Club Obi Wan

Hi all. Schmidty here with a hat question. Actually I need your opinion. I have a Peters Bros Custom that I've had for like 5 years. I've recently discovered (gasp!) a tear in the felt in the crown. So I am in need of a new fedora. The AB's that I've seen are gorgeous! However I do now feel a certain loyalty to Peters Bros. because the did right by me the first time around. Are the AB's so great compared to the PB's that they are worth waiting a year for? I understand that Marc and Steve are one of your own and it's helping their business. I'm all for the little guy believe me! I wear my fedora every day so I'm not worried about SA. I realize the AB's are great hats and I'm not trying to play them down. But If you guys say Wait!!! PB's don't compare to AB's then I will plunk down the cash and wait for an AB. But If you say no, the PB's are also great then I will order another PB and wait until the AB guys catch up and THEN order one of theirs. I appreciate any wisdom hurled in my direction. And If you got lost, sorry, I ramble.

Schmidty

PBs are fine hats for machine assisted types. Thing is, there is just not much differentiation among machine made hats outside of block shape. Thats really the only thing you can make kind of proprietary to your operation when you go that route. Upside is you can crank them out to meet demand and going the handmade route adds wait time. In the right hands, handmade hats add quality that a machine made deal wont have. AB hats are proven to have that quality, you just have to wait for it. Just depends on what you are looking for and what you value in your hat.

Camptown, you help the little guy and he is running a promotion for COW and Fedora Cronicles members. Check the Vendor's section for the details. Semi Custom, the little guy and the wait is tolerable.

"Membership has it's privleges."

I have only handled two hats currently in production that are in the same league as an AB. That short list is; AB Deluxe and Vintage Sihouttes (Art Fawcett). That said, if you like PB, why not go back? They even have new felt choices to help get you closer to the AB experience. Unless you specifically want to try something new, I see no compelling reason not to buy another PB.

If you want really different (as in not Indy), and have the money, I recommend Vintage Silhouettes highly. He doesn't do Indy's, but everything is custom, 100% beaver, and a much shorter waiting time than AB.

I guess it's all about what itch you choose to scratch!

My best advice would be...go for the AB. I've owned both AB and PB and the AB is the hands-down winner. I love my PB custom, but there's no beating the softness and pliability of the AB's felt. I can definitely understand not wanting to wait a year for a new hat though, so if you have the money, I'd buy a fed in the meantime - another great hat at a great price. Or even just use the PB until your new hat comes in.

One bit of advice though - if you're going to order an AB, I'd do so before May 22nd, as that's when Steve plans to up the prices by $100. :junior: -M

Mulceber,

I appreciate the advice. I guess I will just have to **** it up (the wait) and order one. I might be able to get my PB to hang on for another...(sigh)...year. Thanks for the input, that's what I came here for!!


Schmidty