Club Obi Wan

I'm looking to get a new feodra. I currently have a peters bros and it's not 100 screen actuate and budget isn't big for a full beaver feodra and I'm debating between the penman Everyman or a Steele and jones and would like people's opinions on which they like better. Pics too would be nice. Thank you.

At the price point you are looking, be sure to check out David at Garrison Hatters (rabbit felt) or Mike at Northwest Hats (beaver felt), either offers a custom made hat.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Okay cool! The Everyman is a factory made but with penman touches for $250. The Steele and jones has a Herbert Johnson replica with using real Herbert Johnson parts, sweat band and ribbon for $290. I'm going to look at other options like you posted.

Oh yeah, at $250-290 you can go fully custom.

David has more experience than Mike with making Indy style hats, but if you are interested in beaver, I have a few non-Indy hats from Mike and his work is top shelf. You can't go wrong with either one.



Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Steele & Jones all the way imo. Roberto's hat making skills are right up there with the best and the customer service is top notch.

If you have the chance, go for a Penman, any Penman.

I already have a S&J HJ, an Adventurebilt and a Penman ABL Raiders and the Penman is the best by far.

From left to right S&J, Penman ABL Raiders and Adventurebilt:





Also, Penman comes double boxed (hat box in fact) to avoid this:





Vs Penman:



Good luck!

Would you say penman even with his factory made fedora? I remember reading it is the same place that made the AB Henry.

Right behind cost I would say sizing is the most important consideration.

What size is your head? I measure 23" which is between sizes for both standard sized and metric sized hats so custom is the best option for me so I know I'm going to get the fit I want right out of the box.




Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Steele & Jones makes an incredibly awesome hat. .....REALLY awesome!
And I've been seeing a gentleman on Instagram with an Advintage Fedora that is really scratching my fedora itch.

Gorak wrote:Steele & Jones makes an incredibly awesome hat. .....REALLY awesome!
And I've been seeing a gentleman on Instagram with an Advintage Fedora that is really scratching my fedora itch.

Which one is advintage?

Gorak wrote:Steele & Jones makes an incredibly awesome hat. .....REALLY awesome!
And I've been seeing a gentleman on Instagram with an Advintage Fedora that is really scratching my fedora itch.

Actually your SOC version from them is what got them on my radar! There regular fedoras didn't seem boxy and seemed more curved then I liked. Not sure if it was there earlier hats but that Herbert Johnson replica you have is what brought my attention.

Indyfan,

Check out wilbyc82's S&J SOC on page 5, it's amazing:

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... &start=200" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is the hat I asked S&J to duplicate when I ordered mine, and it looks the same. Nice and boxy.

Cajunkraut wrote:Indyfan,

Check out wilbyc82's S&J SOC on page 5, it's amazing:

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... &start=200" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is the hat I asked S&J to duplicate when I ordered mine, and it looks the same. Nice and boxy.

Do you have a picture of yours that you ordered. More pictures the better. I also haven't decided if I want SOC or idol scene.

Hi, indyfan1234,

I'm Roberto of S&J. Here are some pics of the our Cairo fedora. You can see much more pics that our customers send to us or we send them in our Facebook page, @SteeleandJones , where you can check our EXPLORADOR '36 Gallery.
Whatever you may need to know, you can let Indiego and me know.



By the way, like I said in the Explorador thread, a couple of years ago we had designed for ourselves smaller and stronger boxes and we had no problem since then.

For David's low price you get a custom hand made hat, and PHENOMENAL customer service. He kept me up to date when I got mine from him in 2013.

ChrisMD wrote:For David's low price you get a custom hand made hat, and PHENOMENAL customer service. He kept me up to date when I got mine from him in 2013.

Which brand is David's?

I believe Chris is referring to Garrison Hats.

Regard! Michaelson

Soooo many hats out there...

Good luck Indyfan1234

Tennessee Smith wrote:Soooo many hats out there...

Good luck Indyfan1234

Thank you.... So many. I'm torn between the penman Everyman one, Steele and jones and maybe a garrison right now but the garrison seems like the crown is a little short? Maybe that's just me idk.

Well, each hat has its own subtle differences and I don't think you could go wrong with any of them, they're all great hats. Whatever you decide please make sure you post a pic when you get it.

Best of luck to you

Tennessee Smith wrote:Well, each hat has its own subtle differences and I don't think you could go wrong with any of them, they're all great hats. Whatever you decide please make sure you post a pic when you get it.

