Less expensive hat selection

[indyexpat]

Quadruple checking my head size for a potential Adventurebilt purchase I stumbled across this site. Official or not, it's pretty good selection.

[Texan Scott]

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=52967" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You might check with LLS over at Garrison Hatters. Best deal going at the moment.

Custom for $175.

[indyexpat]

Thanks, that's pretty amazing. Interested how it compares to the Adventurebilt Henry.

[Dr. Nebraska S.]

Thanks, that's pretty amazing. Interested how it compares to the Adventurebilt Henry.

In some ways, it's an apples and oranges comparison, due to it being comparisons of both a factory-made (AB Henry) vs. custom-made (Garrison) hats and a pure rabbit (Garrison) vs. rabbit-beaver blend (AB Henry). If you do some searches on here, I'm sure you'll find even more detailed discussions than I can offer.

The AB Henry has many great advantages. It may be the highest quality factory-made Indy-style hat out there. The 20% beaver fur felt blended in with the rabbit fur felt I have heard offers this hat more softness and water-resistance than most pure rabbit fur felt hats. The crown shape for the Henry isn't for any specific Indy movie but lends itself to generally being styled like any of the films' hats.

However, a custom-sized hat like Garrison's can't be beat. Having 2 custom Indy hats myself (an Adventurebilt from Steve Delk and a Penman from John Penman), I don't think I'd want to go back to factory-made, standard-sized hats. It's quite nice having a hat tailored particularly to you. Others could speak more on this, but I get the impression that Garrison's rabbit fur felt will be better quality rabbit fur felt than you can find about anywhere else (certainly better than my old Stetson Sovereign). Also, Garrison specializes particularly in the style of the Raiders of the Lost Ark fedora. I saw one in person last year at the Queen Mary Summit, and it was amazing in its quality. The craftsmanship was quite comparable to my 100% beaver fur felt custom-made Adventurebilt, and of higher quality than my Akubra Federation made of rabbit and Australian hare fur felt.

So, like I said, each has its advantages, and both are high-quality hats. It really depends on weighing those variables: quality custom-made vs. quality factory-made, rabbit felt vs. rabbit-beaver blend felt, specific Raiders style block (i.e. hat shape) vs. more general Indy-style block shape, and price.

Good luck--I don't think you could go wrong either way!

Best wishes,
Nebraska Schulte

EDIT: also, if you are in North America, you can order the Adventurebilt Henry through Penman Hat Company: http://www.penmanhats.com/Adventuebilt__the_Henry.html
Garrison Hatters website: http://garrisonhatters.com/

[Texan Scott]

Thanks, that's pretty amazing. Interested how it compares to the Adventurebilt Henry.

For someone who is seriously thinking of ordering their first 'true' Indy hat, I'd look no further, honestly. Anytime a hatter gets his hands on a hat to shape and mould it, personally sew in the sweatband, etc., and with trained eyes, puts his own personal care and attention to detail into each one, personally selects the materials, etc., well that is worth quite alot, and to get one at a bargain is over the top. These personal features go a long way towards a purchase than a mass produced hat. You won't find a better deal in the forum at the moment. If I really needed another hat that is accurate to these movies, hey, it's a no-brainer.

[indyexpat]

Curses, you guys like spending my money... Ok I'm sold, shall order based on such praise.

[Texan Scott]

You won't regret it. Delk had some input into LLS becomming a hatter. You're in good hands.

[Dr. Nebraska S.]

Curses, you guys like spending my money... Ok I'm sold, shall order based on such praise.

When you get your new hat, please share your pictures of it with us!

Best wishes,
Nebraska Schulte

[indyexpat]

Rabbit or Beaver?.. Also where do you order? May have to pm..

[Texan Scott]

Depends. Rabbit is obviously the cheapest at $175. Beaver is most expensive, but will last the longest and repel water better. Just depends on what you like to use it for?

[indyexpat]

Pics look great. I'm actually tempted to order an Adventurebilt Deluxe for Sunday best as is were, and find another such as the Henry for every day. Personally I'm now sold on the Garrison and will likely order a rabbit raiders with no Cairo damage

Don't get me wrong, I will wear this more!

If only Todds boots or Aldo were still available to satisfy my non-Sunday best footwear needs.

[binkmeisterRick]

My friend, Garrison does a great job. His block shape was given to him by Steve Delk (Mr. Adventurebilt, himself) who has helped both Garrison and Penman get their start into hat making. It's really hard to go wrong, either way. I own work by all three of these hatters and if you go with Garrison, you will be quite pleased.

