Club Obi Wan

I just got this in from a fellow fan yesterday. It is the new HJ McAlpine. I am gonna turn it into a proper LC fedora, using Michaelson's block. A few observations. This hat came with a 3 3/4 brim, and a really tapered 5 inch crown. The liner is white, plain, no HJ name or Crest. The sweatband is unlike any of the other HJs that I have seen. Some of the older HJS came with a sweatband that looked like the ones Borsalino uses, i.e., high quality. This one is the cheapest one that I have ever seen in any hat, at anytime. This is sad. The felt is tagged as a mid brown, and it is a good Indy color, no red at all like the LC hat, but a very good brown nonetheless. The felt is the thickest that I have ever seen on an HJ. It is a cowboy thick felt in the suede finish. Very soft to the touch. But, this hat has little stiffener in the felt, and is very pliable, including the brim. Fedora soft. Anyways, here is a pic, http://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/200 ... lpine.html
There is one other pic of this hat on this hosting site, and it is a closeup of the felt thickness, using a nickel as something to compare it to. regards, Fedora

I'm sure it goes without saying (ok...I know...I'm saying it anyway )...I hope you'll be posting a link for a pic of the finished product. I do look forward to seeing the transformation.

Best, and Happy Thanksgiving,

Chris

Is the McAlpine supposed to have that much taper? That seems like a whole lotta taper goin' on. Can't wait to see what kind of miracle you can work with it!

According to what JohNdy got, this might still be the better alternate.

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to see what it'll look like when done. But after seeing what you made out of the Snowy River, I don't have any doubts.

Regards,

Marc

The only way I will ever consider getting a HJ is by going into the shop personally and explaining exactly what I want. Sounds like recording the conversation may be an advisable as well from a legal perspective afterwards.

Ken

When I picked out my McAlpine at the HJ shop it was primarily because of the color and felt. There was a little taper to it, but nothing drastic. It did however develop a huge taper over several years and tropical rainstorms:



Too bad I didn't get a chance to send it off to Fedora for a reblock...

Kind regards,
Indy

Here is the McAlpine sitting on a vintage block. Quite a difference I would say. Fedorahttp://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/mca ... block.html

That is quite a transformation!! Almost makes it worth getting a HJ after all.

Ken

Fedora... you're killing me.

Kind regards,
Indy

WOW big difference, nice work....bet the owner will be happy!

I J

Amazing! I remember, that when you opened you reblock shop, you advised to only send in hats, that were untapered when new. And now look at that.

Kudos to you Fedora and congrats to the happy owner.

Regards,

Marc

Very nice work in deed.

Mike

Fedora,

Absolutely incredible. It looks like a completely different hat. I am in awe...and can't wait to see the final version. Was the ribbon and bow ok...or does that need to be fixed as well?

Best,

Chris

Fedora,

Do you have a pic you can post of just your block? I am very interested in learning to reblock myself.

Thanks in advance!

I will post a pic of the block later, but here is the reblocked McAlpine in the LC style.(I don't claim to be any good at this style).http://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/mcalpine_lc.html And here it is sitting next to my reblocked Deluxe Federation.http://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/del ... lpine.html Hope you like it Cliffhanger. I must say that I really love the shade of brown on the HJ. It is listed as "mid brown" Very nice felt too. Very fine, expensive looking, but also really thick. regards, Fedora

No way that can be the same hat...can it? Fantastic job Fedora! Thanks for sharing the progress. Regards, Brett

Looks good!

I love it Fedora. Absolutely not the hat I received just a short while ago. While I was expecting a thinner felt, I too love how soft it is and its color. The ribbon color may be off, but I believe I got a great deal on this one. As far as the sweatband...I too noticed how thin it was but as this is the first HJ I have ever seen, I didn't know it was supposed to be of better quality. It'll do fine.

I will get pics of it on me as soon as possible. Again, I never doubted your skills with the Raider block, and now I know your LC/Michaelson block is pretty darn close as well.

Thanks! Words do not express how good I feel.

Peace,
Cliffhanger

Cliffhanger, NOW you understand why I'm so jealous of my block that Fedora owns. (grins) Great job, as usual, Fedora! Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Cliffhanger, NOW you understand why I'm so jealous of my block that Fedora owns.

Oh, I think I get the picture... I am just dumbfounded by how good it looks, and how close to LC it is.

Peace,
Cliffhanger

I just have to chime in here again and say, from one HJ owner to another, that you have one awesome hat, my friend. Wear it with pride!

Thanks Dale...I tried to view the link to your hat the other day, and the pics didn't show. Is it still up? Your Poet is one of the main things that fed my obsession, in addition to Max Schulte's on the main page.

PM me or post here that link...great shots of your Poet!

Peace,
Cliffhanger

P.S. One more question whipwarrior...is the felt on your Poet thicker or thinner? I am trying to get a clearer picture of how much thicker my McAlp is than other fedoras, especially other HJs. Thanks!

Your Poet is one of the main things that fed my obsession, in addition to Max Schulte's on the main page.

Funny you should mention that, because Max Schulte is the guy that I contacted for pics and information about HJ when I ordered my fedora back in 1999. He mailed me actual photographs of his hat, as well as a Herbert Johnson catalog and order form. He was a great help to me, and I wonder whatever happened to him.

I removed the pics of my Poet, but I will make new ones with our new digital camera. In the meantime, you can see pics of my hat on my jacket page, including a nice shot of the fedora lying on my jacket. I think the felt is about the same, but I'd have to measure it to be sure. I'll get back to you on that.


-Dale

http://www.geocities.com/pangaeascape/jacket.html