Club Obi Wan

Just wanted to let you know,that I just recieved in that great white box,
a 1920's AB 100% Beaver Heavey Weight Mercury Felt Raiders Fedora.

I have been waiting on this for a long time. I want to Thank Steve (FEDORA). I can't believe how soft it really is.

For some of you that do not know, the use of mercury in felting, was outlawed in 1941. The old saying,,,Mad as a Hattier!! That was because of the mercury fumes,caused problems in the brain. (Perment!! Problems)

Here are some pictures.

http://public.fotki.com/IndianaWill/indianawill/

Thanks Everyone! Have a Great Day!!

IndianaWill

Congrats, Will! It's a great hat, isn't it? My "vintage" AB body is probably from that same lot. In fact, it's currently sitting next to me at work! There'sa just something about the bodies back then that you just can't find today.

bink

Looks a little brim stingy...

Maybe it's the angle of the camera - could you give the deminsions of the brim?

Good looking lid otherwise!

To: Fedoraman

The brim demisions are 2 3/4 inches Front & Back

The sides are 2 5/8 inched.

I believe you are correct. It's the angle of the snapshot taken.

I haven't yet formed it to how I like it as yet. I'll take some snaps later.

IndianaWill

Will wanted a really stiff hat and this one is cowboy stiff! Hard to crease it. Just imagine an early PB and you will get the idea. This felt is also very thick, much thicker than most. Fedora

On the other hand, my "vintage" AB has a minimal amount of stiffener in it. There's just enough to help keep its shape.
bink

Yeah Bink, you got a different vintage body, a softer one. This one here was a western vintage body that I sent Will. regards, Fedora

The first two pics on your fotki look like Raiders pinches, but the rest of the pics, while the hat still looks very good, looks more like an LC or TOD pinch to me. Just seems a little more relaxed.

The brim looks perfect in the two new shots.

I also have a thicker felt fedora finished by Steve and I have the darnest time keeping that tight pinch in the front. I find that I have to use clothes pins every few weeks, still a h#ll of a good looking lid!

Nice hat, Indiana Will! One can never have enough Adventurebilt's. They're more addictive than caffeine. This one looks real nice and suits you well. It still looks 'Indy,' yet also has that 30's fedora look to it. Enjoy it!

Fedora wrote:Yeah Bink, you got a different vintage body, a softer one. This one here was a western vintage body that I sent Will. regards, Fedora

aHA! You should've seen the reaction of the hatter at a hat store in Georgetown I walked into a couple weeks ago. I had on the vintage AB and when I told him about the AB and how it was made from a 1920's body, he flipped. "Where'd he get that?!"

I just smiled and said, "It's nice to have connections, isn't it?" I left him guessing on that one.

bink

Good morning to all!

Fedora (Steve), sent me an e-mail last night. This Fedora is the last. He said ever! I feel very privileged, to have the last one, of the 1920's 100% Beaver Mercury Felt, Fedora.

I posted 3 more pics, after pinching here and there. I think the last 3 I marke 1920's, look better.

http://public.fotki.com/IndianaWill/indianawill/

Have a Great Day! & Especially Turkey Day!

Thanks Guys!

IndianaWill

prairiejones wrote:

Exactly!

IndianaWill wrote: Good morning to all!

Fedora (Steve), sent me an e-mail last night. This Fedora is the last. He said ever! I feel very privileged, to have the last one, of the 1920's 100% Beaver Mercury Felt, Fedora.

Priviledged, indeed, Will! You've got a "limited edition" of which there are few! Enjoy and wear it in good health.

bink

I think the brim looks absolutely perfect in all the pics, Will!! I've never thought the Raiders hat had a very wide brim. Perfect proportion to your face, IMO!


Have a great day!

What can I say.....OUTSTANDING FEDORA! I have an early rabbit AB and a PB. I'm sad to say the PB doesnt get much wear anymore cause the AB took its place. I would sleep in my AB if my wife would let me

I only have one head but find myself wanting more and more!

For some of you that don't know.......

In felt making, one of the finest ways in making felt was in the use of mercury, till it was outlawed in 1941.

It made the felt, in the matting process, more dense, finer, and soft to the touch, like a baby's rear!

It's ashame that mercury (also called quick silver),can no longer used in this process. It just produced a better quaility felt.

I still can't believe I have one! This is a thick felt, Fedora.

Thanks to Steve,"FEDORA", I have one....

Have a Great Day!

IndianaWill

binkmeisterRick wrote:

IndianaWill wrote: Good morning to all!

Fedora (Steve), sent me an e-mail last night. This Fedora is the last. He said ever! I feel very privileged, to have the last one, of the 1920's 100% Beaver Mercury Felt, Fedora.

Priviledged, indeed, Will! You've got a "limited edition" of which there are few! Enjoy and wear it in good health.

bink

Congrats IndianaWill! Looks great on you. And the softness of the felt is amazing! Enjoy.

Hey Bink, I think you and I have got a pair. I had recieved mine right before yours. We were a little busy with my wife giving birth (11 months ago ) I think mine keeps getting better with age. It's due for a reblock at some point though.


Regards,

MJ

Yep, there are a handful of us around here with the "vintage" AB's!

bink

Yep. All a matter of being in the right place at the right time (which, for me, does not happen all that often. )

Regards! Michaelson

Oh, I don't know, Michaelson. In fact, you showed up just in time. Just stand right there... (reaching for the rope keeping the piano hovering above)

bink

Well, at least I can play you a tune when it gets down here....

Regards! Michaelson

How about "Pianos from Heaven?" You know, Michaelson, Hemingway's fedora would match that ragtime piano quite nicely.

You read my mind, bink....which is a dark and dangerous place to go to, my friend!

Regards! Michaelson

binkmeisterRick wrote: How about "Pianos from Heaven?" You know, Michaelson, Hemingway's fedora would match that ragtime piano quite nicely.

Who??? What????
--Hem looks around for heavy objects suspended above him, does not find a piano, but finds an object that looks suspiciously like an anvil attached to a rope and leading to a Bespectacled fellow holding one end.
"What is that?" Hem asks the Bespectacled fellow with the Maryland accent.
"It's a Piñata," he replies.

'Now, this won't hurt a bit (aim for the legs, not the hat, bink)...just stand real still, HJ.......' 8-[

Regards! Michaelson

(Drops "pinata" square on Hemingway's head)

Um, Michaelson... lucky hit?

Regards! Michaelson