Club Obi Wan

Alright guys, I don't post a lot, but I think I got a humdinger (sp?) of question here. In 4 months, I will be moving to England for some time, and I have yet to get myself a (suitable) Indy Fedora. After my disaterous encounter with the Herbert Johnson shop in London on my last visit, I have made the descision to buy an AB.
Here's the question, which one do I get, one of Marc's ABs when I get to Europe, or the original AB from Steve? I understand the Marc uses only the HIGHEST quality materials, but I truely do not want a dress hat, if thats what it is. I want something durable. Something that will handle what ever I toss it's way, and from what I have been reading, it seems to me that Marc's hat is more dressy, however, as I have said before, I am no hat expert, by no stretch of imagination. That's why I'm turning this over to all of you smart people.

My opinion, Marc's....for this reason only....if you need work done to your hat, at least it will be a 'local' shipment for work, and a quick turn around, vs. one across the ocean, and a LOT of hair pulling as you wait and HOPE it gets back to you through customs.

As to quality, either one is a sure bet, but the after the purchase situation would be my biggest concern.

Regards! Michaelson

That's another reason I am torn about which one to get. Although I will be in England a while, about 7 months, I will then return to the US. So then Steve would be my local (sorta) guy. Do you think Steve would work on a Deluxe, assuming it is something simple?

Indiana Jimbo wrote:That's another reason I am torn about which one to get. Although I will be in England a while, about 7 months, I will then return to the US. So then Steve would be my local (sorta) guy. Do you think Steve would work on a Deluxe, assuming it is something simple?

I can't speak for Steve, but I'm sure he would. Heck he put a new sweatband into an old Willis & Geiger bush hats for my dad.

Which ever you go with you will recieve a top notch product!

I'd say go either way. They are both top-notch hats, and I'm sure they would be willing to service eachother's hats (for a fee, of course), as most (if not all) professional hatters will service the hats of their competition (although I'm not sure I'd classify Steve and Marc as "competitors"). The only question is if you want to spend the extra $100 that Marc's costs. Either hatter will be great, and I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding someone to do work on your hat. :junior: -IJ

Well, now that I understand what you're doing, I now say Steve's WOULD be the way to go, since you're coming back, as Marc is just an extension of the Adventurebilt line. I'm sure if you had a problem while there, he would take care of Steve's hat for you, as it's just an extension of the same company.

Go with Steve's AB, and enjoy it!!

High regards! Michaelson

Well, I had my original Adventurebilt re-blocked about 6 months ago, and it has yet to taper. I was actually thinking of getting it re-furbished on the 6 month mark for grins and giggles, but I don't really need to, per se. I think if you buy an original AB, you're not going to have to worry about sending it to Steve unless you plan on jumping off of a ship into the ocean .

Even then it may not taper.

Regards! Michaelson

I wasn't real happy with the way I phrased my first question, I phrased it in a convoluted manner, so I'll just say it. Which hat is tougher? ... if there is a difference, I read something about the density of the material, or the "best sweat liner in the world" or something to that effect.

I've only experienced Steve's work, so take my words with a grain of salt, but from what I've read, there isn't a difference in toughness between the two hats. Go for either one, and go in confidence, because those hats won't let you down. :junior: -IJ

Marc and Fedora both know what they're doing and both Hats(AB & AB Deluxe) are made hold up a lifetime(remember the slogan: Made to measure, built to last), but the main difference between them is that the Deluxe is one step higher when it comes to quality though all ABs are 'high end'-hats. Marc's fedorashave a different felt, lining and sweatband as the regular beaver ABs.

BTW-Your third choice could be the AB rabbit!

Your third choice could be the AB rabbit!

Steve doesn't make them anymore. :junior: -IJ

Well then, I do believe I will go with the Deluxe, money isnt an issue right now, so I may as well go with the one with higher quality materials

IndianaJones wrote:

Your third choice could be the AB rabbit!

