Club Obi Wan

Is there a "best" place to get an HJ Fedora or will Todd's costumes do just fine?

Todds is a very reliable source. Dont know if there is a best one but from my view Todd will do fine.

HJ has recently changed block (they claim to have found the original raiders block). I believe the "best" place to get it is London

Now it seems an uncanny coincidence that this should happen during the months of pre-production for a certain cinematic event.

I just happen to get on the Todd's Costume site and look a the Fedora he's offering. The HJ he has seems to look really nice from the pics and it's even on "sale" for $239

He also charges a little extra to bash the hat in the different styles from the movie.

Like I said though the pics of the hat make it look great but after reading alot on here about HJ quality these days it's hard to say if it's worth that type of money.

Anyone else have an opinion on the hat Todd is offering?

Yeah, I just was checking out Todd's to see if he added anything new and saw all the stuff on the hat.

For me I want a hat that's going to actually be able to withstand some of the stuff Indy did in the film in real life and from what I can tell by reading on here the Akubra Fed and Fed Deluxe seem to be pretty tough hats. I don't know if the same can be said for the AB or not?

After looking at the pics it makes me want to go get another hat. The Aukbra Deluxe is within my price range but AB is still a little bit steep.

If you're a size 7 1/4, there are a couple AB's for sale in the classified section that might be within reach...or through some savy negotiation.

The 100% beaver totally outstrips what a blend will do regarding outdoor toughness, REGARDLESS of make or maker. Keep that in mind. Of the blends, the Akubras and the Camptown are top drawer in outdoor use/toughness.

Regards! Michaelson

I hadn't heared about the "block change". Is there anymore info on that (perhaps a thread)? Now that they have changed the block maybe the will go back to beaver felt so the hats can withstand abuse on that certain cinimatic event

As far as we know, they never WERE made of beaver, so there's no 'going back' to something they never produced.

When ever Ford wore out a hat, they just handed him another rabbit blend HJ.

Regards! Michaelson

Is there a "best" place to get an HJ Fedora or will Todd's costumes do just fine?

Yeah, I just was checking out Todd's to see if he added anything new and saw all the stuff on the hat.

For me I want a hat that's going to actually be able to withstand some of the stuff Indy did in the film in real life and from what I can tell by reading on here the Akubra Fed and Fed Deluxe seem to be pretty tough hats. I don't know if the same can be said for the AB or not?

After looking at the pics it makes me want to go get another hat. The Aukbra Deluxe is within my price range but AB is still a little bit steep.

toldog and pittfall, I sent you Pm about HJ.

Pitfall Harry wrote:Yeah, I just was checking out Todd's to see if he added anything new and saw all the stuff on the hat.

For me I want a hat that's going to actually be able to withstand some of the stuff Indy did in the film in real life and from what I can tell by reading on here the Akubra Fed and Fed Deluxe seem to be pretty tough hats. I don't know if the same can be said for the AB or not?

A thing to keep in mind is that the HJ would NEVER withstand the stuff Indy did--like Michaelson said, when Ford wore it out, they'd hand him a new one. HJ's are and always were dress hats--designed for gentlmen who needed something to cover their head, not something to survive dunkings in rivers and fights with Nazis.

I've had the pleasure of holding an AB and hearing what other members have said--From all accounts, the AB is the hat that Indy WOULD have worn.

That being said, if you need to save a few bucks, I've got my Akubra Regular federation, and most that know me know I used the @#$% out of that thing and it's still in great shape.

Cheers
Craig

I have a Herbert Johnson and an AB, 100% beaver. They are about the same price. I bought the Herbert Johnson because I wanted to own a hat that had that name on the label. If that is what you want, buy an HJ.

The AB is far superior to the HJ in looks and quality. If you want the best Indy fedora, buy the AB. It is really that simple.

The AB is far superior to the HJ in looks and quality. If you want the best Indy fedora, buy the AB. It is really that simple.

bufflehead, I couldn't agree more with. Very well put.

So it looks to me like the AB is the best there is out there all around and the Akubra Fed Reg. and Deluxe are runners up if you don't have the cash for an AB.

Thanks for all the input guys.

So it looks to me like the AB is the best there is out there all around

thats a true statement allright.

I would save up the money and buy the AB. I spent to much money trying to save money on less expensive hats.

I wonder if the Herbie J would be a good costume hat, whilst the AB is a great "every day" hard wearing hat. You know, just wear the Herbie to conventions and the like, and wear your AB everywhere else.

Thats what I do, My AB goes w/ me everywhere and I have a venice pier HJ that I bring out for suits and such every now and then, even still its hard to take off my AB (the ultimate indy),and then put on the HJ(the actual indy)

hey, the Adventurebilt can be used for both. Thats how good it really is.

Oh indeed , I've got a job interview this week and I'll be wearing myAB with a suit. just since the AB can take a pounding eventually it will be dirty and broken in, Since the HJ can't take that kind of abuse, and it stays in a box I like it for dress occasions even though the AB totally blows it out of the water

if I thought i could sell my HJ, I would. I'm very disappointed with it.

"When I grow up I wanna be an ADVENTUREBILT!"

Cheers,
John

Oh man, thats evil John! But very funny!

I own an HJ from Todd's Costumes and I am very happy with it and the way he bashed it for me. It's more of a formal look, good for dressing up or wearing to work. But as Todd cautions, it is not for use in wet weather (picture Indy comming up out of the river with his hat soaking wet and hanging around his ears). Thankfully that doesn't happen too often in my town (Phoenix, Arizona). I'm more concerned about the sweat stains that will come in the summer months! Get a hat brush, too, while you are at it. It helps keep the dust down and the nap just right. Brush it right after you take it off each time you get home.

I'm planning to save up until I can afford an AB also, so even if I get caught in a little rain, it won't ruin my hat.

