Post your Adventurebilts here!

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:22 am

Great looking CS, I don't like most of them outside of how it looks on Ford's head, but your's looks stunning.

Indy35 wrote:I finally get to post here as an official AB owner It arrived today (How Sunday you ask? Well lets just say i'm special )

I took some very quick pics inside and outside, the weather around here in DC land is going south (those bad storms that hit the south are starting to hit us), and for a few moments the sun peaked out, so i jumped, ran and dashed for a camera to take some pics. I don't have a whip to wrangle it up

The hat is a CS with a 5 1/4 tall crown. Steve said the shorter crown would look better, and he was right. Also the brim looks bigger than it really is, i have very dark hair, so it always makes the brim look huge.

Compared to the Henry, the felt feels remarkably similar, its smooth and silky, but its much stiffer and not as fuzzy as the Henry, which i prefer. The fuzzy issue is my biggest gripe with my Akubras, and my guess is it has a great deal to do with it being rabbit vs. beaver. The sweat is also very different, I'm guessing that this sweat will loosen up with time, but that sweat on the Henry is insanely comfy, not saying this one isn't. The color on the AB is much better, the differences are subtle from the Henry, and hard for a non-gearhead to see the difference, but its definetly there. The color compared to my others is so different its not even worth comparing. The blockshape is like night and day in every respect. The AB's block shape is far superior and well, its far superior, there is absolutely no comparison to the other hats i have, including the Henry. The ribbon, the trademark of the AB hat, is perfect, and it's mentioned here so much, i can't add to its greatness.

Oh and the stitching everywhere on the hat...is just unreal. I haven't seen stitching like that on clothing i think ever. Only my $2000k hockey goalie pads are comparable, and those are done with a super high tech machine.

And I look forward to the master's comments. Thanks Steve for the frickin insanely awesome lid!!

And for those of you in Nashville...my condolences

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/ ... ics001.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/ ... ics003.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/ ... ics006.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/ ... ics005.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/ ... ics007.jpg

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:09 am

Happy it suites you Indy35! If you want a more streamlined crown, just push the front creases back to 5 inches in length. The creases on this hat really changes up the looks of the crown.

I guess alot of the difference seen from customers hats compared to Ford's hats, is Bernie steamed the heck out of them to define everything regarding the creases. He constantly worked on the hats during the film. The good thing is once you wear it awhile and it sets to your head, it will look even better. I make em, as I made em for him. The only differences in hats is wear and tweaking the creases. Some of the tweaks just happens naturally with wear too. Ford never just took one from the box, new, Bernie fooled with them alot before Ford donned one. And that is the main difference.

So, pull out the film, watch it and then tweak to match, if you want a certain scene. I understand a few don't like this hat much, but, you will never please everyone. Impossible. I will choose it anyday over the TOD and TLC hat though. It is more like Raiders than those other two. And, like the other 3 film hats, it is a hat of its own, while still maintaining the Indy look. Knowing what some of the other samples looked like, the CS WAS a vast improvement over the others.

Plus, unlike the others, this one will still be on customers heads decades from now. It's longevity will make it be a thorn in the side of the ones who did not care for it.

Plus, it will only look better when it is 20 years old. I may not be around to reblock them, 20 years from now, IF needed, but I will make sure John Penman has the same blocks as I used, and he can carry on for me, here in the States. In fact, I will make sure John and I get together so I can show him exactly how I made them, with all of the little secrets I used. So, when he refurbs them, it will look like I did it! Just looking out for AB owners, on down the line. I think LLS will be included too, as both are much younger than this old coot. Course Marc will be around too, so we won't have a shortage of folks who can refurb my work later on. I think I have thought this out pretty darn well. We will have top men carring on my little legacy. Fedora

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:41 am

Quick, Michaelson, send a vat of Pecards down to Mississippi STAT!! Fedora is talking about getting old!

We all look forward to wearing your hats for decades to come and thanks to your generosity, other hatters will be able to carry on an otherwise lost art.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

jlee562 · Post by **jlee562** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:54 am

Ooh, I'm excited to see your hat, Indy35, I've also ordered a 5 1/4" CS from Steve, I think the shorter crown better suits me as well.

