Club Obi Wan

Oak,

How would you describe the Sahara color. Is it gray with brown undertones? Or is it just tan? Really looks like it would make a nice Indy hat.

Matt

It's more of a tan. One of the 4 hats drying is a sahara. I'll post pics when it's done.

Hey Bending Oak,
New to the forum and just wanted to complement you on your fine work. I have read alot on this forum about your hats. I do not own one of your hats, but after working on a few of mine, I can appreciate what goes into hat crafting. I like your logo. Instant identification. Anyone who owns a JPenman has something special indeed. I like that you have ventured into other colors and styles.

Former lurkers review,
L.L.S.

Local Land Surveyor wrote:Hey Bending Oak,
New to the forum and just wanted to complement you on your fine work. I have read alot on this forum about your hats. I do not own one of your hats, but after working on a few of mine, I can appreciate what goes into hat crafting. I like your logo. Instant identification. Anyone who owns a JPenman has something special indeed. I like that you have ventured into other colors and styles.

Former lurkers review,
L.L.S.

Thanks for the kind Words. I woulD like to talk with you over somE of thE stuff you havE been doing.

Alway glad to help. Just PM if you would like. If you don't hear from me, it means I hit the wrong button using the forum PM thingy. Just keep trying

The 5 hats I have been working on is done and will go out first thing in the morning.

Here they are.

michael M=Raiders

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/j ... G_0487.jpg

jacksdad = CS

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/j ... G_0490.jpg

Mwells = CS

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/j ... G_0491.jpg

u2_m4r1n3 LC

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/j ... G_0494.jpg

g8rbyte first out of 2= Raiders

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/j ... G_0495.jpg

Last I heard, your looking at about 3-4 months. Thats not bad for a custom hat. The wait isn't too bad. What is unbearable is when John tells you he has sent the hat. Then you get really antzy.

Dave

I got my hat today and I love it, I will post pictures later,my wife has the camera. If any of you are on the fence about Oak's hat get off and buy one! It's the best hat ever and the quality and craftmanship is awesome. I was an electrican and I know quality and expert work when I see it and John has become an expert at his craft. I cannot say enough about this hat. No loose threads, packaged professioanlly, and fast shipping. I hope everyone has the chance to buy one and enjoy his hats.

Dave has it down pat....Post 'em up!



Oak, a question about the bow....where on the hat is the middle of the bow supposed to be? Is it around the middle, or slightly off centered, but towards the back? Just curious.

Texan Scott wrote:Dave has it down pat....Post 'em up!



Oak, a question about the bow....where on the hat is the middle of the bow supposed to be? Is it around the middle, or slightly off centered, but towards the back? Just curious.

All the movie hats should be placed in the middle but when you turn the Raiders hat to get the turned brim look it moves forward.

[/img]

this is my first attempt at pictures

I recieved my hat the other day it fits AWESOME! I love it! I will post pics once I figure out how to do so. Thanks Again!

Hi everyone,
Just had to take advantage of the weather and get outside with my wife and the camera and add a few more shots of my gorgeous Penman Raiders Grey Clipper.

If you're thinking about getting one of John's (BendingOak's) beautiful hats...
Well...
STOP thinking about it and get one ordered for yourself!
If MY experience leads me to believe anything, it's that I can guarantee, you WON'T be sorry!
(I wish I didn't have to make so many of them links... but I realize my pride in wearing - and having photos taken - of my most recent 'hatquisitions' puts me in danger of being one of the "using it like their own personal Photo Album" folks the MODS mention on the Forum Rules page!)
;-)
Anyway, hope you like the photos...
There's a few more (yes, believe it or not, STILL a few MORE) over on John's "Penman hats up-date 12/13/08 customers please read" Thread in the Vendor's Section.

