Club Obi Wan

..because I'm still waiting for mine... :evil:

Just how long does it take to make a Fedora?

It's getting on for a month since I placed the order for a new (old) HJ and while I'm pretty sure I won't die without it, the past two weeks have been drawn out and disappointing on a daily basis.

Am I just grossly misinformed about how much work might be going into it? Is this just an ill-fated attempt to manipulate 'sods law' - almost guaranteeing its arrival by whinging, or do I have genuine grounds for grievance? Also, why have I started seeing more and more people in brown leather jackets since I got my Wested?

Help me Club Obi-Wan...

Where did you order your hat from?

http://www.swaineadeney.co.uk/

Apparently the hat was being blocked and shaped last monday...is this a lengthy process? What else has to be done to get the hat ready? I really admit to being clueless as to how these hats are constructed, so I don't want to do them a disservice by complaining unduly. Also, given that this hat is supposed to be one of their first attempts at using the original raiders block, I'm prepared to believe they may have some teething troubles.

After the blocking and bashing they need to glue and sew the ribbon, bow, liner and sweatband.

I'd give it a bit more time, Dekkard--Your hat is probobly not the only one in the assembly 'line', and it may take a couple of weeks yet.

Of course, post pics when you get it--I'd like to see how this turns out.

Cheers
Craig

I don't think they take long at all. it's how many hat orders they have in front of you.[/i]

I wouldn't expect speedy service. If their shop works anything like Baron's, they have stacks and stacks of custom orders. The felt guy does his thing, the hat sits on a shelf to dry. They get back around to it to pounce it and trim the brim. Then it goes to the trim ladies and it sits on their bench for another week. Then it waits to get packed and shipped. They aren't working on just one hat at a time. Besides that, it'll take at least a week in transit, maybe two.

If they are letting it dry on the block, that could be several days right there. Steve (Fedora) does ALL the shaping, sweat, and ribbon in one day, I believe, but he is a one-man-show and does that for ONE HAT per day. I.e., if it's more than one person sharing all the post-block work, it could be a little while.

Since it's been about a week, if they are on the ball, it should be going out now. But like PB said, if they are stacking these things up and moving them bench to bench, it could still be another week.

If it's been a week since you last checked, you could contact them again without seeming pushy, I'd guess. But this time politely ask when you should expect it to be completed and shipped - and wait till then to call back. You could also ask for a tracking number then if they are sending it UPS or Fedex.

J

Thanks for the details, Puppetboy and Indiana Jerry. My main anxiety really has been from not knowing what the production process involves.
Although if it takes 2 weeks from dispatch to travel 50 miles, I'll be MOST perturbed

hahaha...don't worry, you're not alone. Dig around in the Jacket forum and you'll see 'support group' threads for folks who have suffered through multi-month-long waits when there were leather supply problems. And in the Fedora section the same anticipation for an AB has started a few such threads, too.

The best way to not fixate on your hat - after you get a bead on the expected arrival date, that is - would be to spend time in the other forums you may not ever look at, and get lost in props or other gear...you will be assimilated.

Of course, you're right.

What I need to do is order some other gear to take my mind off the wait

Now...where to find those Indy socks....?

Hey, Jerry, maybe we can invent gear for him to buy off us to help keep his mind off his hat. Sounds like a plan that works for all of us! ..oh, was that my outside voice? 8-[

Yep, Dekker, paitiece is difficult in these parts, but we'll help you though it.

bink

binkmeisterRick wrote:Hey, Jerry, maybe we can invent gear for him to buy off us to help keep his mind off his hat.

"Are you SURE Indy wore this little black off-the-shoulder evening dress in Raiders?"

Dekker wrote:

binkmeisterRick wrote:Hey, Jerry, maybe we can invent gear for him to buy off us to help keep his mind off his hat.

"Are you SURE Indy wore this little black off-the-shoulder evening dress in Raiders?"

"Uh, yeah... remember when he knocked out that Nazi to get his uniform? Well, uh, he hit a lady cold out before that and took her dress to ATTRACT that Nazi so Indy could knock HIM out... yeah... that's it...." 8-[

Unfortunately, that scene got left of the cutting room floor. So did the dress...but that's another disturbing story.

