Club Obi Wan

I am not sure which one to choose between a HJ white lining version and AB fedora? I like both quality and originality or movie accuracy. I guess HJ has the heritage of the three films but people here raves about AB. Is the prices for these two are similar?

I had the same doubts before arriving to cow, if its of any help ill tell you what i ended thinking,

HJ: Much less quality than AB Beaver for almost the same price, but its the same brand than the ones used in the movies although it wont look that way.

AB: Extremely nice quality for a really good price, you will get what you ask for, you want Raiders Cairo scene fedora, well that s what you are going to get, you will put the movie and youll have the exact same hat in your head.

Conclusion from my view the AB is a better choice, but this wouldnt be a fair review as I dont own a HJ, so ur choice

YUp thats better, some pics are always good

Having been a devotee of Herbert Johnson since I became a gearhead in the late 1980's, and having both hats on hand brand new, there is a marked difference in the hats. I recently picked up my Adventurebilt and as I stated in my review: the hat has the same feel, weight and texture of the Herbert Johnson that I bought through Lee Keppler in the early 1990's. With that said, my opinion is such that if you want a screen accurate Raiders hat with the same characteristics of the original Herbert Johnson without paying as much then the Adventurebilt is the way to go.

However, the Herbert Johnson's that I bought in 2003 (I bought 3, worn 1, 2 brand new in the box), are still, in my opinion, high quality hats. They might not be worth the $300.00+ U.S. that the conversion amounts to, but they are still good hats. Personally, I am torn between the two. Which is why I have both and will probably be ordering a couple more Adventurebilts within the next month or so. One can never have too many hats!

I do not own an HJ, but I love my AdventureBilts. This is what I can say about the AdventureBilts, though. I love and collect vintage hats. The AB is handmade and is built like the vintage fedoras of yesteryear. Comparing my AdventureBilts with my vintage hats, the AB even surpasses the quality of some of my vintage hats. The look, feel, and block of the AB is dead on 1920's-1930's in my experience. What's more, Steve will make the hat to your specifications and do everything in his power to make you a happy customer. His customer service is beyond top notch and even has a money back guarantee. He has a 99.9% customer satisfaction rate. Once you buy an HJ, it's yours whether you like it or not. The various issues and opinions I've heard with current HJ hats far outweigh the very very few complaints about the AB.

I'm not bashing the HJ since I've never owned one, and I don't doubt they are nice hats. Yes, Herbert Johnson has "the label," but if you want a current production fedora that looks like it actually came from the movies, then you can't go wrong with the AdventureBilt.

The AB is also cheaper than the HJ and made with 100% beaver felt. The HJ is not, to my knowledge, but someone may correct me if I'm wrong on that point. However, if you are still dead set on the HJ, talk to Steve about it. Apart from offering his own hats, I think he's still planing on offering Herbert Johnson hats, but blocked by his hand. They may even be cheaper than HJs from elsewhere.

Good luck!

bink

From what I can tell, getting an HJ would not be getting the same hat from the movies. It seems now, the only thing thats the same is the name (Poet for the model, and HJ for the brand [and I'm not even sure about the poet thing]) But the hats themselves are completely different. In other words, and HJ now is not the same as an HJ then, they sell completely different hats. It also seems that AB felt is more like the same thing the Indy hats were made of (specifically Raiders) So if you want a Raiders hat, I'd suggest AB, and only go Herbert Johnson if you want a hat with the same name as the hats used in the movies

High Regards, Daryl.

I bought both around the same time. I had to send my Herbert Johnson to steve for a reblock because I wasn't completly happy with it. The Adventurebilt has not left my head since I put it on.

jpenman wrote: The Adventurebilt has not left my head since I put it on.

How do you wash you hair!?!

So how much is STeve selling his AB and HJ?

He was talking about selling HJs, but I am not sure if he has started, yet. As far as the ABs go, if you are a COW member, you get a discount off of the price listed on his website. Obviously, you are a member and thus eligible for the discount.

I would suggest visiting his website and then calling him or sending him a PM or email to discuss what you want. Remember, the AB is a totally custom hat. It is like eating at Burger King, you can have it your way.

Kentucky Blues wrote:It seems now, the only thing thats the same is the name (Poet for the model, and HJ for the brand [and I'm not even sure about the poet thing])

Actually, not even that's the same. The poet was the hat used in LC and ToD, but if I recall, the Raiders hat was made in Spain and bought by HJ at retail price. By the time Lucas and Spielburg got around to making ToD, HJ were no longer selling that model.

As for whether you should go for an AB or HJ, I can't offer a really valid opinion, as I've only owned the AB. In my opinion it is a great hat. And I don't mean great as in "The PB custom is a great hat" or anything like that. I mean it is a GREAT hat. The felt is thin, and soft (by most accounts more thin than the HJ). My opinion, go for an AB. :junior: -IJ

I don't like the current HJ's. This is based on my personal experience, wheras others may have had a positive experience with HJ.

My first was too small, my replacement tapered badly within a few weeks of wear - one rainly day in London was all it took really...

Having tried on Pagey's AB in person, I know it is the best Indiana Jones hat I have ever seen.

When I finally get 'round to buying a new hat, I know the AB is the way I will go.

Regards

Al

jpenman wrote:The Adventurebilt has not left my head since I put it on.

Mine also has never left my head since I put it on. The last time it left my head is when a girl stole it off my head on Saturday and Sunday.

Indiana Wayne wrote:The last time it left my head is when a girl stole it off my head on Saturday and Sunday.

I'm still trying to find a girl that will steal mine off of my head like Marion in Raiders. No luck yet though.

J_Weaver wrote:I'm still trying to find a girl that will steal mine off of my head like Marion in Raiders. No luck yet though.

When does she steal it off his head? I don't remember a scene when she steals it off his head. Maybe I am just getting old.

Well, technically she doesn't steal it.

J_Weaver wrote: I'm still trying to find a girl that will steal mine off of my head like Marion in Raiders. No luck yet though.

Heck if you have an Adventurebilt in size 6 7/8, I'll be happy to steal it off your head for you.

I have a Maoist cap with a red star and a couple of 18 yrs old girls trying to steal it off my head at the pub.

I don't own an adventurebuilt but I have a herbert johnson and I love it. I got mine from todds costumes and just had the ribbon modified and I love it now, I'm looking foward to an adventurebuilt or one of the peter's bros hats next but over all I'm extermely satisfied with the look, feel, and color.I've even changed my pinch in my crown from the lightly pinched LC/ToD style to the raiders pinch and back no problem.I just used some cold water. no shrinkage, or anything however I need tips on how to work my brim to where I want it, any suggestions?

Indiana Cromeens wrote:...any suggestions?

Don't get the HJ wet.....

The color felt is very unique from HJ....There is almost an olive cast to it that you don't see in many other hats.... They are beautiful to touch and feel.

Sadly, every HJ I have owned tapered on me a few months after getting it. I still keep them around for show but it's not my main everyday hat.

Go for the Adventurebilt, you won't be disappointed! I ordered the "Cairo" scene from Raiders in the Beaver felt (size 6 7/8) and I couldn't be happier!

Best wishes on your decision!
Captain D