Club Obi Wan

Earlier this week, I received my brand new AB Deluxe from Marc. Let me first say that I've owned 9 Indy fedoras up to this point, they were: 2 Dorfman Pacific wool felts, 1 Stetson Temple, 2 Indiana Millers, 1 Akubra Federation Deluxe, 1 Jimmy Pierce Designs Indy Fedora, 1 Adventurebilt Beaver felt, and 1 Adventurebilt Rabbit felt. Add to that the new AB Deluxe, and that makes 10. Out of these 10, the AB Deluxe is easily my favorite, and as far as initial reactions and impressions go, I'd say it's also the best Indy fedora I've ever owned. Everything about it just seemed "right" to me when I opened up that box. And when I took that hat out of the box, I knew I had my Raiders fedora. This is it, my quest is over, I have found the hat I have been looking for since I first saw Raiders way back when.

The hat itself is made with exceptional quality and meticulous attention to detail. The fit and finish seems to be on a similar level that of my Standard AB, but I think, aside from the ribbon (which is the same on both) all the materials used in the ABD are nicer (as they should be). The felt is a tad thicker than the regular AB, but it actually seems softer and more pliable in many ways. The color is also different, perhaps a bit more on the reddish side in the ABD. The blockshape is really where the Deluxe blows everything else I've worn out of the water. The block is definitely wider than the standard AB block, and it shows (at least to me it does). I have a face that is wider than average, and I have had a hard time dealing with the idea that my hats are too narrow for my face (they were), but's Marc's block fixes all that, and it gives me the perfect, straight-sided Raiders look but with enough width that it still looks good on me.

Anyway, Marc has a new customer for life in me, as his craftsmanship and service are exceptional and his block is perfect! And now, the pics!



I ordered the hat open crown, with my usual brim specs of 2 7/8 f&b x 2 5/8 sides. I bashed the hat myself, mostly dry, with just a little water to help hold some of the tricky spots (like the top of the pinch). I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the felt was to work with on this hat. Very, VERY, high grade felt, no doubt.





The famous liner with the red logo. I really love both of the AB liner designs, but I like the red coloring just a bit more than the plain gold and white.



Now, a couple of comparison shots with the another great hat, the standard Beaver AB:


AB beaver (Left) with AB DELUXE (Right)


AB beaver (L) with AB Deluxe (R)...the famous "puffy-V" in the front section of the bow is very well defined in the ABD.

A great big "Thank you" goes out to Marc for making this magnificent hat and making a dream come true.

-GCR

Congrats on your new at. I have both Ab and Ab delux and I know you will enjoy them as much as I have. Thanks for sharing the pics with all of us. I never get tired of seeing Steve and Marc work.

that is definitely a beauty GCR....and a beautiful bash job if i may add. has it been 6 months already? i recall you mentioning that this was on order.....am i getting that old?

i'm very happy you've found YOUR hat....after 10 hats, you should definitely know what works and what doesn't work on a hat.....you're giving me the urge to slap an order down :evil:

enjoy that in good health my friend....quick question though....how'z it look on your noggin?

oh....and one more question....can i have it?

That's a very impressive lid, makes me green with envy at the six more months of waiting for my AB that I'll have to endure Btw, is it just me, or is the bash on the fedora's right look unintentional?

Just as impressive though is that flint-lock pistol!

Beautiful lid, congratulations on a fine hat!

Excellent looking hat! I'd just sent a message to mark to confirm payment details on one before I saw this thread and now I'm even more excited!

Congratulations!

Beautiful hat and nice comparison pics. Didn't you use a tupperware bowl to re-block one of your Millers? I was just wondering if you were gonna try it with the ABD?

Very nice. It does appears Marc has a "bit more" going on regarding the ribbon work. Nothing like a few more swirls/sworls.

The block shape definitely looks more substantial. Great bash.

Six months you say?

Sincerely,

Oak - Thanks for the compliments!

Indiana G - Thanks! It has actually only been about 4 months, as the hat order was placed in late February of this year. It was nearly 6 months wait for my Beaver AB from Steve, and a bit longer for my Rabbit AB (and a bit longer than that for my other Rabbit AB which I still haven't received). But Marc's turnaround time seems to be a bit quicker (for now).
The hat looks great on my head, exactly as I want it to look. I could not be happier! Bashing it was a joy, doubtlessly the easiest hat to bash I've ever owned. And no, sorry, but you CAN'T have it!

CD - Thanks! I'm not sure what you mean by the bash on the right being unintentional, though. I bashed every aspect of this hat with the FULL intention of making it look like the Raiders fedora. In the real Raiders fedora, the dent on the bow side (I'm not even sure if this is the side you're referring to ) is more shallow and not as well defined as the other dent, due to the turn. Is that what you mean? Oh, and the flintlock pistol is harmless, for decorative purposes only.

ob1al - Thanks man!

michaeljcr - Thanks...so you're waiting for one of these beauties yourself, are you? You really won't regret spending the money. Heck, I know if I had the dough, I'd buy another one right this instant! I'm looking forward to seeing yours when it arrives.

Blooze - Thanks! And no, I have no plans on messing with the awesome blockshape this ABD already has! The tupperware is officially retired from duty now.

Seuss - Thanks! Yes, the difference is the blockshape isn't even as noticeable when you have the hats side by side. But when I put them on you can really see it. The regular AB doesn't look bad, it's just that the ABD fits my face better. And like I told G, it was actually around 4 months from order time to doorstep.

Thanks again everyone!

-GCR

Yeah, it's true, like Marc said, the price of ABD really IS worth the peace of mind.

Can't believe I'm taking out living expenses in order to buy one of these. Haha.

Wow!!! That hat is BEAUTIFUL

Amazing looking hats. The lining in that Deluxe is beautiful. Thanks for the side by side pictures. You should be very proud of both hats.

Just sent Marc the money for one with the Roo hide sweatband!

Beautiful hat, GCR!

Hey, where's you head? Great lookin' hats.

Oh my. GORGEOUS. Congrats!!