Help me pick a fedora! Everyman, Penman, or Garrison?

[Adventure Dog]

Or rather "Someone other than my wife help me figure this out!" (Just kidding! )

So, after many years, I have finally landed a "cushy" job, and have been "saving" up for a Penman Raiders in beaver. But, wouldn't you just know that John Penman, Hatman genius, is setting up a run of Everyman hats with a great discount ($200 if I order by March 1st), and he mentioned he could turn the hat into a long oval in shop before sending it out to me. (I hope me saying that doesn't throws him under the bus in any way!). So that solves a major hurdle when it comes to buying a factory hat for me, as I'm one of those "Long Oval" heads.

Here's the dilemma: I have the immediate funds for either a custom Garrison rabbit or Everyman, or I could keep saving up for a Penman custom. I don't really want to end up with many hats (more than 2 [probably an LC and a Raiders in my dream world]), so the idea of picking up a Garrison or Everyman now, and then a Penman later isn't the most appealing at this stage in my life, but I suppose I could suffer through

Here's some other factors at play: I'm vacationing in Scotland mid June, and I'd love to bring a Fedora with me. Also, the only other fedora I ever had was a Fed III regular, that to be honest never fit and wasn't great for me (crown too tapered and brim too wide for my shoulders). So, while I'd love to say that I'm going to love having a fedora, there's a nagging feeling that I might regret buying a $500+ hat, only to discover that I'm not a fedora guy. At the same time, I have a hard time thinking I might be buying a $200 fedora, only to realize a few years from now that I want to upgrade to and have to start all over again.

Can someone who has experience with the Henry (closest hat to an Everyman), Garrison, or of course a Penman beaver, hat chime in and tell me what you think? Is a Penman beaver the pen-ultimate the first and last hat I'll ever need? Should I hop on the factory made train again and try my luck with a non-custom? Should I go with a custom Garrison to determine if I even like Fedoras?

Thanks guys and gals! As always, John's and David's work is top notch, and we are all very lucky to have such great options in our day and age.

[Michaelson]

Just to stick my head in the door....once you go custom (no matter WHO you buy from), you'll never go back to factory made anything.

So, that said, I'd recommend you boil your choices down to either the custom Penman or Garrison.

I, too, 'suffer' from the 'long oval' curse, but then, most of us with English heritage have such a cranium, so it's not unusual in the least.

If you're looking at price, you could consider the rabbit Garrison custom to get you in the ballpark to make a final 'am I a fedora man' decision. David should be able to deliver before your trip in June if you get the ball rolling now.... but once THAT decision is made that you DO want to wear a fedora daily, you HAVE to go with a custom beaver made by Penman or Garrison.

Once again, just my opinion here, but based on decades of fedora wearing. I've reached the level I want to be, and it will be a beaver hat every time.

Regard! Michaelson

[BendingOak]

Not throwing me under the bus at all. I can change any hat from one oval shape to the other. Not really that hard thing to do as long as you have the proper tools.

[Michaelson]

Absolutely. The right tools and expertise to use them make all the difference!

Is a Penman beaver the pen-ultimate the first and last hat I'll ever need?

To answer this specific question, yes.

That's the point I tried to make above regarding the question of what type hat to go with.......once you decide a fedora IS for you, this is the direction you want to go. You'll be done. Beaver custom all the way.

ALL that aside, though, it seems to me you might be putting the cart in front of the horse, as from what you've said above, you've not really decided if you WANT a fedora for daily wear.

I'd suggest either the Everyman first, allowing Penman to adjust it to your head, or the like priced custom Garrison rabbit. Then if you decide you DO like a fedora, start working toward working with whomever you decide you want to be the maker of your ultimate hat, be it a Penman, Garrison, or whomever you decide gives you the most 'bang for the buck'.

THAT'S the way to do this, as until you KNOW for sure, you're kinda spinning your wheels, so go with either the Everyman/rabbit Garrison plan first, enjoy Scotland with your new hat, make up your mind, and THEN proceed to the next level....or not, depending on what you decide.

That's my advice, for what it's worth.

Regard! M

[Chewbacca Jones]

Yeah, the Penman beaver is pretty much "the last hat you'll ever need" territory... Unless you're a Hat Guy, like me. Then, there will always be one more to get.

If you're thinking that you'd like to one day have two Indy lids, there's no need to dive into the deep end. You can still get quality with your other choices. That said, I doubt you'll regret any of the three, but they should all have a good resale value if they stay in good condition.

Personally, I think you need custom. That will give you better control over the brim width (you complaint on the FedIII might mean a standard Raiders brim won't be for you). You might even want to forgo a movie-specific hat and ask for the block shape, crown height, and brim width that works for you.

[WConly]

Amen. Amen. Custom will truly spoil you from attempting any other option. Regardless of immediate desire, patience pays off for good custom work. And, the two you mention here; Penman and Garrison...will not let you down! Both are great people to work with and both provide truly exceptional products! I would not hesitate to recommend (and never have or will) either to you. Your call. You will truly come out ahead in the long run, going with folks who know, not only what they are doing, but genuinely care about 'what' they are providing to their audience ! W>

[zaynecarrick]

I was lucky enough to land a Steve Delk recently. After seeing and feeling a Penman, I can certainly put him in the same tier. A custom beaver felt fedora is always worth saving and waiting for if you can wait that long.

