Temple of Doom Stetson Hat Question

TheMantis · Post by **TheMantis** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:52 am

I need the experts help...for some reason I have a desire to get one of these hats...how are they? I saw the right up in Indy Gear, but I want to know if I will be disspaointed in the look of it when I get it...I DO want a Temple of Doom look...here is a link to what it looks like...

http://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/Merchant ... %2CStetson

TheMantis · Post by **TheMantis** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:54 am

I think this may be a beter picture of it...

http://www.noggintops.com/STtemple400.jpg

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 10:18 am

Well...IF that is the style you're after, fine, but at a quick glance the brim looks way too cut and the ribbon way too wide. Crown height looks a little off too.

But I'm not expert.

Cheers,
Cassidy

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 10:24 am

If you want Temple, as far as I know, the Indy Miller makes a good temple.

I'm really intrigues by this hat:

http://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/Merchant ... %2CStetson

Not quite Indy, but Crushable

Regards,

Farn

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 10:41 am

I've had nothing but fustration and disapointment with the Stetsons. I have two that I keep to remind me of other times and adventures. But I can't wear them.

Forrestal · Post by **Forrestal** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 12:47 pm

I bought a "Temple" from the Stetson factory outlet in St. Joseph, Missouri the last time I was up that way. It was $22.50. For the price it's a great piece of fur felt. They have them at the outlet fairly often. I guess you could give them a call to see.
Just FYI,
Forrestal

Lee Keppler · Post by **Lee Keppler** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 1:13 pm

I do a TOD Fedora also.

TheMantis · Post by **TheMantis** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 1:23 pm

What is the number to the outlet? And where do you get an Indy Miller from?

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 1:31 pm

Here are the Miller hats:

http://www.millerhats.com/indanamiller_ ... index.html

Regards,

Farn

PS--I'd go with Lee's hat if I had to choose between Miller and Lee. The Miller is actually made by Biltmore Hats, which is located here in my home town. They are a very dressy felt, and strikes me that they would taper something horrible.

I believe that Michaelson had an Indy Miller, and it tapered after about a year.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 2:03 pm

That is true. My Miller, though VERY nice right out of the box, tapered as badly as the Stetson after the first rain.....it just didn't release it's dye like the Stetson did and go rolling down between my eyes!.

Considering the old Stetson was the only game in town in the 80's, they were serviceable hats, and I still have two derilects in my collection as well that, though unwearable, I can not bring myself to throw away. To many memories connected with them.

Deciding between Lee's and a Miller is like trying to decide between a Fed and a PB. They're completely different animals...Lee's being custom and VERY high quality beaver felt, the Miller is a stock, off the shelf Biltmore under the Miller name. No comparison, except for the fact they're both fedoras and aimed at a different customer base.

Regards. Michaelson

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 2:20 pm

Very good point on the comparision, Michaelson; it really I suppose depends on what kind of money you want so spend.

Michaelson, would you say that a Miller Indy is an acceptable dress hat; as in did yours taper due to everyday wear and rain etc. or just because?

I may be looking at getting a Grey Dress hat, a la a end of Raiders, and if Biltmore makes an okay felt for occasional wear (as in, sunday-go-to-meeting-wear I may look at getting one of theirs and having it blocked. I can get them from the outlet store for about 70 bucks CAN.

Regards,

Farn

Spatterdash · Post by **Spatterdash** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 2:45 pm

Having owned two Stetson Temples, I can validate the stories of dye leakage.
Actually, the Temple can be reshaped into a more modern fedora, with a tear-drop bash in the crown and serve as a fairly decent dress hat. It in no way meets the high standards of other hats, however, and the Indy fan will never be pleased with it.
Michaelsons references to taper on that hat seem like an understatement. The Temple will attempt to actually collapse down and form itself to your skull, given enough time.
I'm not one of the oldtimers on this forum, but I've owned these hats, and I say, avoid 'em.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 2:56 pm

Well described, Spatterdish, specifically about the Stetson collapsing on your skull over time. (Interesting moniker, my friend. (grins))

Yes, the Miller is a VERY nice dress hat. Mine was a daily wear hat, so it was in every sort of weather. If I had used it as a dress hat only, I doubt I'd be saying what I have, as I did like it very much. I'm sure it would have reblocked nicely too, but I gave it to a young fellow in California who had no fedora. From last report, it's serving him well there in college, so we'll never know. (grins) But to answer your question simply, yes, it would be just fine as a dress hat if kept out of the weather.