Best of luck to you

Thank you. I intend on posting it here once I choose! The Steele and jones has a few Herbert Johnson replicas left so I'm kinda leaning towards that. As it uses real Herbert Johnson sweatband, Ribbon and I think they build the hat the same too. I think they use a different felt for it then the regular one they offer.

My S&J 35 hat is my adventure hat. Camping, rain, hiking, etc. great hat. Nothing is better than my Penman however. Both good hats

Remember to take shipping costs into your estimate.

If you order from anywhere outside the US, there's that cost as well. S&J is amazing from all that I've heard but I'm not sure on the S&H cost which might put you over your budget. Not sure on that.


other than that, all the choices thrown out here are great choices and you can't go wrong either way.

The shipping cost of the Steele & Jones to the U.S. is US$30, and we send it as personal gifts, so they don't pay any custom taxes.

I don't own a Penman or S&J Fedora but can testify that AdVintage rabbit/beaver mix or beaver Indy are great. Also the Northwest Indy beaver ones are top notch.

I do not own a Steele & Jones fedora, although I certainly have considered adding one From all appearances and reviews they are first rate.

I do own a number of Penmans, both regular and his Adventurebilt brand. I don't own a Henry or an Everyman, however.

Qualifications explained, I would not hesitate to buy anything Penman puts his hand to. He is a stickler for detail and quality and has great customer service. If he is willing to back it, you can bet its beyond your expectations.

However, from all appearances you won't go wrong with either choice.

And, if you want a custom for a great price the Garrison can't really be beat.

I don't own both, so I couldn't say. The Everyman is very nice.

There are a lot of options out there. I don't think you can really go wrong. Pick the one you are most excited by.

Forrest For the Trees wrote: ......
There are a lot of options out there. I don't think you can really go wrong. Pick the one you are most excited by.

This.

My other question would be debating on which version of the raiders hat too. SOC, idol, Raven, etc

If you plan to wear the hat it's going to change shape to match what you do, so obsessing over the initial shape isn't really worthwhile. If you're buying a factory made hat and you want to turn the hat you should get it open crown (uncreased) and then follow the instructional videos at the top of this section.

Indyfan,

Only you can decide which scene's look you're going for.

My opinion is that the only Raiders lid readily discernible from other Raiders lids is the SOC. Even without Fuller's Earth and simulated sweat stains, the SOC fedora has a very distinctive boxy, almost reverse tapered "muffin top" appearance no others have.

Other considerations are how much humidity and sweat you plan to expose the hat to. After the slightest bit of both, my first rabbit hat started to develop a taper. Once it does that, it's no longer a Raiders fedora. So don't rule beaver out even if you have to wait a bit longer.

Completely agree with Cajun here.
Trust a Floridian. Rabbits a no go here for a long term SA hat.
Beaver rabbit blend is at least better.

I live about 30 minutes outside of Los Angeles so it isn't bad on humidity

Well then you are golden.

Jeremiah wrote:Well then you are golden.

But I understand what you mean by getting a beaver. One day I will end up buying a beaver from penman. Someday....

They really are nice.
I have both.

Could you maybe post some pics of the Everyman from head-on and profile?

Arch Stanton wrote:Could you maybe post some pics of the Everyman from head-on and profile?

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... 97#p885997

There's some good pics of the Everyman towards the bottom of page 69 and 70.

80% Rabbit / 20% beaver

Duck9000 wrote:If you have the chance, go for a Penman, any Penman.

I already have a S&J HJ, an Adventurebilt and a Penman ABL Raiders and the Penman is the best by far.

From left to right S&J, Penman ABL Raiders and Adventurebilt:





Also, Penman comes double boxed (hat box in fact) to avoid this:





Vs Penman:



Good luck!

I would like to add, from my experience, Penman is indeed a fine hat, but be sure you want really stiff. And the block is a bit distinctive IMO. I just ordered a S & J to add to my collection...the HJ SOC. I like the hat to be more flexible as opposed to dress formal neat.

I am going with the Steele and jones feodra.... I chose the Herbert Johnson replica (I think they had only one left) I asked for the hovito bash but it seems everyone who is got the Herbert Johnson got the SOC..... Wonder why.

Should I ask to do SOC?! Seems every Herbert Johnson replica is SOC

Thank you everyone for the input I really appreciated it.

RayROnline wrote:

Duck9000 wrote:If you have the chance, go for a Penman, any Penman.