Here's 4 Links:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00084.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00085.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00096.jpg

On this next one, my wife said "If you were trying to channel Harrison Ford's scowl, mission accomplished."
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00097.jpg


And here's 2 shots:

[img]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00094.jpg

[img]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00099.jpg

Here's 5 more Links:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00114.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00115.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00119.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00125.jpg

My wife wanted me to pass along what a rare shot this is: Of Me telling Her what to do (Yes folks, she IS that sarcastic)
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00126.jpg

And another shot:

[img]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00107.jpg

5 more Links:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00130.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00131.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00132.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00133.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00135.jpg

1 Shot:

[img]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00134.jpg

And lastly, these 4 Links:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00137.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00145.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00151.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00152.jpg

And these 2 shots:

[img]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00142.jpg

[img]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e38/M ... C00153.jpg

All the Best,
Mitch

Mitch, did you style the hat yourself and turn it or did John do all of that for you? Oak's hats all look great.

I agree that Mitch makes my hats look good and his wife great with taking his photo's.

pitfall, I believe I creased that one.


Mitch, I like the suit that you are wearing and the tie that you picked. Everything goes very well together. I think a part of what makes you pics look good is the clothing that you put with the hat. it looks like you have been wearing that hat for years. Good job.

Pitfall Harry wrote:Mitch, did you style the hat yourself and turn it or did John do all of that for you? Oak's hats all look great.

That's right, John did the bash, PH...I just curled up the sides a bit, other than that, it showed up in the box looking that good.
And like DR Ulloa said, it just keeps getting better and better every day... and with each wearing.

It is truly amazing the quality of hats being produced now by so many different vendors - especially when I think back to when I first joined up back in '03. A hat as good looking as Mitch's would have been the Holy Grail (pardon the pun ;-) ) back then, but now there are multiple vendors all putting out stuff that nails that look we all covet. It's a good time to be into hats - if only the economy was in better shape so more of us could take advantage of it!

Just wanted to let everyone here know that I'm deleting all my e-mails and Pm's. I tried to catch the ones I need to keep from all the others but there are just to many. I think I caught all the ones I need but if you contacted me and I haven't answered you in a few days please contact me again. Contact me via: info@penmanhats.com or PM. Sales e-mail address is for payment and orders only. I plaining to start the new year fresh and will be able to respond a lot better than I have the past few months.


Thanks again for all your support and understanding.

I really like the front crease. Did you do that or did Oak?

Dave

DR Ulloa wrote:I really like the front crease. Did you do that or did Oak?

Dave

Oak, I pushed the back of the center crease down about a 1/2 inch was all. But the styling was all his work.

Piker, that hat is so floppy that I doubt my crease job stayed.

BendingOak wrote:Piker, that hat is so floppy that I doubt my crease job stayed.

It was perfect outa the box! Only tweak it needed was a little push on the back dent.

Was prolly more Screen Accurate the way you had it, but I wanted a touch more front to back angle.

Hi,

Here in Spain, on the 6th January, we celebrate "Three Wise Men Day", similar to Christmas Day as far as presents are concerned. Well, just on time for this celebration I received my Penman Raiders fedora!











I asked for a generic Raiders fedora, I did not specify any particular scene; with the "turn" (this feature is appreciable at the above "bird's eye view" photo); 5 1/2'' tall, 2 1/2'' wide brim at the sides, and 2 3/4'' wide brim front and back.

The hat came fine, I only had to readjust the crown top, which surely got mildly battered in transit.

I have read Penman hats are ABs in all but name. I do not know because I do not have an AB to compare, but this hat is certainly a fine specimen! The felt is very soft to the touch; at the crown it is a little more consistent (I do not want to use the word "stiff"), the brim being more pliable. Finish details, like liner, sweatband, etc, are great! I also liked the enclosed sheets, covering hat care and hat etiquette (this was a nice touch!).

Dealing with John was a very good experience, too. Fast and efficient response always.

(Photo of hat on my head later...)

Highly recommended!

Bj, thanks for the kind words. I'm glade you like it.

I think laying the hat flat has flatten the brim a bitt. You need to pull the front of the brim down and place your hat on the crown upside down or let the brim hang over the edge of the table. Or even better, hang the hat on a hat/coat rack.