Regards. Michaelson

cliffhanger · Post by **cliffhanger** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 4:22 pm

This is why I am using my Miller as a dress hat, the stories of taper in everyday weather. I LOVE my Miller (the Biltmore kind), especially its color, and, like your Stetsons Michaelson, many memories (my first REAL Indy fedora).

I think its great you live so close to the factory Farn. Perhaps one day we will see pics of the manufacturing process (sort of tounge-in-cheek there, but partly serious

).

Peace,
Cliffhanger

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 4:41 pm

Well, I'm no expert, but the style 497 "Indiana Miller Hat" Turn Down Brim looks like the best bet for a Temple of Doom fedora. If I didn't have a HJ, I'd probably go with that one. The dimensions look good, too.

-Dale

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:00 pm

Well they seemed a little less then enthused to show me around the place last time I was there; but in Feb. we are planning on a mini-summit in these parts so they may take a larger group more seriously.

If they do, and they allow pics, you can bet I'll be postin' them. As soon as I get access to a scanner, I'll upload their brochure they gave me. Some NICE lids in there.

Regards,

Farn

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:01 pm

Dale, you have a good eye. That is/was the best choice of the Millers for an Indy LC styled fedora. Very nice hat indeed. Regards. Michaelson

cliffhanger · Post by **cliffhanger** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:07 pm

Thanks Farn...I'm sure it is difficult, and I forgot you have already been there (woops).

As for the turn down brim, I now opt to flip the brim down in back (durn atomic snap!) and keep it there, because, on ME, it looks like the Young Indy fedora.

It also may work for LC or Temple. The ONLY thing I do not like is the rather wide 1 3/4 ribbon, but of course, that can be changed. You can even order a slimmer ribbon on a new hat order (IndianaJames did and his looked GREAT).

Peace,
Cliffhanger

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:08 pm

Mantis…

I guess I wasn’t typing clearly earlier. Out of all the fedora’s I’ve owned… the Stetson’s are by far THE WORST. That’s WORST with a capitol W-O-R-S-T. The BANE of my hat wearing existence. Granted… some people have had better experience with Stetsons. I’m just not one of them. Stetson actually makes a cologne that isn’t too shabby.

If I was going to give you some sage advice… I would rather see you send some business Lee Keppler's way then see you get a hat from a company that sold it’s soul for a fast buck. Lee actually WORKS for a living and makes a quality product! [Best Gun-belt I’ve ever owned in over 20 years… blah blah blah.]

I would rather see you get an Akubra Federation DLX and bash it to look like a TOD fedora.

I was going to joke that I would rather see you donate money to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign then get a Stetson… but you got the point already.

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:09 pm

Dale, you have a good eye. That is/was the best choice of the Millers for an Indy LC styled fedora.

That's probably why I locked onto that particular hat when I first saw it- because my eyes are used to that shape. To me, it looks the closest to Herbert Johnson. Wow, I'm good!

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:21 pm

I kinda figured that's what caught your eye.

Same here, old buddy....same here. Regards. Michaelson

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 5:23 pm

Heck, Ob, if at first you don't succeed, bring a bigger army

It so far looks good for Feb, I may well be able to get a tour. If not, then I'll talk to the Hatter, George, in Toronto and see if he can hook me up. It's not what ya know its who ya know in the cutthroat Hat making industry,...

Regards,

Farn

TheMantis · Post by **TheMantis** » Thu Dec 04, 2003 8:51 pm

Gotcha, going to definitely pass then...I have a PB Raider and a Fed Deluxe TOD, and I am very happy with both...

chad · Post by **chad** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 2:51 am

i have a lee keepler tod hat and i'm very happy with it.
chad