AB Legacy Raiders - Penman Hats Pure Lightweight Rabbit felt

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 10:57 am

I had a question. I am new to this. The hat in my avatar was All I had as a kid. Now I have a DP budget indy hat.

With this "floppier" raiders AB legacy hat, will it hold the iconic shape in the brim still? Will it be as durable and long lasting as the other indy style Fedoras on the site?
I would be wearing this a lot, not just occasionally, though I would take care of it and not treat it like a $5 dollar wal-mart ball cap obviously.
Would it be better to get the normal Raiders style fedora or the legacy hero version that is now available? I can live with it not being 100% SA if it is durable and highly functional and keeps that iconic brim shape. The "floppy" characteristic of the AB legacy raiders hero fedora is what has me uncertain.

Thanks and any tips for a new fedora owner are much appreciated.

baddates1 · Post by **baddates1** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:08 am

Canasta wrote:Dates, go to his website.

Thanks!

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:21 am

I just talked with John. He cleared some things up and answered my questions. Thanks.

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:45 pm

Just placed my order, talked with John earlier today and I'm stoked.
$\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$

Croft

darthjones · Post by **darthjones** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:38 am

The hat looks amazing. Has anyone seen more pics. of it?

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:25 am

Well, I am going to just go with this. Looks great.

Duck9000 · Post by **Duck9000** » Sat Aug 23, 2014 1:28 pm

Finally got my invoice!. Went to the spam folder so it took a few days until I realize it, but all good now, paid and waiting

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:19 pm

I posted a video on http://www.facebook.com/penmanhats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:03 am

Nice video John.

Duck9000 · Post by **Duck9000** » Sun Aug 24, 2014 11:49 am

BendingOak wrote:I posted a video on http://www.facebook.com/penmanhats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Love that video. Thanks for posting it, John.

Now, the wait

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 9:07 am

Interesting.

I watched the video and have a 78gr. Portuguese beaver felt AB prototype that Steve Delk tried to make into a dress Indy hat many years ago that acts exactly like this new rabbit legacy.

He gave up on it because he didn't think it would sell.

He thought it was too light and too pliable.

It reacts exactly the same way this new legacy rabbit felt does in all respects.

I told him he was wrong, as it was a perfect design and material to use, but he stuck with the heavier rabbit and beaver felts from Winchester.

Keep in mind, mine is beaver and John's is rabbit, but the reaction of the felt is the same.

Ironically it's worn like iron, held it's block shape after being crushed over and over, and I wear it to this very day as a summer hat in rotation with my PB straw.

I guess Steve was just too far ahead of the curve.

Great offering, John. It's time for a felt of this type to be out there.

Regards! Michaelson

ChrisMD · Post by **ChrisMD** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:32 am

Michaelson wrote:Interesting. I watched the video and have a 78gr. Portuguese beaver felt AB prototype that Steve Delk tried to make into a dress Indy hat many years ago that acts exactly like this new rabbit legacy.

He gave up on it because he didn't think it would sell.

He thought it was too light and too pliable.

It reacts exactly the same way this new legacy rabbit felt does in all respects.

I told him he was wrong, as it was a perfect design and material to use, but he stuck with the heavier rabbit and beaver felts from Winchester.

Keep in mind, mine is beaver and John's is rabbit, but the reaction of the felt is the same.

Ironically it's worn like iron, held it's block shape after being crushed over and over, and I wear it to this very day as a summer hat in rotation with my PB straw.

I guess Steve was just too far ahead of the curve.

Great offering, John. It's time for a felt of this type to be out there.

Regards! Michaelson

This is interesting. As a guy only scratching the surface of hats I have a few questions. Would you consider this new felt more accurate than the standard stuff as far as floppiness? Also what would be considered a dress Indy hat? I've wanted a dressy type Indy hat but my Garrison is still clean enough to wear with a suit. (When this pig puts lipstick on.) Im not much of a suit guy!

Sent from a bathroom inside the Death Star

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:35 am

I'd say closer to the original worn in hats we saw in Raiders, as those HJ's were VERY floppy and loose as they were used and abused.

