Club Obi Wan

Hi I want your opinions. Should I go with the adventure built fedora beaver hat or the raiders style Magnoli? I want one closest to the raider's scene in the Raven bar. Thanks I know they're both excellent companies and it is very hard to make a decision.

Strictly speaking they are both Adventurebilts, because that company makes both of them.
It depends on what you want. An AB is a better quality hat, but the Magnoli HJ is designed to replicate the original Raiders hat as exactly as possible.

If you are an outdoorsman, the AB would be the best choice. But an Indy collector might choose either one for various reasons. I own both and I prefer the look and feel of the Magnoli, personally, but I know the AB is the superior hat.

Jack

Hey eazy how does the Magnoli stand up to rain and other bad weather?

Both are made by Master Hatter Steve Delk. If you must have the Herbert Johnson logo and name The MAG/HJ/AB of Steve's is the way to go but the better hat hands down is the Adventurebilt. Steve and Marc of Adventurebilt and Adventurebilt delux make the best hats.

gabrielle wrote:Hey eazy how does the Magnoli stand up to rain and other bad weather?

I haven't worn mine that much, Gabrielle, but I believe Steve said it was from an exceptionally good batch of felt that he had trouble shrinking down to the right size-- so this one would probably hold up well in adverse weather.

I'm just not too keen on experimenting with such a beautiful and expensive collector's item, and that was one of the reasons I bought a Christys Adventurer-- it's similar in some ways to the Magnoli but much less expensive, and it HAS held up well under normal use so far. Hasn't been caught in a rainstorm yet, though, so I'll find out eventually how it takes to bad weather.

Jack

Ok eazy thanks.

Anyone owning the Christy's that has been out in bad weather please let us know how the hat holds up...

True, the comparison is between a rabbit fur and a beaver felt, and the beaver felt will always win, hands down, when it comes to inclimate weather....so, if that's a major factor in your decision, the AB would be my suggestion.

If you're more concerned about styling, EITHER will work.

If you're wanting the closest to the original Raiders roots, the Magnoli HJ is your best bet, as it is an HJ and styled by Steve Delk, so the best of all worlds in that scenario.

Regards! Michaelson

Wow Thankxs for all the comments so far I'm thinking of saving up for both now!

That would absolutely solve your problem.

Regards! Michaelson

I agree - both is an excellent idea

That makes thing easy.

Each has it's place, but if limited to one, I would go with the beaver AB. It's just a better all around hat. The main advantage that the Magnoli has is the Herbert Johnson authenticity. Everything else and more come with the beaver AB.

Having said that, I confess to owning both.

I, too, want both. But I'm wondering if Steve will still be working on the Mag HJs after he retires from making ABs. Just gotta save up for both w/in 3 years.

Now that's debatable -- and surely was/is on other threads. I would say that even without taking into account the present ownership, the changes to the so-called "Poet" would render it less than "authentic". But for those who consider the "name" very important, then this is a reasonable choice.

Both hats are made by the same person, Steve. If you can afford both, go for it, that is what I did. The HJ Steve makes is probably as close to Raiders as your going to get. The AB beaver pretty much speaks for itself from all the great comments when people get them. The hat is a beauty and this is from pictures from people's hats I see. Mine is on order and probably will not get it till winter of this year. So might as well get both before Steve retires.

IndianaChris