LLS Rabbit Raiders Project (Hat Pics Added)

[Mulceber]

I'm sorry if these questions have already been asked/answered, but LLS, are you still taking pre-orders? Also, are you trying to make the color of your hats SA or are you doing what Steve does and making them darker so that when they fade they'll be the right color? Thanks, -M

The pre-order is still on. Check the Cairo Bazzar for details.
For now, I am taking the Steve approach on the darker color that will fade with time. I do this because this is what I have grown accustomed to with my beaver AB's. They have weatherd very nicely. None of mine each have the exact same color. Time does tell.
To me, the Raiders hat has a life of its own. It takes on many charaters on its own during the flick if you think about it. I swear that hat looks as heart broken as Indy does outside the Marhala bar. (Psst. I think it already knows that there is something wrong with that monkey. )

Later on, when I have some more experience under my belt, I may start a quest to render a SA color from the box. One step at a time, though.
LLS

I agree completely - I've got 2 AB's and they both have slightly different colors and I love it. The older one has a REALLY nice rich brown. I'm glad to hear that you're going with the darker approach, as I think it makes the hats more characterful (and also more SA) with time. BTW, have you got the SA ribbon? -M

[DR Ulloa]

It doesn't look like the AB/Penman ribbon, but it is very close. I'd say its as close as anyone can get without having THE ribbon, unless I'm wrong and it is the same ribbon that Steve, Marc, and John use.

Dave

[DanielJones]

Thanks everyone. . I am a fan of this hat just like ya'll.

Daniel Jones, on line, as always , with that analysis. Surveyors just love to fit the pieces together. We take written evidence, parol evidence and measured evidence to reach a professional opinion as to where something is. And no matter what the theory is, if it does not produce a real life result, the theory is wrong. Sorry folks. When surveyors talk we get

Thanks again guys. The first hats wil be going out soon and then the real test begins. I'll try my best to be (everybody to your best Sean Connery) ........ up to the challenge.

LLS

I know exactly what you mean. 'Just good enough', isn't good enough. And thus you have produced one of the best looking adventure hats thus far. It's all a bit of Experimental Archaeology after all, isn't it. Good job sir!

Cheers!

Dan

[Niob]

OMG...i have to say that i never saw a hat which looks that screen accurate before...fantastic work LLS

[gabrielle]

Hope this hasn't been covered already, but how do the hats hold up in terms of toughness? Can they withstand the elements without tapering?

[Michaelson]

We won't know until they're delivered. No one has one yet.

Regards! Michaelson

[gabrielle]

[Michaelson]

[Local Land Surveyor]

My how time does fly by. I wanted to update ya'll on a few new bits of information regarding the revival of the rabbit Raiders hat. Garrison Hatters is NOW ON LINE. . You can visit my site at http://www.garrisonhatters.com. The site is in its early stage and I will be building on it in the next few weeks. The other bit of news is the Pre-order program will soon come to a close. Thanks to those brave individuals who took the chance on my learning curve. I have those orders in line and they have their "claim" to the blocks. Thank you for your patience.

I have been wearing my prototype hat for two weeks, now. It has been through some heavy rain and is none the worse for the wear. Steve was exactly right about the waterproofing agent. I will post pics up later for those interested.

I am sure some are wondering about some particular details about the parts on my hat. Even though I have been trained by Steve, he was clear with me that I did not have to completely copy him. The Raider is my version of the hat from Raiders of the Lost Ark. I have written much about the time and effort I put in making this block to get the "Raiders" look. That is the reason Steve shared his skill with me and thought that I should make this hat. Beyond that, I had particular visions for this hat. This hat is more of my tribute to Indy's hat than really just trying to copy it. For example, I have developed my own brim style based on my studies and observations of the film hat. The crown height is my judgment based on the screen measures I did. My bow varies a bit from Fedora's based on my view of the bow length. I have sourced my own ribbon. There was a possibility of using the ribbon that Marc discovered that he and Steve use, but I went with coming up with my own. It is a very high quality ribbon and I am proud to use it. I love the color. As for the rest of the hat, those sources are mine that I decided to use based on the look I was after. I approached the hat, as a whole, with one question and that was, "David, What hat do you like? What hat would you have spotted and said "That's it'? What would you think that the hat looked like on the inside? What makes a good tribute to a hat that has had such an impression on you for twenty-eight years? I just went from that. Steve's hat is Steve's hat. Marc's hat is Marc's hat. John's hat is John's hat. Keppler's is Keppler's. Jimmy's is Jimmy's. Mine is mine.

