Christy's Adventurer!

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:50 am

ajocampo wrote:
Erri wrote:The last picture is dead-on Last Crusade but I know that's now what you desired
Put a Graal next to it on your display shelf and it will make a nice show
I agree, just mixed in with a raiders turn

Actually, there's no turn on that. I don't put a turn on my hats because it's pretty much useless due to my very round head. I don't get that brim distortion usually associated with the turn.

...the brim just got naturally distorted after all the abuse I put it through.

ajocampo · Post by **ajocampo** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:09 am

I remember I let my friend try on the hat, and everytime he did, the brim warped like crazy. I found out that he has a very, very wide head, which caused the brim to look wavy.

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:17 pm

Are you sure your hat didn't shrink of a size or more? Brim distorsions are often caused by undersized hats (especially if the brim looks normal when laying on a shelf), it's the typical situation you get after wetting a Christy's badly.

ajocampo · Post by **ajocampo** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:37 pm

Erri wrote:Are you sure your hat didn't shrink of a size or more? Brim distorsions are often caused by undersized hats (especially if the brim looks normal when laying on a shelf), it's the typical situation you get after wetting a Christy's badly.

I'm 100% positive it's because he 1) has a bigger head than me 2) has a wide head 3) pulled it on to his head TIGHT.
You can try it, hold the leather sweat with both hands and pull away

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:56 pm

I think Erri's query was directed at me... (i think)

It isn't really distorted and wavy. It's just weird because the felt became thin on the brim break on one side (too much stretching to the point of almost ripping apart) that when worn, it tends to droop a little. Now that's a relaxed brim break. It looks more like the droop on the YIJC hat in Eye of the Peacock.

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:11 am

(it was directed at fenris, no worries though)

ajocampo · Post by **ajocampo** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:55 am

Erri wrote:(it was directed at fenris, no worries though)

woops! my bad guys

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 11:02 am

ajocampo wrote:
Erri wrote:(it was directed at fenris, no worries though)
woops! my bad guys

hehe... Let's all just post pics of our Adventurers!

Mine was a 2nd hand (as all my hats are) hat, and I don't know how long it's been in this world. But through all the heat and humidity in my country + getting sat on multiple times + my trying to "reblock" it, I'm sure you can all understand why it is the way it is right now. Wearable, yes, but as a costume hat... not for really going out.

Arch Stanton · Post by **Arch Stanton** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 2:47 pm

Has anyone else seemed to have trouble ordering from Top Secret Hats(Hornet's Hats)?

They seem to not want my money for whatever reason. I never had this problem with the old site.

They keep asking me for bizarre security codes and things like that to complete my transaction. I am not privy to any kind of security codes...

The emails I've sent them have not been replied to either.

Arch Stanton · Post by **Arch Stanton** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:07 pm

I figured it out with a phone call to my credit union. Apparently my crummy bank does not alllow transactions outside he United States on my debit card. Laaaaaaaaaame.

Also, I recieved an email from the people at Hornets. They are friendly. Anyway, I was informed that they will soon be discontinuing the beige and cork in the Sweford and the Adsventurer. Just letting you all know.

ajocampo · Post by **ajocampo** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 5:13 pm

Arch Stanton wrote:I figured it out with a phone call to my credit union. Apparently my crummy bank does not alllow transactions outside he United States on my debit card. Laaaaaaaaaame.

Also, I recieved an email from the people at Hornets. They are friendly. Anyway, I was informed that they will soon be discontinuing the beige and cork in the Sweford and the Adsventurer. Just letting you all know.

I guess they were not as popular as sable

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 5:32 pm

I know at least 2 people who bought Cork here, perhaps even more. I wonder why they would discontinue it. It's just colour dye!

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:08 am

Just wanted to share this... my youngest daughter who's 1 year 8 months old wearing my Christy's... this was after the last reblock, notice on the 2nd pic the liner isn't there.

She just loves getting my hats and wearing them. Then she'll twist it up and eventually throw it to the floor.

ajocampo · Post by **ajocampo** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:24 pm

whoa, it looks so different without the liner...

ahh yes...your Christy has gone through many trials

From the salt on the beach, to the re-blocks it has gone through.

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Mon May 09, 2011 2:15 am

ajocampo wrote:whoa, it looks so different without the liner...

ahh yes...your Christy has gone through many trials From the salt on the beach, to the re-blocks it has gone through.

