Advintagebilt DLX? A Potential Utopian Future for Indy Hats

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:44 pm

I know Thomas is active on COW and will likely see this, so I start this thread with the utmost respect for him and his craft. Many would argue that Advintage currently offers the finest, and most accurate Indy fedoras available. I have not yet had the pleasure of owning one, but I regularly drool over photos of them.

My intention is not to spread rumors, but as those who follow Advintage on Facebook have likely already seen, Marc Kitter of the still dormant Adventurebilt Deluxe was in the Advintage workshop with Thomas today. This could just be a simple meeting of two brilliant hatters and Indy fans… but it could also be more. And Thomas ended his post with a vague but playful “(more to come…)”.

Does this mean that there could be an Advintagebilt Deluxe (Adventurebilt Deluxe x Advintage) fedora in our future? I sure hope so!!!

Bring back to us! Bring back to us!

That’s all, just sharing my wishful thinking with the community so you call all show what I assume will be overwhelming enthusiasm for the idea of Marc getting back in the game, and some sort of collaboration with Thomas.

Pop over to Advintage’s Facebook page to see the post, and play nice!

https://www.facebook.com/17178064954353 ... 81929/?d=n

The Aviator · Post by **The Aviator** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 2:27 pm

Now that is very promising!

My AB Deluxe is the best felt I’ve had my hands on, although not a hat I wear very often.

It would be great to see the AB name continue on, especially as we don’t know when John may be back up and running!

Cheers

Gerry

Loneken · Post by **Loneken** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:00 pm

Saw it as well on his FB page and had the same thought. The "more to come" was such a tease

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:18 pm

Had a similar thought re: Penman, though the last communication I received suggested that he may be getting back to it in the next month or two. We’ll see.

tubasthebest · Post by **tubasthebest** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:58 pm

Here's to hoping!! A Deluxe is a holy grail item for me!

IJJTM · Post by **IJJTM** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 4:55 pm

Looks like I might need to start saving up.

IndianaJustin · Post by **IndianaJustin** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 5:50 pm

IJJTM wrote:Looks like I might need to start saving up.

Thinking the same thing

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:56 pm

Yup. I've basically offered to pay Thomas now for his yet to be released (or even announced) product in hopes of incentivizing this dream into reality for all of us.

TexHill · Post by **TexHill** » Tue Oct 26, 2021 9:04 pm

I have an Advintage Masterpiece that my wife gave me this summer as a wedding gift. I love my Masterpiece - I literally wear it every day - and I don't see how Thomas can improve on what I would consider the perfect hat.

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:39 am

TexHill wrote:I have an Advintage Masterpiece that my wife gave me this summer as a wedding gift. I love my Masterpiece - I literally wear it every day - and I don't see how Thomas can improve on what I would consider the perfect hat.

Well it’s less about an improvement on Thomas’ current offerings and more about the continuation of a legacy. A collaboration with Marc would potentially give Thomas access to some of the last remaining blocks that were used to craft screen used hats (barring HJ blocks used for Indy V). Similar to Penman’s (currently unavailable) ABL offerings using Steve Delk’s blocks and materials, there would potentially be premium/deluxe offerings like what Marc used to offer under the Advintage umbrella.

All speculation of course, but the point is Thomas’ reputation of making stellar Indy hats (as you mentioned) may have landed him the opportunity to revive the Adventurebilt Deluxe brand.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:01 am

Before things get whipped to fever pitch, I suggest allowing Thomas to post what is actually going on before saving up cash to throw at him for an imagined and wished for cooperative effort of the two master hatters.

He could just as well meant more photos to come of him and Marc roasting marshmallows by an open fire after his visit at the shop.

Regards! Michaelson

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 9:59 am

Michaelson wrote:Before things get whipped to fever pitch, I suggest allowing Thomas to post what is actually going on before saving up cash to throw at him for an imagined and wished for cooperative effort of the two master hatters.

He could just as well meant more photos to come of him and Marc roasting marshmallows by an open fire after his visit at the shop.

Regards! Michaelson

Fair enough. I do love a well roasted marshmallow almost as much as a meticulously crafted fedora.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 10:02 am

ME too!!!!

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 10:41 am

Michaelson wrote:ME too!!!!

Well it is finally roasting season!

