The Best LC Fedora

[Dr. Henricus23]

Hi backstagejack,

No I didn't actually, I just ordered a 'average christy' so to speak-and it came out looking mighty fine! Bear in mind though I am 6'1, and have a 60-61cm head size-very large! Anyway I shall get these pics for you tomorrow.....But it seems you have gone with a Christys

[backstagejack]

What brand are you going with?

I'm thinking on going with Christy's as you can customize the brim size and from what I'm hearing the crown size also....I have not heard of this option coming from hats-direct....and for the money Christy's seems the best to go....as many people have said that the christy's block is pretty good for an LC.

I would go for a more expensive and SA hat but I have to get a jacket, fedora, pants, etc, etc. Basically all new gear to pull of an LC Indy by Halloween....as most of my current gear doesn't fit anymore..

Hi backstagejack,

No I didn't actually, I just ordered a 'average christy' so to speak-and it came out looking mighty fine! Bear in mind though I am 6'1, and have a 60-61cm head size-very large! Anyway I shall get these pics for you tomorrow.....But it seems you have gone with a Christys

I am leaning pretty heavily towards it. And I'm very glad it looks good on you, can't wait to see the pics. I'm 5'9 and about 57 cm....I'm worried the tall crown might look to "unwieldy" on my head.....I already have people telling me my hat is to tall when i wear my PB indy straw...but that also could be cuz people aren't used to tall hats anymore....

[Dr. Henricus23]

You make a fine point about people not seeing tall crown hats anymore - I have had someone saying my hat looks quite large, even though it fits well. Even Harrison's travel hat in KotCS looked tall on him.....I shall post pics for you tomorrow-I hope you like them. I share a liking of the LC gear with you-I prefer the dark strap, jacket looking more worn with storm flaps etc. and the more pink-shade trousers......Good luck

[BendingOak]

I would go with the akubra over the Chisty's.

[morethanatimelord]

I would go with the akubra over the Chisty's.

Quoted for truth...ive had an Akubra fed Iv for a while and for the price they are amazing. I bought a christys a whilbe back and the quality was very poor, they got my size wrong even though i told them the correct size. In the end i listed it on ebay and got my money back that way...from what i recall i didnt have any option to adjust the crown or brim size

[morethanatimelord]

...rub it in, would ya!

Now would i do a thing like that

[Texan Scott]

One could argue that "the Best LC Fedora" is the one that is perched upon your head at this very moment.

[morethanatimelord]

One could argue that "the Best LC Fedora" is the one that is perched upon your head at this very moment.

Indeed!

I havent been able to wear my Penman over the last 2 days for very long as its just been so #### hot here in the UK

[Dr. Henricus23]

Tell me about it morethanatimelord,

this heat is brilliant-though not so wonderful for my AS exams-restless night due to this hot weather.......

My Christys is actually very impressive - not poor in anyway, a nice floppy felt, and they kept in good touch with me and had it to me in a week..... So quality and experiences very, evidently.

But don't let this put you off backstagejack. I think the colour of the akubra is further out than the christy and the felt is tougher - better for Raiders if you ask me......

[Dr. Henricus23]

* vary, that should of been. Experiences VARY greatly.......


But the Christy is good for that tall crown, with medium pinch and turn etc. It is Certainly harder to achieve a Raiders SA look-even with ther adventure realm tutor-the right hand bash is THE most important thing to get that boxy look, but anyho.......Ill get these pics on here.......

[morethanatimelord]

Tell me about it morethanatimelord,

this heat is brilliant-though not so wonderful for my AS exams-restless night due to this hot weather.......

My Christys is actually very impressive - not poor in anyway, a nice floppy felt, and they kept in good touch with me and had it to me in a week..... So quality and experiences very, evidently.

But don't let this put you off backstagejack. I think the colour of the akubra is further out than the christy and the felt is tougher - better for Raiders if you ask me......

I must have recieved a bad Christys then ...the colour was great though and it was floppy

[backstagejack]

I would go with the akubra over the Chisty's.

So, you think an Akubra block, etc makes a better looking LC fedora then a Christy's block, etc?

I'm basically going for looks and not durability, etc...as I don't tend to wear brown fedoras much at all so the only use this hat will get is when I'm in full gear....(which probably won't be too much..) I'm more of a grey fedora wearer....