I took out the liner waaayyyyy wayyyyyy back. At first I removed the plastic on top hoping it will help with the heat, but eventually decided to remove it entirely since it really is hot over here.

Sarednab · Post by **Sarednab** » Tue May 10, 2011 9:16 am

This is my aged Christy!

Form and aging by steerpike!

ajocampo · Post by **ajocampo** » Tue May 10, 2011 9:45 am

wow that looks pretty good! how's the taper on it? is it holding up well?

Flawless Cowboy · Post by **Flawless Cowboy** » Wed May 11, 2011 12:16 pm

Nice looking hat! This is one of the ones I'm considering. I've got quite some reading to do. So many choices for fedoras in many different price ranges. The Swerford is priced friendly, but I'll be looking over every option.

generalFROSTY · Post by **generalFROSTY** » Fri May 13, 2011 2:29 pm

I recently got a Christys in black. I am quite unhappy with it (maybe I'm spoiled by my Henry) not only does the felt become easily warped, but the sweatband is very thick and stiff and digs into my forehead leaving a line and stitch marks. It's pretty unconfortable to wear and the ribbon stitching is horrible.
With this, you really get what you pay for. I just had to learn on my own - next time I want a fedora I'm going to Penman.
Just my two cents - please don't take this as an attack on those who own a Christys and are happy with their products.

ajocampo · Post by **ajocampo** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:21 pm

generalFROSTY wrote:I recently got a Christys in black. I am quite unhappy with it (maybe I'm spoiled by my Henry) not only does the felt become easily warped, but the sweatband is very thick and stiff and digs into my forehead leaving a line and stitch marks. It's pretty unconfortable to wear and the ribbon stitching is horrible.
With this, you really get what you pay for. I just had to learn on my own - next time I want a fedora I'm going to Penman.
Just my two cents - please don't take this as an attack on those who own a Christys and are happy with their products.

No offense taken at all

I agree that you do get what you pay for. Even though this is my first indy hat, I can tell it is of lower quality than, for example, an AB or Penman. My ribbon was sitiched in with a color that was very different from the color of the hat; you could see the stitching clear as day...and it doesn't look good at all. Even the finishing touches, they didn't cut the stitching right; as a result, I had to trim it so it's not that noticable. I also know about the sweatband being uncomfortable and leaving sitiching marks on the forehead.

Like you said, not bashing my own christy or other christy owners. Just stating the obvious. I do plan on getting a Penman in the future. That, of course, I can't wait to get

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Sun May 15, 2011 10:18 am

ajocampo wrote:
generalFROSTY wrote:I recently got a Christys in black. I am quite unhappy with it (maybe I'm spoiled by my Henry) not only does the felt become easily warped, but the sweatband is very thick and stiff and digs into my forehead leaving a line and stitch marks. It's pretty unconfortable to wear and the ribbon stitching is horrible.
With this, you really get what you pay for. I just had to learn on my own - next time I want a fedora I'm going to Penman.
Just my two cents - please don't take this as an attack on those who own a Christys and are happy with their products.
No offense taken at all

I agree that you do get what you pay for. Even though this is my first indy hat, I can tell it is of lower quality than, for example, an AB or Penman. My ribbon was sitiched in with a color that was very different from the color of the hat; you could see the stitching clear as day...and it doesn't look good at all. Even the finishing touches, they didn't cut the stitching right; as a result, I had to trim it so it's not that noticable. I also know about the sweatband being uncomfortable and leaving sitiching marks on the forehead.

Like you said, not bashing my own christy or other christy owners. Just stating the obvious. I do plan on getting a Penman in the future. That, of course, I can't wait to get

Since the Christy's was my first real hat, I thought it was great!

Then I got my Fed IV and PB from Texan Scott and saw how different the Christy's was from other hats.

At first I thought that the sweatband on the Christy's was nice. Compared to the the PB and Fed IV Deluxe, the Christy's sweatband seems like a leather belt or something. The other two hats were much more comfortable than the Christy's because of this.

Now I wonder what a Penman and AB would feel like on my head... too bad they're too expensive. As much as I would like to own any one of those hats, my wife would kill me for even considering paying that much for a hat. Hahaha!

