AB or HJ....which one should I get?

JulianK · Post by **JulianK** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:49 pm

Ok, after criusing in the jacket forum for a few months I now have not one but two jackets.

Now it's time for the fedora. I know this topic is likely been done to death but I would appreciate some input as to which one to get.

I'm really torn between the HJ and AB hats. I know that HJ is the so called 'original' supplier for the films but it bothers me that they don't offer the fedora in beaver. So, if anyone had to do it over again, which one would you get? I won't likely get more than one (ya, like I said that about the jacket) so I'd really like to chose wisely the first time.

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

J.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:57 pm

Well, I've owned several of both - and while I do like the HJs, they simply are not good enough in terms of quality. If you intend wearing the hat get the AB. THe HJ felt shrinks very easily and is nearly impossible to restretch again. Both Magnoli and Marc are offering "improved" HJs - but from what I gather, the felt issue has not really changed much.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:11 pm

I agree with whiskyman.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:26 pm

Aren't the improved HJs supposed to have been properly blocked/reblocked so they shouldn't have as much of a problem with that?

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:37 pm

This is largely due to the quality of the felt rather than the blocking procedures and techniques.

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:50 pm

I have both HJ and AB. It is a no brainer. AB or AB Deluxe and there is no real argument unless you just want a display hat that has an HJ label in it.

JulianK · Post by **JulianK** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:05 pm

So far so good! I was tending toward the AB based on what I've heard about both the hats and Steve as well. I'm assuming that the AB deluxe is the beaver fur.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:28 pm

No, they're both beaver.

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:38 pm

I have to agree with everyone so far. If your plan (be it flexible in the future or not) is to buy only one fedora, the AB will be the best in looks and durability. If you decide on a second hat, try a rabbit JPD or Magnoli's HJ. I know HJ's aren't known for durability, but my hats just don't take much abuse. Thus, the Magnoli is next on my list.
Chewie

hp · Post by hp » Tue May 15, 2007 7:02 am

Bufflehead Jones wrote:I have both HJ and AB. It is a no brainer. AB or AB Deluxe and there is no real argument unless you just want a display hat that has an HJ label in it.

I think it's common sence that AB/AB Deluxe are the best.
I own an AB Deluxe and and HJ of 2005. For me, there's no doubt which one is the best ;-)

But how does the HJ compare to all the other brands, e.g. Akubra?
Is the HJ really bad regarding materials, is it second best or something in between?

Cheers
HP

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:46 am

Adventurebilt hands down.

Not only is it a beautifully handmade hat, crafted by a true artist who really cares about his clients, but the fur is top quality and gets better with age. Steve will tweek it to be the perfect hat for you. He still makes every hat all by himself, and is now much in demand, so expect to wait a little while, but believe me, it's well worth the wait.

It's a hat you'll treasure the rest of your life.

JulianK · Post by **JulianK** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:04 pm

Hehe.... as usual, the more I inquire, the more questions pop up!

Ok, it's obviously unanimous that AB is the way to go. I think I agree here. Now....besides where they're built and the price difference, what's the difference between the AB and the AB Deluxe? I Can't really find much info on their respective sites. Is the Deluxe worth the extra bucks???

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:18 pm

Both are 100% beaver felt, custom, handmade hats.

The AB is the best hat you can find sourced from materials here in the US. It has a retail value of $750-$1,000, so it is quite a bargain.

The AB Deluxe is sourced from the absolute best materials available anywhere in the world with cost as no object. That drives up the cost of the materials.

They are both made on custom made blocks that were manufactured to exactly replicate the fedora from Raiders of the Lost Ark, with it's tall crown and straight sides and able to accept the extremely tight front pinch of the Raiders hat.

They are both extremely good values, for what you are getting. Asking if the ABs are worth the money, is like asking if a rare collector's Ferrari is worth the extra money over a run of the mill Ferrari, when you have the opportunity to purchase either for the price of a Hyundai.

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:27 pm

There is a very famous hat shop in Chicago that sells fedoras made from the same raw hat bodies that the regular AB is made from. They sell their fedoras for around $750, last time that I heard. They have plenty of customers at that price to keep them in business for several years, now. I just wanted to say that, so that you wouldn't think that I was overestimating the retail value of the AB.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:53 pm

To be fair, Bufflehead, I think agent5 paid around $450-$500 for his Raiders style some years ago (if I remember correctly, PLEASE chime in, '5). Still, the standard AB is considerably less expensive and contains 100% beaver. I do not remember the content/mix of agent5's hat. That said, the AB is completely hand stitched, whereas "the other shop" uses hat machinery.

JulianK · Post by **JulianK** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:57 pm

Oh I have absolutely no doubt that the AB's are worth every penny. At this point I'm totally convinced that this is the choice for me. I just didn't know what the Deluxe had that the regular didn't.

Personally I think I'll go with the regular AB for one main reason. The cost difference is quite a bit between the two and frankly I would be happy with the regular run-of-the-mill Ferrarri (good analogy by the way).

