Club Obi Wan

Oh no, they are correct Pagey. That's why they've been selling hardly any hats. :junior: -IJ

Oh no, they are correct Pagey. That's why they've been selling hardly any hats.

Which is why I think they're rethinking the whole Indy hat thing. They were selling them like hotcakes for a while in the late 90's but now it seems that at least on this board, they're stagnant. After all this is a business for them and if they can generate some business while improving on the content of their hats, why not make take the initiative. Of course, they could have gotten a call from LFL asking about the availability of their hats for Indy 4 which could have prompted them to look into it.

Never know :

This has been hanging fire ever since the days of Indyfan, and I'm personally happy to see that HJ has finally appeared to have come to their marketing senses. Time will tell.

binkmeisterRick wrote:Michaelson, it's great to see you've updated your avitar with a current picture of yourself!


bink

It's my drivers license photo....why? Regards! Michaelson

Finally got rid of the handle-bar mustache, huh? Is it harder to drink coffee with the new beard? :junior: -IJ

I've just gone to seed is all. Regards! Michaelson

Wonder why HJ does not flange the brims? It looks as if it was just cut and left flat. Perhaps it was just that particular hat? Seems like the one that I bought(to see what they were selling) came with a flanged brim. Now, if I were at HJ, I would do the research with the Raiders hat being the point of interest, and then I would provide a high quality hat that matched what I provided originally in block and cut.

My take on all of this is they will do what most other hat factories are doing. You source a brown body soley based on the cost, and you do the same for the compenents that make up the hat. Then, you mark it up a couple of thousand per cent and sell the heck out of them. The truth of the matter is, most of the folks that will buy the hat, especially after the new film comes out, coulld care less about the quality. All they want is an Indy fedora. And DP and possibly HJ will sell tons of them. If the hat is not even close, the neophytes will not be able to tell. It is brown, has a dark ribbon, yep, I got's me an Indy hat. My point is, this is the real mindset of HJ,IMHO, and could care less about satisfying a tiny market like is exihibited here on COW and TFL. If HJ used all high quality parts, the hat would cost you 1000 bucks. That is, if they kept close to the same profit margin. Heck, let me take that back. The hat would cost you 5000 bucks. Now, HJ is not gonna sell hats priced like that!! I could buy their felt, the sweats, the ribbon, the liners and sell the same quality hat for 40 dollars and still maintain my meager margins. That I can prove, and it is not heresay. I know what felt costs, all kinds of felt. You can actually buy rabbit bodies for 2 bucks. Yep, 2 bucks. I would never buy them, but the world is full of them!! And then you can buy bodies that cost as much as a current finished HJ, a raw body at that.
I know I walk a fine line here, being a vendor, but I am also a fan. And I was a fan for much longer than I have been a vendor. I am just passing on inside info, for folks who like me, want value for the dollar that they spend. I certainly do not want that HJ and DP business. First, it is absolutely impossible for me to do it. Heck, to be honest, I could not handle much more than I am curently doing. So, there is no ulterior motive here, on my part, except to educate. If HJ were to reproduce the perfect Raiders fedora, high quality, and not a disposable hat, I would stop making Indy fedoras except for friends who wanted a beaver hat. And I would be HJs biggest supporter!! regards, Fedora

Michaelson wrote:I've just gone to seed is all. Regards! Michaelson

No my friend, you've gone to coffee bean.

Yeah, yeah...that's it! High regards! Michaelson

Fedora,

Like prairiejones said, "just don't stop making them before Christmas."



-SH-

Serial Hero wrote:Fedora,

Like prairiejones said, "just don't stop making them before Christmas."

Hear, hear.

I guess it nice that HJ is trying, but that is one horrible pic. And the bloody price! I'll be sticking with AB

Pagey wrote:That truly is a terrible price for a rabbit felt. I do still have a soft spot for the HJ- I just wish it was better hat at a more reasonable price.

Exactly! I'd love to have an HJ, but that is way too much for a rabbit felt hat. If I could get one for $200 I might consider buying one for the collection, but $300 is way too much.

Zach R. wrote:

Serial Hero wrote:Fedora,

Like prairiejones said, "just don't stop making them before Christmas."

Hear, hear.

Forget that! JUST DON'T STOP MAKING THEM!

Todd sells his cheaper, and I think that would be the way to go if you bought one. I think he is also working on getting a better block shape, but have not heard anything recently. Heck, I am just tickled that us Americans do not have to order from overseas, due to the faster delivery time. I bought one from Todd, and while my hats are much higher quality, I still like having an HJ dorning my hat tree. Like many, I have a particular fondness for the name. But what I really want is an HJ that is made to last for awhile. Heck, a hat does not start to look good until after you have had it for a few years and gave it plenty of wear. I have seen mint HJs on this site, that are several years old and still look brand new. I do not think those folks really wear a hat though. A display piece does not have to last under wear and tear. A real world hat has to. Fedora

They are $225 from Todd's Costumes.

