Club Obi Wan

That's the plan John! I thought I beat up the Raiders hat you made for me... But this one is going to be abused! Good thing I know that your hats can take it!

I would like to see a pic of you wearing it. Can you send it to me via e mail?

Pictures will probably have to wait awhile. If I am going to take pics I want it to be broken in a bit to get the full effect. So give me a week.

No worries.

Plus I want any pics I take to do the hat justice.

We all want pics!!!

This is my favorite - a three year old Penman Raiders (second oldest Penman) after 30,000 + miles - and one cleaning and reblock.

It's been rolled up, packed, blown, dusted, sunbaked ,rained on, grabbed by little kids, squashed by a folding car seat (spousal error) and just gets better every time I put it on.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I didn't need to read your post. Just the look on your face tells me everything. That hat is your old friend and you know you look good wearing it.

One more thing. Great example of a great photo showing the hat. This photo was taken of the person and he just happen to be wearing his hat. That's where you really see what the hat looks like. Not a arm length, or a mirror, or too close. Just very natural photo of the person. Great photo and I can't thank you enough letting me have the honor of making you a hat. It's a real joy making hats for everyone who likes hats like I do and especially Indy style hat.

Thanks for the kind words, John. You are correct - that was a completely unplanned candid shot that someone just took at random. I never think I photograph well, but that picture came out great.

You have made several hats for me over the past few years, and every one is perfect in its own way. The one in the picture (#198), though, has become as much a part of me as my grandfather's old Open Road did when I used to wear in on camping trips when I was younger.

Thanks for all your great work and efforts to keep this artform alive.

Henry saved the day, today! Woke up to 29f outside and a slight breeze, and it was great to have it covered with this gray Henry that I got from John. I've always loved the finish on these Henry's, and this one did not disappoint. After my most recent round of house cleanings, I'm down to a brown and gray Henry and Steve's Raiders rabbit. I suppose these will be with me from now on.

Yay - new Penman Hat arrives!

Way back last summer, I asked John if he would make me a CS Indy IV hat using the Black Cherry felt. The hat arrived safe and sound today and I'd say was well worth the wait.

As you'd expect, everything about the hat is bordering on perfection - I love the colour (I already have a Black Cherry hat from Art Fawcett so I knew what to expect), the contrast with the black ribbon and how everything is put together. The blocking of the crown is to die for!

The feel of the felt is just out of this world, way softer and nicer to feel (not a perv honestly!) than my Granite AB made in the same style.

So thank you very much, Mr. Penman - I'm loving the new hat and will be wearing it a lot.

Anyway, enough of me rambling on, here are some pics...






I had to do a quick cell phone selfie right after opening the box at the office today!

That right there is one deliciously beautiful hat.

Congrats on being it's owner, david_h!

Another winner from John!

...another winter from the old man... .....er....I mean, winner from John!

Texan Scott wrote:...another winter from the old man... .....er....I mean, winner from John!

A dangerous game you play Tex, lol. (But pretty funny.)

As far as what you're working on with regard to Raiders, John - when might we be able to expect an unveiling? Give or take...

Niiiice, I simply love the black cherry color.

impressive lid

that felt seems to be super thin and pliable ! is it rabbit or beaver ?

Thanks guys. I've had this Black Cherry hat in my head for ages and I'm so happy that John has made it a reality.

indyhan, I believe the Black Cherry is only in beaver felt. You are right though, it is really soft. How the felt comes out is really due to how the hatter works it. Comes down to how much time and effort they put into the hat, I think. Lots in John's case.

SpeedRcrX, I've always liked the BC felt as well. My first VS was a BC in the Public Enemies style and it has always been a favorite.

Thanks everyone with the kind words and thank you david for letting me make this hat for you. I have worked hard on developing different pounces. The Black Cherry come in both beaver and rabbit.

Out and about earlier today. Loving this hat!

Very snazzy looking David!

Beautiful lid!

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This is how I'm going to feel when my Penman Raiders arrives.

My latest delivery from Penman Hats.



It's a Casablanca in Granite, pure beaver felt with a charcoal grey ribbon - completed January 8, 2013.

Another amazing hat.

Ridgerunner58 wrote:My latest delivery from Penman Hats.



It's a Casablanca in Granite, pure beaver felt with a charcoal grey ribbon - completed January 8, 2013.

Another amazing hat.

This is a true work of art! My, my...that is beautiful! FWIW! Nice photo arrangement for the shot! It makes the hat already look 'lived in!' Like it is just another 'old friend' with the rest of it's traveling companions! Congrats on your hat...it is really something to behold! W>

Oh...and as if you didn't expect this one...more shots please! Man, that is so nice! W>

fantastic shot ridgerunner58. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it.

