Field tested Rabbit AB Raiders

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:02 pm

I think after getting this hat wet 3 times with no sign of any visible taper, it is worthy of posting pics. Of course, much of the lack of taper is due to my new water repellant treatment. I only treated this hat once with it, right after I made it, to test out the new Raiders block from LLS.

I reckon I may as well sell this hat. So, if you are interested, check it out in the "for sell" section of COW. It's Harrison's size, and my size, a 22 7/8. Fedora

Oklahoma Jones · Post by **Oklahoma Jones** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:43 pm

Awwww, Steve.............if I only had the cash.........that hat is a beaut!!! That is how I want all of my hats to look all the time!!!

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:48 pm

That is what is up!!!! Great, great, super SA hat!!!!

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 6:29 pm

Hmmm

...Any chance we could make this my replacement hat? It is rabbit, after all.
Mike

Han Jones · Post by **Han Jones** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:35 pm

PM and email sent old buddy.

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:35 pm

I noticed the words written on the back wall. Could you please put me on the Rush List?

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:02 am

This hat is a perfect example of why the perfect Raiders hat should be made of rabbit. But we don't live in a perfect world where humidity and rain don't exist, so. None-the-less, that looks awesome! If it was in my size, I'd gobble that up in a heart beat.

Dave

Bogie1943 · Post by **Bogie1943** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:19 am

Steve, out of curiousity, what type or brand of water repellant do you use?

Pitfall Harry · Post by **Pitfall Harry** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:13 am

Steve, I've got two quick questions...

Is this just some rabbit felt you had leftover from your original run of hats or is this something you recently purchased just to test out?

You mention that this was done using LLS's Raiders block. Is this "test" you did simply out of your own curiosity of how a rabbit felt would come out using the block or is this likely a "prototype" of the rabbit hats LLS will eventually be selling?

I think the hat looks fantastic.

Local Land Surveyor · Post by **Local Land Surveyor** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:45 am

This hat, with respect to block and felt, is very "a 'kin" to mine.

In fact it is very whip crackin'

good. $\:D/$

Other factors may vary, though.
Now, as for myself, back to the shop.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:08 am

I might add that I sit on this hat!!

Hence the bulges. This was a body that I had that was too stiff to use for my rabbit hats way back, when I offered them. It of course has softened up with the distressing that I did to it, I sat on it!

Indy Blues, I just got in your rabbit body, so email me your head measurement again, and which hat you want. I think this is a replacement hat for you, and you kept the first one, which is ok. I think I saw something that did not look right on your first hat, and I said I would replace it. At the time, I had a hard time getting rabbit in due to a shortage that my feltmaker was seeing, due to China buying so much rabbit fur.

On the water repellant treatment, you can't buy it without being a business with a federal tax id number and a business license, but John Penman may offer this later on on his site, not sure. It is the best I have seen to date, bar none.

To me, this is the best looking Raiders fedora to date, and part of it is due to the rabbit felt, the other part is due to LLS's 2 1/2 year block project. Fedora

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:23 am

DR Ulloa wrote: If it was in my size, I'd gobble that up in a heart beat.
Dave

Amen, Dave! I was just thinking that as I read the intro to this thread!
(Actually, been kinda' "re-visiting" my depression about the fact that my noggin size doesn't match Steve's ever since he posted this...)

Y'know... I'm starting to think it's unlikely that he'll ever post "Hey guys, been tryin' out some things - including LLS's block - on this hat that, for SOME random reason, I decided to make on my 23 & 1/8 Block. Anyway, I thought I'd put her up for sale, etc, etc...")

Hmmm...Not likely to happen, is it?

Hey, anyone know LLS's HatSize?
$\:D/$
(A guy can always HOPE, right?)

Indiana Green · Post by **Indiana Green** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:25 am

Hey Steve, I sent you a couple of emails last night about the hat. I would love to have something that you, yourself, put through the ringer. I can see other people want this baby, but I hope I win the lottery, so to speak

-Indy Green

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:37 am

Fedora wrote: Indy Blues, I just got in your rabbit body, so email me your head measurement again, and which hat you want. I think this is a replacement hat for you, and you kept the first one, which is ok. I think I saw something that did not look right on your first hat, and I said I would replace it. At the time, I had a hard time getting rabbit in due to a shortage that my feltmaker was seeing, due to China buying so much rabbit fur.

Thanks Steve, PM and Email on the way.
Here's the info just in case, minus the address.

I would love a 5 1/2" inch open crown, with 2 7/8" front and back, and 2 5/8" sides.
Head measurement is 22 5/8". I would like it made with an open crown, as I'd like to bash it myself. I can't turn the hat much. My weird shaped head gives a nice brim curl without a turn, so please make the hat straight on the block.
Much appreciated.
Mike

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:17 am

noticed the words written on the back wall. Could you please put me on the Rush List?