Forget that! JUST DON'T STOP MAKING THEM!

Even Better.

WOW. How could i have missed this thread so long? So many impressive news in this one.

Nice email from HJ... i'm just happy that HJ stopped being BLIND about indy hats. I hope they will find the Lost Block or whatever they went looking for in the raiders-style Warehouse in Cambridge . I suggest not to email them too frequently like an email a day or they will start to be harsh again for sure


Steve i really hope you arent serious when you speak of stop making hats, it would be such a shame, you're the best hatter. Although your hats could be as rare as the 80's HJs and the COW members, lucky possessors of an AB (or more), will find a fortune in their hands in few years

I thought many times you could work for Lucasfilm LTD without problem, you would give them the best indy hats ever at the best prices for indy 4, you should consider this idea and contact someone

Do not stop making hats, Fedora. At least not until I get one.

For the record, Fedora, I too want to see you keep making hats. Even though I may eventually get an HJ (if the quality goes up), there is NO doubt in my mind that your Indy hat is the best one ever made. Including the ones used in Raiders [IJ ducks behind a desk to avoid the objects being thrown at him]. Don't stop making hats, Fedora. :junior: -IJ

Ps. erri_wan, great signature, I couldn't agree more!

Not to worry. I am not burned out yet. But, you all know, one day I will have to stop. That will be when something better comes along at a fair price, or I get tired of making them. I get a kick out of making Indy fedoras, but alas, I know one day the kick will be gone. Then it will be time to give more time to my other hobbies. But, I have been fooling around with hats for several years now, and I am enjoying it all the more. Especially when I see a hat that I personally made, on a chaps head in China!!! That my friends is worth more than most things. I would be willing to make someone a free hat, if you are going to Egypt and would promise to give me a pic of yourself in front of the Grand Pyramid.(wearing an AB ) See, I just have this thing about Egypt, or ancient Egypt. This predates the Indy films, as I was an Anthropology student at one time in my long life. Fedora

Hey! Doesn't the pic of me standing in front of the pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico count for anything? (I also remember several people who tried to buy my Adventurebilt off my head during that trip!)

bink

prairiejones, do you have any pics of what you did ( before and after) and what you used?

I do have some pics of the process that I used. I'll post some tomorrow.

great thanks, what cigar are you smoking?

Fedora, if I ever go to Egypt, I will be sure to bring my AB and send you a pic of the hat and I in front of the great pyramid. :junior: -IJ

Well if you want to end your businness it's up to you Fedora, i personally think you shouldn't stop because you will become more and more famous every year and you'll make big money with it. I really suggest you to contact someone at the Lucasfilm LTD or Spielberg companies, i'm not joking.

At least take an apprentice before you leave!

It will be a sad sad day when you will end up making those wonderful hats. Tell us, a year before at least, if you're going to end up with it please, so i organize myself to buy some more before you leave the "market".

It's just a tasty little Punch. Short and sweet.

PS I was thinking the same thing, Tone.

prairiejones wrote:It's just a tasty little Punch. Short and sweet.

PS I was thinking the same thing, Tone.

Rothschild?

Fedora wrote:I would be willing to make someone a free hat, if you are going to Egypt and would promise to give me a pic of yourself in front of the Grand Pyramid.(wearing an AB ) See, I just have this thing about Egypt, or ancient Egypt.

So I guess Photoshop is out, huh? That will be the only way I get to Giza.

binkmeisterRick wrote:Hey! Doesn't the pic of me standing in front of the pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico count for anything?
bink

BELIEVE me, bink...we were ALL glad you were out of the country at the time....I mean that in a good way...uh...ummm.... 8-[

Steve, your hats have been seen in China, Florence Italy, Mexico...and the list is growing. Like we suggested before....hope you have a wall map and pins to show locations they've been spotted!

Regards! Michaelson

Yeah, Michaelson... but I had to "acquire" a LOT more wallets down there to make up for the local currency.... Although meeting IndyMcFly helped...

bink

How? Did he have more in his wallet than the locals? Regards! Michaelson

He still has some U.S. cash on him. Had, that is.

bink

Uh huh. I thought so.... Regards! Michaelson

What about a world map with red coloured States where the AB are and has been and yellow states where they still have to go?

Fedoraman, Punch Corona Gorda.

erri_wan wrote:What about a world map with red coloured States where the AB are and has been and yellow states where they still have to go?

need a world map!

Vannevar wrote:

erri_wan wrote:What about a world map with red coloured States where the AB are and has been and yellow states where they still have to go?

need a world map!

Ok i'll have a look on google

vp, large and in charge!

You have to share it into all the states of the world.

Okay, VP, now you have to colour all the countries alphabetically by height.

bink

Now we need a good photoshopper to colour every state where the ABs are and have been.

Anyway we should move this post somewhere else guys!

Like we suggested before....hope you have a wall map and pins to show locations they've been spotted!