Indy35 · Post by **Indy35** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 5:38 pm

Thanks everyone...

And Steve I'll take your advice and play a little with the bashes. I'll play with it for quite sometime. Since i wear my lid everyday, it won't take too long for it to start to show a little character. I prefer to let mine break-in naturally, and like you said it will start to form to my weird head shape (all my hats do at some point). Im playing with the brim right now, im trying to get that front to snap down a bit more so it doesn't look so flat!!

Again...i'm tickled and loving it, it's hard to take it off my head

$\:D/$ $\:D/$

kiltie · Post by **kiltie** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:40 pm

It's been a while since my last post, but still lurking...
Here is one of my ABs ( second hand - mine for about two years ) on a walk out in the sticks. This is an older Raiders block, no particular scene being mimiced.

After two years of drought, we've gotten our first real rain, so I figured the scenery deserved a little credit -
The creek bed:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... G_1253.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... G_1271.jpg

The flowers:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... FLOWER.jpg

Texas State flower:
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... 1280-1.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj29 ... G_1278.jpg

This hat is fantastic. Having the good fortune of owning two ABs affords me one for adventures and one for "going out". I actually prefer the felt on this one over my CS style. It has a mottling that, while strictly less desirable in a dress hat, I find very nice. The felt on this hat just seems more rich, somehow, as compared to any hat I own, including two other beaver hats. Not better or worse...just different, and therefore nice to have. Nothing to add that hasn't already been said about the superior Adventurebilt craftsmanship except - I love this hat!
At the end of the day, I have to admit: if you wear hats with ANY degree of regularity, these are worth every penny you spend, even at the new price. Leaps and bound away from anything made save for the Penman hats ( good heavens, John makes a good hat... ).

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:03 pm

Im playing with the brim right now, im trying to get that front to snap down a bit more so it doesn't look so flat!!

Yeah, the box I am using, til my correct ones get here pushed down the brim. Hit it with some steam and pull her down, hold it a few and it should stay.

On my AB Roll up thread, I will show how the first AB I ever made reacts today, which was made in I think 2004, late in the year. The felt over time has become almost claylike. You push up the brim, it stays, pull it down, and it stays. Which is a characteristic of pure beaver that I find very pleasing. No spring in the felt at all. Yet, you can roll it up tight, pack it in the luggage, and when you pull it out later on, it will look just like it did before you rolled it up. Now, it doesn't spring back to shape, you have to knock out the crown, and put the creases back in, but the creases just snap back to the original, with a push of the fingers. It remembers the shape excellently. And shows no indentations from the roll up, which is why pure beaver will never nuance the SOC fedora very well. Hard to distress a beaver hat. Just too darn tough, even with no shellac. Take a needle, a beaver AB, and your fav soft felt hat. (shellac would be cheating as that stuff makes a porous felt seem dense) Now, push the needle through the brim of the rabbit hat. Notice the amount of pressure it took to pierce the felt. Then do this with the AB. What you will notice is it takes more pressure to penetrate pure beaver felt. That is because the underfur fibers of beaver fur is so much smaller in diameter than rabbit. If the rabbit fur fiber was a pencil, the beaver fur would be the lead in that pencil. The smaller diameter is what makes beaver hats last much longer in a downpour, and gives them a natural water repellant nature. This same thing is what makes them more durable over time. Plus, beaver fur will felt tighter than rabbit. Just the nature of the beast. And the reason I chose it for my own hats years ago.