Secondly, I've had some correspondance with Steve and he seems to be a great guy who definitely knows what he's doing....nothing against Marc here.

Thanks for all the input and thanks for confirming my initial thoughts.

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:22 pm

binkmeisterRick wrote:To be fair, Bufflehead, I think agent5 paid around $450-$500 for his Raiders style some years ago (if I remember correctly, PLEASE chime in, '5).

Yes, I believe so. But, the key phrase is several years ago. Inflation may have taken care of the rest. I don't know as a fact, as I have never purchased a hat from this company. I am just quoting their prices from what I have read and heard. That's why I said that their price was around 750 bucks. I don't recall if agent5's hat was 100% beaver or if it was a blend.

Still, the standard AB is considerably less expensive and contains 100% beaver.

Correct. I do know that the AB and the AB Deluxe are 100% beaver.

I do not remember the content/mix of agent5's hat.

Me either.

That said, the AB is completely hand stitched, whereas "the other shop" uses hat machinery.

Correctamundo.

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:37 pm

JulianK wrote:Personally I think I'll go with the regular AB for one main reason. The cost difference is quite a bit between the two and frankly I would be happy with the regular run-of-the-mill Ferrarri (good analogy by the way).

Thanks. It was really easy for me because I like Ferraris. I used to help out, when the Ferrari Club of North America would rent my home track for the weekend, where I used to race.

There really is not that much difference in the AB and the AB Deluxe. To use another racing analogy, it is fairly simple to get a race car that can be competitive. But, for the minute improvements that it takes to win the championship, the cost can be huge.

The same thing applies to these hats. They are very close in quality, but the slight upgrade in materials in the AB Deluxe doesn't come cheap.

JulianK · Post by **JulianK** » Tue May 15, 2007 3:27 pm

I believe it's called the law of diminishing returns. To use another analogy....like high end stereo equipment. The difference between a $1000 system and a $5000 system might net you a 40% gain in audio quality. But the difference between a $5000 system and a $25000 system will gain you a 20% increase in quality.

All fine and dandy if you have the bucks but you have to draw the line at good enough for me. In any case, I'm sure I'll be more than happy with my AB!!!

P.S. Spelling mistake noted. It is 'Ferrari". Sorry to any tifosi out there.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:13 pm

I agree with chewbacca jones, If you only going to get one hat and money is a issue. I would think spending money on a hat that will last you a life time would make for a better choice. Even if the coast is a little bit more. here's the kicker the AB is around the same price as the HJ ( correct me if I'm wrong).

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:33 pm

JulianK wrote:I believe it's called the law of diminishing returns. To use another analogy....like high end stereo equipment. The difference between a $1000 system and a $5000 system might net you a 40% gain in audio quality. But the difference between a $5000 system and a $25000 system will gain you a 20% increase in quality.

JulianK,

That is not very good timing on that analogy, at least from my perspective. :evil:

What I am doing today, in between posting on this forum, is replacing the power supply in my Lexicon preamp. Bufflehead knew better, but I did a very dumb thing and blew out the power supply.

Even though mine is a 1996 model, I am taking my baby apart and fixin' it as opposed to getting a new one.

Power supply to fix Bufflehead's Lexicon: $65.00
Upgrade to newest model Lexicon (2003): $15,000.00
Sound of Raiders of the Lost Ark if Bufflehead puts it back together right: PRICELESS $\:D/$

Lil Abner · Post by **Lil Abner** » Tue May 15, 2007 7:04 pm

Hey Guys,
I just signed up, been waiting for the first to roll around to register. I have been looking at the different makers of the fedoras tryign to decide which would be worth the money. After reading this thread, i have to say ya'll convinced me which way to go with this purchase. Thanks! I am so glad i stumbled across this board.

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:03 pm

Lil Abner,

Welcome to COW. I am sure that you are going to love it here. Now, can you hold this light for me and hand me that screwdriver.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:10 pm

Screwdriver? I'll take a martini.

Lil Abner · Post by **Lil Abner** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:16 pm

Would you like your martini dry or wet sir??

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:19 pm

No wonder we don't get any work done around here!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:29 pm

Lil Abner wrote:Would you like your martini dry or wet sir??

I like this guy! My friend, you'll do well around here. Oh, dry with a twist of lime, please.

Kaleponi Craig · Post by **Kaleponi Craig** » Thu May 17, 2007 6:13 pm

I can't say enough about how good the Adventurebilt hat is. I've worn it all over the place and it is simply the best lid I've ever owned. There is no doubt I would recommend it over any other Indy hat out there...KC

darthjones · Post by **darthjones** » Sat May 19, 2007 7:24 am

AB. All the way. The HJ can be pretty but it won't hold up. No matter how long you have to wait for AB, go AB.

Neolithic · Post by **Neolithic** » Thu May 31, 2007 7:18 am

I have a few ABs now... I owned an HJ some time ago and would never buy another one.

I think the choice is fairly obvious!

AB or HJ....which one should I get?

AB or HJ....which one should I get?

hat

Hat