[Local Land Surveyor]

Depends. Rabbit is obviously the cheapest at $175. Beaver is most expensive, but will last the longest and repel water better. Just depends on what you like to use it for?

A very astute observation, Texas Scott. . I agree with this indeed. My first Indy hat purchase I made after finding this site years ago was the Federation Akubra. After that I bought one of Steve's early Adventurebuilts and never wore another type of felt on a daily basis until I took my hand at the rabbit felt back in 2009. Since then I have worn this hat everyday through all types of weather and have not one word of dissapointment to say of the fur felt. When I make these hats, I treat the rabbit with water repelant just as Steve treats the beaver. I haven't had a rainstorm yet that ruined the crown or brought on the dreaded taper. Beaver, hands down, just as Steve, John Penman and Marc Kitter know, is the ultimate felt. But as for the lowly rabbit felt, I would not place it in the distant third position beind a blend. I believe, and trust, it holds the strong "second place" with beaver. I think that the biggest advantage the rabbit has over beaver is the cost and the breathability. I notice a distinctive difference on the noggin on a hot, sweaty, July and "dog days" of August Georgia summer when I wear the rabbit versus the beaver. It is more breathable, hands down. Rabbit is a staple felt because I think it can be a long enduring felt. Longer that the life of beaver .... I don't think I'll ever find that out in my life time. Either felt is going to serve you well.

LLS

[beaverlid]

LLS, I like the decal on the truck in your avatar. It looks like a silhouette of a man in a fedora if I am not mistaken.

[Local Land Surveyor]

LLS, I like the decal on the truck in your avatar. It looks like a silhouette of a man in a fedora if I am not mistaken.

It 'tis beaverlid. Check out my post in the vendor section and you'll see a larger shot of it.

LLS

[The Librarian]

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=52967" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You might check with LLS over at Garrison Hatters. Best deal going at the moment.

Custom for $175.

Just checked the site. Only option on there is "The Raider" for $250.00. No information on the hat and nothing about customizing. Perhaps that's after you order.

Marty

[Texan Scott]

Marty,

Just pm LLS and he will take care of you. $175 for a Raiders rabbit.

[mcmanm]

I too checked out LLS's site. Was wondering if he makes the Seaplane Grey. It's the last of the hats I have wanted. I got one of Steve's and a couple John's and wanted to see if LLS would make one.

[The Librarian]

Marty,

Just pm LLS and he will take care of you. $175 for a Raiders rabbit.

Thanks! Will do. Need a couple of weeks though.
Marty

[indyexpat]

I'd be interested to know how many new orders have been placed for this wonderful hat! I foresee a great many pictures being uploaded shortly..

[Local Land Surveyor]

I too checked out LLS's site. Was wondering if he makes the Seaplane Grey. It's the last of the hats I have wanted. I got one of Steve's and a couple John's and wanted to see if LLS would make one.

I will be doing a seaplane (travel) hat. I am testing the color I want to settle on. Two bash styles will be available. Seaplane and Washington. Yep, they are different shapes.

I'd be interested to know how many new orders have been placed for this wonderful hat! I foresee a great many pictures being uploaded shortly..

Many, so far.


LLS

[Michaelson]

One thing that should be noted in LLS's posts, though.....the success of his rabbit felt hats are due to the water proof treatment he uses when making his products.

The worse taper I've ever experienced has been with rabbit felt hats, and over several manufacturers too, so rabbit is great material, but it's all in how the craftsman prepares the material that makes it the success that LLS has had with his hats.

I, too, wear my hats in the dog day humid hot July summers here in the South, and not that far from LLS's location. I have yet to see a rabbit felt hat NOT taper some without the proper pre-treatment as described by our friend.

There's always a trick to the trade...and his works.

Regards! Michaelson

[indyexpat]

Can you tell me more about this taper issue so I know what it is please.

[Michaelson]

Your crown goes from this shape 'l l' to this shape '/\'.

Regards! Michaelson

[binkmeisterRick]

You can also get a primer of hat terminology used around here at the top of this section: http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10903" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[maboot38]

I, too, wear my hats in the dog day humid hot July summers here in the South, and not that far from LLS's location. I have yet to see a rabbit felt hat NOT taper some without the proper pre-treatment as described by our friend.