When I started up Adventurebilt, I had two goals. To make a better looking Raiders fedora than was available in that era. But also to use the best felt that I could source, as I wanted my fedoras to be real world, outdoor wear hats. At that time, I had no clue as to the nuances that only rabbit can give, if looking for a SOC fedora.( Although, I must confess that a lightweight beaver body could get fairly close.) Anyways, I wanted a more accurate Raiders fedora, and I wanted to make em with such high quality felt as to last a lifetime. I had already spent around 7500 bucks on other hats, chasing that Indy look. But, I always bought my hats in 3's too. Never bought a DP, but I bought everyother brand out there, even some custom hats from high priced hatters. Every one shared a commonality, they all tapered on me too fast. But I was outside alot in those days, in the heat, the rain, etc. I was told by several hatters that pure beaver was the only way to go, if longevity and durability was the goal. So, that is what I went with, and if I could do it over, I would not change a thing. Fedora

riothamus · Post by **riothamus** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:57 pm

Ok, after receiving my two CS ABs in October, I'm finally posting some pics. This is a good thing in a way as I've lost ~50 lbs since I got them and my face (and gut) is a lot thinner. There are a few things that seem to always bug me about the hats, and I'm hoping that you fellows can tell me that I'm being too nitpicky. These are the first custom anything I've ever ordered, so maybe I'm looking too closely. Ok, here we go.

Between '07 when I ordered them and '09 when I got them, my head seems to have shrunk a bit. I measured just over 23" originally and ordered 23 1/8" to allow for extra hair. Now with a shaggy head I get 22 7/8" So I am a 1/4" off which is enough to make the hats loose all the time even with the sweat tightening up a bit on the brown. A side effect of this is I think they sit too low on my head as the back or the dent doesn't seem quite deep enough.

Brown

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nL ... directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f4 ... directlink
So for the most part I love this hat. The main thing that always catches my eye is a few slight irregularities in the brim cut. There are a few places that I can see uneveness that I don't see in the gray hat. For some reason my eye always sees this when looking at it. The brown is flexible enough that I have to continuously pull the back of the brim down so it isn't curling too much.

Gray

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NX ... directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4A ... directlink
This one I haven't worn as often, and it seems to be stiffer than the brown. It is stiff enough so that it fits tighter than the brown front and back and leaves gaps on the sides. Stiff enough that the rear brim seems to have three "snap" positions, all the way up, half-way (pics) and down. The front almost seems to want to be up as you can see by the hump in some of the pictures. It will quite willing snap up. The ribbon on this hat seems to be sown a little uneven, but again, maybe I'm looking too closely. The bottom of the crown seems to curve out a lot instead of being closer to a 90 degree angle and there's a "discoloration" that seems to be a fold mark that is lighter than the rest of the felt.

and a few more pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/riothamus/H ... directlink

Ok, so now its off my chest. Somebody tell me I'm being too nitpicky! Please!

Excelsior!
Riothamus

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:39 am

riothamus wrote:Ok, after receiving my two CS ABs in October, I'm finally posting some pics. This is a good thing in a way as I've lost ~50 lbs since I got them and my face (and gut) is a lot thinner. There are a few things that seem to always bug me about the hats, and I'm hoping that you fellows can tell me that I'm being too nitpicky. These are the first custom anything I've ever ordered, so maybe I'm looking too closely. Ok, here we go.

Between '07 when I ordered them and '09 when I got them, my head seems to have shrunk a bit. I measured just over 23" originally and ordered 23 1/8" to allow for extra hair. Now with a shaggy head I get 22 7/8" So I am a 1/4" off which is enough to make the hats loose all the time even with the sweat tightening up a bit on the brown. A side effect of this is I think they sit too low on my head as the back or the dent doesn't seem quite deep enough.

Brown

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nL ... directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f4 ... directlink
So for the most part I love this hat. The main thing that always catches my eye is a few slight irregularities in the brim cut. There are a few places that I can see uneveness that I don't see in the gray hat. For some reason my eye always sees this when looking at it. The brown is flexible enough that I have to continuously pull the back of the brim down so it isn't curling too much.

