The Fedora in Public

[indianatone]

Ever since seeing the Raider's fedora that first time I've always wanted one. The quirks; the taller crown; the things I didn't know about the fedora that made up the Raiders fedora. But all that time, I wanted one. Partly because it was Indy's hat; partly because it just looked cool on his head; and mainly, because of the spirit of adventure I could associate with it. Like many of us, I'm sure, I bought the hats from sellers out there (mimimcking Indy hats with their suggestive "authenticity and licensing") well before Disney bought into the business, and those hats never looked right on my head. It was very disappointing time and again to see that brown fedora on a shelf, buy it, and return home to find it just didn't look right somehow. They never quite did the trick. So my opinion became that fedoras just didn't look good on me.
Years later, a site shows up that begins to describe in detail, those things about that Raiders fedora that made it the Raiders fedora. But that hats that fit the bill are expensive in my eyes! Is there really a difference? I thought to myself. I'll look just as silly in those as I did with all the others........

So I bought a Keppler. Great hat! Looks Indy as soon as you put it on. No qualms about wearing that in public! But.....not quite enough room in that hat......and a few months later, it shrank a bit. Hmm. Close! Maybe they're onto something with this "block" thing.....

Ordered an Akubra Federation, just to see if it's as bulletproof as I've read. It is. Problem is, it won't hold the bash I want and the crown on this one is just a bit too tall. Makes me feel very self-conscious in public....but if I had a hat to wear all the time without worry, the Akubra is it! (I'd give 'em another shot, that's how much I believe in their quality.) I still plop it on my head just because it feels comfy and like it can take anything you throw at it.....

Now comes the AdventureBilt. Yes. That fedora. The one all the sheep are so eager to hop on and tell you to buy. Obviously, they're caught up in the flavor of the moment and don't really know if it's a great hat or not, right? Have to be with the "in" crowd and promote the AB, right? After all, a fed's a fed.
Fedora's their buddy so of course they're going to say what a great hat it is! But damn if you'll spend $220 on a friggin hat! All those choices out there: Peter Brothers; (Herbert Johnson - the REAL hat can be had for the same price;) Miller has a bunch of 'em for much less. Optimo sells primo hats and they have to be better cause they cost so much more! This AB better be a damned good hat for you to be spending $220 on it.
......and then you put it on.....and 20 years of searching for the Raiders fedora has come home. Now why didn't anyone tell me this was out there?

I can wear this fedora almost anywhere and not feel self-conscious about it. It looks JUST like the hat I'd wanted for so long AND it looks good on me, too (even with the tall crown) when all those others just didn't cut it. I've gotten more compliments on this fedora out and about and not one single Indiana Jones remark. To me, that's a great fedora! My answer is "Wherever I can when appropriate. I love this hat!" I love the look of the Raiders fedora, and being able to wear it often is a great joy.

So I'm wondering who does or doesn't wear their fedora out there and the reasons for doing so.

[Marc]

My Father had the LC Adventure installed on his pc many years ago and I was THRILLED about the story and the riddles of that game. It was the very first evening after playing it for some hours, that I looked up the word "Grail" to find out, that such a myth actually existed and I like WOW!!!

It didn't take long until I finally was able to see the movies on VHS and I was hooked on the hat. I just HAD to have one. So, after working half a year as a paperboy, I had the money together to buy the German official Version of the Indiana Jones hat - a fur felt hat, but nowhere near screen accurate. Anyway, I had my hat and soon I got a brown leather jacket and that was all I could ask for. Of course - growing up in a small minded village in Denmark close to the German border - people just weren't used to see a 13 year old kid, running around with a Fedora and I was laughed at, beaten up and - in best cases - ignored. Luckily I knew that not all people were idiotic farmers and when being in London on a class trip four years later (still the official Fedora but a few sizes bigger by now), no one gave a damn. Fast forward another four or five years: I finally got myself a modem for my computer and since it was about time to get a new hat again - as the others had become just way too small - I did a search on the internet.

When I found Indygear, I went like And here I thought that I was the only one wearing that "costume". I registered at the Forum, read every single thread in the Fedora section (yes, ALL of them) but could for the lifetime of me not understand, how someone would be willing to spend 400$ on a felt hat. That Steve Delk guy mentioned on the main pages, just had to be one of them millionaires, who just aren't happy, if the price isn't too high. Little did I know Fast forward a couple of years again: In the meanwhile, that Steve Delk guy had become of my best friends ever and 400$ was really not even worth mentioning, given the fact that I had spend several thousand bucks on hats by now. Everytime I wanted to get a new piece of gear, a new hatter showed up, with an even better hat for a even higher price. I was addicted. I just wanted the absolute best money could buy and I rather saved on food then not getting that latest offering...