That's a beautiful hat. Lots of character right out of the box.

Ridgerunner58 wrote:My latest delivery from Penman Hats.



It's a Casablanca in Granite, pure beaver felt with a charcoal grey ribbon - completed January 8, 2013.

Another amazing hat.

What a fantastic fedora you have there!

John's work is by far the best I have ever seen.

A few shots of my Penman TOD in Cuba. I absolutly love this hat and many thanks to John for making it for me.
I received lots of compliments on it while I was there.



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Nice hats Gunner and Ridge!

Ridgerunner, what's that bag underneath? I've been looking for an "Indy-esque" bag and that one looks nice.

The bag is a Belstaff Colonial 554. (It's the larger of two shoulder bags Belstaff used to make - the 556 being the other one.)

Belstaff stopped producing that entire line last year when they were bought out by the current owner, Labelux, a consortium formed by Tommy Hilfiger, which sadly and as one would expect seems to cater to the anorexic and anemic "high fashion" industry. ($120,000 saltwater crocodile Trialmaster jacket anyone?)

British Motorcycle Gear in San Diego bought the entire remaining inventory of 554s. I believe they still have a few in Mountain Brown and maybe in black. They are a bit pricey ($385.00), but built like a tank and never really discounted when you find one on eBay. In fact most of the eBay listings today are Brtish Motorcycle Gear listings.

Be warned, there are tons of cheap knockoffs out there. The sites that sell them profess to be Belstaff Outlets and use pictures of the real deal, but when you get the product the leather is flimsy, the stitching is poor and they make liberal use of magnetic clasps rather than real strap and buckle closures.

In reality Belstaff never has had "outlet" stores, so if you see one - run.

Ahhhh, the joy of new Penman hat day!!. This arrived for me last week, but I finally got a chance to break it in this weekend. I was lucky enough to purchase this Cairo hat via John with proceeds benefiting the Steve Delk fund. This is my second Raiders hat from John, and I could not be happier! I don't have to tell anyone how absolutely well made these hats are. What really pleases me is how comfortable they are!! I think I'll really put this one through it's paces, since I have to admit to slightly babying my other rabbit Raiders. The ol' Henry gets taken out when the weather is really foul. Thank you so much John, stellar work as always!!

Great looking hat! Looks good on you, but I do have a question. Who is the guy in the two photos with you ? Sorry, couldn't resist this one! Nice looking lid! W>

Agreed! Compared to your stuff, TenuredProfessor, none of his outfit looks screen accurate, does it?

At this point, I thought that TenuredProfessor was the one being imitated... That other guy in your picture is such a newb.

Of course, no amount of praise can ever be expressed to John on these forums... Though I am certain we will try our best.

That sure is one great looking Cairo hat! Awesome job as always John!

I love these hats, especially the black cherry that I've decided to order one in that colour.

Okay! My Penman rabbit Raiders arrived on Tuesday! I know it's two days past when I should have posted. So, after the long wait of reading and viewing all the posts, I finally have one in my hands. I'm not sure there are words that I can express of the absolute beauty of this hat. Also, what can be said that hasn't from past and present Penman owners? All I can say is that I absolutely love this hat. It's everything I expected plus. Mr. Penman, I know that I have paid you for your work, but I'm forever in your debt for making my perfect hat.

Steven Thomas

P.S. I'll have pictures soon. It's been rather nasty weather in Tennessee.

Glad to hear you are happy with your fedora !!! I was fortunate enough to have some time to speak with John recently and he really knows his stuff !!! Post those pics Indy506, can't wait to see the hat !!! Enjoy

Sun popped out for a little bit today.

Outstanding!

Great "Swhoosh" to the brim going here ! Lookin' good! W>

The brim is probably my favorite part! So much character. Love this thing.

I've had my rabbit Raiders for almost a month and it has barely left my head. I love this hat!! Mr. Penman, I can't thank you enough.

Ridgerunner58 wrote:My latest delivery from Penman Hats.



It's a Casablanca in Granite, pure beaver felt with a charcoal grey ribbon - completed January 8, 2013.

Another amazing hat.

Ugh.... this hat is so beautiful it almost hurts. I'm gonna have to get this one.....

Wanted to share the latest Penman to arrive here in Tokyo...

This one's a stunner....I can't believe how nice the thing is...And I KNOW how nice John makes them...Brilliant stuff...I've talked too much already, so I'll shut up and get on with the photos...

John, this one's brilliant Sir. Thank you.



Forgive the grin, and the lack of decent clothing..But you know...Gotta try it on!



And lastly...



I'm going back to staring at her again....Later all!

John, thanks.