Much like the sentiments Fedora recently posted, I have a sense of closure with this quest. I have noticed that I have stopped continually looking in the mirror to see if the back left of the bash looks like the "Raven bar exit hat" and does the back left of the brim curl up enough. You guys and gals know what I mean. . I could make the jacket folks look tame when I get on a roll. My focus has turned to skills. Skills at hat making. I enjoy it. I hope a few of you will enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Cat out of the bag moment. I have a new theory about the exterior temple hat at the beginning of the film. You need to be sitting down for this. (like you stand while your on the internet) I think the exterior temple hat was turned. Hmmmmm Move over I am serious, though.

[jasonalun]

Thanks for sharing more details and the background of your quest, LLS! I would definitely like to see pics of your hat that has endured some weather. Like many here, I'm sure, that is my #1 concern with a Rabbit hat - WILL IT TAPER?

[albert jones]

[Mitch LaRue]

Good GRIEF, David... don't stop NOW!

Please, continue... I'm hangin' on the edge of my seat, here...

[Indiana G]

woohoo! garrison hats is live!!! congrats my friend. i love that back shot on your website. beautiful centre crease!

[DR Ulloa]

Congrats on the website, David.

Dave

[IndianaChris711]

How close in color is the ribbon on your hats LLS to Steve and Marcs?? That is a great start to the website, and maybe I will be able to save up some cash to get a hat from you one of these days. Can't wait to see some of these pre-order hats in people's hands and on their heads.

IndianaChris

[Local Land Surveyor]

How close in color is the ribbon on your hats LLS to Steve and Marcs?? That is a great start to the website, and maybe I will be able to save up some cash to get a hat from you one of these days. Can't wait to see some of these pre-order hats in people's hands and on their heads.

Thanks for the compliment on the website

Here is are some pics of a ribbon compare:
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0134.jpg
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0135.jpg
The AB/AB DLX on the left. Garrison Hatters on the right. In person the AB/AB DLX has a flatter tone to where as mine has a brighter tone. They have the same width.

Thanks for sharing more details and the background of your quest, LLS! I would definitely like to see pics of your hat that has endured some weather. Like many here, I'm sure, that is my #1 concern with a Rabbit hat - WILL IT TAPER?

My hat will taper at a rate of 0.007 mil moles per cubic ounce based on a satturation rate of 50 year flood storm event with a coefficient of run-off being 9 acres.
Just kidding. I have know idea. The safe thing to say is "Yes". I guess.

I took these today:
These three are bashed like the exterior temple hat.
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0109.jpg
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0111.jpg
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0116.jpg

These are the traditional turned hat.
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0121.jpg
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0126.jpg
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0128.jpg
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0130.jpg
http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo43 ... CN0131.jpg

I see no visible taper at this point on the hat. We have had several days of rain here and the prototype has handled it well. I did not let it get soaked to the core, but it did get soaked based on normal exposure. I am real pleased with this hat. It keeps getting better with each day.

About the exterior hat being a turned hat. It is a theory I have had ever since I got closer to the vintage block shape. My thought is the hat is turned. Just not as much as the traditional turn we all know of. I may pick this thought up on another thread so I can explain with pics. Just my theory folks. I have not personally talked with Nadoolman. .......Not yet.

LLS

[Indiana G]

beauty bash on that turned hat my friend.......i see you're not going to use any toilet seats for your hats? (hat flanges)?

i've stopped flanging my brims as i pull the curl back down to the point that i didn't need much of a flanging at all.....so i just said the #### with it

i think you probably need just a teeny amount of curl in the back brim......but to me, its too small for the work that goes into it. just my 2 cents....

now that you and oak have launched the rabbit raiders market niche fill.....i'm ready to announce my hat company...i'm gonna charge $500 for my unflanged rabbit hats...........i'm hoping that the customers will go elsewhere

(mitch.....i'm kidding about the hat company, put that credit card down )

[Ohio Jones]

beauty bash on that turned hat my friend.......i see you're not going to use any toilet seats for your hats? (hat flanges)?

i've stopped flanging my brims as i pull the curl back down to the point that i didn't need much of a flanging at all.....so i just said the #### with it

i think you probably need just a teeny amount of curl in the back brim......but to me, its too small for the work that goes into it. just my 2 cents....

now that you and oak have launched the rabbit raiders market niche fill.....i'm ready to announce my hat company...i'm gonna charge $500 for my unflanged rabbit hats...........i'm hoping that the customers will go elsewhere

(mitch.....i'm kidding about the hat company, put that credit card down )

What G...no Mad Dog Hat Company????? Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Local Land Surveyor]

The curl is one of the things about the hat I am trying to settle on. The back does need some curl to it. I noted that from these pics and am tweeking my flanges. There are a few other things I have noticeed about this prototype over the last few weeks. Nothing beats field work. A surveyors natural state. Field testing is the true test. The felt, sweat, ribbon and liner all get . More testing to come this week.
By the way, do you take paypal, checks, yen...... That is a very reasonable price for "G" hat. In fact, I'll order two and it will truely be a "G" hat. (G for Grand)

LLS

[jasonalun]

My hat will taper at a rate of 0.007 mil moles per cubic ounce based on a satturation rate of 50 year flood storm event with a coefficient of run-off being 9 acres.

