Club Obi Wan

I already have an AB on the way, and I'm not worried about screen accuracy. I just like hats. At the moment, I'm thinking about an off-the-shelf hat that will be worn mostly in dry weather, but not as a "dress hat". More of a "shlepping around town and the yard hat".

I'm torn between getting a second Akubra Federation (my bad weather hat), my first Federation Deluxe, or a tall crowned HJ Poet from Todd (I have an HJ, but it's not a Poet from what I can tell).

What do all of you think?

I'd say an HJ, but instead of buying from Todd's costumes, I'd reccomend buying it from

http://www.indyfedora.com/shop/index.html

They sell it for slightly cheaper, and imho, their pre-bashed hats look better. :junior: -IJ

I think if you had a poet, you would know-it. Sorry, I could not resist....it was too easy.

The HJ actually says POET on the sweatband...at least mine does. I have an 80's HJ, and as much as I like my new Akubra....the HJ is still my favorite. I dont have an AB yet...but I think this is the hat I would really like to have. It's just a cost issue right now. The standard Akubra does wear nice though!

Oh, shoot! Something went wrong with the poll. It was supposed to have a third option of the Deluxe Federation! Anybody know how to fix that?
Chewie

Just click edit on the post, and it will allow you to change everything, including the poll. :junior: -IJ

Akubra all the way.

I dont own a Fed,

But i own a few Akubra hats, and nothing beats an akubra in
price and strength, at least for my needs.

Adam

IndianaJones wrote:Just click edit on the post, and it will allow you to change everything, including the poll. :junior: -IJ

The edit feature isn't giving me access to the poll, and nothing to click to get to it!

Mola Ram wrote:Akubra all the way.

I dont own a Fed,

But i own a few Akubra hats, and nothing beats an akubra in
price and strength, at least for my needs.

Adam

I gotta agree. Personally, I'd rather have the Akubra and save a load of money.

I remain loyal to Akubra!

This particular Federation that I have has served me well for almost 3 years now - its become a part of me and its my most trusted, seasoned hat. It's like my partner. You know what I mean? I wouldn't go anywhere foreign or into any rough weather without this Akubra on my head to protect me.

In Christ,
Shane

HJ, HJ, HJ ...... !!!

I am rarely seen without my Akubra!

We are talking about the regular, not the deluxe right?

If money is not an issue, get a second AB with a different bash. Or maybe a nice hat from Optimo.

Hi all,

I really don't think this is a fair comparison; if we were just talking about looks, that would be one thing, as that is fairly subjective unless you're a total screen-accurate fanatic.

Before I voted on one hat versus another, I'd want to know "for what?"

If you want a nice looking dress hat from the original company, get the HJ.

If you want something that will hold up under daily wear, especially under rough conditions, go with the Akubra. It's far more durable under heavy use, and distresses nicely.

Or to put it another way: HJ for costume use, Akubra for real-life adventures.

Antone

GoneSolo wrote:We are talking about the regular, not the deluxe right?

The regular Fed is on the poll. It was supposed to include the deluxe as well, but I can't seem to fix it.

I love my new Fed, I think it's an awesome hat at an awesome price

Antone wrote:Hi all,


Before I voted on one hat versus another, I'd want to know "for what?"


Antone

Unless this was just added, I believe the term 'town hat' does appear in the poll, and the way I read it....it's just to wear to town as a dress hat.

If that is the criteria, and it's not expected to do anything but make me look good (which would be an EXTRAORDINARY hat indeed!! ), then I voted for the HJ, as I've never owned one, and it is the screen used hat. I would only wear it for dress occasions.

Regards! Michaelson

I don't own a Herbert Johnson, but I was in London yesterday and stopped by the Swaine Adeney Brigg shop on St James Street to have a look at the Poet. I've got to say I thought it was very nice but, apart from a great looking sweat band and the obvious 'authenticity' of having the same brand as Indy, I think I'd rather have my Akubra Fed & Fed Deluxe.

How much are they charging for one in the shop now? And are they still displaying them stacked one on top of another?

You know, I never thought to look at the price! I'd just bought a Panama from James Lock & Co a few doors down so I was really just having a look. They are still stacking them one on top of another though, using foam dividers, and they were tucked away on a bottom shelf. Also, they only had three out and they were all really big sizes (62/63 if I remember correctly).

It is a great shop though, my wallet cried out for mercy just stepping through the doors, although for customer service the James Lock & Co shop can't be beat!

I did take a few pictures on my camera phone of the shop fronts - if anyone's interested let me know and I'll put them on a new thread.

IndyMcFly wrote:I remain loyal to Akubra!

This particular Federation that I have has served me well for almost 3 years now - its become a part of me and its my most trusted, seasoned hat. It's like my partner. You know what I mean? I wouldn't go anywhere foreign or into any rough weather without this Akubra on my head to protect me.

In Christ,
Shane

That is the spirit!

IndianaJones wrote:their pre-bashed hats look better.

That's because the one in the pic was bashed by Langpuss/Pagey.

They are having a sellout, btw. http://www.indyfedora.com/main.htm

Elodie's HJ is also from Indyfedora and looks pretty good too.

Will Indyfedora be getting any more in other sizes (particuarly 56cm) or is this the last of their stock?

Email them and ask, haven't heard anything from them since their grand opening over a year ago.

It's a close race! I suppose I have some tough questions to ask myself.

Looks like Indyfedora is closed! I'd still go for the Akubra, if it was me. I mean, dress hat or rough hat, you still can get caught in a downpour, or be unfortunate enough to have a careless driver drive past you and coat you in sludge from a nearby puddle. At least I know that my Akubra could handle the wetness, should anything occur.

how do you post pictures on here?

Akubra all the way.

It depends on what you want to use the hat for. If you are gonna wear it in the elements go with the Akubra. If you want just a dress hat, the HJ will do fine, as long as you take your umbrella. The felt on the Akubra is more durable, and can be reblocked. Both of the hats are rabbit, with the HJ being a nicer dress felt. I always said everyone should own at least one HJ. If nothing more than the link to the films. Another option if you are in no hurry is to keep an eye on ebay. Every now and then, a vintage HJ will come up, and those are practically taper proof due to the age of the felt. And you will get to see what HJ used to be, and the great hats that they used to make. Fedora