Club Obi Wan

Nice liner artistry Fedora. Now THERE'S a crest I'd like to have on the inside of my hat. :junior: -IJ

I like the liner idea a lot.

Cheers,
Pyro

I like the liner idea a lot.

I did too Pyro. A liner needs a crest, and what better crest for a Raiders fedora than the headpiece from the Staff of Ra? Plus, it actually looks like a crest on first glance. I may even add different liners later on, for the LC hat, and am leaning toward copying the HJ crest with the burgundy and gold colors, with the headpiece being smaller and inside the burgundy oval. There are many things that I can do in the up coming years to change things up. I think it would be neat to have some round hat boxes made with a Indy motiff, like pyramids and such. That will have to wait though, but I have alot of ideas like that bouncing around my head. Fedora

All I can muster is a 'WOW!' Regards. Michaelson

Just an update for those interested. This thing is going too slow for me, and I have had to double up on my blood pressure meds. Just kidding, but I have discovered if you ever want to get into the hat business, you must have a couple of bushels of patience. This business is unlike any that I have ever seen, and vendors seem to care less if they sell you or not. Well, some of them. The distributor of the Argentina hat bodies is due back from Argentina tomorrow, and perhaps he will get the show on the road. I changed sources on sweats, and will be getting one of the highest quality sweats available, roan with excellent printing. Of course, I had to buy a gross to get them, but they are worth it. As I said before, I want to offer the highest quality hat out there, and also the cheapest to buy. I also changed block makers, and went with a guy who is as knowledgable as they come on blocks and has a shop full of the old machinery used way back when to make hat blocks. I am getting the blocks in 6 5/8 thru 7 3/4, reg oval, and long oval, and a few in long, long oval. You don't realize how much all of this costs until you start paying for it. Well, that is the update, and while I may be closer to opening shop, it sure does not seem like it. It will happen, but not a fast as I would want. So, now, I am shooting for October. Keep your fingers crossed. regards, Fedora

With every update, you make me realize more and more how much your hats are going to kick some major heinie! It will be more than worth the wait, I'm sure!

Keeping fingers AND toes crossed, despite how difficult it is to walk and type now,

bink

'A watched hatmaker will never block'.....old saying...just made that one up. Regards. Michaelson

Thanks Bink. I am in this for the long haul, so I really want to do it right, although this will take more time. On the sweats, I changed the script up, and got rid of the 10x, since all hats will not be pure beaver. It now reads, "Adventurebilt Hats
Fortune and Glory Fedora"

I figured that would be better. As time goes on, I can change up things, just depending on what you guys who buy the hats want. I am super flexible on this. Fedora

Just PM'd you about doing a few hats to help pass the wait time.
The one Binkmeister Rick sold me that you worked on is top notch and should hold me over.

Z.

So it's still working out for you, Zues? Glad to hear it!

bink

Rick,

Yup, that hat is SWEET! It has its own personality. Perfect shape and quite dressy. Makes my other hats look like distant runner-ups. Thanks to you, now I have to send in those for a Fedora make-over!


Z.

Michaelson wrote:'A watched hatmaker will never block'.....old saying...just made that one up. Regards. Michaelson

Where does your mind go when it comes up with these things?

Where.....do.....I....uh...what were we talking about again? Regards. Michaelson

Great, glad I stumbled upon this thread. I have money to burn and am not a very patient guy sometimes, so I have been looking everywhere to buy a Fedora without knowing everything I should. Thanks to Michaelson for heading me off at the pass to what could have been an unhappy purchase for me.

So now, my search is over, I wait! I look forward to the oopening of your "boutique" and as stated, have money to burn!

If you have money to burn this is the hobby for you! (not to mention you're my new best friend)

Yeah, if you've got momey to burn, Jess could ALWAYS use help on his therapy bills!

bink

Not to stray off topic, but being new here, I have a question. I here a lot of you guys mentioning COW. What is COW? Enlighten me please!

A cow is an animal which gives milk and goes "MOOOOOO!"

Or, it's Club Obi Wan.

I'm not sure which.

Yep, it's what we call our forum in 'short hand'. Regards. Michaelson

In long hand, we call it COOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!!