I'm very much enjoying all the photos of the new Penmans. They are still on my list for a fedora to possibly by.

However, I'm not seeing it with any gear. Seems like a lot of photos in every day wear. Anybody wearing all of their gear?

I also see lots of generic shots. I don't see much of "Raven" or "Well of Souls" bash. etc. Or is it only possible to request a generic bash from one of the films?

WhipDude wrote:I'm very much enjoying all the photos of the new Penmans. They are still on my list for a fedora to possibly by.

However, I'm not seeing it with any gear. Seems like a lot of photos in every day wear. Anybody wearing all of their gear?

I also see lots of generic shots. I don't see much of "Raven" or "Well of Souls" bash. etc. Or is it only possible to request a generic bash from one of the films?

I mostly just put in a generic bash into them because they change after wearing them while but will try and put in any bash you would want.

I had these made for myself and thought to have a few more made if anyone might want. I have them up on my site if needed.

lapel/hat pins


go to my site www.penmanhats.com

thanks

Hi again,

I have substituted better photos in my post above.

And here, the obligatory "satisfied customer" pic:



Regards!

Here is a couple of pics that got sent to from mcmanm. Hats look so much better on people that they do on a hat stand. He did a good job with the pics as well. Someone took a few steps back and took a really good couple of pics of the person wearing the hat. Good job mcmanm.

Here's a granite grey ( Indy Grey) and a steel grey that I sent out with 3 other hats.


http://i37.tinypic.com/104m790.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/2q99nk0.jpg


The Indy grey is naltak
The Steel grey is ky jones
the third is the TOD of crismans

I sent out two other non PEnman hats that I worked on a keppler that I flanged and a AB that I cleaned a few spots on. I think you guys know who you are. They are on the way.

I'm hoping to send out 3 more hats on Tuesday, I'll post pics and names when I do.

My Steel Gray Penman arrived today! My wife took some quick pics of my Steel gray and my Raiders, just for comparison. Now I'm in a quandry as I can only wear one hat at a time and I love both of these!

Oak, you were right about the felt on the steel grayt, it has a richer texture than the Raider. Wish the lighting was better, but it's overcast today and doesn't really do the color of the gray justice. Absolutely wonderful fedoras!

Steel Gray

Raiders

KY and his Peman and "Jack"

No Jack isn't smoking a huge cigar, that's his favorite chew toy in his mouth.
Enjoy!!

My Penman hat arrived today. John, it is everything I hoped for and more! This is my Indy grey CS. I had John make this with the same dimensions as the regular brown fedora without the extra crown height of the train hat. Here is a quick picture. I'll try to get a better one later in the right kind of light. Thanks John. Another greatly satisfied customer!

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq28 ... enman1.jpg

(Mod edit: pic turned to link due to size)

As I'm between significant others, I've been forced to rely on self timers to take the pictures. Plus my arm gets tired easily.




Marty

Here's my Penman ToD fedora. I got it on Tuesday but BendingOak was wanting me to tweak the front bash just a little after he had thought about it some. I've worked on it to make it a little more round and think it's really close to the hat that's my favorite from the movie. If there's any problem with the bash, the blame is mine, not BendingOak.

As for the hat itself, what praise can I heap on it that's not already been said. It's a terrific hat. Well made and just perfect. My wife doesn't arrive home until after it's getting dark this time of year so I'll have to wait until the weekend until I post pics of me wearing it.

Here's the hat I picked from the film:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... os/307.jpg

And here's the Penman:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 210115.jpg

Here's some other shots of this great hat:

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 210110.jpg
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 210111.jpg
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 210112.jpg
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 210113.jpg
http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 210114.jpg

Good looking hat. My favorite ToD hat is still the bridge (being chased by the thugees) hat.

Sorry, Mitch! I'm not sure I'd risk my arm to a sliding rock wall for this hat, but I'd be darn tempted. As an owner yourself, I'm sure you understand. ;-)

Here's a comparison photo. The angle may not be exact but it's close. I'm afraid I didn't get the mad look though. Just sort of chubby and sad.