Steve doesn't make them anymore. :junior: -IJ

According to his site he still does

Prices:
Pure beaver felt ........................................... $250.00
Pure Rabbit ................................................... $175.00

I know, but I remember commenting a while back that I'd like to get a rabbit AB, and having a fellow COW member telling me they're no longer in production. Plus I haven't heard of anyone ordering rabbit in a dogs age, which is strange since they were pretty popular when Steve started out. :junior: -IJ

Yeah, the rabbit AB is no longer available. Steve is like me and not very computer literate. He is not the one that made his website and I am sure he is unable to change it. He would have to have some assistance, I believe.

Yea, its a shame that Steve doesn't offer the rabbit anymore. The rabbit hats were a lot like Akubra's Fed but with a perfect Raiders block!

He can reblock Akubras for certain, and they look excellent when redone on his block; you get pretty much the toughest rabbit felt available with the best block shape available. I'd say this is one of the best deals in Indy hats, in terms of price versus looks/toughness.

Marc can do the same, see the "Marc made a mistake" thread for amazing pics of one Fed's resurrection.

Guess where my Fed deluxe is right at this moment, in fact...

Antone

Tell me, can Marc put my initials into the sweatband like Steve? I always thought that would be awsome.

No, currently I simply don't have the bucks to buy that machine for the sweatband printing. That might be possible in the future, but it'll take a while.

Regarding the where to buy question: both hats are made to LOOK like dress hats, but they're both pure beaver and both made to stand up to whatever you throw at them

I would certainly do refurbs on Steve's hat and I can't see, why he wouldn't do the same on mine. Aside from being in the same company, he's one of the best friends I've ever had, so there's NO competition amongs us. Imagine this choice as buying from one brother or the other.

Regards,

Marc

Very nice said!

Steve 'n Marc - "Fedora Bros."

Indiana Jimbo wrote:Tell me, can Marc put my initials into the sweatband like Steve? I always thought that would be awsome.

If you buy one of Marc's hats, I am sure Steve would put your initials in it if you sent it to him. I don't think that he would charge very much. You would have to pay shipping. You could always ask Steve.

Hey Buff, thats a good idea. Two last questions (i hope). Okay, in the various pictures that I have seen so far of the two hats, it seems that the original AB holds a better brim. In the pics of the Deluxe, the brim looks more...wavy. Forgive me for not using proper hatter vocabulary. Can the Deluxe retain that same shape? Even though it has floppier felt? To see what I mean, go over to this thread, viewtopic.php?t=17246 , and look at the pictures of the brim. My other question is, if the whole, being able to have my initials punched on the sweat band thing doesn't work out, I saw, in another thread, gold lettering on the sweat, Is Marc able to do this?

yeah, its called the Raiders swoop, and don't worry, its supposed to look like that. :junior: -IJ

IndianaJones wrote:yeah, its called the Raiders swoop, and don't worry, its supposed to look like that. :junior: -IJ

Yeah, I know what the swoop is, but I was referring to the smaller waves in the brim. I would compare it to a wrinkled shirt (just for the sake of comparison, I dont mean to offend, I actually like it.) Now compare the brim of the Deluxe to the Original, and one will see that the Original's brim is much more fluid, for lack of better word. This thread shows it well, the second picture down.viewtopic.php?t=17333 Does anyone see what I mean? Am I going crazy? If you can't tell by now, I am a perfectionist. This whole thread is just the OCD in me working its way onto the internet, no one if safe now!! Although I HAVE met some people here that put my perfectionism to shame, and thank God for them (hint hint wink wink...Steve... Marc)

I can activate the stiffner in the brim, no problem. And it'll hold it's shape just fine.

Remember that on Dwighty's hat, the brim was HUGE (due to the hat size). That makes the stiffner has to deal with a wider brim, therefore it'll be more floppy / wavy. But on "normal sizes" (no pun intendet Dwighty), that isn't a problem.

Regarding the golden letters: there's a special machine for doing that, that I unfortunately don't have the money for as of now. All I could offer, would to put them in with a gold pen...

Regards,

Marc