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Mon May 16, 2011 9:16 am

Hope you are enjoying those hats. Sometimes you can find some really good deals in the bazaar.

ajocampo · Post by **ajocampo** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:53 am

fenris wrote:
ajocampo wrote:
generalFROSTY wrote:I recently got a Christys in black. I am quite unhappy with it (maybe I'm spoiled by my Henry) not only does the felt become easily warped, but the sweatband is very thick and stiff and digs into my forehead leaving a line and stitch marks. It's pretty unconfortable to wear and the ribbon stitching is horrible.
With this, you really get what you pay for. I just had to learn on my own - next time I want a fedora I'm going to Penman.
Just my two cents - please don't take this as an attack on those who own a Christys and are happy with their products.
No offense taken at all

I agree that you do get what you pay for. Even though this is my first indy hat, I can tell it is of lower quality than, for example, an AB or Penman. My ribbon was sitiched in with a color that was very different from the color of the hat; you could see the stitching clear as day...and it doesn't look good at all. Even the finishing touches, they didn't cut the stitching right; as a result, I had to trim it so it's not that noticable. I also know about the sweatband being uncomfortable and leaving sitiching marks on the forehead.

Like you said, not bashing my own christy or other christy owners. Just stating the obvious. I do plan on getting a Penman in the future. That, of course, I can't wait to get
Since the Christy's was my first real hat, I thought it was great!

Then I got my Fed IV and PB from Texan Scott and saw how different the Christy's was from other hats.

At first I thought that the sweatband on the Christy's was nice. Compared to the the PB and Fed IV Deluxe, the Christy's sweatband seems like a leather belt or something. The other two hats were much more comfortable than the Christy's because of this.

Now I wonder what a Penman and AB would feel like on my head... too bad they're too expensive. As much as I would like to own any one of those hats, my wife would kill me for even considering paying that much for a hat. Hahaha!

John should do some sort of sale or something hahaha

jlee562 · Post by **jlee562** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 4:14 am

Say what you will about the durability of the Christie's, but given that caveat, I still think the block makes for quite a presentable Indy hat. Here's one from the other day at Disneyland:

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:54 am

Looks great, Jlee!

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 2:31 pm

That´s a nice looking Christy´s you got there. Enjoy it!

thecoolmiester · Post by **thecoolmiester** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 4:41 pm

my christys after over 2 years!

generalFROSTY · Post by **generalFROSTY** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:25 pm

But has it gotten any more comfortable in those two years?
That sweatband is just awful.
Have you had any trouble keeping the shape on yours?
I've noticed that with my black Adventurer, the brim seems to want to go back to beeing wonky in shape and it holds a bash about as well as a piece of steel.

thecoolmiester · Post by **thecoolmiester** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:42 am

generalFROSTY wrote:But has it gotten any more comfortable in those two years?
That sweatband is just awful.
Have you had any trouble keeping the shape on yours?
I've noticed that with my black Adventurer, the brim seems to want to go back to beeing wonky in shape and it holds a bash about as well as a piece of steel.

never had any trouble, yeah the sweatband is not the best but it never has bothered me. hat has always fit great and comfortably. it keeps the shape like a champ. the dents have literally not moved since i first put them in 2 years ago.
though my hat is a pretty thick quality body, complete opposite from what i was hearing around the time i was considering buying the hat.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:58 am

OK, did some investigating, apparently the same company that sold these fedoras under the name of Hornets Hats is now, Top Secret Hats, and are charging the same price as before:

http://www.topsecrethats.com/Trilbys-an ... elt-Fedora" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:01 pm

They've gone by that name for quite a long time now in fact.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:16 pm

The thing that I noticed about these hats is that when you have the Christy with slight taper, and an unbashed crown with an overall dimension of 5 3/4", if you try to bash the crown down to say 4 1/2" in front, then you get more taper. I don't know if they have, but if they just tweaked the block slightly, and offered this hat with a 5 1/2" unbashed crown, softer sweat, tweak the ribbon, it would yield better results. The features that I liked about the Christy is the color of the felt, and at least with their previous offering, you could reproduce the look of the Raiders fedora because the Raiders film fedora was not a super industrial strength kind of hat.

jlee562 · Post by **jlee562** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:51 pm

The Swerford is 5 1/2" open crown

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 4:23 pm

Indeed it is!