My advise: Save your money until you can afford an AB if you are only going to get one hat. I agree with Bufflehead on this one. Get the JH if you want the original hat maker's logo on yours.

Todd offers excellent customer service, as well.

Regards,

This might help your decision on the left is the HJ tood's costumes is currently offering, on the right the mother of all fedoras- THE ADVENTUREBILT!

Indiana Cromeens
,

My 1st AB is Identical to yours. I especially like the color variation of the felt. It is unlike any other fedora I own. They all have a solid color like your HJ.
Cheers,
John

G-MANN wrote:"When I grow up I wanna be an ADVENTUREBILT!"

Cheers,
John

That ain't right!

Indiana Cromeens wrote:This might help your decision on the left is the HJ tood's costumes is currently offering, on the right the mother of all fedoras- THE ADVENTUREBILT!

Wow.....There is really no compairing them. It's quite obvious which is the better hat....

It's the HJ!

Nah, of course it's the Adventurebilt! That hat looks fantastic. Worth every penny I imagine.

Ya, know....If I can train one of these things to stay ontop of my head I could save myself some money.

Well, if your head's made out of wood, I really don't see much of a problem in that regard.

Hey Gents..what is the origianl Raiders lining look like in Indy's HJ fedora?
pics would be great if any
thanks
Heyjude7

Thanks for the comparison shot, Cromeem. That is precisely the kind of info this forum needs.

Heyjude7 wrote:Hey Gents..what is the origianl Raiders lining look like in Indy's HJ fedora?
pics would be great if any
thanks
Heyjude7

Look in the 'Lucasfilm walkthru DVD' thread in this section, Jude. You can see a photo there.

Regards! Michaelson

Indiana Cromeens wrote:This might help your decision on the left is the HJ tood's costumes is currently offering, on the right the mother of all fedoras- THE ADVENTUREBILT!

That HJ is looking rather "TOD"-ish to my eye. Boy, look at the crown on that AB!

yeah, kill the beaver. Leave the rabbit alone.

Indiana Cromeens, the HJ you got is one of a shorter crown batch I got in recently. If you'd prefer the taller crown like your AB, I'll be glad to exchange it. I had a bunch of people request a shorter crown (not everyone looks good in a 5 1/2" tall hat) so I had gotten some that were 1/2" shorter.

Shoot me an e-mail if you'd like to exchange.

Todd

So what is the standard crown size for the AB, HJ or the Akubra Fed Deluxe?

I don't know what my hat's size is but I think I'd prefer a much taller crown because it seems to be pretty tall in the film.

Actually, I think Ford and I have about the same head shape and size so I could probably go off what he wore if I knew all of the measurements.

pittfal, check out the main sit. The RAIDERS hat should be 5 1/2 inches ( that crown hight).

Pitfall Harry wrote:So what is the standard crown size for the AB, HJ or the Akubra Fed Deluxe?

Fedora block his hats to a 5 1/2" crown height. As I remember Akubra hats have a 5 1/2" or 6" crown. However, they both seem to bash out to about the same height.

So was your Akubra too tall or too short for your taste?

Kt Templar wrote:So was your Akubra too tall or too short for your taste?

This hat is toooo short!

This hat is toooo tall!

This hat is juuuuust right!

Indiana_Tone wrote:

J_Weaver wrote:

Pitfall Harry wrote:So what is the standard crown size for the AB, HJ or the Akubra Fed Deluxe?

Fedora block his hats to a 5 1/2" crown height. As I remember Akubra hats have a 5 1/2" or 6" crown. However, they both seem to bash out to about the same height.

It's still nice knowing the A/B will consistently be 5 1/2" unless otherwise requested. The 1/2" extra difference on the Akubra earned it a nice spot under the car seat and as an experimentation hat.

Yea, I agree Tone. I've been considering getting a Fed to use as a beater hat this summer. But boy those babies have a tall crown.

I have owned 2 Federations. the first one i bought a size 57 and it fit a lil big. so my one of my buddy's onboard my ship bought it from me and i bought a size 56. When it came the two hats looked similar but not the same. The color is the same but the brims and crowns are totally different. The brim on the 57 is dimensional and the one on the 56 is not. The Crown on the 57 is about an inch shorter then the one on the 56. My opinion i like the 56 better.. its taller and has more of the stove pipe raiders look to it. i will post pics soon
Heyjude7

I want to get a nice HJ but i want all the original specs, lining, crown height, etc.. hopefully it comes out soon.. who knows!

Indiana_Tone wrote:Yeah. It's kind of hit and miss with the Akubra, it seems. I've seen some that look great and proportionate in size. McFly's, Railok's, and IndyDoc's look excellent. I just don't like not knowing which crown height I'll get when it's delivered. You're like 8'9" or something, though, so even a taller Akubra's going to look good on you. Get yourself one anyway.

Well, I'm not quite that tall, but I know a guy that is. I've got a class with a guy that is seriously like 7' tall. I find it quite akward to be near him cause I'm not used to looking up to people.

Anywho, I might just have get an Akubra. If I do it will be getting a LC bash.

Don't all the Akubra Fed and Fed Deluxes have dimensional cuts as a standard?

I'm a 58 or so. I wonder what I'd get in crown height if I ordered a Akubra?

I just watched Raiders again last night and Harrison's hat does seem rather large in that. I know my "official hat" can't be that tall. It has to have been modeled after the Temple or LC hat. The way the sides were curled up when I got it I'm guessing LC.

Indiana_Tone wrote: The brim for Fed and Fed Deluxe is already dimensionally cut. More than likely, you'd get a 6" open crown on a size 58.

Yup, my dad has a size 58 Fed and it came with a 6" open crown. If you want a tall crown hat the Akubra is the way to go!