Club Obi Wan

In 2002 I bought an Akubra Federation and it was my pride and joy - an affordable Indy and I wore it til the sweat band needed replacing. I continued to wear it after a new band was fitted and it really became part of my anatomy for a while. The pinch became stained and the felt has a real 'veteran' look, like an old friend that was with me on a long adventure.

After a few more years, the felt wore thin around the pinch until inevitably a hole developed. So now the front of my old friend bears the scars of long service "it's not the years - it's the mileage"

But ya know what? I like it like that. It's earthy and honest like a real adenturer's hat. It's no longer my 'authentic' Indy replica but hey - I can buy a new one to serve that purpose. Is there anything wrong with allowing this old soldier to carry on it's adventure? Or is this not a good image? Cos I'll be honest... I'm still gonna wear it... but a small part of me will worry people think I'm unwashed and backward. But that ain't gonna stop me! Is anyone else in my camp on this issue?

Gosh, I'd hate to think of overlooking an old friend like that! I'm all for the old friend school of thought. While, no it wouldn't be suited for an evening on the town, casual wear I'd be all over that hat.

Randy

That hat has earned its stripes. While it may no longer be a "formal" hat, it's still perfectly suited for adventures or as a casual hat with a decent pair of jeans. I remember working at a farm market years ago when a man came in with a felt safari style brimmed hat. It was stained, beat up, with a big hole in the pinch. It was beautiful in my eyes and I complimented him on his hat. He wore it proudly.

If Bogart can pull it off, then you can too!



I wouldn't care. It's an adventurers hat, it's supposed to look that way.

I guess I'm wired a little different. If used as a yard hat, absolutely.

I look at a hat as a tool, be it for sun protection, wind protection, rain/snow/etc. protection....as well as looking nice when I go out wearing one of my nice hats.

When one is as far gone as the one you just described, like an old flag, I dispose of it in a dignified manner and burn it. It's served its full purpose and deserves no less, rather than being tossed in the trash or left on the shelf.

A hat SHOULD become an old friend, but when they're beyond help, it's time to let go. If they still serve their purpose, I still use them. If not, I move on.

Then, like I said, that's just me and MY practice.

Sometimes, bink, if it's the ONLY hat a man owns, you better believe he'll wear it proudly. So would I, and have done so.....but is that the case here?

Regards! Michaelson

No it's not the case. I have at least 20 felt hats, most of which are fedoras. Some are smart, some are old. Some are grey, blue, sable, sand, black etc. I just love hats and I want some to be worn out and old. I want some to be that as-new stiff felt look. But I would never burn a hat. It's against the law to start a fire in this city for a start. But I just wouldn't do it. I love variety and even if I let go of any old friend, it always sits on my hat shelf with all the others, like a trophy.

Well, like I said, that's just my practice. Not saying it's right or wrong, but it's what I do when one is that far gone and beyond rebuilding.

Regards! Michaelson

I'm all for personal tradition - I think it's great you have your own practices. I wouldn't try to convince you you're wrong. Variety is the spice of life! It nice to hear your stories.

Michaelson wrote: Sometimes, bink, if it's the ONLY hat a man owns, you better believe he'll wear it proudly. So would I, and have done so.....but is that the case here?

Regards! Michaelson

I don't know if it was his only hat, but it had an "Out of Africa" feel to it. It worked for him with what he was wearing, though I got the impression that he wouldn't wear this as an "on the town" hat. Still, I know what you're saying. I have some great beater hats, but when I go out, I almost always grab a hat that still has a lot of life to it, even if it's gotten some character over time. But a hat that beat up I would only wear as a yard work hat, too. I guess I like to see hats in all sorts of conditions. While I take good care of my hats, I still enjoy seeing a fedora that's naturally been through heck and back. There's just a certain beauty to them in my eyes. But I'm the same way with vintage guitars. I like to see they've been played.

Vintage guitars sound better with age. Old hats with holes in them leak.