Well, I went and ordered some pants and a shirt (couldn't find THE dress ) and my hat still hasn't arrived!

So much for retail therapy!

Indiana Jerry wrote:Unfortunately, that scene got left of the cutting room floor. So did the dress...but that's another disturbing story.

There's are reason they call it the lost ark!

binkmeisterRick wrote:

Indiana Jerry wrote:Unfortunately, that scene got left of the cutting room floor. So did the dress...but that's another disturbing story.

There's are reason they call it the lost ark!

Perhaps that clip was not meant to be found...it's unlike anything we've ever avoided going after before.

I hope you guys all realise that I will now be in therapy for the rest of my natural life.

Canyon wrote:I hope you guys all realise that I will now be in therapy for the rest of my natural life.

Woohoo! Canyon's coming to visit! Canyon's coming to visit!

I'm not sharing my jello!

Welll......maybe I'll share binks with her...

Regards! Michaelson

Aaah! Chilled monkey brains!

Has our collective mental disorder taken your mind off the non-arrival of your gear yet??

LeatherneckJones wrote:Has our collective mental disorder taken your mind off the non-arrival of your gear yet??

More jello! More jello!

..Step out tonight......goin' to the thorazine ball.............

LeatherneckJones wrote:Has our collective mental disorder taken your mind off the non-arrival of your gear yet??

Well, while you lot were in here eating brain jello, I was out spending cash on gear - now I'll have EVEN MORE stuff to agonise about the non-arrival of!

Michaelson wrote:I'm not sharing my jello!

That line actually made me do a spit take. I just finished wiping coffee off the monitor. You guys are dangerously funny!

Indiana Jerry wrote:

Canyon wrote:I hope you guys all realise that I will now be in therapy for the rest of my natural life.

Woohoo! Canyon's coming to visit! Canyon's coming to visit!

YAAAAAY!!!! Now we have another player for "Guess What Meds You Just Took?"

Oh, Michaelson, that's not jello, it's ointment.

binkmeisterRick wrote:Oh, Michaelson, that's not jello, it's ointment.

At least we got him to stop eating the Pecard's...

I get enough of that in my diet from chewing on my moustache.

Regards! Michaelson

Hey Dekker. Have they assured you this is the rediscovered block? Or are you just assuming? And, have they told you they're using the original felt maker with your hat? ........ It's really something that they use these pics in their ad. They were first noticed by someone here August 10th. Just after Aviator started getting news about a new hat.

3thoubucks wrote:Hey Dekker. Have they assured you this is the rediscovered block? Or are you just assuming? And, have they told you they're using the original felt maker with your hat?

Blimey - back on topic - certainly wasn't expecting that.

Yeah, I've become aware that the product description on their site is rather old. I asked explicitly if they were using the original block and felt supplier and was assured this was the case and that mine would be one of the first of the new hats using them. I guess I can only take their word for it...

On the plus side, I now have a whole slew of other gear to worry about the imminent arrival of

I think most of COW is just about sa excited to see your hat as you are. I know I am!

That's what makes this hobby so addicting - the waiting. You wait long and hard, and you build up anticipation. Then the thing finally comes and the rush is almost overwhelming.

Then, you have to order something else.

Well, it's here!
I've quickly tried to take some photos by every single one has come out too blurry or overbright - and now I have to go out

Will update later with some decent pics!

You should start a new string as this is somewhat historic, you being the first to get an HJ that fits the bill as a Raiders hat (hopefully).

This may very well be a historical thing. Now, you have me coming in from the shop every few minutes to see those pics!! Please get some with the creases poped out so we can see the open crown shape. And, precise measurement are in order!! I am assuming that since Mr. Swales is no longer at the retail shop, the brims will be factory dimensionally cut?Like the ones Todd has been selling. Regards, Fedora

Ah, that was a low blow Dekker! Telling us its here and then not posting any pics or anything. Shame on you!

J_Weaver wrote:Ah, that was a low blow Dekker! Telling us its here and then not posting any pics or anything. Shame on you!

My apologies - had to duck out to a Karate class straight after work. I'm uploading some pictures as we speak and will post soon!

The suspense is killing me!!!! Fedora

I've started a new topic with pics

viewtopic.php?t=15883

Admins - please feel free to close this thread if you wish.