Henry display and property discussion page

[Ian]

Thanks for the comments guys.

The bash is holding more now. Has anyone got any advice about shrinking the sweat? I don't like putting pads in because they flare the sweat out, plus it reminds me that it's not right.

Ian

[Tremolo]

Has anyone got any advice about shrinking the sweat?

There is a method called the lampshade trick, you wet the sweatband and then put the hat on or under a lampshade so that the warmth of the light bulb goes to the leather. This would shrink it down. I did that with a Fed IV and a Christy´s and it worked, although the sweatbands looked slightly wrinkly after that.

[BendingOak]

Thanks for the comments guys.

The bash is holding more now. Has anyone got any advice about shrinking the sweat? I don't like putting pads in because they flare the sweat out, plus it reminds me that it's not right.

Ian

It sounds like your might be in-between sizes. I would suggest wearing it first for a bit to see if the hat forms to your head naturally. Put in sizing tape or something behind the sweatband. Put the hat on your head to see if there is any voids and fill them.

[Ian]

Thanks for the comments guys.

The bash is holding more now. Has anyone got any advice about shrinking the sweat? I don't like putting pads in because they flare the sweat out, plus it reminds me that it's not right.

Ian

It sounds like your might be in-between sizes. I would suggest wearing it first for a bit to see if the hat forms to your head naturally. Put in sizing tape or something behind the sweatband. Put the hat on your head to see if there is any voids and fill them.

I dunno. I've measured my noggin on many occasions and 59cm is pretty snug plus my AB is 23 1/4" and fits perfectly. This seems like it's big. Unless I'm measuring wrong and my AB is acually smaller than 23 1/4". Dunno. I assumed that Steve's sizes stated on his hats would be 'bang on' being the perfectionist that he is.

Ian

[BendingOak]

Thanks for the comments guys.

The bash is holding more now. Has anyone got any advice about shrinking the sweat? I don't like putting pads in because they flare the sweat out, plus it reminds me that it's not right.

Ian

It sounds like your might be in-between sizes. I would suggest wearing it first for a bit to see if the hat forms to your head naturally. Put in sizing tape or something behind the sweatband. Put the hat on your head to see if there is any voids and fill them.

I dunno. I've measured my noggin on many occasions and 59cm is pretty snug plus my AB is 23 1/4" and fits perfectly. This seems like it's big. Unless I'm measuring wrong and my AB is acually smaller than 23 1/4". Dunno. I assumed that Steve's sizes stated on his hats would be 'bang on' being the perfectionist that he is.

Ian

I would count on Steve being spot on and the Henry are a tad big. Now that I know what the measurements are and the size you got, I still would try adding to the sweatband to fill the voids first before trying to shrink the sweatband. Let nature work for you first.

[Ian]

Thanks for the comments guys.

The bash is holding more now. Has anyone got any advice about shrinking the sweat? I don't like putting pads in because they flare the sweat out, plus it reminds me that it's not right.

Ian

It sounds like your might be in-between sizes. I would suggest wearing it first for a bit to see if the hat forms to your head naturally. Put in sizing tape or something behind the sweatband. Put the hat on your head to see if there is any voids and fill them.

I dunno. I've measured my noggin on many occasions and 59cm is pretty snug plus my AB is 23 1/4" and fits perfectly. This seems like it's big. Unless I'm measuring wrong and my AB is acually smaller than 23 1/4". Dunno. I assumed that Steve's sizes stated on his hats would be 'bang on' being the perfectionist that he is.

Ian

I would count on Steve being spot on and the Henry are a tad big. Now that I know what the measurements are and the size you got, I still would try adding to the sweatband to fill the voids first before trying to shrink the sweatband. Let nature work for you first.

Thanks muchly John!!

If you're giving me advice about a hat, any hat, then I'm gonna take it.

I'll plonk the pads in that I got with my Fed (knew they'd come in handy for something)

Ian

[IndyBrit]

I'd second Mr. Penman's advice. My Henry is a also a tad to big and having put up with this for two seasons, I decided to size it down the natural way. It's taking time but is slowy coming down.

Lookks great on you.

[Ian]

I'd second Mr. Penman's advice. My Henry is a also a tad to big and having put up with this for two seasons, I decided to size it down the natural way. It's taking time but is slowy coming down.

Lookks great on you.

Cheers IndyBrit!

