Club Obi Wan

Hello Everyone,

Some of you may have noticed that I have been trying to get my Adventurebilt reblocked for over three years. I have tried contacting Marc and Steve, but never received a reply. I have carried my AB from Canada, to Australia, to Germany, and to the US, each time attempting to contact them.

I have all but given up hope. So, I am turning to all of you for advice.

Where do you feel is the next best place I can go to get my Raiders fedora reblocked? Or, to put it more bluntly, who out there has the most current and screen accurate block that knows what they're doing, and is willing to take the job?

My AB is my adventure hat. It has been around the world on every trip. It has seen every kind of weather imaginable. It has seen caves, highlands, rain forests, snowy mountains, streams, rivers, oceans, ruins, castles, and even hot air balloons. All that travel has naturally caused a bit of taper, and I would like to get it back to properly representing the hobby and the films.

I appreciate any suggestions you have.

David Garrison of Garrison Hatters http://garrisonhatters.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (Local Land Surveyor at COW) has reblocked ABs for members with much success. David developed his own ROLA block that has been well received.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Another recommendation is COW member BendingOak, better known as John Penman of the Penman Hat Company. Do a search - he has plenty of satisfied customers here.

Check out his website at http://www.penmanhats.com/. Feel free to contact him at info@penmanhats.com or 971-246-1832.

Yeah. I'd send it to Penman. That's what I plan on doing.
I just don't think you can go wrong there.

Canasta wrote:Yeah. I'd send it to Penman. That's what I plan on doing.
I just don't think you can go wrong there.

Check with him first though. He fits reblocks into his regular schedule and will let you know when to ship your hat so you don't have much downtime.

John Penman, Bending Oak here on Cow, excellent hat maker and great service go to http://www.penmanhats.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Call John direct or email he will get right back to you, I don't think you'll be dissapointed !!

Dave Garrison reblocked my Ford felt AB from 2006 to perfection. It's what I'm wearing in my avatar at DW taken a couple weeks ago.

I couldn't be more pleased, and it was a quick turn around too.

Regards! Michaelson

Thanks everyone,

I'll definitely be sending out a few emails. I appreciate the help.

I am a newbie to the subject but what is reblocking? and why does it need to be done?

There are many on this website that can give a much, much more in-depth explanation than I can, but...

The basic idea is that felt fedoras originally come in a cone shape. When you "block" a fedora, you shape it on a form of some kind often called a block. The problem is that over time and exposure to the elements, the fedora wants to slowly return to its original cone shape. This is what they call "tapering."

When you reblock a fedora, you reshape it back to the shape you want, clean it up, and replace any worn parts (sweatband, liner). This also "kills" the felt somehow....which helps it retain its shape longer.

My fedora over the years has been slowly losing it's shape and now the back and sides are no longer straight. Eventually it will lose it's iconic Indiana Jones shape, which I obviously don't want.

Again, I'm no expert, but that is my basic understanding of the process and why.

I'd say your basic understanding is pretty much dead on.

Hey crazylegs, long time no see. Since the cat is kinda out of the bag. Steve will shortly be directing AB re-blocks to me.