Club Obi Wan

How cool is that?

BendingOak wrote:

I recognized that hat immediately because I remembered that fantastic ribbon.

It's one roll of three I got that is vintage stripped ribbon. I need to make myself one like this before it runs out.

I'm sooooo excited ! Just can't hide it....wait a minute, those are lyrics to a 'Pop Song,' oh well, I am excited, my fifth Penman has now officially been ordered (check chased, etc.). "Casablanca" here you come! This wonderful creation will join my "Crusader", "Train", "Skull" and "ABLegacy"! What a fine compliment to this line up of Penman's! Ordered in steel grey with a charcoal ribbon. Now, patience through the process. Wish me luck on this one ! W>

WConly wrote:I'm sooooo excited ! Just can't hide it....wait a minute, those are lyrics to a 'Pop Song,' oh well, I am excited, my fifth Penman has now officially been ordered (check chased, etc.). "Casablanca" here you come! This wonderful creation will join my "Crusader", "Train", "Skull" and "ABLegacy"! What a fine compliment to this line up of Penman's! Ordered in steel grey with a charcoal ribbon. Now, patience through the process. Wish me luck on this one ! W>

Thanks buddy. It's always a joy to make a hat for you.

Just wanted to add one to this thread too, love this hat.

Croft

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As always. Looks good. Btw. Those Noel Howard pants?

Thanks, no they're Todd's.

Croft

Look good.

John finished my order last weekend, and will be shipping it out soon..

He sent me the photos, and so I'd like to share here as well..Since he did such a great job with making what I'd wanted...

Initially, I had asked for a Crusade styled hat, since I love the turned up sides of the Crusade and the slightly smaller in size feel to the whole thing, in one of the whitest colour felts he had, and John had suggested Silverbelly, which is just slightly off white, and I'm very glad he did so, since even as it is, this colour will be a touch harder to keep clean than perhaps it should be! That said, I'd wanted a hat that stood out more than my greys, and had a touch more "dress" to it than the others I own....

I've got a job that requires a dress up several times a year (Private high school in Tokyo) and so, to match my dinner suit and shirt, and long black (bridge) coat and scarf/gloves, I'd wanted something in white....

And my word did John deliver.....I'd told him before he started to "have fun" with how it was put together, and I think he threw in some variations on his "usual" process for the hats while pouncing this one, and several small changes in construction as well....The ribbon is a vintage black, and while I was open to colour changes there, or small detail points, chatting with John finally decided me in having it one solid colour there...And I'm very happy I did...The hat stands out for the right reasons now....And it didn't really need more....

I'm delighted with her, and can't wait to try it on soon....Should be here just in time for Christmas this year, and honestly, was intended as a small "self-present", since I live far away from family, and have none here in Japan, so celebrations are usually fairly muted alone here! <Sobstory....>

John, my friend....This is SUPERB work...I can't thank you enough...It's brilliant.

Here are the photos I was sent by John.

I like it.

Looks awesome, mate. Be sure to show that baby off when you get it.

Dave

That is an awesome color for a felt, wear it with pride and looking forward to a pic of you dresses to the nines.
One again, John comes through. Nice Job John, bravo.
Croft

It's been a while since I posted any pictures. So...this is my 2008 Penman beaver Raiders. This is one of the first ten that John made commercially available on COW. It's still my go to hat. Please pardon the "selfie" style shot, but I had just gotten back home and have this wonderful streetlight that provided great lighting. Anyway, the felt has mellowed out to a beautiful light brown or caramel color from just regular wear. My CS AB, when sitting next to this one, is about three shades darker. Both started out the same color but the AB rarely sees any action since I don't want to risk damaging the felt or even staining the liner.

Still one of my favorite hats on here. That hat looks like it has seen some advetures.

Thanks, Shade. Yeah, this hat is a consummate companion on my adventure of life. At this point, if I was ever in a tight spot and needed cash fast I'd rather sell my Gibson goldtop Les Paul than this hat.

Dave

fifthchamber wrote:John finished my order last weekend, and will be shipping it out soon..