Yup. Pads it is. Really though, if John had told me to stick it in the oven and cook for 3 hours - I'd be reaching for the matches.

Ian

[BendingOak]

I'd second Mr. Penman's advice. My Henry is a also a tad to big and having put up with this for two seasons, I decided to size it down the natural way. It's taking time but is slowy coming down.

Lookks great on you.

Cheers IndyBrit!

Yup. Pads it is. Really though, if John had told me to stick it in the oven and cook for 3 hours - I'd be reaching for the matches.

Ian

nope just send me you bank account number and we are good.

[Ian]

I'd second Mr. Penman's advice. My Henry is a also a tad to big and having put up with this for two seasons, I decided to size it down the natural way. It's taking time but is slowy coming down.

Lookks great on you.

Cheers IndyBrit!

Yup. Pads it is. Really though, if John had told me to stick it in the oven and cook for 3 hours - I'd be reaching for the matches.

Ian

nope just send me you bank account number and we are good.

Current or savings? Ahhh....you almost had me!

[BendingOak]

I'll take it all.

[jnicktem]

I'll take it all.

He ain't kidding!!! Trust me!

[generalFROSTY]

I don't think there is a lot of traffic in the scrapbook section and I want to share my videos and pics from my vacation with all my fellow gearheads, so if you want to see what some Indy gear looks like on video, including the Henry, check out the thread:
http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=45718

[Texan Scott]

Any chance of getting a Henry in pure Rabbit?

[Tremolo]

If I remember correctly then no.
Offering more kinds of felt would probably be too expensive and I don´t think they are selling thousands a month to justify that. They are already offering two colours, and for a factory AB that´s really great, isn´t it?
I´m sure Marc and Stefan could give a much better answer to this question.
Do you want more floppiness? I only own my Henry since late December but I can feel it´s becoming much floppier and softer each day I wear it.

[Texan Scott]

I think pure rabbit is a great idea for the Henry, whether produced in only one color or many.

I wouldn't be surprised if rabbit would not be used if there was a new movie, someday...a return to the felt material used, originally. jmo, may not be yours, nevertheless.

[Ian]

'scuse my ignorance, but what would be the advantage of a pure rabbit felt, other than the slightly lower price?

Ian

[Texan Scott]

Some hat vendors offer different hat materials all the time. Is this case so unusual? Some prefer the 'action' of pure rabbit felt. Floppiness isn't always characteristic of a type of felt, so much as it is how much stiffener was added.

[Ian]

I see. Being quite the noob to all this, I (incorrectly) assumed that people would choose rabbit over beaver purely for budget reasons. Lots to learn.

[Texan Scott]

Beaver is great felt for cooler, wetter climates, but for us hotter, drier desert dwellers, rabbit is a bit cooler and some prefer to work its felt.

Imagine if there is a new movie and a return to rabbit felt, hypothetically, of course. What would people say.... People might want to veer off in that direction? 'Why isn't pure rabbit a choice for the Henry?' ...they might say? Suddenly, there would be a glut of high end (custom) orders. The ready-made Henry would fit the need.

[cowboy827]

I have to agree with Ian on this. I think that the Henry, being 20% beaver, has a much greater advantage over a pure rabbit hat. I realize that pure rabbit felt was used for the first three films, and therefore some purists may want pure rabbit hats. Nevertheless, the addition of some beaver fur adds durability and stability that a pure rabbit felt lacks, without taking away the look and feel of a floppy hat. As someone who plans on wearing his hat for years to come, in all kinds of weather, I much prefer the beaver/rabbit blend over a pure rabbit hat.

By now, some of you may have guessed that I'm not a true gearhead. While screen accuracy is important, I want gear that is built to last in real-world adventures. For example, when I'm out hiking or camping, I wear LL Bean hiking boots. I have no need to spend big dollars on Aldens, which really can't handle the rigors of heavy outdoor activitiy like a good hiking boot.

To my mind, the Henry is a great example of good looking hat, that has the look and spirit of Indy, but is built to take a beating.

[Ian]

Beaver is great felt for cooler, wetter climates, but for us hotter, drier desert dwellers, rabbit is a bit cooler and some prefer to work its felt.

Imagine if there is a new movie and a return to rabbit felt, hypothetically, of course. What would people say.... People might want to veer off in that direction? 'Why isn't pure rabbit a choice for the Henry?' ...they might say? Suddenly, there would be a glut of high end (custom) orders. The ready-made Henry would fit the need.