IndianaJustin · Post by **IndianaJustin** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:50 am

Won't hurt me save up for the next totally amazing thing I can't live without. If it's a fedora, great

jnicktem · Post by **jnicktem** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 1:19 pm

When I last spoke to Marc a few months ago, he was pretty adamant that he will no longer be making any hats. While it is entirely possible that Marc might pass on his knowledge and materials to a fellow hatter- I wouldn’t get my hopes up too much for Marc’s return.

The Aviator · Post by **The Aviator** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 3:28 pm

jnicktem wrote:When I last spoke to Marc a few months ago, he was pretty adamant that he will no longer be making any hats. While it is entirely possible that Marc might pass on his knowledge and materials to a fellow hatter- I wouldn’t get my hopes up too much for Marc’s return.

I was reading the “more to come” as an AB Deluxe Legacy, like Penman with AB US, rather than Marc making hats again.

Again all idle speculation. Although, one has to wonder what is being teased…

Cheers

Gerry

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 3:40 pm

The Aviator wrote:
jnicktem wrote:When I last spoke to Marc a few months ago, he was pretty adamant that he will no longer be making any hats. While it is entirely possible that Marc might pass on his knowledge and materials to a fellow hatter- I wouldn’t get my hopes up too much for Marc’s return.

I was reading the “more to come” as an AB Deluxe Legacy, like Penman with AB US, rather than Marc making hats again.

Again all idle speculation. Although, one has to wonder what is being teased…

Cheers

Gerry

Same. It's quite clear Marc is done making hats.

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 7:01 pm

I’m excited what ever come out of this.
I have a Master Piece on order, i just gave him some spec’s but I have a ways to go.

Croft

The Aviator · Post by **The Aviator** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 6:42 am

So Advintage confirmed on their FB page. We have them doing an Adventurebilt Deluxe line, and not just the Crystal Skull $\:D/$

Cheers

Gerry

Edit: As requested link here - https://facebook.com/thomasadvintage/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

IndianaJustin · Post by **IndianaJustin** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:43 am

Wow, now what do I do?!

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:20 am

The Aviator wrote:So Advintage confirmed on their FB page. We have them doing an Adventurebilt Deluxe line, and not just the Crystal Skull $\:D/$

Cheers

Gerry

Link?

Regards! Michaelson

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:20 am

There it is!

https://www.advintage.de/index.php/2021 ... s/?lang=en

Today I’m very happy to share some great news with you about a growth of the adVintage Fedora line-up. I would like to tell you about some new hat models that will be available in a few weeks and about what was happening here at my workshop lately.

First of all with good news come some bad. You might have seen my post here from late October about the visit of Marc Kitter, maker of the original Indiana Jones 4 fedora hat. In short the bad news is, as some of you might already guess or know, Marc is not returning to the hatmaking business. He’s well, don’t worry! He’s just doing something different now. Good news is the things that made his work and the Adventurebilt Deluxe Fedoras so unique won’t be forgotten…

When I started making hats back in 2009 the AB DLX fedoras already were the measure of all things. So, of course, Marc never needed to be afraid of a new competitor, but I tried to become one for some years. Therefore the atmosphere was, let’s say interesting, when we met in person. Since then some time has passed and I gladly had the opportunity to see Marc working on hats and even to work together with him. I was not surprised finding out that he’s a really great guy, but I was surprised that (I hope I may say that) a friendship developed.

Long story short… I’m am very happy and proud to say that Marc not only entrusted to me his hat blocks. It’s an even greater honor to me that he also gave to me his AB hat linings and sweatbands that were left, so that I can take care of reblocking and refurbishing Adventurebilt Deluxe Fedoras in the future.

That all allows me to announce the first new hat model, an adVintage CS Hero Fedora, made on the original blocks (even on the original Ford Hero block if you like), with the same type and colour of 100% best beaver felt. I will try to reproduce every single hatmaking and sewing technique Marc used for his fedoras here.

Marc really raised hatmaking to art. Of course, I am not Marc and adVintage is not Adventurebilt DLX…, but what I can promise is that I will do my best to get as close to the original as possible.

I’m also happy to say that you now can choose between the AB and adVintage crown block designs when it comes to a Raiders or LC Fedora hat. I will make some comparison photos asap, but it might take some time.