Mark, that's why BEAVERS are for wearin'. Rabbits are for eatin'!

[Michaelson]

That's why I have worn beaver felt fedoras for years too.

Regards! Michaelson

[BendingOak]

Every felt hat will shrink and or tapper if the core gets soaked. The questions is what is done to the felt to keep the core from getting soaked. Pre aged, stabilizing the felt and adding water protection. Of course the beaver gets a big leg up over the rabbit felt from the start. Adding a bit of beaver to the rabbit felt is helping the rabbit felt along. The other thing to consider is where the felt is being made and how.

I have also have gotten a few maybe three where the customer thought the hat tapered, when in fact the crease got sunk in a bit and gave the appearance of being tapered. re creased the hat and no tapper.

Living in good ol' Oregon you really get to test if a hat can stay true.

John

[Texan Scott]

Take the back portion of the center dent (the back of the hat) if that portion of the dent is too low, the hat will look tapered.

[BendingOak]

Take the back portion of the center dent (the back of the hat) if that portion of the dent is too low, the hat will look tapered.

That's some of the time but most of the time it's all of the creases at the same time.

[Kim Hoffman]

Storing the hat upside down will help to maintain its shape, as gravity takes a toll overtime. It will also protect the brim's shape.

[mcmanm]

Two different Seaplane bashes? That is a bit of news. Really interested in the differences. LLS, please give us a brief explanation when you get a chance. It will definitely help me make up my mind.

[jkdbuck76]

I will be doing a seaplane (travel) hat. I am testing the color I want to settle on.

Here is my 2-cents worth. Maybe to a light grey CS traveler hat? The Henry is seaplane grey.
It would be a chance for you to differentiate your product a little bit.

So, LLS, are you setting yourself up as the "Raiders" hat guy? I'm curious to know where you
are positioning yourself in the Hat Universe. BTW, your work looks great!

[Local Land Surveyor]

Two different Seaplane bashes? That is a bit of news. Really interested in the differences. LLS, please give us a brief explanation when you get a chance. It will definitely help me make up my mind.

I will be happy to explain, mcmanm. This is probably due in its own thread (looking in to it). The seaplane hat is lightly bashed in the front. Similar to the exterior temple hat as Indy and Satipo get ready to enter. The brim is very flat. Very little curl around the edges in the back. No evidence of any "turn" like the brown fedora. The top center bash stops high on the back of the hat.
The Washington hat has a bit more bash to the front of the hat. The brim has more curl, especially to Indy's back left side. It looks to be trying to imitate the brown hat in bash style with out having the "turn" involved. The top center bash drops lower on the back of the hat. I even pick up a twinge of taper on the back due to this.

Maybe I'll make a post and define these a little better.

LLS

[Local Land Surveyor]

I will be doing a seaplane (travel) hat. I am testing the color I want to settle on.

Here is my 2-cents worth. Maybe to a light grey CS traveler hat? The Henry is seaplane grey.
It would be a chance for you to differentiate your product a little bit.

So, LLS, are you setting yourself up as the "Raiders" hat guy? I'm curious to know where you
are positioning yourself in the Hat Universe. BTW, your work looks great!

I am testing the two color to see which one I think better matches Indy's dress hat in Raiders. That is a good suggestion, jkbuck76 about differentiating myself. I am first wanting to get the color I think matches the best. However, offering a varient color in the Raiders block would be a good idea. It would kind of create an "expanded universe" version of Indy's additonal hat colors.

As far as my position in the hat making world, I was always out to recreate the best Raiders hat. I have proven to myself and know that the block is everything. I have worked many block variation to get just that. I have even worked on the versions that "just don't do it" The Raiders hat is what started it for me. Steve Delk was open enough to listen to my theories and was obliging enough for me to send visual proof of what I was talking about. I chase the details that set the Raiders hat separate from the others. I have disappointed myself many times. I am much happier these days, though.

LLS

[BendingOak]

I will be doing a seaplane (travel) hat. I am testing the color I want to settle on.

Here is my 2-cents worth. Maybe to a light grey CS traveler hat? The Henry is seaplane grey.
It would be a chance for you to differentiate your product a little bit.

So, LLS, are you setting yourself up as the "Raiders" hat guy? I'm curious to know where you
are positioning yourself in the Hat Universe. BTW, your work looks great!

You are correct. The Henry grey was made to replicate the raiders travel hat. You know how picky marc and steve are. I myself think they nailed the color.