Club Obi Wan

Hi guys! Newbie here, i am wondering if there are any ways to make my dorfman more screen accurate?

There isn't much that can be done, but how much depends on which Dorfman you have. Is it wool felt, fur felt, crushable?

Other than totally taking apart the hat to reblock, you could try shaping the crown with some steam, but the wool ones are hard to shape if that's the one you have. Or if you want to you could replace the ribbon to get a better color. That's about it.

C.A.K. Comedy Props wrote:Other than totally taking apart the hat to reblock, you could try shaping the crown with some steam, but the wool ones are hard to shape if that's the one you have. Or if you want to you could replace the ribbon to get a better color. That's about it.

Honestly, that would probably make it even more tapered than it already is, regardless of whether it's rabbit or wool. Honestly, the only thing you could do to make it a little better would be to remove that dang pin. If I were you, I'd lay down the money for an Akubra Federation. It's a really good hat for the money, and you'll get a lot of years of use out of it.

Chewbacca Jones wrote:There isn't much that can be done, but how much depends on which Dorfman you have. Is it wool felt, fur felt, crushable?

I have the fur one. Arguably the nicest of the officially listened ones out there.

Just wear the tar out of the thing and save up for an akubra. Or if you are really feeling in the mood, save up for a penman or one from Northwest hats.

Welcome Indiana augustus!

The problem is, with exception to the fact that it is a brown fedora (and the Indiana Jones logo), the entire shape of the hat is really so far off from the real hats in the films. Can you post a pic? Depending on if the top is a center dent or teardrop will affect how you could reshape the bash.

I would highly recommend simply investing in something more accurate. I think the rabbit Harrison from AdVintage is GREAT looking hat for the price, I would choose it over an Akubra (having owned several of them) but many here do like them. The raiders sable Harrison from AdVintage though looks fantastic. I just ordered one for about $160 shipped US I believe it was.

But in the meantime, I do think you can probably get your hat looking a little better. The first problem is that because it’s a factory made hat, it was not bashed by hand like Indy’s, so heat up the kettle and steam the crown really good and pop out the bash so it looks like a big round bowler. Next, I’m thinking temple or crusade are the closest bashes you will get with that style hat so look at some good photos from those films and watch maybe one of penman hats tutorials on how to bash a hat and see how it goes! If the brim isn’t how you like, just steam it and mold it into what you want. When it cools it will stay in place. Just for go for it and don’t be afraid to steam it a few times over the next few days or weeks as you tweak it to how you want it.

Hope that helps! Best of luck.

Clipper

Clipper wrote:Welcome Indiana augustus!

The problem is, with exception to the fact that it is a brown fedora (and the Indiana Jones logo), the entire shape of the hat is really so far off from the real hats in the films. Can you post a pic? Depending on if the top is a center dent or teardrop will affect how you could reshape the bash.

I would highly recommend simply investing in something more accurate. I think the rabbit Harrison from AdVintage is GREAT looking hat for the price, I would choose it over an Akubra (having owned several of them) but many here do like them. The raiders sable Harrison from AdVintage though looks fantastic. I just ordered one for about $160 shipped US I believe it was.

But in the meantime, I do think you can probably get your hat looking a little better. The first problem is that because it’s a factory made hat, it was not bashed by hand like Indy’s, so heat up the kettle and steam the crown really good and pop out the bash so it looks like a big round bowler. Next, I’m thinking temple or crusade are the closest bashes you will get with that style hat so look at some good photos from those films and watch maybe one of penman hats tutorials on how to bash a hat and see how it goes! If the brim isn’t how you like, just steam it and mold it into what you want. When it cools it will stay in place. Just for go for it and don’t be afraid to steam it a few times over the next few days or weeks as you tweak it to how you want it.

Hope that helps! Best of luck.

Clipper

thanks so much for the help! and the rest of you guys too!

Jeremiah wrote:Just wear the tar out of the thing and save up for an akubra. Or if you are really feeling in the mood, save up for a penman or one from Northwest hats.

I have looked at their website and have been unable to find it. The northwest one, not penman

Indiana augustus wrote:

Jeremiah wrote:Just wear the tar out of the thing and save up for an akubra. Or if you are really feeling in the mood, save up for a penman or one from Northwest hats.

I have looked at their website and have been unable to find it. The northwest one, not penman

Northwest’s version is their Cairo hat. It’s shown in Camel, but available in a darker brown.

If you don’t feel like ordering a custom I’d second (or third) a vote for an Akubra Federation. It’s a lot of hat for the money and would not disappoint.

Since you have the fur felt, you could try tighten the pinch a bit. I don't recommend the Raiders razor pinch, think LC or TOD. Just boil some water (in a kettle if you have it). When the steam is strong, hold the pinch area in the steam and reshape by hand slowly. Not too close, don't burn your hands, or the felt. It might take a few steaming sessions, and I suggest pinching a little at a time until you like how it looks on your head.