Hmmm. I see your point.

Maybe that'd be too close to the Fed IV. I think that Steve highly regards the Akubra felt and had input into the shape / block.

Ian

[binkmeisterRick]

By now, some of you may have guessed that I'm not a true gearhead. While screen accuracy is important, I want gear that is built to last in real-world adventures.

No, you ARE a true gearhead. You wouldn't be here, otherwise. You're just not a "stitch counter." There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting solid gear, regardless of 1000% screen accuracy. A good number of us are like that.

[cowboy827]

Thanks, Bink. That's a good point.

[Texan Scott]

..by default, you just happened to be in the room, when it all went down.

[binkmeisterRick]

[Michaelson]

For example, when I'm out hiking or camping, I wear LL Bean hiking boots. I have no need to spend big dollars on Aldens, which really can't handle the rigors of heavy outdoor activitiy like a good hiking boot.

Well, that said, bear in mind a lot of us don't wear/buy Alden's to be screen accurate either. They're orthopedic shoes first and foremost, and help correct a lot of foot problems many of us experience. LLBean Hikers don't do that, and would not be a boot that would interest me in the least.

It's all in how you're using a piece of gear that determines it's importance to your collection.

Regards! Michaelson

[thegreatgalling]

Hey guys, here is my Henry with John Penman's bashwork.

As he showed it to me:



And today, with a little flare:

[Ian]

Hi again thegreatgalling,

So, how are you enjoying your Henry? How's the bash holding? I found the felt to be so soft that it took a while for the bash to take any permanence.

Ian

[thegreatgalling]

Funny you should ask that.

This is my version of an LC hat. After thinking long and hard, I decided I wanted to remove what I saw as a bit of turn from the hat. Seeing the felt was so soft, and the creases didn't seem to be sooo set in, I did the brave thing (and stupid thing, come on it was a Penman bash) of rather roughly "undoing" the crease so I could put the bow over my ear at the same point the reference shots show it over Indy's. I used my fingers and really pushed all my might against the creases to smooth it over. I got it to the point where I really didn't get much felt memory when I pinched the hat (Or so I THOUGHT at the time).


I watched John's LC bash tutorial a dozen times. After really working the hat and the new bash -and I mean ROUGHLY- pinching solid the new creases, I was pretty happy with what I was left with. To be honest, I sort of wished after I saw it that I left it alone, considering a bash put in by John just seemed cooler to have. I sent John a quick email telling him about what I did and how I had these awful daydreams about putting the hat down and watching the felt morph into the old bash!

Well...guess what? I started second guessing what I did to the hat. How could I remove John's great bash! How stupid! I instantly felt a terrible pit in my stomach. After seeing my new bash was really asymetrical, I decided to press my luck and see if I could bash it again. I popped out all the creases and gave the hat a good massage from the inside, hoping to press out the creases and start again. When I thought I succeeded, out of curiosity, I pinched the hat to see if the felt had remembered my bash.

I was stunned at what I found.

The hat returned to John's bash. No wrinkles, no evidence of my bash a good half or so inch to the left, nada. A smooth bash that looked like the day I got it. You can see I am not exaggerating from my pics. The first one is from before I recieved it, and the bottom two were taken tonight. IT IS CLEARLY THE SAME BASH.

So does it retain the bash? My friend, John's Bashes always remain here...in the twilight zone.

[thegreatgalling]

The only explanation I can think of is that I fooled myself into thinking I was making new creases, and in reality, I was doing nothing except bending the hat in an unharmful way and in some cases, possibly reenforcing John's bash. I was creeped out to say the least, but at the same time I am thrilled because by the time it came back, I REALLY regretted fussing with it.

I can see how that would be possible, since even the lightest touch will recall a bash. When I formed the dents, I must have been just pressing in John's dents. Weird.

[Ian]

What luck!

I got mine from Stefan, since I'm in the UK, and asked for an LC bash. The felt is so soft that when I recieved the hat, it was open crown again. The bash had just fallen out during transit.

I dunno if John uses any stiffener or just 'works his magic' to keep the bash in. I'm with you though; Any bash that John sets into a hat for me stays there. He's far better qualified at anything concerning hats than I am.

Ian

[Ian]

I guess it goes to show how tough these are. I've scrunched mine up and sat on it since I've had it and it still looks like new. (I lost my temper with it trying to set the bash in).

Truly and awesome lid!