[Fedora]

Keep in mind that the Christy's has a 5 3/4" crown, which is very tall.

And none of the Indy hats (except the gray hat in Indy 4) were that tall. I think, depending upon the hat, and the film, they ran from 5 1/4 open crown to a max of 5 1/2 open crown.

And that was one reason Bernie went with a 5 1/4 open crown height on his first choice. The tallest hat he had from the warehouse was just under 5 1/2, with some being shorter. Even the newest hat he had from the prior films were not 5 3/4. Face it, that is a real tall hat, for a fedora. Fedora

[BendingOak]

I would go with the akubra over the Chisty's.

So, you think an Akubra block, etc makes a better looking LC fedora then a Christy's block, etc?

I'm basically going for looks and not durability, etc...as I don't tend to wear brown fedoras much at all so the only use this hat will get is when I'm in full gear....(which probably won't be too much..) I'm more of a grey fedora wearer....

There is more than block shape to consider.

[backstagejack]

How tall is a fed IV? Their site only states brim dimensions. How tall should a good LC be? And again I've heard that Christy's will alter brim dim AND crown specs....although this could be mis-information.

There is more than block shape to consider.

Why should I chose Akubra over Christy's? I've heard good things about both, although I've heard a few more complaints about Christy's on more then one thread then I have the Fed.

What options would you consider? and why? I've owned neither. The only fedoras I've ever owned were Stetson's...

[Dr. Henricus23]

Mr. Delk, or Fedora

I wondered-did you make the crown height taller of Harrison Ford's KotCS travel fedora? Everytime I see it (and love it)
I think the crown always looks about 5 3/4' tall.....

[binkmeisterRick]

backstagejack, the Akubra Federation line has a good history of being a hat that will withstand a lot of abuse. If you are after durability, then the Federation has a long and proven track record, whereas the Christy hasn't had a lot of time around here to prove much in that particular arena. But you specifically said that durability wasn't the issue, seeing that you don't plan to wear it that much, so that changes things a bit.

As for specs, the crown height is in fact listed at 5 5/8ths inches. They don't shape mail order hats, but offer a "blank canvas" for the owner to shape, style, or trim as desired. One of the cool things in my book, is that the FedIV line is blocked on blocks from the WWII era, so it has real vintage style to it. I do not know what kind of blocks Christy uses.

The main complaints I've heard about Christy's has to do with durability (how long until it tapers, though some appear to do better than others), the quality of the felt, and how they tack on the ribbon and bow. That said, the general style of the Christy really interests me. I'd love to see one in person. And yes, I believe Christy will tweak hat specs.

I can speak to the Akubra being a good hat since I've owned a couple and seen many. Again, I have yet to see a Christy in the flesh. Ultimately, I think either hat may work for what you want. It may come down to personal preference, though.

[eazybox]

I am in the opposite category from Bink; I own a Christys but have never actually handled a Fed lV.

I was about to buy a Fed lV when the Christys was introduced to this board about a year ago. To my eyes it looked more like my idea of what an Indy hat should look like than most photos I had seen of the Fed, and so I bought it, despite loud warnings from some members that it was inferior.

I've never regretted the decision. My Christys still looks good as new and the felt has softened nicely over the last year with normal use.

The Christys is not a super high quality hat and probably won't hold up to harsh abuse or extreme weather conditions. If you intend to steam it, or wear it in heavy downpours, I would recommend getting a Fed lV. But if all you require is a hat that looks the part and is ideal for casul wear, I think the Christys is a great choice. It is the hat I wanted but could not find anywhere when I began my quest for an Indy hat some 25 years ago.

Some of the harsher criticisms I've read seem to come from people who have not actually owned the Christys, and are simply passing on the opinions of other people who have never owned a one. That's why it is probably best not to listen to anyone (including me) until you have done your own research by comparing the threads on the two hats. And of course, you could also email Christys directly with your specific questions about customization.

There are no absolutes, and as Bink said, it really does come down to personal preference. I hope this helps.

Jack

[Texan Scott]

I own both, and like most everything else, it comes down to personal preference and its intended use. If you want a tough, durable hat, get a Fed. If you are using the hat for light use, something that pulls off the look inexpensively, go the Christy in "cork" or "light sable". With both companies, you get fast, expedious service.

"Best" is in the eye and pocketbook of the beholder.