Gray

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NX ... directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4A ... directlink
This one I haven't worn as often, and it seems to be stiffer than the brown. It is stiff enough so that it fits tighter than the brown front and back and leaves gaps on the sides. Stiff enough that the rear brim seems to have three "snap" positions, all the way up, half-way (pics) and down. The front almost seems to want to be up as you can see by the hump in some of the pictures. It will quite willing snap up. The ribbon on this hat seems to be sown a little uneven, but again, maybe I'm looking too closely. The bottom of the crown seems to curve out a lot instead of being closer to a 90 degree angle and there's a "discoloration" that seems to be a fold mark that is lighter than the rest of the felt.

and a few more pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/riothamus/H ... directlink

Ok, so now its off my chest. Somebody tell me I'm being too nitpicky! Please!

Excelsior!
Riothamus

Well, to me it looks awesome and really suits you and from the pictures I can't see anything that would worry me. In my limited experience, the hand-made lids seem to have a more accurate cut than the production hats. When I got mine I was amazed how smooth and accurate the radii transitions - and it was cut by hand. Sure, if you look hard enough, there are slight imperfections there, but nothing obvious and far better than any production hat I've seen so far.

I always consider the shape of the hat to be a work-in-progress, especially the brim. I can never resist tweeking the shape and on my AB giving it a little steam to tailor it to my specific tastes.

My Henry's brim curl at the back was too much for me, so I squirted it with water and flattened it slightly. I guess with Steve's current pure beaver felt AB, you could steam it to flatten it slightly.

Great lid, well done!!!

Ian

riothamus · Post by **riothamus** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 8:21 am

I noticed that I somehow didn't take side shots of the brown CS AB. So here a couple from this morning taken quickly. They didn't turn out so well, but I think the back of the crown looks better when I'm wearing it then when I'm looking at it in my hands...

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zk ... directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Em ... directlink

Excelsior!
Riothamus

Indy_1971 · Post by **Indy_1971** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:37 pm

Lookin' good Riothamus!
I'm loving my AB more and more everyday!

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:48 pm

I measured just over 23" originally and ordered 23 1/8" to allow for extra hair. Now with a shaggy head I get 22 7/8" So I am a 1/4" off which is enough to make the hats loose all the time

Which means I used a 7 3/8 block which is larger than what you really needed, a 7 1/4 block. Now, when you get a larger hat, of course the crown is larger than the next smaller size down. Many times when this happens, the hat will appear a bit too wide for your head/face. Not with all instances, but with some. Sizing is important not only so that the hat fits, but also so the hat goes with your head size better. I can pad a 7 3/8ths, to fit myself but the extra size of the crown does not fit my face very well. Makes brims look too large as well sometimes. The good news is, your sweatband will eventually shrink up, as all leather does and the fit will be better. Also, with some time and wear, the crown should lose some of its width, but not sure if it will lose enough. Wear em on rainy days, which will aid in this.

On the brim, I did not see it when I made the hat. I will correct it, and give you a free reblock when that time comes. On the back popping up, the brim, that will go away, but some steam directed at that area now, and then you hold it downward til it dries should fix that problem. All brims are hand cut just like swales did em, and everynow and then I may not sand it smooth enough once I do the dimensional cut. Hopefully this doesn't occur very often...and apparently I missed it when making that one hat.

The top crease in the CS hat was rather shallow due to the higher height in back of some of the film hats. Bernie would work and steam with those hats to define this top crease, and in doing so, actually dropped the back lower than the 4 1/4 height that I had made them. If you see a hat in the film that has a defined and deeper top crease, this also has a lower back height. Probably 4 inches, or even 3 7/8. So, you could drop the back down to this height and get more defintion of the top crease on the CS fedoras. It would still be accurate to the film. Fedora

riothamus · Post by **riothamus** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:57 pm

I don't think my head size changed due to weight loss, because the hats were loose when I got them and I hadn't started loosing yet. I'm going to pack in some foam or tissue so I don't loose one in the wind. Yesterday was windy, yet cool, so there wasn't sweat sticking the band to my skin to hold it on.

I think my head is a little more oval than most, since the gray hat definitely has gap on the sides. Should I put the foam/tissue on the sides, the front/back, or all around in this case? As the pics show, my head also causes the hat to turn on its own to the right (my right). I may re-bash these at some point to have the pinch centered.

