Club Obi Wan

UPDATE 6/11/05

The second batch is on deck at EB*y. PLease see the link in the classifieds.

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To all who are waiting on the Camptowns first batch they are en route to you via UPS

A quick (poorly photographed by me, sorry) preview of #002:





Enjoy !

Ken

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Hello all,

I just got word that my first run of hats is completed. I will go pick them up on Monday and ship out to those who ordered next week.

Thanks much !

Ken

Great news, Ken! I'm glad to see things are finally getting under way!

bink

It's been like watching an airliner being designed, built, then awaiting the opening of the hanger door for the first test flight. Seems to take forever, doesn't it? But it's worth it!!!! High regards! Michaelson

Have we seen a picture of the finished product? Have I missed something? Have I really been asleep that long?

Those are three distinctly different questions, HJ. Yes, probably, and who knows. (grins) Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Those are three distinctly different questions, HJ. Yes, probably, and who knows. (grins) Regards! Michaelson

Well, I'm glad it's not just me. Congratulations Ken. I would love to see some photos.

I will pick them up on Monday and have some snaps ready. I am very pleased with the inner liner decal design from our own Namebrand and now I have to hope that the hats measure up to the logo !

I think they will.

Thanks to all,

Ken

Bump !

Great lookin' fedora, Jersey! I can'r wait to see more pics!

bink

MORE PICS PLEASE

can't wait to see more of your nice hat

erri_wan wrote:

MORE PICS PLEASE

can't wait to see more of your nice hat

Here are two more:

The liner logo



The unbashed look



Thanks for the interest !

Ken

Lookin' good, JJ! I know you're selling these as an open crown fedora you can style however you want. Do you have any pics of how it would look with a C-dent bash?

bink

To answer the one question, they can be had with dimensional cut on the brim, or without. The one pictured is without (and is mine). Regards! Michaelson

I agree. I really want to see one of these on someone's head, even a mustached head. That's really the only way to see a hat, or any piece of gear; it needs to be worn.

Well, the first photo is a shot of mine as well, to give you an idea of shaping. I asked JJ to shoot several photos of my hat just in case these questions came up, and they did. Regards! Michaelson

I remember reading a thread about these hats some time ago. I am glad to see another option put out there. They look good. Does JerseyJones have a website set up with information regarding the lids or should I search the archives for more info?

Not that I'm aware of, but he is selling these through ebay auctions. I'm sure he'll step in directly and fill you in with the details. In the meantime, a search of the vaults may answer your questions. Regards! Michaelson

And if I remember correctly, you can buy the hats directly from him, without having to go through eBay. Just send him a PM.

bink

That is correct, bink! Thanks for posting that. Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees! Regards! Michaelson

I hate ebay its the least personal way to buy things. I like speaking to the vendor, letting him speak of his product...

Amen, LJ. It's always the best way to go! High regards! Michaelson

Hey all,

Its nice to see folks talking about my lid with some favorable responses !

All in all , this has been a tough project to launch, but I am pleased to have this hat out there now.

The details on this lid will go on the website www.camptownhats.com soon, but for now simply put, this is the beaver blend answer to an Akubra unbashed. I did not set out to duplicate the Indy lid, since there are so many who did so well.

What I DID do was put a DIY Beaver blend hat at everyone's disposal at a fair price.

My current deal for COW members,
I will put this hat in your hands for $140.00 flat with USA shipping and if you use PayPal, the paypal fee. My regular price will be $150.00 +s/h/PP and styling. There are no styling charges for the COW folks (tho most of you like to tinker with your own lids, I know...)

I do these by batch order, so when I have 8-10 orders, I can set up to have them filled. As to dimensional cutting, I am willing to do it or make arrangements with folks to get it done by another hatter for a fair price. Otherwise, the hat is a 2 7/8" brim all around.

At this moment I have a spare 7 1/4 and 7 3/8 both non-dimensional on hand for anyone interested in those.

For more information please PM me or post a question here.

