Fun with hats

In-depth discussion of the Fedora of Indiana Jones and all other hats appearing in the Indiana Jones movies

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whipwarrior

Fun with hats

Post by whipwarrior »

Ordered: 12-27-07 ~ Received: 1-19-10

After an arduous but patient 2-year wait, my Adventurebilt CS finally arrived Tuesday, right on time for my birthday. And what a perfect gift! I watched Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on Blu-Ray and compared the fedora to every scene, and what can I say... it really is THE hat. 100% screen-accurate down to the finest detail. Seeing it on the screen is one thing, but it is quite another to have it in your hands. It may sound like a cliché, but pictures really can't do justice to this fur felt masterpiece.

Having only one other fedora to compare it with, I set the AB alongside my Swales-made Herbert Johnson Poet. The basic shape is very similar. The beaver felt AB is thinner, smoother, and more supple than its rabbit predecessor, but weight-wise, the HJ feels a bit heavier (but not by much). The ribbon looks identical to the HJ petersham, and both hats sport the distinctive flying V bow.

The AB crown has a fuller appearance when compared to the narrow, slightly tapered Herbert Johnson crown. Steve applied my original Swales brim specs to the Adventurebilt since the dimensional cut was so complimentary to my profile. Due to the un-flared side brims, the AB looks a bit wide on my head, but that is purely cosmetic. What amazes me the most about the AB is the attention to detail that Steve put into it. The hand-stitched sweatband is achieved with machine-made precision, and the glossy bridal satin liner with the pyramid logo is just the icing on the cake.

It goes without saying that the Adventurebilt is a far superior hat to the Herbert Johnson, but I am proud to own two completely screen-accurate Indiana Jones fedoras, both made by the original craftsmen. Not many people can boast that. Now, onto the pictures that everybody is dying to see. Here are a few pics of me goofing around with my hats. After owning only one fedora for the past 11 years, it is just surreal to have two of them sitting side by side. It sort of feels like I now have two girlfriends! :-)


Image

Image

Image

Image


Here's how the hat looks on me: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/429 ... 91f5b5.jpg


Adventurebilt CS:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/429 ... f475_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/429 ... 3700_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/429 ... 1237_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/429 ... ac7b_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/429 ... 3857_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/429 ... a3f9_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/429 ... c36c_o.jpg

Adventurebilt CS and Herbert Johnson Poet:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/429 ... 94f3_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/429 ... 11df_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/429 ... 5f9d_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/429 ... 7536_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/429 ... 6e98_o.jpg

P.S.- As before, I filmed a video of me opening the box, which will be forthcoming once I figure out my video editing software again!
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jnicktem
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by jnicktem »

Very cool! Both of your hats look TERRIFIC! I just love the look of that AB's felt! And as for the HJ? That has to be the best looking Poet I have yet seen! Maybe it's because Swales made it! Either way, it looks great!

Congrats on 2 GREAT looking hats!
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by AntonioPastor »

Whipwarrior,

This is, of course a hat post. But.....the leather in your jacket?......What kind is it?....
Answer, quick :CR: ....maybe nobody will notice.
Great hat...by the way.
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by whipwarrior »

Thanks for the nice compliments. My jacket is a Wested CS in novapelle hide, which I distressed with fine steel wool. Right now I'm in the process of uploading the AB opening ceremony / fedora comparison video, but it's taking forever. I should have the links posted here sometime later today. Patience is a virtue (and I should know!).
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DeWayne
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by DeWayne »

As a fellow owner of a Swales-made HJ (June '99 I believe), I really like seeing it alongside the Adventurebilt. You're right, owning two hats made by the men who made them for the respective movies is a special thing. Enjoy them! :tup:
whipwarrior

Re: Fun with hats

Post by whipwarrior »