Steve, any idea what's happening at the brim/crown intersection that causes that "fold" discoloration? Will the felt even out so that crease/dent isn't noticeable? Could the size be adjusted during a reblock if they don't shrink enough to fit without the foam/tissue?

I think the current brim width (which is a little wider than SA on the brown I believe) still suits my face even with the weight loss. And I don't think looking at them you can tell they are a little big. What do you gents think?

Excelsior!
Riothamus

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:45 pm

riothamus wrote:What do you gents think?

Excelsior!
Riothamus

Well, my friend, since you asked....and PLEASE believe me when I say this is NOTHING but constructive criticism and nothing more.....I honestly think you tossed a monkey wrench into the works from the get-go by not just giving Steve your honest to gosh measurement. Your head measured 23"...NOT 23 1/8". In the art of hat making, they have little tricks they use to anticipate sweatband and felt shrinkage as a hat ages and is used. They can only start from the benchmark YOU provide when you give them your actual head measurement. By adding that extra 1/8", it threw off all the other little additions and subtractions they do, and like a line of dominos, one things leads to another.

I'm speaking from personal experience. I used to do the exact same thing, as I was not used to ordering ANYTHING custom. I figured by adding a smidegon here and subtracting a bit there, it would all even out....be it a hat or jacket. Boy, was I ever wrong!!! Joe Peters was the one who showed me the error of my ways on hats....and Dave Marshall of G&B on jackets!

So, in my personal opinion, it sounds to me like you need to start from square one. You're trying to fix a multitude of errors that are all based on the incorrect measurement at the beginning.

Oh, by the way, weight gain or loss will not affect your hat size one bit. I weighed a grand total of 130 pounds soaking wet when I was in high school, and my head measured 23" exactly when I was measured for a new hat for a band uniform. I'm middle way through my 50's now, have gained close to 80+ pounds over my high school weight. My head is STILL 23", so don't factor that in your measurement either. Just give the exact measurement to any hat maker.

Just an observation from a neutral party....and LONG time AB owner.

Regards! Michaelson

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:49 pm

...there simply is no way to be a fat head!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:50 pm

Texan Scott wrote:...there simply is no way to be a fat head!

Uh, well, that's another topic of argument all together, Tex.....

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:53 pm

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:04 pm

Still loving my AB!!

Got this last Nov.

(Just found out how to post images, thanks Nick!)

Ian

Indy_1971 · Post by **Indy_1971** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:19 pm

Michaelson wrote:
riothamus wrote:What do you gents think?

Excelsior!
Riothamus
Well, my friend, since you asked....and PLEASE believe me when I say this is NOTHING but constructive criticism and nothing more.....I honestly think you tossed a monkey wrench into the works from the get-go by not just giving Steve your honest to gosh measurement. Your head measured 23"...NOT 23 1/8". In the art of hat making, they have little tricks they use to anticipate sweatband and felt shrinkage as a hat ages and is used. They can only start from the benchmark YOU provide when you give them your actual head measurement. By adding that extra 1/8", it threw off all the other little additions and subtractions they do, and like a line of dominos, one things leads to another.

I'm speaking from personal experience. I used to do the exact same thing, as I was not used to ordering ANYTHING custom. I figured by adding a smidegon here and subtracting a bit there, it would all even out....be it a hat or jacket. Boy, was I ever wrong!!! Joe Peters was the one who showed me the error of my ways on hats....and Dave Marshall of G&B on jackets!

So, in my personal opinion, it sounds to me like you need to start from square one. You're trying to fix a multitude of errors that are all based on the incorrect measurement at the beginning.

Oh, by the way, weight gain or loss will not affect your hat size one bit. I weighed a grand total of 130 pounds soaking wet when I was in high school, and my head measured 23" exactly when I was measured for a new hat for a band uniform. I'm middle way through my 50's now, have gained close to 80+ pounds over my high school weight. My head is STILL 23", so don't factor that in your measurement either. Just give the exact measurement to any hat maker.

Just an observation from a neutral party....and LONG time AB owner.