Thanks
Ken

I've been watching mine come cross country via the UPS tracking number. It's in Knoxville right now, due for delivery tomorrow....in time for my birthday!! Regards! Michaelson

Just out of curiosity, if I may ask why do vendors sometimes like this time wait to have like 10 or 15 or whatever amount of products ordered, in order to send them away?

Ps.Thx for the remark Michaelson

Pss.Happy b-day man!! Hope you have a great time at you 20th birthday

Luisiana Jones wrote:
Pss.Happy b-day man!! Hope you have a great time at you 20th birthday

Man, I'm liking this guy more and more! Thanks, LJ!! High regards! Michaelson

Luisiana Jones wrote:Just out of curiosity, if I may ask why do vendors sometimes like this time wait to have like 10 or 15 or whatever amount of products ordered, in order to send them away?

Ps.Thx for the remark Michaelson

Pss.Happy b-day man!! Hope you have a great time at you 20th birthday

To answer your question Luisiana, its simple, I need to meet a minimum order with my manufacturer, who does the assembly of my hats to my specs. Since my specs are a bit more specialized than most, he needs to alter his usual process to be able them and so must do several at a time.

If I am fortunate to get enough of a demand for hats, I will then stock up on the more popular sizes. For now, this ensures that I get you the best hat I can for the price I am offering through small batch craftsmanship.

Regards,
Ken

P.S. Happy 19th birthday Michaelson !

Ken,

Thoes look really classy. But im still not sure of the setup. Are you making them your self? or are you buying them from someone? Im not quite sure whos making them. The liner does look awsome. Great job there.
Regards!
Adam

Michaelson wrote:

Luisiana Jones wrote:
Pss.Happy b-day man!! Hope you have a great time at you 20th birthday

Man, I'm liking this guy more and more! Thanks, LJ!! High regards! Michaelson

Hey, Happy Birthday! Next year when we turn 21 we'll have to go get us a nice cold brew together!

Molorom wrote:Ken,

Thoes look really classy. But im still not sure of the setup. Are you making them your self? or are you buying them from someone? Im not quite sure whos making them. The liner does look awsome. Great job there.
Regards!
Adam

The setup is this: I have a personal relationship with a hat making company here in New Jersey. The owner makes my hats in his facility to under my direction and with my specifications in small, hand made orders. He has people who have done this in various countries for 15 + years each doing the work. This same company makes the Rodeo King Store's line of western hats (including the 100X and up), as well as a huge volume of high end law enforcement hats.

He and I do this project simply because he loves being a hat maker and loves the styles I am working on. The situation I explained to Lusiana is the real essence of this project. It is based upon this special relationship, that he alters his production line and let's me get this Beaver hat out there at fair price.

Thanks
Ken

Sounds cool,
Thats a good price too.
They look like they would be nice hats, and the felt looks quite good too. Have you ever thought about offering them in other colors?
Adam

I just LOVE that new hat label too! Really sets it off, along with the plastic top liner! Reminds me of some of the vintage Stetson's from the 1930's I have handled in the recent past. It's those little details that I like in a nicely made hat. High regards! Michaelson

Thx for the info Jersey Jones, I have wondered that for some time.

And thx Michalson for the compliment

Molorom wrote:Sounds cool,
Thats a good price too.
They look like they would be nice hats, and the felt looks quite good too. Have you ever thought about offering them in other colors?
Adam

If there is enough interest, I have already considered doing one in gray. I'll put it this way, if I can get 20 at least orders for gray ones, I will sit with my maker and try to color match the Seaplane Gray from Raiders. I anticipate that the price would be the same or close to the brown one and I have already considered the name for the gray Fedora to be: The Model 1945 "Metropolitan."

So stay tuned and keep the comments coming.

Thanks
Ken

The beaver blend answer to the Akubra, huh? Well, I am all ears to hear the reviews when they start coming in on this hat. I've been considering a beaver felt lid and if its similar to the Akubra then it is in good company.

Here are a few more poorly taken photos of the Michaelson #002

The side shot



The Bow (admittely a non-Indy, but a wider 1930's styled bow)



and a sunlight shot of the hat in "ShakyCam (TM)"



For the whole gallery go here http://public.fotki.com/KenKenobi/micha ... _camptown/

enjoy !