I already have a S&J HJ, an Adventurebilt and a Penman ABL Raiders and the Penman is the best by far.

From left to right S&J, Penman ABL Raiders and Adventurebilt:





Also, Penman comes double boxed (hat box in fact) to avoid this:





Vs Penman:



Good luck!

I would like to add, from my experience, Penman is indeed a fine hat, but be sure you want really stiff. And the block is a bit distinctive IMO. I just ordered a S & J to add to my collection...the HJ SOC. I like the hat to be more flexible as opposed to dress formal neat.

I felt and held one of S&J's hat. That thing was super stiff so not quite sure what you mean.
The stiffner will break down a bit with use and handling but the stiffner will always be there.
Now you say the Penman was stiff? That's not the case if you order the penman raiders as John does to it what he does to the ABL Raiders to make it more floppy. Can't speak about the other movie hats. Plus Beaver is always going to feel a bit stiffer than rabbit but stiff is really the wrong adjective.

Also, the felt John is using now is different than what he used 7 years ago. If anything, people have complained that the ABL is too floppy. Ha.
Here:
https://youtu.be/UNt69cBPCPI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jeremiah wrote:

RayROnline wrote:

Duck9000 wrote:If you have the chance, go for a Penman, any Penman.

I already have a S&J HJ, an Adventurebilt and a Penman ABL Raiders and the Penman is the best by far.

From left to right S&J, Penman ABL Raiders and Adventurebilt:





Also, Penman comes double boxed (hat box in fact) to avoid this:





Vs Penman:



Good luck!

I would like to add, from my experience, Penman is indeed a fine hat, but be sure you want really stiff. And the block is a bit distinctive IMO. I just ordered a S & J to add to my collection...the HJ SOC. I like the hat to be more flexible as opposed to dress formal neat.

I felt and held one of S&J's hat. That thing was super stiff so not quite sure what you mean.
The stiffner will break down a bit with use and handling but the stiffner will always be there.
Now you say the Penman was stiff? That's not the case if you order the penman raiders as John does to it what he does to the ABL Raiders to make it more floppy. Can't speak about the other movie hats. Plus Beaver is always going to feel a bit stiffer than rabbit but stiff is really the wrong adjective.

Also, the felt John is using now is different than what he used 7 years ago. If anything, people have complained that the ABL is too floppy. Ha.
Here:
https://youtu.be/UNt69cBPCPI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

All I can go by is my experience 3 years ago. The Penman hat I got was VERY stiff. Nothing like in this video. I like what is in the video. It is nothing like the hat I received and returned.

Seems everyone seems to be happy with Steele and jones. I am getting the Herbert Johnson relica idol bash!

I know the member here whose hat I saw is pleased with his so you should be all set.

Jeremiah wrote: I felt and held one of S&J's hat. That thing was super stiff so not quite sure what you mean.

I wonder which S&J hat did you saw...?
Maybe one that was treated with stiffner by the owner...
Or maybe one we put extra stiffner by request...

Our felts never were as stiff as other brands.
That was one of our first premises, when we start offering 8 years ago.

Cheers.-

Feel free to ask him. It was RedburnIV.
Two summers ago.
If I am not mistaken it was the HJ replica.
I remember asking him later if it was still that stiff and he did say it was softening up. He really likes it though so it's not a bad thing.

I have a western hat and I like how stiff it is.

Yup Jeremiah got the chance to check out my HJ replica from Steele n Jones. I absolutely love this hat. I never added any extra stiffner. It might have felt a little stiff compared to his Penman but I found it reasonably soft and supple compared to hats from other vendors. Over the years it has softened up even more so and really nicely. I highly recommend one of their hats. They really go out of their way for customers and are a pleasure to deal with. Actually ordering another hat from them. Different style this time. I'll post pics when I get it.

RedburnIV wrote:Yup Jeremiah got the chance to check out my HJ replica from Steele n Jones. I absolutely love this hat. I never added any extra stiffner. It might have felt a little stiff compared to his Penman but I found it reasonably soft and supple compared to hats from other vendors. Over the years it has softened up even more so and really nicely. I highly recommend one of their hats. They really go out of their way for customers and are a pleasure to deal with. Actually ordering another hat from them. Different style this time. I'll post pics when I get it.

I look forward to those pictures.I'm still waiting on a followup to make my order, but I'll be sure to post pics as well.

I just received a Raiders style hat from Mike @ Northwest and it is gorgeous. I'll try to post pics in a few days but I'm a tad busy right now leaving for college.