Where's that post about Harrison's workout plan?

The crease job credit should go to crismans. He did a great job. thanks for posting that pic.

Thank you! Oak had it all but finished. He said that the creases needed to be more round, not triangular shaped like the other hats. I tried a dry bash with my fingers but it just wasn't working. I spritzed on some distilled water and worked the creases with a small ladle (yes, this got me a look from my wife). Seemed to work pretty well, if I do say so myself.

Yes. That hat has a very Raiders-esque pinch to it. It is just about as tight as I would set it in, but extend the front pinch lower, closer to the ribbon. Keep that photo as a referrence.

Dave

to current penman owners,

I've got a question. I ordered a penman recently, and i was curious how thick the felt is? now first, i understand that the thickness of the felt has nothing to do with the quality. but for me the thickness is important, because during the winter it can get pretty darn cold here in Finland, so the thickness determines how warm it will keep my head.

so what is the thickness compared to that of the federation 4 standard? thicker, thinner, or the same?

thanks

Jack

I was hoping that someone would jump in here and answer your question. The fed 4 is thinker but not denser. If the fed 4 works in the winter for you my hat will work as good if not better. Most people complain that it's to warm in the summer time and thats why they go for the rabbit felt.

well then, its a good thing i don't live in Louisiana anymore and moved over seas to finland. back home i would pretty much never be able to wear your hats if they're that warm. hehe. even the winters in Louisiana are never very cold. may be a bit cold in the morning, but by mid-day its quite warm.

and here in Finland it only gets warm for a few months, so i'll be able to wear my hat most of the year. will only be during the summer months that i would need to switch to my fed. or i could just be stubborn and wear the penman anyway, which i probably will be.

thanks for the info bending oak.

Jack

I have to say the felt is tuff as nails because it is very hard to block compared to others that I have tried.

I'm sure a bad review will pop up at sometime. I doubt if you can please everyone and 'm not perfect. I can make a mistake.

I do everything by hand except the bound edge. Sewing machine for that because i don't no anyone who would pay the price for me to sew one by hand.

Cigars, did someone say cigars.


Here are a few non Indy's that I made and are floating around the world somewhere.

Yes it's a machine sewn bound edge. Not many do it by hand. It would take all day to do it by hand. No one would want to pay for a hand sewn one. It's the only thing I will use a machine on.j

Indiana G wrote:oak, what color of felt is that one with the bound edge? it's very nice.

pecan with a brown ribbon.

oak, with the felt being tough as nails, it sounds exactly like the kind of hat i need. and any small mistakes on your hats i would see as giving it character, more than it being a mistake. kinda like my dining room table, is a 300 year old wooden table, lots of imperfections everywhere, but i see it as the imperfections making it perfect, at least in my eyes anyway. same as my house, which is about 400 years old. can put some pictures sometime if anyone wants to see.

i agree ulloa, 3 to 4 months isn't really that long. and i know it will be much better than any of the other hats i've bought, thats why i was willing pay more than i ever have before on a hat because i know in the long run i will be so glad i made the purchase. if i would have kept buying the cheaper hats, in the end i will have spent more than i spent on the penman. and that is one thing that helps a lot, is knowing there are many others waiting right along with me for their hats, otherwise i would be going crazy. hehe

so, where's the scotch and cigars? doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.

Here's a hat I'm about to send out that I made for someone who wanted a different colored Raiders hat.

It's pecan color with a brown ribbon. Forgive the photo's but I'm using my iphne again for this one. It's 5 3/4 inch crown with a dim. cut of 2 7/8 X 25/8.







I should be finishing and sending out the 3 hats that I'm running late on and then I'll be back on time. I will be working on November orders and touching December order as well.

I should be able to have all November orders sent out by the end of the month. That will keep me on track.

just a question, but why a 5 3/4 crown?

Dutch_jones wrote:just a question, but why a 5 3/4 crown?

Thats what the customer wanted.