[Indiana Jeff]

Casting another vote for going custom. Especially since you've already tried a factory hat with limited success.

Price is always a factor, but so is time. If you want a fedora for your June trip you have to factor in which hat can you get by your deadline.

I can understand not wanting to 'waste' money on a custom Garrison rabbit hat that could otherwise get you closer to the price point of a Penman beaver, but if you aren't 100% certain you will wear a hat daily, I suggest spending less now for a Garrison (that will still provide you a lifetime of service) and then if you decide fedoras are truly for you, either sell the Garrison toward continuing to save for a Penman or keep the Garrison while saving for the Penman since as a daily wearer you'll want more than one hat in your stable.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Michaelson]

Guys, you're missing this line in his original post:

So, while I'd love to say that I'm going to love having a fedora, there's a nagging feeling that I might regret buying a $500+ hat, only to discover that I'm not a fedora guy.

Wouldn't you agree it would be wiser for him to decide this FIRST before sinking monies into a custom at this time? I also said 'custom' in my first post, but only AFTER this major decision has been made. A tweaked factory made hat would fill that purpose perfectly at the moment, or if he wants to get his feet wet, a like priced custom rabbit Garrison.

Either way, he needs to make a decision soon, as the window is soon closing on the Everyman pre-order, and/or Dave Garrison needs the lead time to start a rabbit custom to his specs in the time frame given for the trip.

We're all plugging 'custom' hats because we ARE daily hat fedora wearers. It's the ONLY way to go when you are. He's not.....yet.

Once again, JMO. Carry on.

Regards! M

[Screencapped]

Not to take any business away from any of these vendors but have you heard of Steele & Jones? They make awesome lids. I would check 'em out before making your decision as their prices are very reasonable also.

[Indiana Jeff]

Agree 100%, M. I'm suggesting a custom Garrison because it would be at a similar price point to the Everyman. Then AD can decide if a larger investment is justified.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Adventure Dog]

Thank you all for your input! After talking to my wife at length, reading her your responses, searching through our archives here on COW, sending out a few emails to vendors, I have decided to cave in to the outstanding weight of wisdom and thoughtfulness you have hit me with: buy a custom hat rabbit from Garrison to intro myself in to the world of "custom" and see if Fedora's are my thing. If, down the road, I decide on picking up another, I know what you all think of beaver felt .

As many of you have said, I know I can't lose from any of the vendors we have, but from what I've read here, a Garrison is a hat I can expect many years from, and is certainly in my budget, is well reviewed, and I will get it before my Scotland trip.

I will keep you up to date on the proceedings. Thanks for all your input and guidance!

[Michaelson]

[Adventure Dog]

Not to take any business away from any of these vendors but have you heard of Steele & Jones? They make awesome lids. I would check 'em out before making your decision as their prices are very reasonable also.

I did completely forget about Steele and Jones ! I've tried visiting their site a few times, but it always times out on me. I can access their website via my phone, but that's no way to view their stuff. Their 90 day potential wait puts me at the "too close for comfort" range. But, if the fedora bug bites me for good, I'll keep them on my table.

[Chewbacca Jones]

Something to consider, if the bug does indeed bite you; further hat purchases need not be Indy styles. I know Penman can make many styles (not just what's shown on the site), and other custom hatters will often do the same. So, if you feel unable to justify another hat that looks too much like the one you have, go different.

[Ridgerunner58]

So, while I'd love to say that I'm going to love having a fedora, there's a nagging feeling that I might regret buying a $500+ hat, only to discover that I'm not a fedora guy. At the same time, I have a hard time thinking I might be buying a $200 fedora, only to realize a few years from now that I want to upgrade to and have to start all over again.

Recognizing I'm a bit late to the party, my 2 cents is that $200 is more than 95% of the population would pay for a hat; and that sum will buy you something head and shoulders above what most would ever wear. Even if you decide later to buy a beaver felt hat from John (which I assure you will probably only be another beginning) a rabbit felt hat from David or John will end up being a treasured possession.

I have more beaver felt hats than I probably should, and wear them often - sometimes exclusively. But some months one of the older rabbit felt hats just feels right, so I wear one of those.

The point is, they're all different and buying one isn't settling for less, it's just scratching a different itch.

[BendingOak]

Just make sure that who ever you buy from can change the regular oval shape ( that most hats are made ) to your long oval.

[ChrisMD]

Thank you all for your input! After talking to my wife at length, reading her your responses, searching through our archives here on COW, sending out a few emails to vendors, I have decided to cave in to the outstanding weight of wisdom and thoughtfulness you have hit me with: buy a custom hat rabbit from Garrison to intro myself in to the world of "custom" and see if Fedora's are my thing. If, down the road, I decide on picking up another, I know what you all think of beaver felt .

As many of you have said, I know I can't lose from any of the vendors we have, but from what I've read here, a Garrison is a hat I can expect many years from, and is certainly in my budget, is well reviewed, and I will get it before my Scotland trip.

I will keep you up to date on the proceedings. Thanks for all your input and guidance!

Great choice. No doubt your'll be more than satisfied. I plan to order another one in David's new incredible color.

[Adventure Dog]

Order placed!

EDIT: 6/10/2016

The hat arrived and is wonderful! I've posted pictures over in the Garrison Owners thread here.

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... &start=700