So I know it's been a while since I last visited the boards and consequently I never got round to posting this.
My AB has been through a lot with me - jungles, deserts and mountains and was looking pretty beat up. I was at the point where I thought buying a new fedora might be the only option but just in case it could be salvaged I sent it off to Thomas at adVintage to see what could he do.
Not only did he manage to bring it back from the dead he made it look better than it ever did. I can't say enough things about what a great job he did with it. Barely believe it's the same hat.
Ken, great to see you! Remember the UK summit we went to back in 2003? That was an awesome summit! Advantage did a great job restoring your Adventurebilt! I, too am having my AB restored over at Penman Hats.
Ken wrote:So I know it's been a while since I last visited the boards and consequently I never got round to posting this.
My AB has been through a lot with me - jungles, deserts and mountains and was looking pretty beat up. I was at the point where I thought buying a new fedora might be the only option but just in case it could be salvaged I sent it off to Thomas at adVintage to see what could he do.
Not only did he manage to bring it back from the dead he made it look better than it ever did. I can't say enough things about what a great job he did with it. Barely believe it's the same hat.
Now just a question of how long it will be until it needs its next life-saving operation.
Ken
Holy cow! Both to the battering your hat withstood -- and to the amazing job Thomas at AdVintage did in restoring it.
I guess that's a testament to the quality of the original AB hat and to Thomas's skills. Glad to see your old-friend fedora has a lot more adventures ahead of it.
None of my hats are that old, or have been through so much, so I have yet to face the choice of restoring or replacing a well-worn hat. But it sound like you're thrilled you decided to give your another lifetime. That will probably make wearing it even more special to you.
Canyon wrote:Ken, great to see you! Remember the UK summit we went to back in 2003? That was an awesome summit! Advantage did a great job restoring your Adventurebilt! I, too am having my AB restored over at Penman Hats.
I remember! It was a great trip - best of luck with your restoration Canyon.
Howard Weinstein wrote:
Holy cow! Both to the battering your hat withstood -- and to the amazing job Thomas at AdVintage did in restoring it.
I guess that's a testament to the quality of the original AB hat and to Thomas's skills. Glad to see your old-friend fedora has a lot more adventures ahead of it.
None of my hats are that old, or have been through so much, so I have yet to face the choice of restoring or replacing a well-worn hat. But it sound like you're thrilled you decided to give your another lifetime. That will probably make wearing it even more special to you.
It really opened my eyes to the power of a reblock - definitely worth considering if you ever find yourself asking that question.
Incredible how much it was able to take and still be made a new hat again... Perhaps Indy himself doesn't go through hats as much as expected...only has a good hatter restore them...
Never underestimate the strength of a good felt. Unless it's got a hole in it, it can always be resurrected. Even if it's got a thin spot, that can often be reinforced and brought back by a good hatter with the equipment and experience.
It’s interesting; but the pre reblock photos resemble some of the pictures I’ve seen floating around of the screen used Raiders Hero fedora. Now that’s what I would call “screen accuracy”!
Both to the battering your hat withstood -- and to the amazing job Thomas at AdVintage did in restoring it. 
Now it looks as good as new!