Chewbacca Jones wrote:Since you have the fur felt, you could try tighten the pinch a bit. I don't recommend the Raiders razor pinch, think LC or TOD. Just boil some water (in a kettle if you have it). When the steam is strong, hold the pinch area in the steam and reshape by hand slowly. Not too close, don't burn your hands, or the felt. It might take a few steaming sessions, and I suggest pinching a little at a time until you like how it looks on your head.

thanks

https://www.davidmorgan.com/shop-content/indy_bash/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This might help

All the best!

-Clipper

Indiana augustus wrote:Hi guys! Newbie here, i am wondering if there are any ways to make my dorfman more screen accurate?

Hi, Indiana augustus --

Any luck re-shaping your Dorfman?

If you're not satisfied, or you're ready to move up to a better and more accurate hat, first: Don't spend more than you can comfortably afford! It's just a hat

If your budget is limited (as mine is), then I think your best move-up bets are the Akubra Fed IV from Hats Direct in Australia and the Harrison from AdVintage - https://www.replix.de/en/harrison-fedora/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cost comparison (including shipping to US): Fed IV Imperial Quality (rabbit felt) is about $140.
AdVintage Harrison 100% rabbit is about $150.

What you get: The Fed IV comes open crown, so you'll have to shape it yourself. The dark brown color is nice but not screen accurate, nor is the ribbon color. And the brim is slightly narrower on the sides than Indy specs.

The Harrison comes in 2 colors (sable and Raiders sable, both much closer to screen accurate, with the correct very-dark-brown ribbon). Thomas at AdVintage will shape the hat to whichever movie style you prefer, and he does a great job.

Both Hats Direct and AdVintage offer excellent customer service.

I've owned 3 Fed IVs and 3 AdVintage hats. My vote goes to AdVintage Harrison as the better quality, more screen-accurate affordable option. I think it's worth the extra $10 to get a more accurate hat already shaped by an expert hatter.

Now, if your budget is a little bigger, I'd suggest looking at the Harrison 80/20 rabbit-beaver, which gives pure beaver hats a run for their money. This one goes for about $220 (including shipping to US).

Please let me know if you have any questions.

I, too, can vouch for both of those hatmakers...I have owned two Akubras and one AdVintage and they are both excellent for the price point.

Howard Weinstein wrote:

Indiana augustus wrote:Hi guys! Newbie here, i am wondering if there are any ways to make my dorfman more screen accurate?

Hi, Indiana augustus --

Any luck re-shaping your Dorfman?

If you're not satisfied, or you're ready to move up to a better and more accurate hat, first: Don't spend more than you can comfortably afford! It's just a hat

If your budget is limited (as mine is), then I think your best move-up bets are the Akubra Fed IV from Hats Direct in Australia and the Harrison from AdVintage - https://www.replix.de/en/harrison-fedora/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cost comparison (including shipping to US): Fed IV Imperial Quality (rabbit felt) is about $140.
AdVintage Harrison 100% rabbit is about $150.

What you get: The Fed IV comes open crown, so you'll have to shape it yourself. The dark brown color is nice but not screen accurate, nor is the ribbon color. And the brim is slightly narrower on the sides than Indy specs.

The Harrison comes in 2 colors (sable and Raiders sable, both much closer to screen accurate, with the correct very-dark-brown ribbon). Thomas at AdVintage will shape the hat to whichever movie style you prefer, and he does a great job.

Both Hats Direct and AdVintage offer excellent customer service.

I've owned 3 Fed IVs and 3 AdVintage hats. My vote goes to AdVintage Harrison as the better quality, more screen-accurate affordable option. I think it's worth the extra $10 to get a more accurate hat already shaped by an expert hatter.

Now, if your budget is a little bigger, I'd suggest looking at the Harrison 80/20 rabbit-beaver, which gives pure beaver hats a run for their money. This one goes for about $220 (including shipping to US).

Please let me know if you have any questions.

thanks!

Something that hasn't been said, but is worth mentioning, consider your use for this hat.

Is a daily wear or do you costume a couple of times a year? 99% of the population don't see the difference between the DP and a screen used fedora so if you'll be costuming, it may not be worth the added investment in a 'better' hat that will spend most of it's time on a hatstand.

If you are looking for a daily wear, getting a quality hat that will hold up to the elements and only get better with age, regardless of screen accuracy, is the way to go and the suggestions made here fit that bill.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Quite right. Budget being everything for some people, you do have to seriously look at your usage of the hat. Costuming only and perhaps wearing it every once in awhile just because it's cool?? You might want to go with an Akubra and save the pennies. Although as has been said here, an Akubra can be a very nice daily wear hat too.

Wearing it most every day and using it as a real hat? Then the sky is the limit!!

Indiana Jeff wrote:Something that hasn't been said, but is worth mentioning, consider your use for this hat.

Is a daily wear or do you costume a couple of times a year? 99% of the population don't see the difference between the DP and a screen used fedora so if you'll be costuming, it may not be worth the added investment in a 'better' hat that will spend most of it's time on a hatstand.

If you are looking for a daily wear, getting a quality hat that will hold up to the elements and only get better with age, regardless of screen accuracy, is the way to go and the suggestions made here fit that bill.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Thanks. I actually have worn dorfmans daily and I actually find them pretty strong.