A matter of durability

[Luisiana Jones]

Hi there, So here it goes;

Ill be travelling a lot this year, middle east, another countries in europe, USA and so on, AND wanted to get a hat. The thing is i already own one (AB beaver `05) but i personally dont want to take this one with me, as its my most precious... article in my collection, yeah i know, for some of u guys its a crime, but i really feel like gollum when i pick it up and the thought of it getting hurted...

Anyways so i was thinking of an Akubra fed 4 or a rabbit AB, any other ideas or thoughts? The question is, I need a tough hat that will take it. Is rabbit hard enough?

thanks a lot

Regards,

LJ

[Hollowpond]

Well, since you said it already, I guess you expect it...WEAR THE AB! That's what its meant for! Can you imagine Indy saying, "I don't want to mess up my favorite hat"... NO!! That AB is tuff as whit leather! Wear that!

OK, I'm done...If you looking rabbit a Fed is fine, but I just think the AB is more than up to the challenge.

[Luisiana Jones]

You see i knew it... No really its also a great excuse to get another hat ^^

[Hollowpond]

OHHHHhhhhhh...why didn't you say so? That makes perfect sense. Any excuse for a new hat!

Yes, a Fed is by all accounts a tough hat. No where near as durable as the beaver AB (hence my kidding you... ) but it is tough and seems to be worth the money.

Travis

[Indiana Jeff]

Two very different hats, different price points, different timelines for delivery, and different fits.

Since you mentioned the AB Rabbit I assume the cost is not as much a worry to you, I say get the AB Rabbit. Always go custom if you can. You can get it sized exactly for you and it'll hold up every bit as good as a Fed VI. Especially if you are like me, I'm between a 58 and 59 so as good as Fed IV's are it'll either be slightly too tight or slightly too loose. I have an AB Rabbit from Steve and love it.

I think current wait on Steve's hats is around 8 weeks so that has to be factored in as well.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Luisiana Jones]

Yop, there u got a point. And would also be great to do business with Steve. And my 5 year old AB would get a brother ^^

[BendingOak]

The AB rabbit won't hold as good as a fed 4. It will hold up much better. The rabbit felt steve uses is of a much higher quality. It has a much better dye process from the felter. It's felter better. Steve pre ages and stables the felt. He also sew the hat together by hand. Less holes goes into then felt and not at then brim break ( sweatband ). Very important for durability. He uses much better thread, again better for durability.

It's really not fare to compare then two together. it's not fare to the fed 4 or the AB. The fed for is a good starter hat and well worth the money you pay for it but it's no AB ( any offering ).

I would suggest taking the AB beaver but if you want an excuse to buy another and have the money. Get the AB rabbit.

I will now go back to my hole.

[Luisiana Jones]

Yop you r right but it didnt occur to me any other hat that for a max of 300 bucks would offer such a quality :S

Thanks for the headsups guys, regards,

LJ

Ps. Thats why i actually asked if anyone had any other ideas

[binkmeisterRick]

I would say the Fed IV is better than just a "starter hat." Keep in mind that an Akubra Federation is what saved Steve Delk's head when a garage door came crashing down on his noggin years ago. Seriously! The Fed is considered a good "starter" hat mainly because it really is one of the best hats in its price range. It's often considered one of the most "SA" and solid offerings for the more budget minded. But besides that, the Federation is a nice hat! I've seen (and owned) Feds which have been through heck and back and are ready for more action. They are tough and durable, despite being a factory hat. I just don't want you to get the wrong opinion of the Fed being a "cheap" hat. It isn't.

Now, that being said, the rabbit AB is a fine hat. Steve puts a lot of care into his work. He does treat the felt to withstand the effects of natural taper longer than the average rabbit felt. And Winchester (the same felt Steve, Marc, Art Fawcett, and John use) makes a fantastic felt. I would agree that if you had both the Fed and the Rabbit AB side by side, you'd want to go with the AB hands down. But I'm also with Travis, the beaver AB is built to take the abuse! But if you simply just want the excuse to buy another hat...

