) Warning, this is a long post!My very first AdventureBilt, one of the original 2004 vintage hats from Steve, was in need of a good reblock. This hat has been with me on many adventures here and around the globe. It contains many good memories and a tremendous amount of sentimental value. In short, I wouldn't trust this hat to just anybody. But I knew Steve was plenty busy with keeping up with making new hats, so I thought I might try going elsewhere. David Garrison has had the distinct fortune to learn directly from Steve Delk in his workshop, and given Steve's comments as to the quality of David's work and block shape, I thought I'd contact David and ask about the possibility of getting this hat back into shape. After some discussion back in the spring, David agreed to do so and I nervously sent the hat to him.
I admit my nervousness, again, because this particular hat holds a lot of irreplaceable value to me. I told David I wanted to use the same ribbon, sweatband, and liner that was currently in the hat. It just needed to be cleaned up and reblocked. I don't know how many times over the months I reiterated that, but he was beyond patient with me. I knew he learned how to "kill the felt" from Steve, so I was especially interested in having that done to this hat.
After several PMs back and forth, we finally had the chance to talk on the phone. I can tell you, talking with him is just as good as talking with Steve or John Penman; you'll share wonderful conversation that is impossible to keep brief. We instantly connected. I also learned over time that he was just as nervous as I was about reblocking this hat! (I think I scared him with my subconscious "please don't ruin my hat" concerns!
) I told him to take his time on this hat since I wanted it done right as opposed to a rush job. He later told me he contacted Steve several times regarding my hat when he had questions or concerns about it. He ended up putting the felt through the "killing" process multiple times! At one point he was concerned with the felt looking a bit mottled in appearance. I was beginning to think my hat was giving him nightmares! I'm sure my "anxious patience" didn't help, either, since on more than one occasion I asked how it was going, stating that I wanted him to take the time he needed, even though I was missing my hat! 
Apart from that, since his block shape was different from the block originally used on this hat, there was concern about losing some brim width or the brim break. I was very clear that I didn't want a millimeter of brim cut from this felt. Fortunately, it turned out quite well in that the original brim break was perfectly maintained! There was absolutely no need to trim a thing.
After that, there was much discussion on how I wanted the fedora bashed. All my "Indy" hats end up becoming "bink" hats, so 100% screen accuracy is not as important to me as it is to others. But I was clear that I didn't want the hat turned. I prefer my hats to develop such characteristics naturally over time from wearing and handling. I even sent him multiple pictures of me wearing various ABs and vintage hats in my collection to show I wear them and what I liked. David was really taken with how a particular vintage fedora looked on me, so he kept that in mind. We continued to PM and talk on the phone regarding the temple and Well of Souls styles from Raiders and how I liked a hybrid between the two. He even sent me images of different bash styles to point out details. Let me tell you, every detail of this reblock was discussed ad nauseam from top to bottom, inside and out. This also ended up being a good learning process for David.
Well, a couple weeks ago I finally received my hat.
I have to say, I am really impressed with Mr. Garrison's work. The hat was double boxed. The outer box was the standard corrugated cardboard with the nicer (and thinner) hat box inside. The hat was well protected during shipping. Nothing squished, whatsoever. Though I'm sure it costs more, I wish every hatter shipped this way. When I opened the hat box and pulled out the hat, it was pure joy. I forgot how incredibly soft this beaver felt was, and after David's processing of it, it felt softer, thinner, and was definitely floppier than I remember. It was easy to tweak and shape, even though he had bashed it as requested. I also love how the felt reacts. I can tweak it, shape it, squeeze it, and change the hat to my whim. The felt also retains some of the "character of age" in its appearance. I like that, too. He even reconditioned the original sweatband and sent two additional replacement liners if I should ever need one!
Now I must admit one thing threw me a little at first, and that is that there is, indeed, a little taper to this hat. But Both Steve Delk and David Garrison have come to the realization that the original Raiders block actually did have a hint of taper built into the block. And something I've come to believe within that tapered block is that when the hat is turned, it eradicates that taper. However, when left UNturned, like my hat, it's easier to perceive the taper. Playing with the bash a little also affects how much or little taper there is. But THAT said, this is while the hat is UNWORN. I know full well that head shape and how you wear the hat plays a very important role in how the fedora truly looks. That is why I have taken pictures of it both off and on my head.
The picture below shows the hat pretty much as it came out of the box. The side views shown are with the back of the dent higher up (which makes the back side view taper disappear) though pushing it down further (as also shown from the back) will give the hat that reverse taper appearance from the side views. But you can get a nice, deep center crease with this block, no doubt about it. The front view shows a bit of taper, but I can squeeze the sides in a smidgen and that taper disappears. I believe this is all because of the soft nature of the felt on this block. The ribbon and bow are original to this hat and have been through previous reblocking, but it just adds to its character.
The next picture shows the hat on my head. You can tell by the image in the upper left corner that I can get a nice, straight Raiders feel out of it. The two smaller front views show how the hat can change appearance just by picking it up and putting it on your head. The "flat brimmed" view looks like there might be some minor taper in the front, but again, it's easy to tweak it out, as the other two views show. I also have a habit of playing with the brim, which is evidenced in that first image. I think the side view has that nice arc going on, and you can get a good idea of how deep the center dent gets in the back.
Despite my initial nerves and concerns with sending him this hat, I am pleased that I did. I can't wait till it's a bit cooler to wear as an everyday hat again (since it's a typical humid 90s Washingtonian summer as I write). David is a pleasure to work with and a joy to talk to. If you have concerns or ideas, he is always willing to discuss them and to take the time to make sure you get the hat you want. Again, he is not in the habit of doing reblocks, but if he puts this much care and work into his own line of fedoras, you can't go wrong. I'd highly recommend him! A class act, all the way! Thanks again, David!
Highest regards!
bink
I knew how important this hat was to him. I remembered the pics he posted of this very hat when he went to South America. Now, I am about to get this hat and was worried that I would end its career. 