Regards! Michaelson

Actually I think he said that his measurment was just over 23". So I for one don't understand. Why wouldn't he order 23 1/8 if his measurement was just over 23"??? I know from experience that there is nothing more uncomfortable than a tight hat. So taking into account that there will be shrinkage in the sweatband and his measurement, wasn't he right to order 23 1/8??? Confused?

Indy_1971 · Post by **Indy_1971** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:20 pm

Ian wrote:Still loving my AB!!

Got this last Nov.

(Just found out how to post images, thanks Nick!)

Ian

That looks awesome Ian!!!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:29 pm

Indy_1971 wrote:
Actually I think he said that his measurment was just over 23". So I for one don't understand. Why wouldn't he order 23 1/8 if his measurement was just over 23"??? I know from experience that there is nothing more uncomfortable than a tight hat. So taking into account that there will be shrinkage in the sweatband and his measurement, wasn't he right to order 23 1/8??? Confused?

There in lies the question...how MUCH over 23" indeed? An 1/8" can be as good as a mile, and from what I read, he just factored that in due to hair growth.

He then remeasured and said:

Now with a shaggy head I get 22 7/8"

As Steve pointed out in his response above, based on the measurement he was given, he chose a block that would take account for the shrinkage, as he goes a bit larger in block size. So, by adding the extra 1/8", then adding the extra built in larger lock size, the hat WOULD be loose on arrival, ESPECIALLY if his second measurement was the correct one!

Regards! Michaelson

Indy_1971 · Post by **Indy_1971** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:30 pm

Just found this online.
Is it accurate, I don't know (Actually there is a bunch of sights that say the same thing).

"How to Find Your Hat SizeMar, 16, 2010 By: Holly Quinn If you're looking to buy a new hat, you need to know how to find your hat size. Head size actually can change over time, due to things like weight loss, wight gain, or age. Hair style can affect the size of hat you need, too, so you always want to measure before buying any hat that isn't adjustable."

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:34 pm

Who is she?

That works if you're looking to buy a hat off the shelf....but she never said HOW you FIND your actual hat size.

As to her comment on sizing changes, sorry, I totally disagree with such a blanket statement as THAT one, but once again, as I prefaced in my first post, I'm speaking strictly from my own personal experience with my own hats, and those of hat wearing friends and relatives. No argument on hair styles and between haircuts, though. That can cause problems at ANY time.

We have some of the best hat makers in the world right here on this site. Personally, I'd go by why they tell us they need to make us a custom and correctly sized hat.

If you want to get someone REALLY on a roll about providing proper measurements, just ask hatmaker John Penman!

Regards! Michaelson

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:45 pm

Seems to be that the customers are trying to do the hatter's job for them. As stated on Steve's website, I just measured my head the 3 times and gave him the sizes. The hatter is the expert and should be left to make the decision of how much to leave on or take off. I measured 59.5, 59.5 and 59cm - from that, Steve gave me a 59cm or 23 1/4". Fits perfectly. I would have assumed that I would have needed a 60 or at least a 59.5, but Steve knew exactly what he was doing. Gotta trust them.

Ian

Indy_1971 · Post by **Indy_1971** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:45 pm

Michaelson wrote:Who is she? That works if you're looking to buy a hat off the shelf....but she never said HOW you FIND your actual hat size. As to her comment on sizing changes, sorry, I totally disagree with such a blanket statement as THAT one, and once again, as I prefaced in my first post, I'm speaking strictly from my own personal experience with my own hats, and those of hat wearing friends and relatives.

We have some of the best hat makers in the world right here on this site. Personally, I'd go by why they tell us they need to make us a custom and correctly sized hat.

If you want to get someone REALLY on a roll about providing proper measurements, just ask hatmaker John Penman!

Regards! Michaelson

I don't know who she is Michaelson? There are a bunch of posts on the subject at this sight.
http://boardreader.com/thread/Hat_size_ ... aXn4r.html
Again, I don't know.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:47 pm

Ah, it's a forum like ours, so she's probably just an individual posting an opinion.....just like us!