He sent me the photos, and so I'd like to share here as well..Since he did such a great job with making what I'd wanted...

Initially, I had asked for a Crusade styled hat, since I love the turned up sides of the Crusade and the slightly smaller in size feel to the whole thing, in one of the whitest colour felts he had, and John had suggested Silverbelly, which is just slightly off white, and I'm very glad he did so, since even as it is, this colour will be a touch harder to keep clean than perhaps it should be! That said, I'd wanted a hat that stood out more than my greys, and had a touch more "dress" to it than the others I own....

I've got a job that requires a dress up several times a year (Private high school in Tokyo) and so, to match my dinner suit and shirt, and long black (bridge) coat and scarf/gloves, I'd wanted something in white....

And my word did John deliver.....I'd told him before he started to "have fun" with how it was put together, and I think he threw in some variations on his "usual" process for the hats while pouncing this one, and several small changes in construction as well....The ribbon is a vintage black, and while I was open to colour changes there, or small detail points, chatting with John finally decided me in having it one solid colour there...And I'm very happy I did...The hat stands out for the right reasons now....And it didn't really need more....

I'm delighted with her, and can't wait to try it on soon....Should be here just in time for Christmas this year, and honestly, was intended as a small "self-present", since I live far away from family, and have none here in Japan, so celebrations are usually fairly muted alone here! <Sobstory....>

John, my friend....This is SUPERB work...I can't thank you enough...It's brilliant.

Here are the photos I was sent by John.

Wow ! One Awesome Choice ! W>

First of all, Merry Christmas to all of you following this thread...It's been a long year, but one I'm rather glad to see the end of, all in all....

And I did that with some style today, thanks to my friend, John Penman... His hat arrived today and was perfectly timed for Christmas, and a shopping trip down to Harajuku in Tokyo with my girlfriend....Stunning hat, as I knew it would be...

John knows what I think of this, but I'll say it again, because it never gets old....This is BRILLIANT work...The best I've seen, and thank you deeply for the skill mate...It's a brilliant (self) present!

Here are the photos from today's trek!









And I tried on a pair of the Savile Row glasses used by Indiana Jones as well...I suspect I'll be getting these..Don't need glasses, but I rather like the effect on my face..So..

Let me be the first to respond.
1st Merry Christmas.
&
2nd, stunning fedora my friend, you wear it well. Makes me want to put on my Penman CS travel hat, that silver belly is stunning.

Johns work is truly awesome.

Croft

Yup...it's a winner. Nice work, John. Congrats on the new topper, mate. And Merry Christmas.

Dave

Beautiful work,congrats.

Gotta say, one of the sharpest looking Penman's I've see to date, and I'm not a fan of light colored fedoras, regardless of maker.

This one nails it, and you pull it off perfectly!

Oh, and get the glasses. I have a pair. They're great!

VERY Merry Christmas, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Gotta say, one of the sharpest looking Penman's I've see to date, and I'm not a fan of light colored fedoras, regardless of maker.

This one nails it, and you pull it off perfectly!

Oh, and get the glasses. I have a pair. They're great!

VERY Merry Christmas, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Regards! Michaelson

Thanks my friend!

I gotta say, I rather liked the glasses...I'd not expected to..But they're rather lighter than I assumed, and I could wear them without really noticing...Then, when my eyes DO fail me? I'd be safe anyway eh? I suspect I found my New Year present.....

Does anyone happen to know the size used by Ford in the film? I tried on the 49(mm? I'm assuming?) and liked the look...But does anyone have a cert on the actual size used in the film?

Thanks for the comments! This hat really is lovely...I think I should consider several more Crusade styled versions in different colours...I like this shape the most out of all those I've tried on my head...(Skull and Travel Skull, Raiders and Crusade so far)

I will repeat from my previous post: Wow ! One Awesome Choice !!! Now, to add to this, it looks even better on you, then in John's workshop ! Very nice hat and perfect with your photos of both, casual and dressed to (no, I am not going to say, kill) impress! Very nice. Good choice. Good call and concept for the 'Crusade' style. You have chosen wisely ! W>

That's a beautiful hat, indeed. I'm struck by the difference in color between John's photos and yours, although they were obviously taken in different lighting conditions. I didn't realize that silverbelly could look so different outdoors vs. a well lit indoor shot. Gorgeous hat in any lighting, obviously.