This is as 'dress' felt as you can get. Very nice stuff.

Regards! M

indyhan · Post by **indyhan** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:54 pm

Michaelson wrote:I'd say closer to the original worn in hats we saw in Raiders, as those HJ's were VERY floppy and loose as they were used and abused.

This is as 'dress' felt as you can get. Very nice stuff.

Regards! M

now that's something i think has been overlooked by fans and gear heads : try and get ahold of vintage dress felt hats (say 30's, 40's and even 50's fedoras) and you'll see none of the modern era decent fur felt fedoras, be it rabbit or beaver or blend, comes near to as pliable and lightweight as those yesteryear hats were.

i have a Fortune and glory prototype raiders by Steve Delk (thanks to our fellow cow member Moutaineer) that was made out of a vintage + HJ homburg, and it's the most leightweight felt i have, hands down. It's been added some stiffener, so it's not that pliable; but still...

Michaelson, I so wish i could have a hat made out of that 78 gr beaver felt youre talking about !

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:15 pm

Me too, my friend, but he just wasn't happy with it at the time. I bet if he had started experimenting with it now, he'd have been offering it.

I'm pleased to see someone is actually making them out of a real dress felt now. John ALWAYS does great work!

Regards !M

ChrisMD · Post by **ChrisMD** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 2:05 pm

Is there a way that those of us without facebook can view the video? I am intrigued.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 2:44 pm

I don't think you have to have a Facebook account to watch it, Chris. Just click on the link, scroll down and play the video.

I didn't have to log in to see it.

Regard! M

ChrisMD · Post by **ChrisMD** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 3:07 pm

Michaelson wrote:I don't think you have to have a Facebook account to watch it, Chris. Just click on the link, scroll down and play the video.

I didn't have to log in to see it.

Regard! M

Must be my work computer. Thanks!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 4:58 pm

M, is correct. My Facebook page for the hat company is public. Everyone can view everything I post on there. My personal Facebook is a different story.

ChrisMD · Post by **ChrisMD** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 6:59 pm

BendingOak wrote:M, is correct. My Facebook page for the hat company is public. Everyone can view everything I post on there. My personal Facebook is a different story.

Ok cool thanks. No interest in your personal page but I would like to see the hat video. They sound awesome. It is my work computer that blocks videos so I'll hop on after work. Thanks!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 7:53 pm

The only reason I brought up the personal page of mine is to make the point you don't have to sign up to see anything on my biz. Facebook page but you would need to sign up for my personal.

hobbitjedi · Post by **hobbitjedi** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 10:54 pm

Are these ready for order? On the site i just see coming soon? Maybe i am looking at the wrong hat?

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 11:13 pm

hobbitjedi wrote:Are these ready for order? On the site i just see coming soon? Maybe i am looking at the wrong hat?

Yep. I couldn't stand it anymore and ordered mine last week.

hobbitjedi · Post by **hobbitjedi** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 11:31 pm

Great! Is the any more info on this hat? I am looking to get my first raiders hat and was looking at this one and the other raiders one on his site. I would like to compare the two!

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:02 am

Call john and ask him. He's always go time for his customers.

I can't compare this one with his others but I CAN tell you that you'll be happy whichever way you go. I'm going on 5 years on my oldest Penman and it just keeps getting better.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:53 am

All my hats are custom made to order by me and truly made by hand. The ABL raiders hat can be ordered but by being a custom made to order, it comes with a wait time. It does take me that long to make someone a hat, it's just that I have a lot of people wanting hats. I hope this helps but feel free to call 971-246-1832. We can talk about your questions, hats in general or Indy.

)

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 6:53 pm

Curious John, how are sale for the ABL.
I can't ever remember being so anxious for January/February. $\:D/$

Croft

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:05 pm

Good. It added to my lead times.

Duck9000 · Post by **Duck9000** » Wed Dec 03, 2014 7:23 am

Received mine yesterday. It's really a jaw dropping job, perfect look, perfect fit, perfect everything. Thanks!