Regards! Michaelson

I did just that!! I am using maps from National Geographic, and little colored pins. Only thing is, the print for the cities and towns are so small, that it takes a magnifying glass, plus my reading glasses in order to read them. Fedora

I can do it, just make me a list.

I find it fascinating how some of you seem so fascinted and obsessed with the AB's. Is there some kind of new brainwashing technology hidden in the sweatband of these hats? First, the lot of you posting pics of your 'new' AB's that look the same as the last one posted as well as the next. Then you have silly, silly postings comparing the AB to other hats that are obviously not it's equal, it seems just so people can praise it even more than it already has been. Now, you're asking for a map of the world so that you can document where they've all been?

...OK.

In all my time here not one single piece of gear has has such a fanatical following. I'm trying to figure all of this out because it's just a hat. Perhaps Steve has figured out a way to take over the world through his hats. Once this map is filled with enough hats and in enough places, the signal will be given to take over the rest of the world and all of it's substandard fedoras.

(Recieving signal...) Kill the infadel!!!!!

Before the AB came out, didn't folks post and compare pics of their HJ's, PB's, Optimos, Akubras, etc? Personally, I find it interesting to see pics of hats folks have bashed themselves, since there seems to be several techniques on how to achieve the "look."

I think folks are proud of their gear, whether or not it's a hat, a jacket, bag, etc. Heck, though I don't browse through the jacket section as much since I've gotten my Wested, I still remember seeing tons of new Wested pics which all looked pretty identical to me. "Oh, look! Another 'I Got My Wested' thread" I thought. And I was one of the lot.

I think it's a little different with the hat because of its handmade nature and that it's made by one of the most discriminating Indy hat fans around. I'm not saying that the handmade holsters, jeckets, and whips are to be ignored or scoffed at, rather, I feel I could figure out how to make a holster before being able to make a decent hat that actually LOOKED like a hat. For me, I am an AdventureBilt fan simply because the quality and workmanship of it. Whether it's an Indy fedora or not, the materials, style, quality, and price remind me of many true vintage fedoras (of which I own and have owned plenty). Yes, I've seen your Optimo Indy, and I love your hat, but the price of an Optimo is too high for me, especially given what the AB has to offer.

Sure, it's interesting to see the pheonomena the AB has created, but right from the beginning, the specs, materials, and look seemed to be there, more so than any other hat, save the original Herbert Johnson itself. I believe the majority of AB owners praise the hat because they honestly love it so. I don't think anyone has neccessarily been told how to respond once they recieve it. (There have been a few who said they did not like the AdventureBilt.)

As for the map, if I were a custom hatmaker, I'd think it cool to have a map in my workshop showing where my hats have been. It's a personal thing. Does it need to be here? I don't know. I do know, however, why I love my AdventureBilts, and it has nothing to do with the hype.

bink

EDIT: There was an attempt to consolidate the "I Got My AB" threads into one, though it was never entirely successful. The same could probably be done with Westeds, WPG's, and the like.

I'm trying to figure all of this out because it's just a hat.

Yep, it is just a hat. I think most of this is just due to the fact that I make and sell a 450.00 750.00 hat for 225.00. And, it is made by a true Indy fan. And, it is not an off the rack hat. And, unlike 99.999 per cent of other hats, the hat is actually handmade, in the same manner as was done in small shops. Basically, my intent was to provide a top of the line Indy fedora at a steal, for my friends and fellow fans. There ain't many top of the line Indy fedoras out there, and when you do find one, you better get ready to take out a loan. I have never seen a hat worth 500 bucks. I have seen plenty of folks, including myself, who were mis-guided enough to spend that sort of money on a piece of fur, leather, rayon/cotton, and satin. Heck, I was tired of doing it, and once I found out what a rip off hats actually were, I decided to make my own. And in doing so, made a beaver hat affordable. Plus, it is harder to find the right block shape than one might suspect.

So, I think it is the price/looks/value equation that has made my hats a success. Would you be more amicable, if the hat that was being posted about and praised was the Optimo? There is no hype involved in my hats. The hype is not needed. Real, high quality felt needs no hype. What sells my hats are the hats themselves. That is why for many folks, one is not enough. And I am grateful.

At the outset, I made the comment how gratifying it was to know my hats were being worn in all parts of the globe. I draw immense satisfaction from that. It is a buzz, with no chemicals needed.

With that said, I get tired of reading about the ABs sometimes too. But, it seems that AB owners love to read and post about the hats. If you are pleased with a hat that you buy, why should you not post about it? Since I have made and sold close to 400 hats now, most to lurkers and folks who have found my site, it could be worse. Consider yourself lucky that all 400 folks are not posting. Fedora

I think that the reason that the AB has such as following is because it is the hat most of us have been looking for since we first saw Raiders.

There is a trend I've noticed though. We now have a lot of great vendors. Screen accurate gear is just a mouse click away. If you've got the money you can get all the gear you want, and nearly as fast as you want. It seems like the days of having to hunting for the perfect piece of gear is over. But IMO half of the fun is the thrill of the hunt.