Furthermore all adVintage handmade hats will also be available in 100% rabbit felt in different colours soon. Many customers were asking for this, it’s just screen accurate for the first three movies. I will try to make the rabbit felt as durable as possible by pre-aging the felt and waterproofing it twice (inside and outsife felt), but you need to keep in mind that rabbit felt will never be as durable as beaver.

With all the good news, I unfortunately have to admit that I am a bit behind schedule with your orders, I’m very sorry. At the moment I’m working on orders from July and it will still take some time to catch up. If you want to change or cancel your order you can send me an email anytime, that’s no problem at all.

In the next weeks there will be plenty of work, but I’m happily looking forward to it!

I leave you with some impressions from my workshop and just three words, “Thank you, Marc!”

tubasthebest · Post by **tubasthebest** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:27 am

Really exciting news. I can’t believe I’m going to buy another brown fedora…. But how could I pass this up?

Dr. Jones, Jr. · Post by **Dr. Jones, Jr.** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:29 am

That's amazing! Looking forward to seeing the comparisons.

Bo Invader · Post by **Bo Invader** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:39 am

Looks like I'll have to start saving up again

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 11:30 am

Thanks for posting, CP!

This is GREAT news for those who missed out on these ‘back in the day’!

Regards! Michaelson

IJJTM · Post by **IJJTM** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 1:43 pm

Looks like I’ll have to add another hat to my AD order.

baddates1 · Post by **baddates1** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 3:08 pm

Chose Poorly wrote:There it is!

https://www.advintage.de/index.php/2021 ... s/?lang=en

I’m also happy to say that you now can choose between the AB and adVintage crown block designs when it comes to a Raiders or LC Fedora hat. I will make some comparison photos asap, but it might take some time.

I have a 2.5 year old Harrison (60cm) in need of reblocking, which this sounds like a great oppoertunity to have it done with the AB Raiders block

Please show side by sides, I really would like to see them

Indiana Croft · Post by **Indiana Croft** » Sun Nov 14, 2021 4:50 pm

This is sweet news for as Michelson says, to get one. I have CS made by Steve and I wear it, but not as much.
Just trying to keep in as close to spec.

I have a Advantage on order, but no changes, I will stay the course.
And it’s not like I need a hat to wear

Marc will certainly be busy.

Croft

Illinois_Jones · Post by **Illinois_Jones** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 12:52 am

It's great they're doing this because it would be a shame to just keep that equipment in storage and not making or reblocking hats.

And now we know we have another place to send our ABs to get reblocked, which is reassuring.

IJJTM · Post by **IJJTM** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 11:08 am

Thomas just got back to me and it seems like he is open to doing reblocks on ABL’s seeing as how John is MIA.

The Aviator · Post by **The Aviator** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:56 pm

IJJTM wrote:Thomas just got back to me and it seems like he is open to doing reblocks on ABL’s seeing as how John is MIA.

Good news for me. Whilst I never really wear my AB Deluxe, my 07 AB is rarely off my head. It is in need of some real TLC, after this winter he will be getting an email!

I’m genuinely just happy this torch is being passed on to a like minded hatter with fans in mind!

Cheers

Gerry

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 12:30 pm

Based on a recent exchange with Thomas, I have a quick update to shed some light on this recent announcement...

The Adventurebilt Deluxe liners and sweatbands given to Thomas by Marc are exclusively for Adventurebilt renovations and will not be put in any newly crafted hats. Thomas has not acquired any branding rights from Marc, and cannot make any new Adventurebilt or Adventurebilt Deluxe hats, without exception. For those who already own Adventurebilt hats in need of renovation, he will utilize the original materials from Marc for those hats only, and it sounds like the wait time for any renovation work matches that of any new hat orders, which is currently about 6 months for standard adVintage hats and 3 months for adVintage Masterpiece hats.

For fans of Steve and Marc's original hats who aren't specifically seeking out any Adventurebilt branded finishings, Thomas will be offering hats made on Marc's blocks in addition to his own, and will match Marc's felt offerings. But any hats made on Marc's blocks will still be considered adVintage hats.

More to come from Thomas on the differences produced by his and Marc's blocks soon.