Sorry, that comparison doesn't work for me.

Regards! Michaelson

Fair 'nuff.

I still have my Stetson Temple. It's been reblocked many times now and doesn't wear as well as my other Indy hats, so it hangs next to my KotCS movie poster. I feel kinda bad that this hat has gone on so many adventures with me and now it's just decoration, but when you have an AB and one I've made myself, and both are better hats, what's a guy to do?

I have an antique-store Resistol that I reblocked myself, on a block that I made myself, with a bow I made myself, and a JW Hats sweat, all hand-stitched by me. It's sweat stained, it's filthy, it smells of old grass clippings and wet dog when it gets damp, and it is not allowed anywhere but the garage, yard, or basement (spousal executive order). No holes to speak of yet, but I still wouldn't trade it. If I want to wear a hat 'out', I have my AB, Akubra, and other Resistol for that. Kinda like your favorite pair of daggy jeans, or a flannel shirt that (by some peoples standards) is beyond hope, but in the owners opinion, they're just getting broken in! It may not be pretty, and it may not do everything it used to, but it's comfy and keeps the sun off my growing bald spot!

Rock on, Snap Brim!

-AFI

No holes to speak of yet....

Key words here.

His does.

No one mentioned killing off an old hat just because it was old.

I have one that dates back to the early 50's that gets regular wear. Thing is, it's in fine shape, is STILL rebuildable, and NO HOLES! I have another that has felt going back to 1919. (yes, 1919) NO HOLES!

Regards! Michaelson

Well, there is one big hole, the one your head goes in!

Oh, well, if THAT'S the case, I have more hats to burn tonight....

Hey, wait a minute....



Regards! Michaelson

Here's a story for you, Snap. I used to work with a guy at Kinko's by the name of Luke, who had an Akubra. It wasn't a Federation, but it was something else I wasn't able to find on Akubra's current site, and Luke thought they didn't make them anymore. Either way, it had the Akubra liner, so I was sure that's the kind of hat it was.

This hat had a HUGE hole right at the apex of the pinch. Luke literally SEWED the hole shut and continued to wear it. This hat looked like it had been through hades. Sweat stains, this huge hole that you could fit an Eisenhower dollar coin through. He showed me the hat once when it was unsewed, just so I could see what it looked like, and it was gargantuan. Not only was it on the apex of the pinch, but had spread to the teardrop in the crown of the hat. He said he'd re sew it a few times a year when the thread would break from use, and that held it together.

He still wore that hat daily. In fact, I can't remember ever seeing him without it. He didn't wear it at work, but it was there, hanging on the coat rack in the employee break area, and when he would take his lunch somewhere other than work, the hat went with him.

Is there anything wrong with allowing this old soldier to carry on it's adventure? Or is this not a good image? Cos I'll be honest... I'm still gonna wear it... but a small part of me will worry people think I'm unwashed and backward. But that ain't gonna stop me! Is anyone else in my camp on this issue?

Nothing wrong with this. It reminds me of the old cowboys who would literally wear their hats until they fell apart. And that is the reason, non of these old western hats survived for museum display. I read that in the Stetson Book, by the way.

And, it seems you have already made your mind up anyways. But, were looking for how we feel about it. Fair enough.

Would you look unwashed and backward, or even homeless? Probably so. But, if you don't care, I am not the one to care either. But with that said, I do have hard time throwing an old friend away as well. But, I have done it. At least once. I am blessed with higher than normal quality hats, so I don't expect to be throwing anymore away, in the years that I have left. And the hat that I did chunk in file 13 was rabbit, and an old one, originally a western hat, that I made into an Indy fedora way back before I started selling hats. It developed a hole in the top of the front pinch, which is why most hatters advise against using a tight pinch. It will eventually break the felt, unless you are wearing pure beaver. And even then, 20 years down the road, it could develop a hole as well. Might take even longer than that.