I'm also interested in the screen used glasses sizing. Was that the Algha Pantos back then, as now?

Yes, while those lighter colors are beautiful, I don't get to wear them nearly as much as I'd like. If there's any dirt, grease, or oil near me, I'm gonna wear some of it home! LOL!

Illinois James wrote:That's a beautiful hat, indeed. I'm struck by the difference in color between John's photos and yours, although they were obviously taken in different lighting conditions. I didn't realize that silverbelly could look so different outdoors vs. a well lit indoor shot. Gorgeous hat in any lighting, obviously.

I'm also interested in the screen used glasses sizing. Was that the Algha Pantos back then, as now?

Yes, while those lighter colors are beautiful, I don't get to wear them nearly as much as I'd like. If there's any dirt, grease, or oil near me, I'm gonna wear some of it home! LOL!

Agreed....Indoors it can be almost silvery grey, and then outdoors, rather more white, except in shade..When the greyness comes back...Rather interesting colour!

And yeah, those were the Algha Pantos...Although the colour was wrong..They were the lighter coloured frames, not the chestnut version, although I've placed the order with the company and they're being made now...I went for the same size as this photo, 49, since that suited my face rather well, and wasn't too wide..

But if anyone does have the size used in the film, I'd be glad to hear it too...

Will it post pic sideways?

Of course it did....used the ipad again and the app 'tinypic'

no clue why this happens....the app kept talking about the 'clipboard'

stinks to be old and not understand all this technology

car96 wrote:Of course it did....used the ipad again and the app 'tinypic'

no clue why this happens....the app kept talking about the 'clipboard'

stinks to be old and not understand all this technology

Don't feel badly...you are not alone. I have many, many issues with some of this stuff ! However, if you look as good as these shots -- straight up, what's the problem ? W>

Well, I am moderately excited.....moderately -- NO ! I received a call from John today and my Casablanca will probably be finished by the end of next week! Now, the real wait begins, however I know, that in the end, the time in wait will be worth it! Thanks John! Excited to get my grubby little fingers all over this offering W>

Make sure to post pics as soon as you get it. I've loved every Casablanca hat John has made and have it on my want list.

Dave

I just wanted to share this wonderful e-mail I got from a customer. I get e-mails like this from time to time and it really makes me feel good. This is the best part of hat making. Meeting wonderful people like this young man.

Dear John,

The LC lid arrived Tuesday, and the AB Legacy arrived today. I have to say, HOLY SCHNIKES!!!!! These hats are amazing! absolutely beautiful! The finest lids I’ve ever owned by far! The LC hat is a lifelong quest come true. Nobody gets that hat truly right, except you. From the bow, to that gorgeous brim, to the crown shape you knocked it out of the park! I’ve only owned one other beaver hat, it was an AB circa 06’. The felt you’re using (which I assume is the same Mr. Delk uses nowadays) is so much thinner and lighter. I was blown away by how light the hat is. you were right about the finish too, it came out amazing! Absolutely beautiful, and the softest feel, I can’t believe how soft it is. And speaking of felt, I can’t believe how awesomely floppy the Legacy is. It’s definitely the ultimate Raiders hat short of going back in time and having Mr. Swales make you one. Thank you so much. For the hats, and for encouraging me to stick with firefighting all those years ago, for being an open ear when my Dad was sick.

Fortune and Glory,
Eric Cromeens

Congrates, always nice to have someone put it into words on how a lot of us feel.
Nice Job.

Croft

Car96 is that a LC lid?

Andy.... It's was made to be a Raiders. I haven't tried to change it. Made of beaver but responds like rabbit.?

I never understood John's explanation , something about a new process? Hat is over a year old.