Loneken · Post by **Loneken** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 2:15 pm

Sorry about my ignorance when it gets to fedoras, but were Marc's blocks used to make any of the screen used hats?

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 2:41 pm

Yes. Steve provided Marc with blocks made for AB by Lamode West that were kept on file there, so his hats AND Marc's hats would match in appearance on screen. The only difference was the materials they used, which were from different sources, but the blocks were all the same.

Regards! Michaelson

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 2:48 pm

Thanks, Michaelson!

Thomas mentioned that he will have access to Marc’s “Ford” block used for the production commissioned CS hats just like Steve’s.

To add, I believe Marc only made brown hero hats for CS, which were then sent to Steve for finishing. Steve made both brown hero hats and the grey travel hats. So anyone after a CS grey travel hat from Thomas would be getting one of Thomas’ “Imperial Grey” felts blocked on the slightly shorter CS hero hat block, modified by Thomas to match the larger crown and brim specs of the travel hats made by Steve. For a completely screen accurate CS travel hat, one would have to wait and see if Penman re-enters the scene since he has Steve’s CS blocks.

The elusive “Michaelson block” is currently out of commission.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 3:26 pm

Dang.

Regard! Michaelson

IJJTM · Post by **IJJTM** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 4:23 pm

So if I wanted to order a new hat from Thomas the only different would be the block and slightly different materials?

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 7:26 pm

IJJTM wrote:So if I wanted to order a new hat from Thomas the only different would be the block and slightly different materials?

Different blocks than his adVintage offerings, but pretty much the same felt since both Thomas and Marc use Portuguese Beaver. Until Thomas adds the rabbit felt he mentioned in his announcement, which will be a completely new addition to his lineup to appease those wanting to order a Raiders hat in rabbit on Marc's Raider block, similar to John Penman's ABL Raiders offering.

tubasthebest · Post by **tubasthebest** » Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:36 pm

The listings are live on the updated AdVintage website: CS Hero Fedora

IJJTM · Post by **IJJTM** » Thu Dec 02, 2021 6:15 pm

To add onto that, Thomas told me that he won’t be adding items for Marc’s Raiders or LC blocks, instead when you order you would put in the notes that you would like it to be done with Marc’s blocks.

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Thu Dec 02, 2021 6:27 pm

Looks like he added a Portuguese rabbit felt option as well. Listed as the “Legend Fedora” and shaped to any of the original three movies:
https://shop.advintage.de/en/Legend-Fed ... /adV-R-1.1

Also, the current turnaround on the CS Hero is only 35-60 days. That’s super fast compared to 180 for his other hats (besides the Masterpiece Fedoras).

IJJTM · Post by **IJJTM** » Fri Feb 11, 2022 12:24 pm

Looks to me like Thomas really nailed the CS look. https://shop.advintage.de/en/CS-Hero-Fe ... /adV-CSH-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chose Poorly · Post by **Chose Poorly** » Sat Feb 12, 2022 7:29 pm

IJJTM wrote:Looks to me like Thomas really nailed the CS look. https://shop.advintage.de/en/CS-Hero-Fe ... /adV-CSH-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Agree. Beautiful hat!

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:06 pm

I noticed that on the website, it says that about twice as many hours go into a CS Hero compared to a regular Advintage hat. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if the extra work does anything for the durability of the hat (eg waterproofing, keeping its shape from tapering, etc)? Or is this just a cosmetic/aesthetic difference?

Exciting news, and I feel like it's 2008 all over again!

IJJTM · Post by **IJJTM** » Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:13 pm

I’ll shoot Thomas a message, I’m curious as well, my best guess is that Thomas and Marc have different methods, but I’m likely wrong.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:38 pm

Much appreciated, curious to hear his thoughts!

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Mon Feb 14, 2022 6:37 pm

“Back in the day” Steve and Marc talked about how they had developed a technique to pre-age the felt thereby “killing” it that would help prevent shrinkage and tapering. I assume that is the extra work Thomas is putting into making these.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

IJJTM · Post by **IJJTM** » Tue Feb 15, 2022 10:01 am

Here’s what Thomas says - “It's because of the pre-aging of the felt, the finer felt surface and the finer sewing techniques. You can find more info in the product description of an adVintage "MasterPiece", the hat making techniques are mainly the same.”