The Keppler Fedora

[Indiana G]

Lee requested that i give his hat the honour of it's own thread (rightfully so of course). It seems that he received some inquirries about the hat from individuals that have yet to see these images.

taken from the "update from lee keppler" thread:

just got off the phone with mr. keppler as i was enquirring to see if he got my CS gun belt. we talked shop for quite a while and then he told me that he's got a shipment of hats that are in. he is off to tucson but will be shipping hats out shortly in the sizes that he gets in and per the order of what was ordered. i believe he will be shipping 3 out tomorrow or early next week.

so for those who ordered these beauties, here's some pics to make your waiting more excruciating.........its the least i can do











it looks like lee's made a winner with these lids....i'm quite envious of those who have ordered these..........so for those who have ordered a 7 1/8.......can i have it?

and the following post:

.....and for those perspective buyers of this offering, this definitely shows lee's attention to detail............



what wet my appetite is the beautiful profile on this hat.....i'd love to snag one of these myself but am directing funds to my own hat project at the moment. congrats to those who are on the order list.

cheers,


g

I hope that you can utilize this thread to post pics of these beauties when you lucky buggers get them

Mods, feel free to delete these identical posts on the previous thread. Sorry for the duplication, but the request for a lone thread on this hat came from "top men"

enjoy folks and mr. keppler, if there's anything else i can help you with, it would be my pleasure.

[IndianaSVT]

That is a great looking hat, my friend is going to be excited when his hat arrives.

[Weston]

That is a great looking fedora! It has a lot of personality, and exudes a spirit of adventure. Wear it well!

Weston

[Dengar]

Is this a Raiders "Cairo" bash?

[theinterchange]

Guess what's sitting on my dining room table?!?!?!?!?! I got mine not 20 minutes ago. Soon as my camera battery charges I'll have pics.

All I can say at this point is WOW! Great hat, I am extremely pleased with the quality and fit.

Until I get pics!

Randy

[Chewbacca Jones]

Great lid, G. Is it the new softer felt Lee's been talking about?

[theinterchange]

Great lid, G. Is it the new softer felt Lee's been talking about?

I got mine, I think Lee sent those photos to Indiana G.. Yes the felt is soft, but not floppy.

[Solent MKIII]

Congrats on the new lid, interchange! When did you order yours? Now that they're
starting to arrive on everyone's doorsteps, I'm really chomping at the bit to see my
box on the front porch! :junior:

[theinterchange]

Solent MKIII, I ordered mine in April, while he was still selling the old generation, so I knew I'd have some lead time on the order.

You won't be disappointed! My wait was well rewarded with quality, and a great bash job.

I started a thread for showing off the Kepplers here http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=33741 It seems that all the other makers have a showcase thread and Lee deserved one very much.

Randy

[Bruce Wayne]

does anyone happen to have mr. keppler's phone number?
thanx!!!
Charlie

[Lee Keppler]

619-647-6744 or, 619-647-6744! Oh, did I mention 619-647-6744? (couldn't resist)

[Michaelson]

Operators are standing by....

Regards! Michaelson

[jasonalun]

I'm considering a Keppler, because I want a more durable hat, but I don't have the funds for a pure beaver fur like the custom AB. The Fedora FAQ says the Keppler is a rabbit-beaver blend. I'm trying to decide between an AdventureBilt Henry and a Keppler - since I don't have the funds for both - and wonder if you guys who have Kepplers can give me some input.

How's the color? I seem to see a wide range of shades of brown in the pictures I've seen, perhaps only because of the different light the pictures were taken in. Some seemed a bit on the light brown end. So I thought I'd just ask some owners what they think it looks like. Can someone perhaps post some pics of a Keppler next to an AB custom or a Magnoli HJ, or even a Federation IV, so I can have a reference for comparison, too? Thanks!

What does 6X fur felt mean? I've heard people saying that Lee's hats now use that, versus the previous 5X, and I'm kind of a newbie to hat terminology so I'm not sure exactly what that means. What mix of rabbit and beaver fur is Kepplers? 80-20? 50-50?

Is Keppler's felt very stiff, and can you adjust your bashing/creasing easily with the hands?

How's the durability? Is it going to taper with a bit of snow or rain (not talking downpour here, just sprinkles), or does it dry off well?

Thanks for any answers you all can provide. I'm sure Kepplers is a great hat, all the hats talked about here have some good points it seems (except the Dorfman Pacific! ;-)), it's just a matter of what you want and can afford to spend. I'm trying to make up my mind...

[theinterchange]

PSSST Jasonalun

Want a Keppler you do, want a Keppler you do. [waves hand slightly]

Did the Jedi mind trick work?

Seriously, you want one of these!

Mine has a nice mid to slightly dark brown, the felt is soft yet very durable feeling, I haven't tried my hand at any adjustments to the bash yet but think it'd be a cinch to do.

I don't think Lee would give out the gnawer to hopper ratio.

Also, I do know DRUola had his in some water once and he told me it handled it like a champ.

For the price range, I think this is the sure bet in all honesty. Though I'm not a massive expert, I can tell quality and this looks and feels it!

Randy

[jasonalun]

"This is the hat we're looking for..." "move along, move along"...

Seriously, thanks for the feedback! I have no doubt it's a great quality hat. Yours in your avatar seems to have a CS bash - I wonder if someone with a Raiders bash could post some outdoor photos from the front, side and maybe top oblique angle (kind of between a direct overhead and a front view), so I could see the hat in daylight and get a better idea of the color and how the shadows fall on the creases? That would be great, and would help me out a lot in making my decision.

Also, are the sweatbands sewn in by machine or hand, and if machine, are they sewn in above the brim break? If no one knows, I can ask Lee. I forgot to ask him that when I had him on the phone the other day.

[DR Ulloa]

I gave my Keppler to my father, so I cannot show any current photos of it, but here are some photos that I took while I still had it. Lee has changed a few things on his new hat, but this will give you a general idea of what you will be recieving, though the new Keppler thread will be more indicative of what you will get with the new Keppler.

This first photo is indoors with flash. Even with the flash, the color is a very rich brown.



This second photo is outdoors at MGM Studios at Disney World. Please excuse the pose...I didn't know I was being photographed.



This last photo is, again, without flash, but taken indoors with artificial lighting.



As far as the hat itself goes, it is very soft and only softens up with time. Living in South Florida, sun showers occur with frequence. I got caught in the rain many times and the hat looked better every time. The hat is very easy to shape and the brim looks just right. And as the photos show, the color is a very rich brown. You simply cannot find a better deal on a blended fur hat, in my opinion.

Dave

[mcmanm]

So has anyone else received their hat? I know Lee said he orders them in batches of 30. Just curious.

[mcmanm]

Lee just called. Said he had the hat in hand and had just finished applying a water repellant and that it was ready to send out. For all those wondering, he sends them USPS Priority Mail in batches of around 5 or 6. He said that I should receive it in 3 days. Said the couple he has sent have arrived in 2. I will post pics on the other post once I receive it. Thanks Lee.

[Rundquist]

Glad to see Lee is still here. Hat looks good.

[Haplo81]

Just received my Keppler yesterday and let me say it was worth the wait. Awesome care to detail. Exceeded my expectations! Lee knows his stuff - Will post when I get some pictures.