On the down side, mine runs a little big and I have to use pads in the sweat. No biggy though.

Ian

[thegreatgalling]

I am sure your hat will settle with some time. On the bright side, you can always send it to John. His bashes eat other hat's bashes apparently.

Pads are OK as long as they are comfy. This is the best hat I have owned in my life, and I can't wait to be blown away by the Penman I am waiting for!

[Ian]

What are you waiting for and was the Henry to fix you during your wait?

Ian

[thegreatgalling]

I am on the list for a Penman Streets of Cairo hat. From the way John describes these, it is going to be amazing!

(Figured one LC type bash, and one Raiders should hold me for a while )

[Mitch LaRue]

I am on the list for a Penman Streets of Cairo hat. From the way John describes these, it is going to be amazing!

You will NOT be dissappointed, my friend!

[BendingOak]

What luck!

I got mine from Stefan, since I'm in the UK, and asked for an LC bash. The felt is so soft that when I recieved the hat, it was open crown again. The bash had just fallen out during transit.

I dunno if John uses any stiffener or just 'works his magic' to keep the bash in. I'm with you though; Any bash that John sets into a hat for me stays there. He's far better qualified at anything concerning hats than I am.

Ian

I don't add any stiffener ( unless the customer ask for it), or use steam, or water to bash a hat. What you see in the videos is exactly how I bash hats.

[Ian]

I don't add any stiffener ( unless the customer ask for it), or use steam, or water to bash a hat. What you see in the videos is exactly how I bash hats.

You make it look easy though.

[generalFROSTY]

It does look easy, but coming from a first-timer, bashing a hat is a little more tricky especially when you are going for such a specific look. I've thought that if I ever get another Indy hat I would fare better in my initial shaping but as it looks right now, financially, I won't be getting any more Indy hats for a very long time - luckily my Henry is a good enough Indy hat that I won't really need a second.

[thegreatgalling]

I am just really greatful John's bash came back. I can assure you, usually, things I try to make better don't have a similar happy ending.

I think your hat looks great Frosty!

[Ian]

I am just really greatful John's bash came back. I can assure you, usually, things I try to make better don't have a similar happy ending.

I think your hat looks great Frosty!

I'll second that! Awesome distressing as well, which is something I just don't have the guts to do.

Ian

[generalFROSTY]

Hey galling, it looks like your ribbon is riding up. I noticed that when we met at Disney and pulled it down a little when I handled your hat but it looks like its riding up again. If you can see the stitches at the base of the crown then the ribbon needs pulled down. Lick your fingers and press and pull down.
Your LC bash looks great - I'm looking forward to seeing what John does for your SOC. I don't think I have seen any customer photos of his SOC hat so as soon as you get it, you know where to post photos!!

[cowboy827]

The ribbon on my Henry rides up, too. I am often pulling it back down to cover the stitches that hold the sweatband in place.

[jkdbuck76]

Same thing here.

Any suggestions (other than "stop having a long oval head")?

[thegreatgalling]

Yeah, ever since you pointed it out Frosty, I have been frequently lowering it, but it seems to pop back up as soon as it goes on my head. Maybe the turn affects it?

[TenuredProfessor]

I have the same issue with my Henry...but it doesn't really bother me. I've got one of the SoC hats on order from John and he told me he stitches his version of the hat a bit differently around the ribbon. The tack down stitches are a bit higher that normal to allow for the 'ride up'. This happens to Harrison's hat in the Cairo scenes. So, it's SA for the Cairo look. That's good enough for me, but if your Henry is bashed like any other film, I could see it being slightly annoying

[Texan Scott]

These ribbons were purposely tacked on at the factory like that in order to replecate the Raiders fedora, so the Oakster told me many moons ago.

[BendingOak]

If you look closely at the Raiders hat in the movie you will see the tack down stitches that you speak of is tacked above the brim break. To me that is a sign of a sloppy job. Don't everyone hang me for this but the Raiders hat wasn't a greatly made hat. To replicate the hat as closely as possible I can put the stitches floating like they did in the movie. EI: what I do on 'the Cairo" or what I did on garrets hat but most of the time I put the stitches right at the brim break where a high quality job should be. The purpose of them is to keep the ribbon from sliding up and showing the sweatband stitches.

[thegreatgalling]

I for one am glad to put decisions about my upcoming SOC hat directly in your hands! , but do feel free to experiment away!