Club Obi Wan

OK, folks. I'm sure this belongs in another thread such as the "Show Me Your AB Deluxe" or some sort, but I feel a need to give this item its own thread (for a couple of reasons). First and foremost, the hat is AMAZING!!! But also, this hat is what I have termed "Ick-Free Gear."

So what do I mean by ick-free? Excellent question, glad you asked. In my relentless journey for gear I have some items that are absolutely treasured. And not just because of it's SA-ness (whatever that is ), but it is because of the coolness of the gear piece in addition to the great people and friends I have met in pursuit of the gear. Hassle-free vendors completely devoid of any ego, malice, spite, or just plain ol' greed coupled with great friends on this fine board have led me to some of these "ick-free" pieces and I WILL NOT part with them. Some come to mind;
1. My relic raider ziplight. A gear piece almost completely non-SA, and yet one of my favorites. I carry it almost daily.
2. My Todd's Raiders holster, an outstanding value (no gouging there ) from a very cool guy.
3. And now I have my AB Deluxe...

I have been searching for a Raiders lid for a few months now. I searched my options, and even though there are MANY out there for gear heads today, I wanted a beaver felt...and I REALLY wanted an AB. Sadly, I only came on these boards around 2008 so I really missed getting an AB at an affordable price, much less an AB deluxe!

Then a friend on these boards, who had been trying to help me find a hat, pm'ed me that an ad had popped up in the bazaar for an AB ...EXACTLY my size ...And it was a Deluxe, made by Marc Kitter and reblocked by Steve Delk ...and it was $400!!! So, I contacted the seller and the deed was done! Here she is. Sorry for the poor pics (Mitch, I need some camera lessons!)





The felt is INCREDIBLE! Softest I have ever seen! The ribbon is perfect. And the sweatband is made out of clouds (that's the only thing it can be...super light and SUPER soft!!!). And if floppy is a prerequisite for a Raiders lid, check this out. Here is a screen cap of the Raiders lid illustrating how floppy it was, followed by my hat after I pulled the brim down by lightly using my thumb and forefinger and letting it stay;

See how the wind moves the left side of Indy's fedora!

Using minimum force it flops down...and stays down!!!!

This hat really is awesome. Fits like a dream and is completely ick-free. Thanks to all that participated in helping me make this deal! I will be buried in this hat! (unless I opt to be frozen in carbonite...in which case, I will be frozen in carbonite in this hat!!!)

Travis

You lucky SOB. I'da bought that right up had I known about it. You and I are the same size, Travis.

Congratualtions on getting your ABD. I still want one, though it won't be an Indy hat when I get. Wear it in good health, my friend. And I'll be sure to NOT warn you before I'm in the Carolinas.

Dave

It's a beaut, Travis! It looks like a great fit, too!

That is One Sweet Lid.
I'm very glad it found it's way onto the noggin of a really nice guy who'll enjoy it and wear theheckoutof it!


Congrats, my friend!

AWESOME!!!! Dude, it's perfect!!!

And devoid of ...ick!!!

Just be thankful you're not my size! That is one sweet lid! And it looks great on you! Wear the &@#% out of it!!!

Nice!!! I'd love to just hold one, never mind actually own one...

Well done that Hollowpond!!

(Oh yeah, it's my size as well Dave )

Ian

Thanks guys! Dave, Ian and Nick, your jealousy is duly noted. And Mitch and Nick, BOTH used the words "one sweet lid", and it is just that. I'll try to get better pics today, as its supposed to be sunny out. As good as it looks, these pics do this hat no justice whatsoever.

The block is stovepipe straight, and the bash was originally a CS, but its working its way into a Raiders (It was reblocked by Steve as a CS, and originally made by Marc as a Raiders...and the felt remembers), and I'm going to let it do just that. Heck, even Steve said he loves a CS block bashed Raiders style.

Just thinking about the master hatters around here who have had their hands on this thing makes me geek out!

The Portugese beaver felt that Marc uses is absolutely wonderful, isn't it? Dont' get me wrong, I love Winchester felt, and have perfect examples of same....but the Portugese beaver just feels denser to me. It's a great product, and you're fortunate to own an example.

Regards! Michaelson

Yeah, I have always maintained that AB Deluxe could not possibly be that much better. I was wrong. This hat is unreal. I also left out that it has the old school Staff of Ra liner, and I'm telling you, that sweat band is to die for. Other than seeing the brim in front your face, you COMPLETELY forget the hat is on your head!!!

Travis

Hollowpond wrote:...... you COMPLETELY forget the hat is on your head!!!

Travis

....as you should when wearing a properly fitted hat.

Regards! Michaelson

It is awesome that both hatters of KOTCS have had their hands on this Fedora. Excellent find!

I have a CS hat that was originally a raider ABD , that steve reblocked to a CS hat. It's fantastic. Stay tuned for Penman with the same Portugese beaver felt.

BendingOak wrote:I have a CS hat that was originally a raider ABD , that steve reblocked to a CS hat. It's fantastic. Stay tuned for Penman with the same Portugese beaver felt.

Splendid hat. You wear it really well. Spot on fit.

Great hat...
Truly amazing, wear it with pride!!!

It does look great on you and I'm happy that you are so pleased with it. I, too, have an ABD and will be happy to be frozen in carbonite with it.

Just a note:

If you ARE ever being lowered into a carbonite freezing chamber (with your ABD on your noggin) and a nearby spectator calls out "I LOVE your fedora!" ...be sure to give a calm, steady, confident reply of
"I know "

That made me laugh out loud. Thanks.

Thought I'd give some update pics of this lid since its been in my possession for going on a year now. Here's some pics from a recent boy scout camping trip




Still lovin' this hat!!!

Hollowpond- For a year old hat, it's holding up mighty fine Hollowpond. Looks like you just got it yesterday!
Marc- This hat looks great! Good job on it!
Mitch-

Hollowpond wrote:Thought I'd give some update pics of this lid since its been in my possession for going on a year now. Here's some pics from a recent boy scout camping trip




Still lovin' this hat!!!

That hat just looks great on ya! Wear it in good health and through great adventures.

Thanks Luke! When you go back and look at the story of how this hat and me found each other, it TRULY was meant to be. I'm pretty wishy washy about the stuff I buy and sell, but believe me when I say this..."I WILL NEVER PART WITH THIS LID!!!"