That list is for the active military guys who want their hats before they get shipped to the Mid, East. I am afraid, I always move these guys up in line, because, they might not come back, since they are being shot at. And, I have had alot of orders from these brave men. And, I owe em' if you know what I mean. It's the least that I can do for these guys. Being a vet myself, these men are very dear to my heart.

I reckon the hat has sold, as I just took the first email, as I got them in. Thanks to you other guys for the interest though, and there were quite a few of you. But, I have to be fair, and the first email gets it. Now, if he doesn't follow up within two days, I will sell it to number two, which is C. B. a very old and valuable customer of mine. From Ill. So, you know who you are. Fedora

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:39 am

You mention that this was done using LLS's Raiders block. Is this "test" you did simply out of your own curiosity of how a rabbit felt would come out using the block or is this likely a "prototype" of the rabbit hats LLS will eventually be selling?

Yes, since LLS will be using rabbit, and I had just got in my new water repellant stuff, I thought this test would serve a dual purpose. I must say, on both counts I am very impressed.

Seeing these results will force me into offering a Raiders fedora in rabbit later on, since this rabbit felt is as good as modern rabbit gets, and with my new water repellant, I could sell these hats in good conscious once again. I only stopped because of the taper issue with rabbit, which happened way too fast. But, I will wait for quite a bit before offering them again, to let LLS get his foot in the door. But, I will always be priced higher than LLS, as I don't want to hurt his hatmaking venture in any manner. And, I will change his blockshape a little so I won't be selling a copy of his hats, by adding a little more meat on a certain area of the block. The front and back shots will remain unchanged as I was using that already and stole it from the vintage HJ hats I owned.

But the main reason for offering a rabbit hat again is you really can't get the full Raiders look without rabbit.(and I started off by selling the Raider fedora) But for me, I will always wear a pure beaver Raiders fedora, and just live with the felt not acting like rabbit does. I can live with that tradeoff quite well. Fedora

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:52 am

Steve, I wont be selling this water repellant on my site due to the smell and the hoops you would have to go though to ship this stuff. I do have something else in the works for offering to customers but not this stuff.

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:38 pm

Hey Steve the hats a beaut, I'm still lovin my AB Rabbit.

Speaking of AB's could ya check your emails. I've got one in there for, but no response yet.
Regarding a reblock and a re-flange ?

Sorry to high jack.

Croft

thecoolmiester · Post by **thecoolmiester** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:56 pm

how do u get to the for sell section?
i can't find it.

jnicktem · Post by **jnicktem** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:27 pm

It's called the Cairo Bazaar and it is the last section on the Board Index page.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:06 am

I just wanted to come back in here and say that is the best Raiders bow I have seen.

DanielJones · Post by **DanielJones** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:50 am

I have to say that lid looks the part. Fantastic job, dig on the bow work as well.

the person who got that one has to be one of the luckiest dogs on the porch.

Cheers!

Dan

darthbish · Post by **darthbish** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:53 am

*Comment moved to "Fed IV display page"

Caber · Post by **Caber** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:31 am

When will this be put on your web site ?

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:10 pm

I just wanted to come back in here and say that is the best Raiders bow I have seen.

Oh my friend, you are too generous. I dig your bows too.

I have been doing a bit of an experiment is distressing, and have come up with a more Raiders accurate brown. If I can get consistency, I may very well be offering a Raiders Brown in the future. So, a choice, but only for the Raiders fedoras. I always loved Lee's brown, and looks like I may offer a lighter brown in the future, for those that don't want to wait for my brown to fade with time. Fedora

Caber · Post by **Caber** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:14 pm

So when will this be on your website again?

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:20 pm

If your referring to the rabbit hats, Caber, I don't think Fedira will be offering rabbit hats. This was just a test subject that turned out well and so he is selling. Steve, if you want to test out a 23 1/4'' rabbit hat, let me know...I'll pick that up quick!

Dave

Jones Boy · Post by **Jones Boy** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:45 pm

That looks spot on Fedora. In my mind's eye I can see Indy crawling around in the temple with that hat jammed on his head.

Cheers
Jonesy

Caber · Post by **Caber** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:10 pm

Snap. I wish he would

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:35 pm

Me too, but Fedora stopped working with rabbit felt after he was announced as the hatter for Crystal Skull. Since then, he has been using the materials he used to make the movies hats exclusively. At least, that is my understanding. If the hat was just quarter inch bigger I could squeeze it onto my noggin; I'm a 23 1/2''. Tis not to be.

Dave

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:47 am

To be clear, I will once again offer a rabbit hat, but I don't know when. I have too much on my plate right now, plus, I want to give LLS a good running start with is own rabbit Raiders fedora.

