Club Obi Wan

Jnicktem...I was told to ask him my questions..I was wondering the differences in the handmade AB compared to the Henry. ALSO wondering the differences in the handmade AB compared to the Penman..all Indy type designs by the way..

Like the felt quality,sweatband,stitching,ect..What ratings you would give them in comparison??.

Im expecting my handmade AB any day now so im not in the market. Just curious thats all..

The differences between the handmade AB (from Steve) and the Henry:

The Henry is a factory made hat. As such they get cranked out in production and do not get the attention and precision that Steve's hats do. Although- I do know that the Henry DOES get more special attention than other factory hats- mainly because Marc made them pay special attention to certain things (like the ribbon and on newer hats the liner). The Henry is also an 80/20 beaver/rabbit blend- and as such the felt can start out with more floppiness, but is more prone to taper than a 100% beaver hat. It is still a high grade felt though. As for the sweatband- Steve believes the Henry's sweatband is one of the best out there. He even had Marc use a Henry sweatband for his Legend hat. It is super soft and very comfortable.

In the end- the Henry is the very best factory made hat out there. Period. However, it is still a factory made hat and will always be missing some of the tender loving care that hand made hats have. Steve is one of the very best hatmakers out there; and he is a perfectionist. He knows the end and outs of hatmaking and strives for perfection in every single one of his stitches.

As for Steve's AB and John Penmans hats: to me they are nearly identical. They use the same felt, and John sourced the original HJ ribbon that Steve and Marc use. Also, John's level of passion for hatmaking is on par with Steve's. The big difference between the two would be block shapes and the name. Although I know John would disagree and say that Steve's hats are much better than his- he is exaggerating. John's hats are right on par with Steve's- and that should be high praise.

If you have any other questions let me know.... and by the way, who told you to ask me questions?

Frank Holifield said I should ask.Thanks for the reply..My AB is rabbit. you might repeat your answers, I might repeat my questions..but I'll ask away..lol..

I have the FedIV rabbit. Im going to have the AB rabbit. will I see and feel a noticeable difference in the shape,felt,sweatband ect??..and would you say that the AB rabbit and Penman rabbit are still on par with one another? I know beaver is a more weather proof felt, but do you feel rabbits are just as fine quality as far as feel and wear?

Really just any comparisons you care to throw out there would not only help me, but others..Thanks man..

The rabbit felt that AB and Penman use are still the same- so hardly any difference there.

And you are going to notice a HUGE difference between the AB and the FedIV. Block shape, ribbon, felt, liner, sweatband... everything is different. It's like comparing apples to oranges, however.

jnicktem wrote: It's like comparing apples to oranges, however.

Actually it's more like comparing Ford Pintos to Jaguars - there's THAT much of a difference in favor of the AB or Penman.

You'll never regret your purchase for a second............... Trust Me.