Figured it was about time I posted some pics of my long awaited AB (is there any other kind?)
Here are some views of the hat unworn. Like I've stated in other threads, I told Steve Delk that I wanted a generic Raiders look (I love the tight pinch) and I got exactly what I was hoping for. The brim came completely flat, so with a little steam and a little low heat from a hair dryer I shaped the sides a little. I realize the back of the brim is probably not SA, and I don't care.. I like how the back curves down like the front.
Here are some pics of the hat being worn a few weeks ago in the Adirondack Mountains.
Check out that stovepipe!! I'm still getting used to the look of the hat. I wore fedoras when I was younger but nothing quite as tall as this.
Great looking hat! Always nice to see people choosing preference over Screen Accuracy.
Plus I was in the Adirondacks last month! I did bring my fedora along, but I left it in the car.
Great to see such an awesome hat building character.
Thats a beautiful hat you have there. I love the last photo. It really shows off how stright sided the AB is. That photo has re-awaken my want for my AB. I'm coming up on a year next month so hopefully it will be here soon.
Thanks for all the great comments. To quote BendingOak.. Steve does great work. The felt has softened some and it has gotten even more comfortable since I first got it. My daughter (who's almost 2) makes me wear the hat every day in the house.. and if I take it off she walks right up to me and says, "Dr. Jones hat ON!"
This hat was actually made on the CS block. I used it for awhile as it made a decent Raiders fedora, but no longer use that block today. The CS block is actually a more square block than my current Raiders block. The good thing is once this hat tapers a bit, your hat that is, it will morph into a more accurate look from the front veiw. Fedora
I've got a newbie question for you guys who have had fur felt fedoras for a while now... I'm used to crushable wool cowboy style hats, the kind you can put a 20lb weight on for a week and it will still pop up into it's perfect shape afterwards. How does beaver felt hold up to being crushed or flattened over the years? Is it something that over time will harm the felt or the bash or is it similar to leather where the abuse will help break the hat in over time, relax it some and make it even more comfortable?
Just curious because my 2 yr old is always taking the hat off my head and trying to wear it herself and usually mashes the hat out of shape. I'm sure it's fine but I was just curious.
Your hat looks really great on you. I like it a lot The slope down on the the back is really neat and I would prefer a hat to have this if I were wearing one everday. It actually gives it more of an "on the adventure" feeling...
Hey Croft, it's plain ol' natural earth on the hat. For anyone who's seen this thread: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33022 I make short comedic faux documentaries about a fictional adventurer named Pierre LaCarve (based on who else but Indy). I've been making them for the past 4 years or so. Family and friends get a huge kick out of 'em. I started another one back in the fall with my AB has part of Pierre's gear and things got pretty filthy.
As I said in that other thread I still plan on putting them up on Youtube but having two kids under 2 yrs old really puts a lot of other things on the back burner!