Car96 it's an awesome looking hat regardless. I thought it may be the Canyon fedora from LC with the front pinch styled the way it is. But the brim is too wide for that particular hat. I've noticed you post a lot of LC oriented gear so I guess I figured this hat was LC as well. I'm Brian btw. I know my user name looks like 'andy' but it's actually, 'anindyjones'. You know, like we all have an Indy jones sometimes.

Brian,

Cool. I do like the LC look the best. Love the Raiders hat too.

Actually now that I think about it, I have a Penman Raiders & TOD and a Steele & Jones LC hat. Kinda forgot about it like that.

I like my Raiders...it's actually too big. I need to get more hatband 'fillers' to make up for the somewhat loose fit.

I open this dialog, first, with an apology to Mr. Penman. John: I absolutely love my new 'Casablanca Fedora' and due to the death of our (my wife and myself) sister-in-law's brother, things have been crazy, thus no post to date. However, I do love this lid! It looks and feels (if one could reach into the screen and feel something) like Bogie's fedora from this grand favorite of his many 'bigger-then-life' movies (and characters), "Casablanca!" The charcoal grey color, enhanced with the beautiful black ribbon and exquisite bow work shine just like it does on the 'Big Screen!' Fit, as always -- perfect and the 'almost already' broken in touch and feeling is at the top of the ladder! Another great score from a true Master Hatter -- John Penman! , ! !!!!!


And, before the maddening and every growing mob throws up (THIS THREAD>>>>>>>, etc.), I have a buddy at my (pt job) who told me he will take shots of the hat and me with it and I will get up sometime by the end of this next week.


Everyone here, surely by now, knows that John makes some of the finest 'Indy' offerings available, but I have to tell you -- don't stop there! Check 'um all out and buy, buy, buy! You won't regret it! (Was that the way you told me to say it John? Or, do I need to jazz it up more?) Seriously though, your hats are the tops, John and I would recommend them to anyone and everyone and do!

Thanks again old friend ! W>

My wife says she likes my Casablanca the best of all the hats I own. (which is really saying something.)

Having picked up 9 Penmans and 2 ABLs from John over the years (plus 5 Adventurebilts, Garrisons, too many Akubras to count, and others) that's saying something. And what I can add, which is amazing since the first one I got from John is perfect, is they only get better.

Ridgerunner58 wrote:My wife says she likes my Casablanca the best of all the hats I own. (which is really saying something.)

Having picked up 9 Penmans and 2 ABLs from John over the years (plus 5 Adventurebilts, Garrisons, too many Akubras to count, and others) that's saying something. And what I can add, which is amazing since the first one I got from John is perfect, is they only get better.

Is this not so? This is number 5 for me (Penman-wise) and it just amazes me how wonderful they are! I have and still own a bunch of hats, quite varied and wide ranging, but when it comes to fedoras, Wow, John is really good! W>

I love this custom made that John made me.

Jeremiah wrote:I love this custom made that John made me.

Very cool ! W>

I dig it, Jeremiah. That's one cool hat.

Dave

Thanks. I certainly am enjoying it.

Got another month to wait before I get mine finally, any advice from anyone that has had theirs for a while now?

Yes. Wear it, enjoy it, don't treat it like a Faberge Egg, brush it occasionally, handle it by the brim - not the front pinch, and don't be surprised if it reproduces all on its own. (Mine do. )

chenricy wrote:Got another month to wait before I get mine finally, any advice from anyone that has had theirs for a while now?

Advice in regards to what? Not much you can do but wait..and look forward to its arrival.

Because the question was phrased with the "had theirs for awhile" clause I interpreted it as asking "what should it do after I receive it?"

Short answer - wear the heck out of it.

Ridgerunner58 wrote:Because the question was phrased with the "had theirs for awhile" clause I interpreted it as asking "what should it do after I receive it?"

Short answer - wear the heck out of it.

I agree. Wear it wear it wear it!

Ordered my first Penman today!

Talked to John for a while on the phone. What a guy. What a hat.
I can't wait.

B