OF course, we're NEVER wrong.....

Regards! Michaelson

Indy35 · Post by **Indy35** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:49 pm

I measured a half dozen times, and i always ended up with my 22 7/8s long oval. That is what i gave Steve, and the hat at first felt "loose" and thats because I have never had anything but foam filled shelf hats that never fit right. After a few days of wear, the hat slides on like a glove and in a very weird way sucksin to my head, like its alive

I imagine with time that sweat will shrink and the hat will be dead on perfect. As for the wind, it got a challenge today here in DC land, its blowin' like crazy, didn't even have to grab the brim, hung on like a champ.

To say the least, the exact measurement was the proper thing, so I have to agree with Michaelson.

That said, its a nice lid, it'd be easier to make a call if the shots were further away.

And Ian that's a great looking lid, the color sure is a beaut!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:54 pm

Indy35 wrote:..... so I have to agree with Michaelson.

You don't HAVE to, but it's appreciated.

Regards! Michaelson

Indy_1971 · Post by **Indy_1971** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:00 pm

Hope it doesn't seem like I was disagreeing. I wasn't. Just confused and looking for answers.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:09 pm

"confused and looking for answers"

Indy'71, you've got plenty of good company here as far as THAT goes!

Indy35 · Post by **Indy35** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:25 pm

I think we can all agree that hat sizing is a pain in the you know what...it'd be much easier if you could walk into the shop and let the shopkeep take your size and shape, instead of having to guess as to what a size 7 1/4 really is and how that hat in the pictures is going to look and fit.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:53 pm

Indy_1971 wrote:Hope it doesn't seem like I was disagreeing. I wasn't.

HEAVENS no! We're just sitting around the table talking. Nothing more! Your thoughts on this (EVERYONE'S thoughts for that fact) are as good as mine, if not better! Post away!

Regards! Michaelson

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:02 pm

Indy35 wrote:I think we can all agree that hat sizing is a pain in the you know what...it'd be much easier if you could walk into the shop and let the shopkeep take your size and shape, instead of having to guess as to what a size 7 1/4 really is and how that hat in the pictures is going to look and fit.

Even though it is taboo here in the US

, I like to use cm's because 7 1/4, etc., can be nebulus, mostly dealing in standard sizes is when it is really noticeable.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:07 pm

Oh, you like to use them 'centipedes'?

Regards! Michaelson

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:10 pm

I can wrap about 4 around by head and that's pretty close.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:13 pm

Me too, but those little legs bother me something awful.

Regards! Michaelson

riothamus · Post by **riothamus** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 9:22 pm

@Michaelson: I measured several times and I think the measurement changed from 23" to just over 23" with short-cropped hair. I discussed my concern of more hair during the winter with Steve prior to finalizing the order and he agreed that I should make it 23 1/8" to allow for that extra hair. However, now that I measured for a straw PB, I got 22 7/8 or 22 15/16 when I'm due for a haircut. Obviously my head has changed a little, just enough for my hats to be loose with the extra space for hair.

I'm going to get some foam or tape of something and hopefully that will do it. I'd really hate to not get to wear these hats now that I have them. On this subject, with my apparently long oval head, should I put tape all the way around the hat and let the had conform to the shape of my head or should I just put it on the sides to fit it on my head?

On the purely aesthetic questions I had, my wife tells me I'm crazy, so "normal" people don't notice them. If or when I need a reblock, maybe the size issue can be addressed a bit.

One of the things I wanted your opinions on is if the hats still look good with the extra brim width I got now that my face is thinner. I think it does, just like other opinions.

Oh! I figured out the dent/crease/discoloration on the gray AB. The sweat is pressing into the felt so hard it's acting like furniture on carpet and compressing and causing a ridge to be visible on the outside of the hat. I'm hoping that once the hat softens up (the gray is really stiff compared to the brown) that this ridge will disappear.

Thanks for everyone's comments!

Riothamus

DarenHenryW · Post by **DarenHenryW** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:34 pm

Was in my guest bathroom and thought the light coming through the window was pretty cool.

