrum...and now i'll have Mark's Work in the fashion of the film he worked on.

Thanks for all your help and input guys..I appreciate it

Considering buying an AB Deluxe...Advice?

Considering buying an AB Deluxe...Advice?

Re: Considering buying an AB Deluxe...Advice?