This is a good case for buying the best felt you can afford, so that the hat can indeed become an old friend, but intact. Many hat wearers don't consider this until they do develop the holes. Experienced hat wearers generally come around though, and spend the extra bucks now.

My hats come with a guarantee, that if you ever wear a hole in it, I will replace it free. But, it has to be due to the front pinch causing the hole, and not damage created by rolling down a hill of knives or other like items.

My ABs are unusual in that I guarantee the hat for the life of the wearer, or until I die. Hard to replace em' when you are dead!!! Who else does this? Nobody to my knowledge. I am that confident in the felt that I use. Now, this does not cover the rabbit abs I have made in the past, just the pure beaver. So, you only have to buy an AB once. But, I did not get into hatmaking to get rich, I got into it for other reasons. And sorry for the advertisement, but this was a good place to bring it up. I really do stand behind what I make, and I expect that from others(not talking about just hats here) Way back, if you bought many items, you got this sort of guarantee. I used to send back Zippo lighters for new ones way back. They probably no longer offer this though. With most stuff being made in China, it has been my experience, you are buying a disposable item, regardless what it is. I have been through 9 cappuchino makers in 5 years! I have been though countless hand steamers that I use to style hats with. Most last a couple of months before they burn out. Today, I buy only vintage steamers and irons from ebay. They outlast the new stuff expoentially. I am all about quality, regardless of what item I buy. But as most know, this idea of something lasting is a relic today. So ebay gets all of my money. More than you wanted to know, but that's me! Fedora

Michaelson wrote:

No holes to speak of yet....

Key words here.

His does.

No one mentioned killing off an old hat just because it was old.

I have one that dates back to the early 50's that gets regular wear. Thing is, it's in fine shape, is STILL rebuildable, and NO HOLES! I have another that has felt going back to 1919. (yes, 1919) NO HOLES!

Regards! Michaelson

Understandable... I was merely going on the premise that, for some, it doesn't matter how beat up an item gets. If, and when, my trusty Resistol shows a hole in the pinch, I'll keep right on wearing it. Just not in the rain!

1919!?! May I ask what it is?

-AFI

Totally understood, my friend.

The 1919 is an AB.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Totally understood, my friend.

The 1919 is an AB.

Regards! Michaelson

Ooooo Mercury? I always thought Bink was the only one who got one of those babies...

Anyway... I digress.

airforceindy wrote:

Michaelson wrote:Totally understood, my friend.

The 1919 is an AB.

Regards! Michaelson

Ooooo Mercury? I always thought Bink was the only one who got one of those babies...

Anyway... I digress.

Nope, there were a couple of us in the right place, at the right time....

Regards! Michaelson

Yep. All about being at the right place at the right time.



This one gets good wear on and off throughout the year and is one of my absolute favorite hats ever. If it had to be rebuilt, it could take it, but it hasn't tapered one bit since I got it a few years ago. This hat has age AND mileage! It's both and old friend AND an old hat!

For some reason or other, I thought you were the only one that got one, Bink. Well... cool! I'll admit, I'm jealous, but I like the hats I've got pretty well, even my stinky beaten up one.

Might I add (gotta get my brags in somehow!), I got my Sergei-tribute hat in the mail today. It's a beauty that I plan on keeping clean! Will post pics in the "Sold" Forum under the "Grey Resistol" thread later on...

-AFI

Or you could just post it in the hat section, since it'd be appropriate here. Be sure to share a pic of you wearing it when you do.

Fedora wrote: So ebay gets all of my money. More than you wanted to know, but that's me! Fedora

AND more to the point, the little man gets your money! Which is a win.

Randy

So, you only have to buy an AB once.

Yeah, that all works in theory, Steve, but do you really expect that any of the AB nuts (myself included) are going to buy just one AB? In all seriousness though, really? If we wear through the felt you'll make us a new one for free? Not that I'm gonna try to wear through the felt now, nope, not me... -M

In all seriousness though, really? If we wear through the felt you'll make us a new one for free?

