Club Obi Wan

Mad Dogs Hats, 5161 Indiana Jones hats sold...
...and I’m the 5161th Unfortunate costumer, shame on me!

OK, I admit it, I went cheap on my fedora and today I realize cheap becomes quite expensive on the long run!

Today I got my Mad Dog fedora, maybe not the worst fedora ever build if you’re planning using it for a “costume”, but for me, still have a few unforgivable details on it:

1.- Less important: Inaccurate color, or at least not screen accurate, but I had that one coming, still have to read more on the forum to find out a way to fix this. (Because is possible to fix the color on a dark wool fedora, right?) Ribbon replacement is mandatory since is actually slightly lighter than the hat, but that’s a piece of cake, right?

2.- Not important: Cheesy “Indiana Jones” tag on the ribbon, but I know I will find out soon how to properly remove it right here, scream with me “Use the SEARCH button!!!” LOL!

Update: OK! I already found how to remove the pin tag, just use an acetylene torch , duh!
( viewtopic.php?t=28401 )

3.- Quite important: Dramatically off center pinch, don’t know yet how to fix this, but threads like “Indy's hat in this scene” ( viewtopic.php?t=28337 ) are becoming quite useful to learn about this problem.

Update: OK, I guess I can survive my self with the off center pinch if we think of this hat as a Riders version, but what is really driving me nuts now after spending some time in front of the mirror is the brim in the back witch isn't flat, but rather turned down witch makes it look more like an older period hat; I look like some kind of Wyatt Earp
on this one!

4.- Must important: The crown is way too short! And the brim to large! (Or the brim looks too short because the crown is short?) Unfortunately for me, I really don’t think there’s any way to fix this problem...

Update: OK! I’m quite dumb, just found the "Hat Making Tutorial" fixed thread and all the how to make your own block tutorial stuff, so I’m considering a reblocking now if I find out I can fix the crown problem, but still reading about this.

So, what do you guys think I should do: Try to fix the hat or go for a new one? (Time is ticking!) I can’t spend too much more money on this, trying to get my hands (head?) on an Adventurebilt and spend all those bucks for such awesome hat, will get me to a scenario were my girlfriend will whip me with my own whip, then she'll cut out my heart with a spoon and put it out to the sun to get some tan next to my whip! Yay!

...so any input or advice will be appreciated! :idea:

P.S. I guess I’m just another Gearhead nut case now; I have been searching and reading the whole night, it’s dusk now and I haven’t sleep at all!

Before getting my first “This-Thread-Is-Worthless-Without-Pics”, here we go:

(Consider I used a flash from very close, but still I got some really funny colors and contrast from the pictures; the jacket is actually dark, and the hat is even darker, but the ribbon is lighter than the wool in reality and not the same as shown in the pictures! Weird, uh?)

That looks like a modified outback hat to me. I wouldn't even bother trying to fix this one, just get a new hat. Hopefully you can still return that one.

Keep in mind that if you modified the hat (using a torch to remove the pin ) that you probably may not be able to return it now. Still, if you like the hat, regardless of what the label says, wear and enjoy it.

For myself, I found out twice that cheaper isn't always better.. as in for the price of my Keppler on order I went through 2 not so swift fedoras.

I can still return the hat back to the seller, but it’s not a smart option for me since I should spend extra money for the International shipping and handling, witch is actually much more expensive from Mexico to the States, about three times the US/MEX original cost!

Also I already have spent a fortune on “taxes” (Bribes to the corrupt Mexican customs), so even if I get a full refund, I still will be loosing more money over the original cost of the hat! Witch was a really cheap hat anyway, $34 US is a keeper; you can always give it as a present to your favorite nephew or something. Only it went far more expensive for me, so I guess I’m gonna keep it for my self for personal outdoor activities.

But this is why I can’t get an Adventurebilt or something that expensive, just imagine: a simple $34 L.L. Bean shirt cost me about $350 US Dlls. at the end including shipping and handling, taxes, bribes, etc.

So I was thinking about to get one of Todd´s cheap hats option ( http://www.toddscostumes.com/indy/HJ%20 ... s_hats.htm ) The $49.99 option could be a nice one... (I have already pre-order one of his shirts, so I can add the fedora and save some money on the shipping and handling expenses)

So what do you think? Is that one my next fedora or anyone have a better idea for me?

Oh! Now I realize...!

After reading the forum threads and I mean after reading *A LOT*, I came up with this thread: viewtopic.php?t=13243

I couldn’t believe what I was reading, but turns out my “Mad Dog” hat is really a “Dorfman Pacific”, AKA “Scala” (Style: WF567 MadHatter Color: Black 2 Size: M)

I was so exited after receiving my order I actually never paid ANY attention to the package (I know, I’m such a rusher!), but I have rescued the box today from the garbage (yuk!) and now I can tell for sure this statement is for sure! (Picture of the box down to the bottom)

So I have a new homework now; finding out if is possible to properly fix a DP! Looks like I’m not as lost as I thought, uh? There might be some hope for my first fedora!

So, the measures of the fedora are the following:

Brim: 2 1/2"
Crown: 4 1/8" (front)
Crown: 3 7/8" (back)
Band: 1 7/16"

I will keep updated this thread on the advance of my investigation and work, I promise to include pictures (I know you guys love this kina of stuff!).

P.S. I’m posting so much info on this thread for two reasons; first, to get the best possible help from hardcore gearheads, but also to make future reference for people with the same problems from the same hat and save them the time I’m investing on this project.

If you didn't do any changes with the hat, send it back. It sounds like your not happy with it.


I agree wih this statment.

For myself, I found out twice that cheaper isn't always better.


I think it's better to move up the ladder a bit to insure quality. You don't end up spending the same amout of money on a few cheap hats than you would have on one high quality hat.

Arghhh! I’m going mad here! Yesterday I soaked those brims on cold water and left all day and all night the hay lying flat with a few books over the brim sides and back in order to get rid of that outback look brims pointing up, but after all the hard work the brim was back in shape!

I don’t get it, why my effort was worthless? What I did wrong? Do I need to go harder on the soaking? I was kind of sure the brim was properly soaked. What should I try next? I really hate the Wyatt Earp look on this one.

I’m leaving the forum for a couple of hours, I’m gonna distress my MK VII replica, an oh boy, I’m sure gonna give #### to that green little...

Todd´s manual instructs “Take the bag out of the water and crumple it up into a tight ball. Throw it on the floor and stomp on it real good. Show no mercy.”

I’m mad enough right now to make sure it will look really distressed after I’m done!

Sell it on Ebay and be done with it forever. :idea:

Aw, it's a shame. I wonder if they sent you the right thing? I am pretty sure that years ago I bought from Mad Dogs, and the one I got was much better looking than that. =/