I thought I'd throw up a few pics of my Keppler Fedora as I don't see much mention of these on the boards. I've had this one for over a year and a half now. It's one of his 80/20 rabbit/beaver blends. As much as I love the feel/durability of 100% beaver, I really think that rabbit is the way to go to capture the Raiders look. If you can get some beaver blend in there, then so much the better from a durability standpoint. This one isn't styled to any one scene but I think it captures the Raiders feel pretty well.
This has been my experiment hat. I got it without the turn and then rebashed it to include the turn. Any suggestion on how to distress a hat that's come across these boards has been applied to this hat. It's been scrunched, sat on, slapped, and just generally mistreated. The only thing I've done to it that's caring is having John Penman reflange the brim for me as he was working on my Penman ToD. It's now become my faithful walk in the woods, work hat. I really love this hat and will be getting another one in the future.
No current picks of My Keppler, but it to has become my outside on a hot day hat, which I can't wait for. I sweat in it, beat the livin you no what nad it can take it. Tough as nails hat, for sure.
The week I joined COW I ordered an AB and a Keppler to tide me over. I really liked the hat. The color was great and it was nice and floppy. It did taper on me but was reblocked by myself just before I sold it a while ago. Good hat for sure. Kind of miss it.
Did anything in particular cause it to taper, Dave? I've had mine in light rain and snow and pretty hot/humid conditions with no adverse effects so far. How did it take the reblock? That was a concern of mine for the future.
My hat was bought before he bumped them up to 80/20. It was nothing in particular that made it taper, and it wasn't much, just the heat and humidity of South Florida as well as the rain. It didn't really get rained on too much, just sprinklings of rain, but I guess that with the humidity did it. It took the reblock fine. Those Beaver Brand hats that Lee uses are alright so I wouldn't worry about the felt shrinking too much during a reblock. By the looks of it, though, I'd say your hat is looking fine. No need of a reblock there.
My Keppler soldiered on faithfully for 2 years before I got to tinkering with it. Great hat.
My mediocre skills and first attempt with reblocking didn't kill the hat either. I lost a little height (and maybe some diameter) on the crown, but that, I feel, had more to do with my skills as a reblocker and the home-made block I used.
I'd still like to get it redone professionally, but it's taken a back-burner position since my vintage homburg/fedora got here.
My Keppler has gone all tapered, and has actually gotten bigger with age. I can't even wear it at this point, I need to get some serious refurbishing done to the poor thing.
theinterchange wrote:My Keppler has gone all tapered, and has actually gotten bigger with age. I can't even wear it at this point, I need to get some serious refurbishing done to the poor thing.
Randy
I would be happy to take it off your hands I need a new hat...
theinterchange wrote:My Keppler has gone all tapered, and has actually gotten bigger with age. I can't even wear it at this point, I need to get some serious refurbishing done to the poor thing.
Randy
I would be happy to take it off your hands I need a new hat...
What's your size? This was a 7 1/4 which now fits more like a 7 3/8
theinterchange wrote:My Keppler has gone all tapered, and has actually gotten bigger with age. I can't even wear it at this point, I need to get some serious refurbishing done to the poor thing.
Randy
I would be happy to take it off your hands I need a new hat...
What's your size? This was a 7 1/4 which now fits more like a 7 3/8
I keep waffling back and forth about selling vs. reblocking. I think I'll have to stick with reblocking, lest I sell it and get sellers remorse like I did on my Regular Fed IV.
theinterchange wrote:I keep waffling back and forth about selling vs. reblocking. I think I'll have to stick with reblocking, lest I sell it and get sellers remorse like I did on my Regular Fed IV.
Randy
I've had that way too many times. Even bought back a couple of items when they came up for sale again.
Can anyone recommend a good place to reblock a Keppler fedora from '05 timeframe? I love it and it has aged and weathered beautifully, except for the fact that it now has a significant taper and, at least to me, just doesn't resemble anything of a Raiders fedora anymore. I'd love to salvage this fedora and get it professionally redone hopefully without a 6 month turn-around time. Any suggestions? I appreciate it.
I had John with Penman hats reblock a fedora for me and I must say it never looked as good as it does now. Even when it was brand new. I recommend Penman hats if you don't mind getting on his waiting list. John puts as much care into refurbishing non Penmans as he does with his own hats.
Gotta go with good ol' Penman Hat Co. on this one. John has reblocked plenty o' different brand hats and they all look fantastic. He is a master of his craft. If anyone can save your hat, its John.
In another thread for a member asking about getting a hat reblocked Michaelson refers to JerseyJones of Camptown Hats as a possible source and JJ replies to the same thread suggesting the member contact him by PM.
As far as I know, Ken gets his hats made at a factory to his specs and standards and then he cuts down the brim and creases the hats. Unless, he has been working on becoming a proper hatter, I don't see how he could reblock a hat. Not trying to put Ken down, just saying what I know.
Indiana Jeff wrote:In another thread for a member asking about getting a hat reblocked Michaelson refers to JerseyJones of Camptown Hats as a possible source and JJ replies to the same thread suggesting the member contact him by PM.
Regards,
Indiana Jeff
Correct. JJ posted himself in a related thread recently that he could help. Not sure what source he has, but apparently he has one.
Lee, it's good to see you around these parts again! I still have my lid you sold me years and years ago. I wish you had some new lids in a 6 7/8 around. I'd be inclined to pick one up from you.
Ill check them when I get home . They are usually a little loose. Shoot me a actual mmeasuremennt. Hmm....I may have worded that wrong. Dont shoot me, just send it or call me
I ran into a fellow in San Antonio, Texas this past March who was wearing a Keppler 'Indy.' First one I had seen in years and I thought it was quite nice. Good weight. Good overall feel to it and the blocking was very good. Nice hat. W>
beaverlid wrote:I had John with Penman hats reblock a fedora for me and I must say it never looked as good as it does now. Even when it was brand new. I recommend Penman hats if you don't mind getting on his waiting list. John puts as much care into refurbishing non Penmans as he does with his own hats.
Beaverlid
DR Ulloa wrote:Gotta go with good ol' Penman Hat Co. on this one. John has reblocked plenty o' different brand hats and they all look fantastic. He is a master of his craft. If anyone can save your hat, its John.
Dave
I will third this motion and highly recommend John's reblocking services. My Keppler got a bit damp several years back and shrunk a bit around the top of the crown. After the reblock, it looks better than ever! ( I still need to get one of his hats someday...maybe a grey clipper? )
Bogie1943 wrote:Lee, it's good to see you around these parts again! I still have my lid you sold me years and years ago. I wish you had some new lids in a 6 7/8 around. I'd be inclined to pick one up from you.
Hey Bogie! Guess what just came in. A brand new 6 7/8 body!!!
Bogie1943 wrote:Wonderful news Lee! I still have your number in my contacts from years ago. Expect a call. I would be honored to own another Keppler Indy lid!
I spoke to Lee yesterday. He is working on posting updated pictures and getting his website back up. Feel free to call him directly, just like us old timers had to do in back in the 90's!
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