You bet. If anyone gets a hole, from the front pinch being tight, I will replace it free of charge. When I said an AB should last you for most of your life, I wasn't kidding. I will see to it, that it does. (beaver hats only) When I guarantee one of my hats, it is a real guarantee. I am that confident in the felt that I use. Now, I would never offer this for any lightweight hat, as that would be insane. But I don't use lightweight felt. Just too thin, which means much less durability.

When I said an AB is the only hat you would ever have to buy, I meant it. But understand, I put one of these hats through the wringer, before I ever went out on a limb. I just ask that you don't try to "on purpose" try to wear a hole in the hat. We are talking about normal wear here, so leave the vice grips in the tool box. Fedora

He means it, folks.

Regards! Michaelson

I was wondering the same question. Can a hat be a friend or it is just a tool? I think i prefer the friend but thats me. There are many topics here about distressing the hat and make it look well worn but it is rare thing to read about a hat that earned its beatup look.
So i am with you on this one Snapbrim76. One old friend is better then 10 new friends.

I can realy relate to getting an emotional bond to a hat. When I was 14 years old I had a pair of jeans I totaly loved. I wore them eventhough they had holes in them at the knees and were steadily falling appart. I was devestated when my mom threw them out.

So I can imagine being so fond of a hat that a hole in it wouldn't stop you from wearing it. Sometimes wearing something is more than just functional.

Regards, Geert

Fedora wrote:You bet. If anyone gets a hole, from the front pinch being tight, I will replace it free of charge.

Steve my friend, you are a true gentleman. Not that I foresee myself needing this - I rarely hold my AB's by the pinch, and when I do, I make sure not to squeeze them. It's actually more like they're being cradled. It's just very heartening to see a businessman who believes in his products and will stand behind them to such an extent. If all the businessmen in America were as scrupulous as you are, I have no doubt that there would be no need for consumer report or lawyers, and our economy wouldn't be in the dire straights its currently in. Hats off to you! -M

pictures taken through mirror - bow is on correct side! Bad quality pics I know but they're my first!

It's just very heartening to see a businessman who believes in his products and will stand behind them to such an extent.

This is nothing new really. I am of the generation that actually were given these sorts of guarantees way back. They have mostly went by the wayside in recent years. I remember when most things, made in America, had lifetime guarantees. And not just America but many of the European countries as well. Like the Geman knifemaker, Puma. I own a Puma that was bought in 1970!! And it is still as good now as it was when it was new. If you believe in what you make, you SHOULD guarantee it! If you don't, why in the heck sell it to start with? I am of the old school, and proud of it. And I detest disposable consumer goods. Planned oblescence is a dirty word to me.

There have been loads of hats on ebay, vintage hats that still had a lifetime of wear left in them. I know, because I own alot of them. A hat should last you a very, very long time. Under reasonable wear of course. Bullet holes don't qualify!!! Or using vice grips to really define that front pinch. Never use a mechanical tool on the pinch. Use the hands God gave ya. Fedora

John Wayne wore the same white hat for nineteen years, from Stagecoach in 1939 to Rio Bravo in 1958.

Like the Geman knifemaker, Puma. I own a Puma that was bought in 1970!!

I have one that belonged to my late father-in-law that he purchased in 1963, and like yours, it's in fine shape.

You can also see Wayne wearing that old hat when he was directly his film 'The Alamo', and it was left as part of his estate, along with his ivory handled Colts and modified Winchester 1892. I believe it's on display somewhere with those firearms, but just where I don't recall. I read about it in a Guns and Ammo magazine when Wayne died.

So, even though I don't practice it, you are indeed in good company.

Regards! Michaelson

IndianaLV wrote:If Bogart can pull it off, then you can too!



I wouldn't care. It's an adventurers hat, it's supposed to look that way.

Fantastic movie, fantastic Bogart : treasure of Sierra Madre ...John Huston (novell of B. traven)
One of the actors who are inspiring the character of Indiana Jones...


Thanks IndianaLV !