Why offer a rabbit after I dropped them? My test hat and the new water proofer I now have, plus having learned how to finally stablilize rabbit felt to stop the fast taper is the reason. One more reason. Rabbit is the only felt that will bulge like the Raiders fedora, which is much of the look of this hat. Beaver is just too darn high quality to do this enough. And, my original quest was to offer a film accurate Raiders fedora, but with a more stable felt. I think I can now provide that. Plus, if I can get the right color in the rabbit, that is, a more film accurate brown, out of the box, I will do it. But that is for later on, once I get caught up in my current orders. I will offer this lighter brown in the beaver as well, but only for Raider fedoras.

But once you guys start seeing LLS's rabbit hats, my own will only be desired by my devoted customers, as I will always charge more for my hats, due to the extra costs that will be present with this lighter brown felt. I don't expect to sell that many, but feel I do need to offer one, since only rabbit will lend the complete Raiders look. But it won't be like the 400 dollar rabbit hat I bought 3 of from another hatter years ago. My rabbit hats will be very good rabbit felt, and robust for outdoor use, more along the lines of the Akubras but with zero stiffener. Plus, I want one for myself, but will always wear pure beaver as my "go to" hat. I am a lover of the finer felts myself, but could see having a rabbit due to my all time fav fedora being made of rabbit fur. I still have my rabbit HJ, but can't wear it anymore as it is now 4 inches tall due to shrinkage over the last two years. Reblocking one of my old rabbit hats recently for a guy here, proved to me that the rabbit I used is good stuff, and will stand many reblocks, without shrinking up to 4 inches. I think I have reblocked this one rabbit 2 or 3 times over the years, and it looks better each time I block it. So, a good rabbit felt is ok, but still won't last near as long as a pure beaver hat. I own a pure beaver Stetson that was made in the 40's, and that hat is no where close to wearing out! So, I know these beaver hats wil outlast most of us, and therefore worth the money. Boy, do I rattle on! I reckon I just have too much running through my mind each time I post. Laconic, I am not! Fedora

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:58 am

Oh, Mike, your replacement rabbit hat I will finish up this morning and get her mailed out either today or tomorrow. I know you have waited for way too long on it, and I am sorry dude. Got you the 5 1/2 inch crown with the larger brim that your last one needed. This hat would be more film accurate with less crown height, due to the blockshape I am now using, but, it's your hat! Fedora

Caber · Post by **Caber** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:01 am

Do you water proof the hats that you make for magnoli Mr Steve ?. I ordered a black one and i dont want it to shrink on me .

And if i wanted to order a hat from LLS where would i contact him at ?

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:40 am

Wow.
Does anyone no how to get Steve's attention?
I've PM'd, Emailed (couple of times) no response.

Croft

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:19 pm

Fedora wrote:To be clear, I will once again offer a rabbit hat, but I don't know when. I have too much on my plate right now, plus, I want to give LLS a good running start with is own rabbit Raiders fedora.

What?! That is awesome. I will definately be buying one of those. Come on Steve, can't you start pumping these out now?

Dave

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:19 pm

Fedora wrote:Boy, do I rattle on! I reckon I just have too much running through my mind each time I post.

Fedora, 'tis true... you DO sometimes rattle on (I'm often just as guilty, especially in person) but MAN, is what you're "sayin'" MUSIC to my ears!
Looking forward to hearing MORE from you on this subject!
Mitch

jasonalun · Post by **jasonalun** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:41 pm

Indiana Croft wrote:Wow.
Does anyone no how to get Steve's attention?
I've PM'd, Emailed (couple of times) no response.

Croft

Me, too. Hey Steve, I'm tryin' hard to buy that one from ya! Would be my first Delk fedora, so I hope I win the sweepstakes! (yeah, I admit it, I'm jealous of all you guys who have one, two, or three of his already!) I had to have been one of the first to contact you, since I PM'd and emailed just minutes after you posted that offer...

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:28 pm

jasonalun wrote:Me, too. Hey Steve, I'm tryin' hard to buy that one from ya! Would be my first Delk fedora, so I hope I win the sweepstakes! (yeah, I admit it, I'm jealous of all you guys who have one, two, or three of his already!) I had to have been one of the first to contact you, since I PM'd and emailed just minutes after you posted that offer...

Fedora wrote:I reckon the hat has sold, as I just took the first email, as I got them in. Thanks to you other guys for the interest though, and there were quite a few of you. But, I have to be fair, and the first email gets it. Now, if he doesn't follow up within two days, I will sell it to number two, which is C. B. a very old and valuable customer of mine. From Ill. So, you know who you are. Fedora

Sorry to be the one to point this out to ya, jasonalun... but I think THAT ship has now sailed (I think you might be one of the fine folks - in BOLD - that Steve is referring to...)
Again, sorry.

Better Luck NEXT time, though...