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:13 pm

Duck9000 wrote:Received mine yesterday. It's really a jaw dropping job, perfect look, perfect fit, perfect everything. Thanks!

Very nice. I ordered mine about a week after you got your invoice so hopefully it's not too far off.

fedoralover · Post by **fedoralover** » Wed Dec 03, 2014 6:44 pm

I just watched the video, the hat looks awesome John, great job!!!

fedoralover

APL · Post by **APL** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 1:07 pm

Not sure if I missed it, but I was wondering what the current wait time is for the ABL? I hope to order one in the spring and was just curious.

And John, I have to say that my Crusader just looks and feels better every day!

Thanks!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 1:44 pm

APL wrote:Not sure if I missed it, but I was wondering what the current wait time is for the ABL? I hope to order one in the spring and was just curious.

And John, I have to say that my Crusader just looks and feels better every day!

Thanks!

Thanks, glad you like it. estimated time are updated on my site http://www.penmanhats.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

APL · Post by **APL** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 10:00 am

Awesome, I found it. Thanks again!

APL · Post by **APL** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:08 pm

Just placed my order! I was planning on waiting until closer to spring, but the sooner an order is in, the sooner it'll be on my head.

Anyway, for those who haven't seen the pics on Facebook yet, check them out. They're absolutely amazing!

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 11:32 pm

APL wrote: Anyway, for those who haven't seen the pics on Facebook yet, check them out. They're absolutely amazing!

Not nearly as amazing as it is in person

APL · Post by **APL** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 1:31 pm

knibs7 wrote:
APL wrote: Anyway, for those who haven't seen the pics on Facebook yet, check them out. They're absolutely amazing!
Not nearly as amazing as it is in person

A feeling I know I will soon share.

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 3:02 am

I picked up my AB Legacy from the post office today. For anyone wondering, this is a terrific piece of work.

The hat compares pretty well with the Cairo John made for me about 3 years ago, and although it's obviously not as "beat up" looking, I can easily imagine being able to make it into a Cairo hat with a minimal amount of work. The hat is smoother in a lot of ways than the Cairo and while you can certainly tell it is rabbit felt, it still feels smooth and dense.

The brim is softer and more malleable and the hat is lighter overall. The block shape is exactly what you would expect, and the finish, ribbon, liner and sweatband are first rate.

Below for comparison is the new AB Legacy, and below that the 3 year old Cairo:

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:53 am

Looks awesome. Only thing....more pics please

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:19 pm

Jeremiah wrote:Looks awesome. Only thing....more pics please

I can oblige

Does that help?

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:33 pm

Sweet and makes me really glad on my choice. Thanks.

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:39 pm

I think I can safely guarantee that if you are getting one of these you will be VERY happy with what you receive. I feel that way about everything John makes (he's a perfectionist in every sense of the word), and I have a preference for beaver felt, but I plan to wear this one a lot to see how it develops over time and use.

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 5:32 pm

Yes, will be a hard wait but worth it for sure. Really would love seeing it in the natural light sometime too.

Charybdis · Post by **Charybdis** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 5:34 pm

Very nice!

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:50 pm

Jeremiah wrote:Yes, will be a hard wait but worth it for sure. Really would love seeing it in the natural light sometime too.

I have a few photos left before I hit my "limit" on this topic. I'll try to get something posted this weekend.

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Fri Jan 23, 2015 9:53 pm

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 1:03 pm

Jeremiah wrote:Yes, will be a hard wait but worth it for sure. Really would love seeing it in the natural light sometime too.

Happy to be able to oblige again . . .

All four were taken at the same time, same light, same device.

The middle two are more representative of the way the color and texture of the felt appears to the naked eye in daylight.

baddates1 · Post by **baddates1** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 1:58 pm

John is a true Hat maker!

alex1152 · Post by **alex1152** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 6:41 pm

I'm sold!
This is going to be my next hat!

Jeremiah · Post by **Jeremiah** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:31 pm

Sweet pics. Thanks and feel very good about my hat to be.