Ken

hey GORGEOUS HAT

erri_wan wrote:hey GORGEOUS HAT

Thanks Erri. It's very satisfying to hear that ! If you are in the market for one, just let me know and I will start a new batch list !

Thanks
Ken

mark me down for a grey!

Adam

Nice pics, Jersey! You put out a fine looking fedora! I also like the name 1945 Metropolitan. If you make a three-colored hat, you could call it the 1950 Neopolitan! If you ever style one in a C-Dent bash, I'd love to see pics of it. I love all old-styled fedoras, not just Indy lids. It looks like you put out a great alternative to the Akubra, too.

bink

Now That's a very nice looking hat.

binkmeisterRick wrote:Nice pics, Jersey! You put out a fine looking fedora! I also like the name 1945 Metropolitan. If you make a three-colored hat, you could call it the 1950 Neopolitan! If you ever style one in a C-Dent bash, I'd love to see pics of it. I love all old-styled fedoras, not just Indy lids. It looks like you put out a great alternative to the Akubra, too.

bink

Thanks bink, I got a nice chuckle there. Point me toward an example of a c-bash you like and I'll try one if I can.

Take a look at this link:
http://www.dadshats.com/fedinjonpag2.html

If you scroll down, you'll see "C Crwon" fedoras. Thats the kind of top bash I'm thinking of.

bink

Am I the only person here who didn't realise that a new brand of fedora is coming out.

It's been fairly low profile, Canyon, but has been in the works as long (actually longer) than Fedora's original efforts in his fedora startup. Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:It's been fairly low profile, Canyon, but has been in the works as long (actually longer) than Fedora's original efforts in his fedora startup. Regards. Michaelson

Thanks for making me feel better, Michaelson.

Canyon---This is news to me as well.

I received my Camptown, and I'm extremely pleased with the hat. It has the same feel and texture as an AB, as well as the weight (that's the beaver content, I'm sure), and probably the most comfortable leather sweatband I've ever worn, as it's ventilated rather than solid, so air can pass through the leather. I wore the hat all day Saturday on a day trip to Lookout Mountain, and was quite comfortable all day, even with the temps in the upper 80's with humidity. Quite unusual for me.

The brim is VERY wide, but I know that was done for a reason, as it allows folks to decide how much to keep or trim for their own particular 'look'. I know that I'll more than likely have mine cut down to more suit my face shape, though my wife likes the wider brim, it's just a bit more than I can get used to. That's just me, though. The liner is not sewn in, like an AB, but is glued in like every production hat I've ever owned. Not a bad thing...just something I noticed. The plastic top of the liner is a VERY 30ish/40ish touch, and the decal really captures the overall feel of the hat style.

All in all, a home run in my opinion. It's got the Akubra Deluxe beat all to heck, and is a beaver blend to boot. For those wanting a fedora in the Akubra Deluxe price range, but can't afford an AB yet, this one fills that niche perfectly, in my opinion!

VERY nice job, JJ!!

High regards! Michaelson

Thanks for the review Michaelson. I like the idea of a 'too wide' brim! I am definitely going to consider a beaver blend in grey. I am on a quest for a classic looking grey lid. It is also good to see another vendor offering services in the hobby.

btw, where are the 'action' pics from Lookout Mountain??

Nope. Sorry. It was a spur of the moment trip for my wife and myself (we were going to just drive over to town and pick up a lite breakfast, and suddenly found ourselves on the Interstate heading to Chattanooga! That happens a lot to us. ), and a camera is usually the LAST thing I ever think of picking up. Pretty sad statement for a professional videographer, isn't it?
Regards. Michaelson

Great! I'm glad to hear the Camptown gets a good review! It sounds like Jersey has, indeed, hit a homerun. I really would love to see pics of the hat, Michaelson, if you can ever manage to do so. I want to eventually get a good grey fedora (I have a vintage Stetson in grey, but I want another for "everyday" use) and I love my AdventureBilts, but I also like to support our other gearhead vendors when I can. Hmmmm... when I get a grey fedora, I might have to consider the Camptown if Jersey offers a nice mideium grey...

bink