I was just kidding too, LLS. I really am not too concerned about taper. Sure, I don't want it to, but it's clear you've taken all the steps possible to keep yours from doing so, and if I were really worried about it I would just be extra careful with it. Since I'm not worried, I'm going to wear it everywhere and anytime.

Thanks for the new pics! The hat looks great, from every angle! I get can't wait now !!! When's my hat coming??! Huh, huh?

I'll admit I was a bit surprised when you said you weren't using Steve and Marc's vintage ribbon, and wondering if the one you chose to use would be "accurate" enough for me. It definitely is. I can barely detect any difference between yours and Steve's, just a slight bit more brightness in the color, like you said. Looks great to me!

[Mitch LaRue]

(mitch.....i'm kidding about the hat company, put that credit card down )

(Putting Visa card back in wallet): mumblebrumblegettinmyhopesupmumblefrickinfrakkingrumble...


*ahem*
No... yeah... I mean, of course I knew you were kiddin' there, G... ha ha... ha...


David,
I just wanted to chime in on a couple of these issues too, if I may...
Looking at those new(er) photos, TWO specific things came to mind:

I'm glad you're acknowledging the matter of the back of the brim needing a little bit of curl to it, because from what I can see, that's the ONLY thing that hat needs in the way of a tweak that makes if PERFECT (at least, in my opinion).

Which brings me to the second issue...
I've got to echo what jasonalun just wrote, as - not for the FIRST time - I'm completely in aggreement with him on this (I'm sure many of us ARE):
When you first wrote that you had sourced your own ribbon I'll admit I immediately thought "Awww NO! SO near to perfect, but not quite!" Like jason, I was "wondering if the one you chose to use would be 'accurate' enough" for my level of "fussiness".
Then I saw your ribbon... and again, to semi-quote jasonalun (who "took the words right outta my mouth/brain"):
With the exception of a slight bit more brightness in the color (which you, yourself acknowledge) I can barely detect any difference between yours and Steve's (Steve's being, naturally, the watermark by which many of us measure.)

And as for that "slight bit more brightness in the color"?
David, I'm sure I won't ruffle your feathers or break your heart when I say this:
But when I get my Garrison Hat, it's not going on a shelf (or into a glass display case)! It's going to be spending a LOT of time ON my HEAD (when it's not getting knocked OFF my head!)...
So that extra bit more brightness on the ribbon? It will be - for MY hat, at least - a very temporary state of affairs... I'll have it "dulled down & dirtied up" before you know it.


Really, REALLY nice work, LLS!
Fox

(Dang! You know, I don't think there's anyone who enjoys using the bold key, the underline key, the italics key and CAPITALIZATION to make their point more than I do.)

... but I'm sure no one else has noticed this fact...

[Local Land Surveyor]

Thanks eveyone for the comments. Believe me, I am well aware of the benchmark set by Steve and Marc. I thought for many-an-hour about the ribbon issue. I remember when Marc annouced the finding of the deep dark brown ribbon that was so elusive for many, many years. For the Indy hat, it is a very key part and with the finding of that elusive ribbon forever locked that whole community as the defining color. But, I started pondering on the long efforts I made to reproduce the block. How much of myself I had put into getting the block as close as I could to the vintage hat. I, then, realized that Marc Kitter had probably gone throught the very same emotional trip. A trip that ended in an sheer enjoyment and excitement! How would I feel if someone just came in and copied what I had put so much effort into making. I did not what to diminish that in any way. I did not want to appear as just copying them or taking away from them. In essence, we hat makers are trying to replicate that famous hat we all love. We are trying to walk in the footsteps of Deborah Nadoolman. Yes, Steve elected to teach me his craft, but in the end my hat would ultimately be judged on its own merits. In the Indygear world, I am a newcomer. A newcomer who suddenly was going to sell a hat. My personal fan angle would be skewed by that simple fact. I am first and foremost a fan. Just ask anyone who knows me. Let me not wear my hat for a day, and folks think, "Are you feeling O.K.?" But, I am a big fan. My web page defines that. It is not about being backlogged in orders. It is about reproducing Indy's hat. It is also about being able to always make a hat for myself. I know that I will away have the hat.

My hopes are that the ones who do purchase my hat will see "THOSE THINGS" about the hat that they have been looking for. How that Mitch? That's all.

LLS

[Mitch LaRue]

I couldn't have written that BETTER myself, David.

[theinterchange]

Sorry if they've been posted and I missed them, but are there any shots for the inside of a hat? I'm curious what it looks like in there.

Randy