[BendingOak]

What I stated is true. I didn't say anything bad about the akubra but it isn't in the same class as the AB. It's not fare to the akubra or the AB.

The reason I call it a good starter hat is because there isn't anything worth the money working your way up from the bottom rung until you hit the akubra. that's the first hat that is worth what you are paying for. This is not an insult to the akubra. The akubra is the lowest quality hat I would ever recommend to anyone. That doesn't make it a cheap hat just not in the same ball park a a AB of any kind.

Just like you don't want anyone to getbthe wrong idea that it is better than what people think it is. I don't want the opposite. It's a good hat but it's not the best bang for the buck. It worth what you pay for. That's ok because there aren't that many that are worth what you pay.

As for saving steve hard head. Don't let him fool you. It was his hard head not the hat. I would trade my fire helmet for any hat for head protection.

[binkmeisterRick]

Reread what I said. Is the AB the superior hat? Certainly it is. My previous post supports that. I never suggested otherwise. Reread what I said when choosing between the two side by side. And "best bang for the buck" is also dictated by budget, which is often why the Akubra is given that title, both because it is the least expensive hat that balances quality, looks, and solid durability for the money. It's proven that longer than most other hats simply because it's been around longer than most current offerings and has a proven track record. It's simple mathematics, really.

Now, if you're talking best bang for your buck up to $300, then that changes the playing field. Same goes with "best bang for your buck under $600, and so on. Yes, there are other hats I would choose if I had the money, but I certainly would never be ashamed to own an Akubra. And this is from someone who's worn and collected vintage hats longer than some of the members around here have been alive! Heck, my Akubra survived being in your hands, John, that should say something!

[binkmeisterRick]

Anyhow, if I had my druthers, I'd take an AB over an Akubra any day! If you're in a toss up between the two, LJ, go AB.

[jnicktem]

How about an AB Henry?

[Hollowpond]

I agree, you would be hard pressed to do better than an AB!!!!

[binkmeisterRick]

The Henry is also a good choice. It's a rabbit/beaver blend, so the blended felt will ultimately be more durable than just rabbit felt. It's a factory hat, but one of the absolute best factory hats you'll find anywhere, especially for the price. I'm not sure the cost difference between the rabbit AB vs, the Henry, but the wait time should be shorter for the Henry.

[Indiana Jeff]

Good call, mentioning the Henry. An AB Rabbit vs a Henry, I'd still go AB Rabbit. It's the custom fitting for me vs. factory sizing. Ordering a Henry from John puts the pricing about equal, though you get a hat box with the Henry and not with an AB Rabbit.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[BendingOak]

Im not saying it is a cheap hat. I like the akubra but its not great just good. Thats my opinion. No big deal. Its just my opinion doesn't mean much, who am I.

As for your fed surviving me. It didn't go though my proccess, it bleed. I had to stop and rework it. I was never really happy on how that hat came out. Thats why I didn't charge you for it.


The question as I read it was about durability and hands down the AB will beat out the Akubra.

[binkmeisterRick]

Really? I remember paying for some of the work you did on that hat.

Anyhow, the AB is the nicer hat. Nicer felt and materials. No argument there!

[binkmeisterRick]

Good call, mentioning the Henry. An AB Rabbit vs a Henry, I'd still go AB Rabbit. It's the custom fitting for me vs. factory sizing. Ordering a Henry from John puts the pricing about equal, though you get a hat box with the Henry and not with an AB Rabbit.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Good points, Jeff!

[BendingOak]

Really? I remember paying for some of the work you did on that hat.

Anyhow, the AB is the nicer hat. Nicer felt and materials. No argument there!

I think you remember wrong my friend. My order states other wise.