In the meanwhile, I had learned my lessons on felt qualities, craftmanship, blockshapes, ribbon bow and all the other stuff, that I didn't know beans of, when I found Indygear originally. I had burned my fingers on false claimes from other hatters and I quickly learned who to trust and who not. At that time Steve and I finally found a hatter who was able to supply what we'd been after for all these years: a pure beaver hat in the right color, with the right ribbon and everything made by hand. I went Could this FINALLY be the end of the search after all these years? So, together with phonebills, shipping of color samples and what knows what I spent a small fortune on what I hope to be THE hat. Turned out to be just that With one exception: the ribbon was a millimeter to narrow, but otherwise fine, fine, fine.

Steve was convinced that he could do the same, if given a chance for WAY lower prices and finally founded Adventurebilt Hat Co. and I was busy with trying all the stuff writtin from a masterhatter in his book from 1911, that we both have a copy of. Meanwhile Steve and I worked on perfecting the block shape, by discussing millimeters every second day for round about an hour on the phone. Of course the techniques from the book were discussed to and while Steve analysed vintage hats he got from e-bay, I went to the museums and were allowed to handle and analyze the vintage hats there. It was a great time, talking to somebody who shares the same passion several times a week and improving my skills in the meanwhile. That was until Steve got BURRIED in orders when the word was spread, that he'd make a hat worth 600-700 bucks for a fraqtion of it. He stood the pressure bravly for half a year and finally made the offer to me, to become his businesspartner, knowing that I'm at least as picky as he is. But where was the challenge now? - He had all his suppliers together and all I had to do, was taking his shopping list and do the same?.... naaaa I wanted the "ultimate" and with that said it started ALL over again: Found a felter, liked or disliked the sample, moved on. The same with the sweatbands, liners, etc. etc. After 7 months I had finally tracked down my sources and after a dozen prototypes, I was finally happy.

So, why do I tell you all this? - Easy! I voted "ANYTIME! I make a statement!" - I was beaten up, laughted at, ignored, lied to, ripped off, let down by suppliers who thought I was crazy to specify what I did and spent 7 months of my sparetime in front of the computer and at the phone, trying to find what I was looking for (not to mention the money)... And then you ask me to take it off Well, this ain't gonna happen. I take it off at the restaurant and when visiting a church and that's it!

Thanks for listening

Marc

[Ragingblues]

Great stories guys!

It really gives alot more depth to the whole Indy fedora situation, to know these kinds of back-stories. The search for the perfect hat has been a long one for many people, it seems. I loved Indiana Jones since Raiders first came out, but didn't get into buying gear until last year. Music and other interests had filled my spare time until recent years, and I didn't have the time or extra cash to think about hunting for things like that. Searching for info on Indy 4, brought me to Indy Gear, and of course COW. I have enjoyed being able to buy such great looking stuff, and make new friends across the world. There are people here, that I would have never run across in my life, if it were not for Indy. So, I guess I owe Dr. Jones a big thank you for the new friends I have made too...

I am rather spoiled, I must admit. By the time I bought my first Indy fedora, the AB was available. I considered other options, and almost ordered one of them. But, I decided that in the long run, my money would be better spent getting the AB. I knew I would be happy with it, and the fact that it would be custom tailored to fit my face/head shape, really made the difference. With the AB, and now the AB Deluxe.... the ability to get the hat you always wanted, or maybe never knew you would like so much, is easily within reach.

Marc, it's great to hear how you and Steve came about doing this. You have really produced a beautiful Indy fedora, and I know that with the release of Indy 4.... the market for these babies is going to explode again. People who never thought they wanted one, or those who have been rejuvinated by the movie, will be searching online for places to buy Indy gear, and of course.... the fedora! So, get ready for the ride, and we will help spread the word for you and Steve.

Thanks for sharing,

Ken

[Deleted]

Sorry, I don't own any mannequins

Cheers,
John

[jweaver]

I guess I might fit into the hiking only category. That usually the only time I wear my fedora. However, I do wear it my suits every now and then.

[Havana]

The Raiders fedora is the best fedora ever. Having said that it just looks terrible on me because I have a 5'9" average build with a big head. The hat just comes across more like Wicked Witch of the West than Indiana Jones on me. I have discovered the best look for me is a lower crown with a wider brim. I've found my perfect hat in the Akubra Cattleman. The proportions just work better for me. I still pinch mine like Indy's. I have a couple of different colors and wear them boldly everywhere. I typically wear a tan one with my Wested to break up the Indy look. I'm all for wearing Indy gear but I just feel I have to make it my own to a degree - more like I might be one of Indy's friends rather than Indy himself.

[bendingoak]

I try wearing it every chance I get. It's not all that often because of what I do. I did just get done mowing my lawn in one of my old beat up Peter brothers fedora's.

[Nicht Storen]

I wear my AB every chance I get when appropriate. But as the weather starts to get over sixty degrees I wear it less and less. It is just too warm for me in the summer months.

I've really got to find one of those ventilated sweatbands that are occasionally talked about on the other site.