Club Obi Wan

Happy Thanksgiving COW!!

Does anyone have a guess as to how many re-blocks a Fed 4 deluxe could take over the course of its life?? Like all of you I am amassing a collection of vintage hats, (many of which I wear) but I have a brown Fed 4 (Styled in a hybrid LC, KOTCS look) that has become my trusted companion over the last few years and one of my prized possessions. I wear it daily and its traveled many miles with me on many adventures!

Through numerous downpours, 2 dunks in a lake, exposure to heat humidity, and heavy sun the hat has held up well through it all, with just a little lightning of the felt, and staining of the liner but no taper! I have not sent it away to be reblocked yet.

Here is my dilema, I have a Henry creased in the style of KOTCS that sits in my closet used only for dressing up occasions. (The Fed it too battered for that role now) There is a part of me that thinks it may make more sense to retire the Fed and switch to the Henry for my daily use/adventures because it may be a more durable hat, and due to its 20% beaver blend will hold up for years longer than the Fed.......... but I the thought of putting my trusty Fed on the shelf for good is a little depressing. If you believe the movies Indy had his hat from 1912-1958.

Any advice??

To continue the topic beyond my question, has anyone here been through the high of receiving their new hat then realized it was time to retire a hat that had been a big part of their travels/life and where not ready to give it up? (maybe you still where that battered old fedora from time to time

John

I do understand your dilemma, but I think most people here solve it by rotating. Letting each hat take its turn so to speak. This way, until a hat is worn beyond wearability, there will be no need to permanently retire a hat at all.

Regards, Geert

keep doing what you have been doing wearing your fed everyday and save the other for the nicer occasions. that way you have a everyday hat and a dress hat. good luck.

I thought about rotating the hats but I tend to wear my fedora the way people wear their favorite baseball hats. Daily and through all weather conditions. I certainly haven't babied the Fed (with the exception of NOT picking it up by the pinch!!)

The Henry does have a more SA look than my own hybrid bash on the Fed.

I wouldn't sweat it too much. From what you say, it's never been reblocked, so just be sure you send it to the likes of John Penman or Steve Delk for the work. They take extra good care of your hat, will reblock it back to it's original glory, then hand sew the main features back, so it will last for years to come.

As has been suggested, rotate your Henry with your Fed once your Fed has been reblocked, wearing your Henry while the Fed is 'in the shop'. You will be amazed just how long these hats will last with proper care, rotation, and the right folks doing the work for you in the overhauls.

Regards! Michaelson