I know exactly what you mean. It's like owning the holy grail of hats... except there's TWO of them! I just got an e-mail from Steve about it. Here's what he said:
That HJ had held up great!!! Unbelievable! It still looks very, very good. Even after all these years. This HJ looks to have the better blockshape that was used on some of the HJs. So, you hit gold with that one Dale! As I said, I am envious of that hat. I wish I had bought one from Swales before he retired. Just the fact that he did the brim and that he was the original hatter, means a lot.
How funny is it that the new official Indy hatmaker is jealous of the old one! :TOH:
whipwarrior

Re: Fun with hats

Post by whipwarrior »

Some of you might recall this quote in my April 14, 2008 post Wested CS - An old favorite - A new classic:
Look for a sequel video when I receive my Adventurebilt CS. :D
Well, I always keep my promises (well, most of the time!). Here is the grand opening of the Adventurebilt CS (in four parts):

Part 1 - http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... =102402788
Part 2 - http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... =102403981
Part 3 - http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... =102412436
Part 4 - http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... =102416865
Last edited by whipwarrior on Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Noah
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by Noah »

Those are two great looking hats you got there! I especially like the AB :TOH: That was a long wait, but I'm sure it was worth it! Also very nice jacket! :D
Last edited by Noah on Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
whipwarrior

Re: Fun with hats

Post by whipwarrior »

Thanks! I think with the AB, my gear quest is pretty much over, unless I find a really awesome screen-accurate CS-style Indy shirt. :TOH:
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Mitch LaRue
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by Mitch LaRue »

Sincerest Congratulations, Dale.
:)
That's a beautiful hat for a very loyal, very deserving Indy Fan.
:TOH:

Cheers,
Mitch
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Holt
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by Holt »

wow! nice hat. congrats my friend! and congrats to Steve who made this AWESOME hat. your work Steve blows me away.
whipwarrior

Re: Fun with hats

Post by whipwarrior »

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the comments, especially after what was easily the longest waiting period for any piece of Indy gear that I ever bought. I think Samuel Gerard said it best in The Fugitive: "You know I'm glad. I need the rest." :D
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DR Ulloa
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by DR Ulloa »

How amazing to see the first and last Indy hats together, made by the hands that originally made the film hats. I'd keep them under lock and key because Fox and I are planning a covert op to break into casa WhipWarrior and steal us some hats!

Dave
whipwarrior

Re: Fun with hats

Post by whipwarrior »

LOL You've got quite a drive ahead of you, Ulloa, seeing that you're in Miami. You'd better hurry if you're going to make your move, because I'm packing up the show and heading for the west coast on Saturday morning.

"I had it, Marcus. I had it in my hand."
"What happened?"
"Belloq. Want to hear about it?"
"Not at all."

:lol:
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DR Ulloa
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by DR Ulloa »

I'll be stopping by just before the QM summit then... :CR:

Dave
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Mitch LaRue
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by Mitch LaRue »

DR Ulloa wrote:...Fox and I are planning a covert op to break into casa WhipWarrior and steal us some hats!
:-$
Shhhush Dave... Don't you remember when we had that long talk about knowing when to use your "inside your head" voice and when to use your "outside your head voice"? :P

;)
whipwarrior

Re: Fun with hats

Post by whipwarrior »

LOL!!! You two are hilarious!
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DR Ulloa
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by DR Ulloa »

No Fox, I don't remember that all! I have a hard time differentiating between inside head voices and outside head voices because the voices in my head sound like they are outside. But I don't remember any voices telling me that...are you sure you used your outside the head voice when we spoke about this?

Dave
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Mitch LaRue
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by Mitch LaRue »

(For those of you who don't know...Dave's ability to create confusing conversation that makes me feel like I've been spinning in circles is LEGEND
- wait for it, wait for it -

...

DARY)


:TOH:
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DR Ulloa
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Re: Fun with hats

Post by DR Ulloa »

:TOH: Glad to keep you on your toes and yer head runnin' circles my friend. Anything to amuse the Great White North, that's what I always say!

Dave
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