Club Obi Wan

A little over a week ago I took delivery of a Camptown Model 1936 Fieldmaster from Camptown Hat Company. But before I get into any kind of review I would first like to explain my “subject header”. Upon trying on the hat I found that it was slightly too small, a little smaller than a home hat stretcher would solve. I made a phone call to Ken at Camptown and he was more than willing to have me send the hat back to be resized. His insistence that I be happy with his product and service was more than apparent and I can highly recommend Ken’s great customer service. He definitely believes in the adage “The Customers Come First” and should be happy. After consulting with him about my options and how I wanted to take this hat on vacation with me within a week (which would have been difficult due to shipping it out East again), I decided to give Wolf’s Hattery a call located in Spokane, Washington (my home state).

Dave Wolf was very pleasant and friendly to talk to over the phone. I explained my problem and was told to ship it out and that he could reblock it and ship it back with the week for a very reasonable and minimal cost. So off the Fieldmaster went. As a man true to his word, my Fieldmaster was indeed reblocked and shipped with a week’s time. And I have to say that the fit is now spot on and appears that his block is very similar to that of the Camptown, at least that’s how it appeared to me. I am posting a picture of it open crowned from Dave Wolf after the reblock. I know Ken has pictures of the open crown Fieldmaster on his site.

I have to say that I really like the felt and the color. The felt has a very substantial (and for lack of a better word), hearty feel yet smooth to the touch. It does indeed seem as if it can take “Mother Natures” worst. It has a shape different than my Akubra (std.) Federation and both of my JPD’s. Which of course I like, due to that I want some variety in my hats (I didn’t want them all to be clones of each other). I mean each are similar in looks, style and color. Perhaps only the few who look at all the details intimately would be able to pick out the differences. I only say that because most of my friends and family think all my hats look alike, but to me they don’t. I’m sure everyone here on the boards would probably recognize the differences right off, but from my experience to date, to the general public, they all look the same.

So with out further to do I present the Camptown/Wolf hybrid. Feel free to be critical and offer any tips or advice.

Thanks.

Looks fantastic!
I love the looks of the Camptowns and it looks as if Mr Wolf did a great job!!

Looks great Kobol! You'll love it as an everyday hat, and it will take what mother nature can throw at it.

AR: I think that a Fieldmaster would look great perched up on your noggin. Just a thought.

Cheers!

Dan

Sweet!!

Kobol:

I echo each of your Camptown customer service comments. Jersey is a true pleasure.

My Fieldmaster was returned, as it also was smaller than expected. My initial impressions of the hat, however, were "that's one quality feeling topper." From the short time I had the hat, it seemed like it would "wear like iron." I am awaiting the hat's return.

In the reblock, did Wolf add any height to the open crown? Into what size did Dave rework the hat? Last question, is your brim the Fieldmaster standard three inches?

BTW: nice hat. As for thoughts, I would suggest GCR's comment from another thread.

GCR wrote:* * * The only suggestion I'd make for now would be to pinch the areas circled below a little tighter to get some good "support ridges" for the sides of the hat and help define the side dents a bit better.


-GCR

Sincerely,

Dr. Seuss,
Jersey was definitely a pleasure to work with. As for your questions, I only had the original Camptown in my hands for approximately 30 minutes before shipping off to Dave Wolf. I used our firm's mail-room to ship it right out to Dave since it was still fresh in the box. But from memory the crown appears to be the same height. The brim was dimensionally cut by Jersey, but I had Dave trim it a little further with an 1/8th inch Boston trimmer. It's now approximately 2 7/8 x 2 6/8.
It was originally ordered as a size 7 but came closer to 6 7/8. I had Dave take it to 22 1/8 inch which required a new sweatband as well. I fall right in the middle of a size 7 and 7 1/8. A size 56 Akubra Fed fits me perfectly.
Thanks for posting the tips. I am still working on the bash. I took the pictures after only 20 minutes of playing with it. I'm still working with the bash and I have to admit I'm having fun tweaking it around little by little. I don't know if i'll ever stop playing around with it, just too much fun.

Kobol:

If "that" is only twenty minutes of bashing/tweaking, you are well on your way to a great looking hat. The subtle touches, and touch-ups, never cease (at least not for me). I consider the small nuances to be the fun of the hat side of this hobby.

Thanks for the 411 on the dimensions.

My Fieldmaster was also about a size too small. It happens, but as we know, Jersey is certainly about ensuring customer satisfaction. Looking forward to the return of my Camptown.

Sincerely,

thanks to all for the very kind words. I am working on getting both new orders and returns out as fast as I can. Your continued patience and patronage does me honor indeed.

Thanks
Ken