BLACK ADVENTUREBILT REVIEW
Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 10:38 pm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, I know this isn't an Indy fedora, but it is an Adventurebilt and my review speaks more about the quality than the style and if you buy one, quality is going to be an obvious concern along with the style, so here it is.
First let me say that since I'm mainly a vintage fedora collector, my standards for a good fedora are the ones set by the quality Cavanaghs, Stetsons, Borsalino's etc. So to be honest I was a little nervous about getting a new fedora as most of the ones I've had or seen I've been disappointed in. Also, since I have known Steve for around 4 or 5 years, I thought, "what am I going to say if I don't like it?" I didn't want to hurt his feelings if it didn't meet my expectations.
But when I got my black fedora yesterday and gave it my critical examination, I have to say I didn't have to worry about that, as I really was impressed. First the 100% beaver felt is finely pounced and is indeed probably the closest thing one can get today to a vintage quality felt. It is soft to an unimaginable degree. It is a heavier weight felt, probably twice that of a vintage borsalino, that's just a guess but that's what it feels like. Again for the price Steve charges for one of these felt hats is a deal you can't get anywhere else to my knowledge with the exception of maybe Art Fawcett. And yes it really is black not purple.
Steve met my specs for the dimensions. In the pic he sent, he said it had a 5 1 /2 inch open crown, well that concerned me a little since I had requested it to be 5 3/4. So I think when Steve wrote that he had been up late making hats, because when I measured it, it was EXACTLY 5 3/4 inches, just as I requested. I had also asked for a 2 3/4 inch brim and that is EXACTLY what it was. I asked for a 7 1/4 size and it fit perfect, I didn't have to put foam under the sweatband or stretch it to get it to fit right.
The sweatband I really liked because it resembles the brown vintage ones I'm used to, the liner was sewn in and not glued.
Steve had some black vintage ribbon he used and it really looked great. I also asked for a double bow on the back which was expertly done. Nothing tacky about it at all. I could only see one stitch holding it on, all the others are hidden.
The crown block is the same one he uses for his Indy Raiders fedora. If anyone wants a crown shape that matches the straight sided ones of yesteryear, this is the one to ask for because he does have a different one he uses for the Last Crusade style. When shaped it really looks like a vintage fedora. the brim is raw edged as Steve doesn't put the edge binding on them, but it is flanged just right to get the snap brim in front and the curl in back.
I really like this hat and if anyone is thinking of adding to their hat wardrobe by having a vintage reproduction fedora made, I can highly recommend the Adventurebilt in 100% beaver made by Steve Delk.
Most people here obviously like the Raiders fedora and Steve's block and shaping will give you that along with a quality hard to find in a new hat these days.
As to pics, I'm afraid my daughter took the digital camera to Guatemala for 2 months and won't be back until early July. If anyone is still interested I can take some pics then and post them.
regards fedoralover
Okay, I know this isn't an Indy fedora, but it is an Adventurebilt and my review speaks more about the quality than the style and if you buy one, quality is going to be an obvious concern along with the style, so here it is.
First let me say that since I'm mainly a vintage fedora collector, my standards for a good fedora are the ones set by the quality Cavanaghs, Stetsons, Borsalino's etc. So to be honest I was a little nervous about getting a new fedora as most of the ones I've had or seen I've been disappointed in. Also, since I have known Steve for around 4 or 5 years, I thought, "what am I going to say if I don't like it?" I didn't want to hurt his feelings if it didn't meet my expectations.
But when I got my black fedora yesterday and gave it my critical examination, I have to say I didn't have to worry about that, as I really was impressed. First the 100% beaver felt is finely pounced and is indeed probably the closest thing one can get today to a vintage quality felt. It is soft to an unimaginable degree. It is a heavier weight felt, probably twice that of a vintage borsalino, that's just a guess but that's what it feels like. Again for the price Steve charges for one of these felt hats is a deal you can't get anywhere else to my knowledge with the exception of maybe Art Fawcett. And yes it really is black not purple.
Steve met my specs for the dimensions. In the pic he sent, he said it had a 5 1 /2 inch open crown, well that concerned me a little since I had requested it to be 5 3/4. So I think when Steve wrote that he had been up late making hats, because when I measured it, it was EXACTLY 5 3/4 inches, just as I requested. I had also asked for a 2 3/4 inch brim and that is EXACTLY what it was. I asked for a 7 1/4 size and it fit perfect, I didn't have to put foam under the sweatband or stretch it to get it to fit right.
The sweatband I really liked because it resembles the brown vintage ones I'm used to, the liner was sewn in and not glued.
Steve had some black vintage ribbon he used and it really looked great. I also asked for a double bow on the back which was expertly done. Nothing tacky about it at all. I could only see one stitch holding it on, all the others are hidden.
The crown block is the same one he uses for his Indy Raiders fedora. If anyone wants a crown shape that matches the straight sided ones of yesteryear, this is the one to ask for because he does have a different one he uses for the Last Crusade style. When shaped it really looks like a vintage fedora. the brim is raw edged as Steve doesn't put the edge binding on them, but it is flanged just right to get the snap brim in front and the curl in back.
I really like this hat and if anyone is thinking of adding to their hat wardrobe by having a vintage reproduction fedora made, I can highly recommend the Adventurebilt in 100% beaver made by Steve Delk.
Most people here obviously like the Raiders fedora and Steve's block and shaping will give you that along with a quality hard to find in a new hat these days.
As to pics, I'm afraid my daughter took the digital camera to Guatemala for 2 months and won't be back until early July. If anyone is still interested I can take some pics then and post them.
regards fedoralover
. But anyway, I shouldn't steal your post. I loved reading your review of the hat, and don't forget to post pics when you can! :junior: -IJ