Holy Cow!!! A LOT has changed since I've been gone...I must come here more often. Great to hear about this, Fedora! Maybe I won't go vintage with my next hat...and just save up a long time and buy one of yours

High Regards,
Daryl

By the way, where the heck HAVE you been Daryl? You've been missed. Good to see you back! Regards. Michaelson

I've been on vacation Somehow I just gradually lost interest in the indy thing...started doing other things...but I think I'm back for a while... a trip to the renaissance festival, and a conversation with Canyon, kinda revitalized my interest. Some things have changed, I'm now wearing jeans and t-shirts again, but as the weather warms up, I'm gonna be wearing the old stuff again Back on topic...I'm gonna be in Chicago and might visist a hat shop. Its not Fedoras but its a hat shop. Think its called..."Optimo" but I"m not sure Anyway, can't wait 'til your up and running, Fedora!

Regards, Daryl.

Which Ren festival? That's my youngest daughter and her husbands business as craftsmen. Check out the 'events' section regarding the Texas fair.

Enjoy Optimo too!
Top drawer operation!

Once again, glad you're among us again!
High regards. Michaelson

'twas the Ren Festival in Ohio...I'll probably be going again before it leaves, though I doubt I'll be spending much there.

And thanks, its good to be wanted back

Regards, Daryl.

What a maroon I am!! Cow - CLUB OBI WAN idiot!!! I feel like an arse!!!!!!

Thanks Guys!

bowjunkie35 wrote:What a maroon I am!! Cow - CLUB OBI WAN idiot!!! I feel like an arse!!!!!!

Thanks Guys!

Me, I just kept pretending I knew what the COW was until it finally dawned on me...in big blue neon lights.

That was the most restraint I ever exercised in my life...a really long three hours...

Welcome, partner!

IJ

An update. I just found a vintage sweat imprinter like Optimo uses to put the initials in the sweat. So, I will be able to offer this. I am tickled to death over this find. Now, if those darn bodies would just get in. The supplier just got back from Argentina and it is typical South American mentality that is the hold up. Tomorrow, tomorrow. That is the trouble when dealing with that culture. I recall an instructor in college telling us the story of hiring diggers on a site down south. He would tell them to be at the dig site at 8 am. They would straggle in hours after the appointed time. Time schedules don't exist down there. I figure, once I finally place the order, I will buy up a large number so I don't have to wait on re-stocks. Live and learn. regards, Fedora

Hot dog! I've found that's one of those little additions to a hat that really makes it a special and personal belonging anymore. That's GREAT news, Fedora!!! High regards. Michaelson

So that means I can have my personal initials in the sweatband? WOOHOO!!!!!

bink

So, I will be able to offer this. I am tickled to death over this find. Now, if those darn bodies would just get in.

Well, I cannot wait anymore. Just send me an imprinted sweatband and I will wear that until the body comes in. I can stick a feather in the back and call it Indian Gear

Instead of my initials, can I just have my name put in there? Great find Fedora! :junior: -IJ

I want to see photos of Rick with his band and feather when he gets it! High regards. Michaelson

I want to see photos of Rick with his band and feather when he gets it! High regards. Michaelson

Done! You know I am not shy

High regards. Michaelson

Steve

Do you know when you wull get the blocks in at all?

Ken

Do you know when you wull get the blocks in at all?

I have some in now, but not the 6 5/8 yet. I changed block makers and went with a guy who has all of the vintage equipment. I just sent in a block that I want him to copy, and once I get his version back, I will order the rest. Reg. oval, long oval, and long long oval. Should not be too much longer now. Thanks for asking. Fedora

I feel like we're awaiting the birth of our first child!!! This waiting is rough! Regards. Michaelson

Go figure. The child is a blockhead.

I can hardly sit still waiting for shop to open, too!

bink

As long as it's a chip off the old block we'll all be happy

Okay Fedora, my question is, after you have measured your head, how do you know if you are a long oval or if your head is just warped or something?

after you have measured your head, how do you know if you are a long oval or if your head is just warped or something?