Here's my favorite shot of my AB Raiders Rabbit II (the one with the bigger brim!)

Thank you again, Steve!

Daren Henry

Indy_1971 · Post by **Indy_1971** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:00 pm

That's a really great shot DH!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:20 pm

Michaelson wrote:Who is she? That works if you're looking to buy a hat off the shelf....but she never said HOW you FIND your actual hat size. As to her comment on sizing changes, sorry, I totally disagree with such a blanket statement as THAT one, but once again, as I prefaced in my first post, I'm speaking strictly from my own personal experience with my own hats, and those of hat wearing friends and relatives. No argument on hair styles and between haircuts, though. That can cause problems at ANY time.

We have some of the best hat makers in the world right here on this site. Personally, I'd go by why they tell us they need to make us a custom and correctly sized hat.

If you want to get someone REALLY on a roll about providing proper measurements, just ask hatmaker John Penman!

Regards! Michaelson

How did I miss this one?

I think Steve can answer this just as well as I can f not better. I don't want to step on my good friends toes.

Indy_1971 · Post by **Indy_1971** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:47 pm

Most of the posts online seem to stem from the "Fedora Lounge"(Hat size change after weight gain/loss)
You can read all about it here.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthre ... post557204 and here
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=26328&

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:54 pm

This is Indygear.

Indy_1971 · Post by **Indy_1971** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:04 am

Hey I just did a search 'cause I was curious and this is what came up.
Seems like a good fedora topic to expand on.
Does weight loss or weight gain effect your hat size?
I thought the "Fedora Lounge" was generally considered a respected site???

The Aviator · Post by **The Aviator** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 12:06 am

If you wanted to discuss it properly it's probably best to start a new topic

Gerry

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 2:06 am

Ah, topical digression.

Daren, show us some more shots of that fine (moderator edit. please do not work around the word filter.) Rabit AB II you have!

Ian

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:54 am

Indy_1971 wrote:Hey I just did a search 'cause I was curious and this is what came up.
Seems like a good fedora topic to expand on.
Does weight loss or weight gain effect your hat size?
I thought the "Fedora Lounge" was generally considered a respected site???

It is, and started by one of our own members several years ago, but we try to keep cross link posting to other sites to a minimum.

That said, once again, your linked site is just another discussion site with individuals posting personal opinions and experiences, just like here. Heck, most of them there ARE members here.

@Michaelson: I measured several times and I think the measurement changed from 23" to just over 23" with short-cropped hair. I discussed my concern of more hair during the winter with Steve prior to finalizing the order and he agreed that I should make it 23 1/8" to allow for that extra hair. However, now that I measured for a straw PB, I got 22 7/8 or 22 15/16 when I'm due for a haircut. Obviously my head has changed a little, just enough for my hats to be loose with the extra space for hair.

Holy smokes, my friend, you must have THICK hair, or don't go to the barber very often, especially to have your head measurements vary from 22 7/8" to the suggested 23 1/8"! A 1/4" play will DEFINITELY allow your hat to rattle around on your noggin, let alone add the smidgeon allowed by a hatmaker for sweatband shrinkage!!

Regards! Michaelson

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 10:03 am

I'm the same way. I have a mane of hair. When I ordered my first hat from Lee Keppler, I had to end up changing the order...a whole hat size difference after a hair cut. I measure my head when the hair is right in between, not too short and not too long. This way, if I let it grow out, like I am now, it's not too tight and if I cut it short, its not too loose. That has worked well for me. All my custom hats are 23 1/4'' and not one has ever blown off my head or been uncomfortably tight.

Dave

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 10:44 am

I always get my regular measurement size. That way I can always tell when I really need a haircut

.....like now.

Regards! Michaelson

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:42 am

I usually keep my hair short. I only grow it out when I join another rock band...like now. time to take gelatin capsules and eat lots of fruit. I need my hair to grow!

Dave

Noah · Post by **Noah** » Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:44 pm

Daren your hat looks great! You wear it really well