Mitch

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 4:03 am

Fedora wrote:Oh, Mike, your replacement rabbit hat I will finish up this morning and get her mailed out either today or tomorrow. I know you have waited for way too long on it, and I am sorry dude. Got you the 5 1/2 inch crown with the larger brim that your last one needed. This hat would be more film accurate with less crown height, due to the blockshape I am now using, but, it's your hat! Fedora

Thanks Steve, I appreciate the update. I can't wait to check it out. $\:D/$
Mike

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:43 pm

Well, on Friday I received the wonderful white box from Adventurebilt Hats!

As Dan said I do feel like "one of the luckiest dogs on the porch". Actually, the luckiest...

Steve, thank you very much for the fine hat and quick delivery! I have been looking over this hat from every angle, because it has such a strong "Raiders" vibe going on. I have a Fed IV as well, and it is a fine hat, but it is the subtle nuances of this AB fedora that really set it apart for me and they are why this will be my go-to hat from now on. The fact that this hat is handcrafted by someone who has really made a serious study of what makes a Fedora an Indy hat is readily apparent and much appreciated.

Okay enough yakkin'. I am proud to wear this lid!

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 7:31 pm

I must say the hat is you Vindy.. you own it.. in the figurative and literal sense.

Randy

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:42 pm

Yep the Mag HJs get the water proofer. They really need it!

On getting up with me, I will look for your email Bruce. As I have said before, when I get hundreds each week, I have to make a choice of responding to all of them, or get the hats made and shipped. I answer as many as I can, before I have to head to the shop. And generally the ones that say, "this is my 5th email!!" on the subject line.

But there is good news in the future. With hat sales down by 90 per cent, once I get caught up, I will indeed be caught up and can then have the time to do the email thing in a timely manner as well as taking all my phone calls!

I am also gonna have to cut off refunds from folks who have waited only a few months, as I am building a huge inventory of hat bodies and parts that I had bought when these folks ordered, and also the refunds I have given when folks lost their jobs and wanted their money back. At some point, you end up with all of your money tied up in bodies and parts that are not sold anymore, due to the vast number of refunds I have given. If you don't like the hat, and send it back, a refund will always be given. But, give me a chance to get the hat to you first!!!

Fedora

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:22 pm

On getting up with me, I will look for your email Bruce. As I have said before, when I get hundreds each week, I have to make a choice of responding to all of them, or get the hats made and shipped.

Thanks Steve, I do understand how busy you are. Thats why I wasn't goin all crayz like.
So it sounds like your seeing the light at the end of the tunnel (hopefully not a train). People should no by now the lead time on getting one of your fine piece's of art work.

Thanks again and when I get home latter I'll take a gander at my emails to see if you found it.

Croft.

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 3:43 pm

Sales are 90% down?

That price jump must really have worked magic. So, someone that orders an AB today will wait less considerably less than someone who ordered before May of last year. I know I've been wanting to order another AB and I think it may be soon, so I think this may be a great time to order. Has anyone ever ordered a second hat though they still haven't receivesd the first (my one year anniversary is coming up, March 24)? That is trsut in your hatter!

Dave

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:29 pm

Well, he wanted to cut down on sales.. It worked. I considered ordering one but couldn't see my way clear to do so before the price hike.

Randy

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:03 am

That hat looks magical, dripping with raiders character for lack of a more potent description. You would never guess is was a pre-soaked rabbit body. A rabbit body, yes, pre-soaked, no.

thecoolmiester · Post by **thecoolmiester** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:51 pm

Vindy wrote:Well, on Friday I received the wonderful white box from Adventurebilt Hats!

As Dan said I do feel like "one of the luckiest dogs on the porch". Actually, the luckiest...

Steve, thank you very much for the fine hat and quick delivery! I have been looking over this hat from every angle, because it has such a strong "Raiders" vibe going on. I have a Fed IV as well, and it is a fine hat, but it is the subtle nuances of this AB fedora that really set it apart for me and they are why this will be my go-to hat from now on. The fact that this hat is handcrafted by someone who has really made a serious study of what makes a Fedora an Indy hat is readily apparent and much appreciated.

Okay enough yakkin'. I am proud to wear this lid!

looks great!!!

If you can get some turn on that hat going then that would be THE Indy
hat. It could even be taken for a screen used hat.

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:06 pm

Hey, it is screen-used!

Well, just on my computer screen, technically, but why quibble over minor details?

Thanks for the nice comments - Steve has really done a fine job on this one!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:30 am

Or, leave it unturned and it can still be a SA Indy hat. Folks tend to forget not all Raiders hats had the turn. Cairo hat, yes. Temple scene, no.

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:48 am

binkmeisterRick wrote:Or, leave it unturned and it can still be a SA Indy hat. Folks tend to forget not all Raiders hats had the turn. Cairo hat, yes. Temple scene, no.

True! And that's why I will leave it as-is. I love the hat as bashed by the man himself! Mr. Delk knows his stuff.