You can't tell by just measuring your head. If you already own a hat, it would be easier. Just measure front to back, and side to side at the sweatband. If the difference is around 1 1/2 inches, you have a regular oval. 75 per cent of hats that are custom made are regular ovals. So, more than likely, this is what you are. Regards, Fedora

I guess I am having a hard time with this. If you put your hat on your head, wouldn't it conform to the shape of your noggin'. And then when you take the hat off, it would go back to it's normal shape. Why would measuring your hat when it is not on your head, tell you what your head shape is?

Here is what my personal dilemma is. I measured my head and ordered a Kepler awhile back. It is a size 61 or 7 5/8 and it fit perfect. When I went to Gettysburg with MJ, it drizzled and rained all day long. So my hat got wet. After it dried, it is a little too big. It now comes down and touches the top of my ears which bugs me. So I stuck a small piece of foam inside the sweatband to make it fit better.

Everyone says that hats shrink and fit better as you wear them. Mine seams to be going the other way. It is getting bigger. It is not tapered and it looks the same as when I got it. I read about the lampshade trick, but I am a little leary of subjecting the hat to heat like that.

There are a few hats that I would like to order. (hint, hint, Fedora) I just want to know what size I need to order. And is my Kepler getting bigger or is my mellon shrinking. And before anyone says anything about a haircut, that doesn't make much difference. I keep my hair about the same most of the time.

I was beginning to think that I was going to have to take a roadtrip to Chicago, just to have Optimo use the Doc Brown special to hit my head with 1.21 gigawatts to tell me what my size is and if I am a long oval. I hope I don't have to go to these extremes.

yes, but if you wear it, then after a while it will be the shape of your head before you put it on and after you take it off, you just have to make sure it's a hat that you've worn very often for a while. :junior: -IJ

Fedora, I'm sold. As soon as I give up my Indy-On-A Budget vow (i.e., accumulate some dough), I'm giving you a call!

J

I agree. It would work with a hat you have broken in to fit your head. Fedora

Well, Buff, I discovered long ago that I am a long oval, and though I do have several 'standard' shaped hats in my stable, and they do indeed conform to my head shape when I put them on, there is a tightness on the front and back of my head as I feel the sides being forced into a longer shape. This where the red line comes from on folks foreheads when they take their hat off....more pressure at that location. With a hat pre-made in long oval, it's comfortable all the way around the head without the forcing of the hat into the shape when worn. This is the reason why I'm not that big a fan of 'off the shelf' hats anymore. They're all standard, and I'm getting fussy anymore about my comfort.
Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson,

I don't think that I am a long oval as I don't feel any additional tightness in the front and rear of hats as opposed to the sides. With this hat, I don't think it will conform to the shape of my head because it fits loose. I need it to shrink to it's original size first.

Like I said, it fit perfect when I first got it. When it got wet for the first time, it was too big when it dried. I have heard of people having their hats shrink and taper and all sorts of things, but I don't think that I have heard of anyone complain that their hat grew. I think it is just weird and I haven't really been able to think of a logical explaination. I wish my hat would shrink a little bit.

It is important that I find out what my exact size is, because I want to be able to order more hats (of the folks that hang around here, who doesn't). I would like to be able to order with confidence that I am getting the right size hat. I hate having to ship things back because they don't fit.

Has anyone heard of a hat getting wet and getting larger? When it got wet, I continued to wear it and it dried while I was on my way home from Pennsylvania. I actually thought that having it dry while on my head would make it conform perfectly to my head. I guess not.

The only thing that I could think that happened was maybe when they made the hat body, they shrunk it down to my size. Then when it got wet, it reverted back to it's original size. Now, since I am new to felt hats and don't know that much about how they are made, I am just guessing.

I may end up having to try to use a lampshade to shrink this hat just a bit. I have been wearing it with the hope that it will start to fit again. I don't know if it will, with the foam that I am currently using to make it fit.

Are you sure the hat didn't stay the same size and it was really your head that shrunk?

binkmeisterRick wrote:Are you sure the hat didn't stay the same size and it was really your head that shrunk?

Quite sure, Bink. I haven't had my head shrunk in a while. My therapist is out of town.

Actually, at my age, having body parts shrinking doesn't seem to be the problem.