[binkmeisterRick]

Hmmm... My bank statements from back then simply mention "hat" in that time frame. Maybe it was for another hat? Could be. I was scoring a lot of hats back then. Regardless, that's neither or there. No worries.

LJ, have I suggested the Dorfman Pacific yet?

[Indiana Jeff]

LJ, have I suggested the Dorfman Pacific yet?

Cue maboot38 in 3, 2, 1....

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Luisiana Jones]

You r all crazy down there at the other side of the atlantic you know that So now im confused, the Henry its the old beaver/rabbit blend that steve used to offer? Sry been a bit disconnected in the past year, the university and other stuff kept me really busy. But hey thanks a lot for the help. Update on my thoughts: Akubra is out, right now im heading for an AB the question is which one ^^

Thanks a lot really,

LJ

[Luisiana Jones]

Oh and about the dorfman pacific, i already got a disney hat that beats it

[Indiana Jeff]

The Henry is a current AB offering at 80% rabbit/20% beaver. It's gotten rave reviews. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34575" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Since you're in Germany you probably would be best served contacting Marc at AB Deluxe. http://www.adventurebiltdeluxe.com/henry.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Penman Hat Co. (BendingOak here) is the US distributor of the Henry.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Luisiana Jones]

Ill try giving Marc a call, but i tried that for a couple of months and didnt have much luck to contact him. So the fight in my head between rabbit or the henry is driving me mad! (such great problems i have... )

Thanks a lot,

LJ

[Indiana Jeff]

Try sending a PM to Stefan here. He works with Marc now.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Luisiana Jones]

Just did Thanks a lot. The seek for my new hat seems to get closer to an end!

Regards,


LJ

[BendingOak]

Just did Thanks a lot. The seek for my new hat seems to get closer to an end!

Regards,


LJ

Since you are in Germany. Stefan is the way to go. Will save you in import tax. Here's his e mail address. switthuhn@hotmail.com

[Luisiana Jones]

Good call, mentioning the Henry. An AB Rabbit vs a Henry, I'd still go AB Rabbit. It's the custom fitting for me vs. factory sizing. Ordering a Henry from John puts the pricing about equal, though you get a hat box with the Henry and not with an AB Rabbit.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Thats driving me crazy E-mail sent! Thanks a lot John.

Regards,

LJ

[binkmeisterRick]

Yep, go with Stefan since he's in your neck of the woods. At this point, my vote would be for whichever hat—the AB rabbit or AB Henry—has the best price and can get to you soonest, especially if you are beginning your travels soon.

[Luisiana Jones]

Yep, go with Stefan since he's in your neck of the woods. At this point, my vote would be for whichever hat—the AB rabbit or AB Henry—has the best price and can get to you soonest, especially if you are beginning your travels soon.

Yop thats whats my decision gonna be like. Just waiting on an update on the henry by stefan and the quest will at its end.

Guys really thanks to all of you for the fast replies, it was of great help.

Regards,

LJ

[Hollowpond]

GREAT decision!

Travis

[DR Ulloa]

Since no one has suggested it, if a five month wait time isn't an issue, you can score a rabbit Penman for under $300 and a beaver one for a bit over that. Well worth it. I have four and have held up just as well (if not better) as my vintage hats and ABs. I don't yet have any of John's rabbit hats but that will be my next order from him. John is too much a gentleman to plug his company in here, instead he plugs his friend Steve. You will not be dissapointed with his work.

Dave

[BendingOak]

I wasn't trying to plug steve hats either. Just giving my opinion to answer the gentlemens question.

[Luisiana Jones]

I was trying to plug steve hats either. Just giving my opinion to answer the gentlemens question.

And the answers were really helpfull, and im thankfull for it.

Regards,

LJ

[BendingOak]

I was trying to plug steve hats either. Just giving my opinion to answer the gentlemens question.

And the answers were really helpfull, and im thankfull for it.

Regards,

LJ

That should have read " wasn't trying to plug Steve's hats either."

Your welcome.