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 5:13 pm

What is the brim, front to back??

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 5:35 pm

I'm afraid I've never measured it! From the website, it seems it has a little less trimmed of the sides. Going from my memory of my HJs and the Adventurer I had, I'd say that's probably true. The crown height (a quarter inch less!) makes a world of difference, and the brim dimensions just seem more right. Surely someone else has bought one other than me??? Personally I'm going to buy another while the price is so low.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 5:38 pm

What are they charging now? £75? Sigh... they were £55 last time I bought one.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 5:43 pm

Not having to bash the crown so far down means that you will not have as much taper. Several pages back in this thread, Fedora did some analysis on the Christy's hat, and his belief was that this hat has more of a LC type block, as opposed to the very straight Raiders block. I've always loved the color of the sable and light sable felt. If they would simply tweak a few things, such as the sweatband and ribbon, maybe charge a little more, it would make a world of difference. If one wanted a hat that was accurate to film and because the Raiders hat was not the best quality felt either, you would be well on your way.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 5:54 pm

It's not 100% by any means - BUT, for the price I think its terrific - the Swerford that is, not the Adventurer. To my mind the felt is a little thicker now than it was. The rest is the same - glued liner, stiff sweat, unimpressive (although slightly better) bow. I've had HJs, Akubras (III and IV), Christies Adventurers, ABs and a vintage HJ.. and I have to say I'm very happy with this one. Colour is GREAT, shape is pretty close, price is GREAT. Yes, it's not probably very durable... but it's also not a big deal to replace if it get destroyed, stolen, lost.

The0w3n5 · Post by **The0w3n5** » Wed May 01, 2013 12:44 pm

Just thought I would show you some photo's of my re-blocked Christys' - After searching online I decided to do a home re-block using a hat shaper:

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sun May 11, 2014 9:25 am

I bought a Christy to be used as a beater recently, and for the money, I like it. They seem to have made some slight improvements on the felt and the leather sweatband. Liner is red. The ribbon and bow still needs some work, but in all, not too bad.

I thought that the older model Christy's felt was very much like the film hat, more of an earthy brown, while the current model is more of a darker brown. Used to, you had a choice of several different shades, such as: maize, light or dark sable, cork, etc.

I understood that it used to be "Hornet Hats then Top Secret" hats. Does anyone know if the same owners are still in business under a different name?

SoC in the works....

indyhan · Post by **indyhan** » Sun May 11, 2014 1:51 pm

Texan Scott wrote:I bought a Christy to be used as a beater recently, and for the money, I like it. They seem to have made some slight improvements on the felt and the leather sweatband. Liner is red. The ribbon and bow still needs some work, but in all, not too bad.

I thought that the older model Christy's felt was very much like the film hat, more of an earthy brown, while the current model is more of a darker brown. Used to, you had a choice of several different shades, such as: maize, light or dark sable, cork, etc.

I understood that it used to be "Hornet Hats then Top Secret" hats. Does anyone know if the same owners are still in business under a different name?

SoC in the works....

Christies 's back in business ? thought they had gone bust or something.

jlee562 · Post by **jlee562** » Sun May 11, 2014 1:58 pm

Christy's was never in danger of going out of business. Their factory actually makes most of the hats in the UK sold under other brands. Top Secret Hats did shut down for a while, but they're just a retailer.

didier · Post by **didier** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 1:48 pm

My new Christy's from Advintage Fedora...
I received it open crowned and give it the Raiders bash with turn, with little fuller's earth

Pics

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 5:17 pm

Looking good! I've always liked the Christies - something about the feel and colour of the felt just seems right to me. The fullers earth is a nice touch.
Here's my old friend..

Gorak · Post by **Gorak** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:10 pm

Seen it before but I still gotta say, I love that last shot, Whiskeyman. Without traditional gear and yet is still screams ADVENTURE to me!

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:17 pm

Well, I did have a nice backdrop!

didier · Post by **didier** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 10:04 am

Great pics Whiskyman!

Your Jacket is a Todd, on first pic?

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 2:09 pm

Thanks! The jacket is a Wested in thin cowhide.

baddates1 · Post by **baddates1** » Thu Jun 26, 2014 2:35 pm

I really don't see what is so wrong with this hat that everybody puts it under "nice for the price" list.