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Post by anindyjones on Jun 20, 2014 20:25:55 GMT -5
Well, as any seasoned Indy fan vet can see by my photos, I'm new to the IJ look-alike obsession. I've ordered two different Dorfman Pacific IJ hats(due to my budget or lack there of) in the last couple weeks. The first one I bought was the crushable, floppy, darkish brown model that some refer to as an 'Outback' hat. Instantly, I noticed it was not the same hat that was pictured in the description as the color was much darker and the brim was waaay too wide. It reminded me of one of those costume pimp hats you see in party city around halloween. Also,... and btw, let me say that I know I'm not covering new ground here, the hat's ribbon was a medium brown so needless to say I was disappointed. On the pro side, I will say that the hat is very comfortable and sheds water like a wet dog. I did three things to make the hat look a little more SA and more importantly, more to my liking. First, I took the advice of another fellow Indy lounge member and gave the hat the tight pinch to the front of the hat ala ROTLA. Next, I cut about three inches, jk, a half inch off of the brim all the way around to make it just about 2.5'. Finally, I replaced the medium brown ribbon with some black grosgrain I found at Michael's. I'm satisfied with that hat now but as my hobby (obsession) continued to grow, I felt the need to order another fedora that I could play with. This time I thought for sure I'd bought the perfect Indy hat. After all, this one is the "OFFICIAL" IJ hat, so how could I go wrong? And especially for the price! Well once again, instantaneously I knew once the hat was out of the box, this was not the hat I thought I'd ordered :/. First of all, the hat was so stiff I thought it was in advanced stages of rigor mortis. Next thing I noticed was the brim, albeit the correct 2.5 inches, was sort of in the shape of a bell. Think of a hat with a reversed swoop, down instead of up. Also, the ribbon was a very light brown, almost a pinkish hue and very un- indy like. Once again I'd been had thanks to false advertising in the way of a deceptive picture that looked hardly anything like the hat I received. The good thing about this hat is that it is the correct color, the brim is the correct length, and it fits like a glove. If I had paid any more than what I did, I would've probably returned the hat but since I'm creative and like to tinker I decided to keep it and try to convert it into the Indy hat I wanted to begin with. Here it is under construction with new ribbon from Todd's, plastic wrap around the brim in order to make it swoop the proper way and clothes pins on the pinch. If you have any other ideas of how I can make it look more Indyish, PLEASE let me know. I'm open to any and all advice.
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Post by ThrowMeTheWhip on Jun 20, 2014 23:41:53 GMT -5
FYI-- Indy's ribbon isn't black, it's a very very very dark brown.
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Post by ThrowMeTheWhip on Jun 20, 2014 23:43:55 GMT -5
Also, the back of the brim doesn't swoop down like that, except for in Young Indiana Jones Chronicles… …but that's another story. It actually kinda comes up.
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Post by anindyjones on Jun 21, 2014 0:28:38 GMT -5
Thanks baptistethefool for your input. I realize Indy's ribbon is not black its just that the crushable hat I have is so dark brown that black is the only thing I could go with so that the ribbon would be darker. The swoop in the hat has relaxed some since I removed the plastic and I think because I had the front of the hat elevated in the photo it looked like there was more of a down swoop in the back. Also I pushed the front brim down pretty far. Anyway, here is a few pics of the end result of the wool felt Dorfman Pacific. I think it's a combination of all the first three IJ movies. The tight pinch for a ROTLA look, tapered crown for TOD, and semi-curved brim for LCAttachments:
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Post by ThrowMeTheWhip on Jun 21, 2014 0:34:10 GMT -5
I'd still bring the back of the brim up some. There's a very slight sort of curl up along the back of the brim.
But yeah, that aside, that's probably the best you're going to get out of it. There's just not enough felt in the crown on the Dorfman to do that big boxy Raiders look.
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Post by ThrowMeTheWhip on Jun 21, 2014 0:39:48 GMT -5
May I ask what you ultimately paid between the two hats?
The FedIV Deluxe I'm wearing in my picture I got second-hand for $90. I'd assume you're approaching that price between the two hats already?
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Post by anindyjones on Jun 21, 2014 0:42:25 GMT -5
Yeah I think you're right about the back of the brim needing to come up some. Problem is this hat is made of wool felt which seams to shrink constantly so every time I try pushing the back down, the front wants to do the same? It's like you said; there's just not enough material to work with here. But, it'll suffice until I can get the real deal one of these days. Any suggestions on a the best bang for my buck in terms of IJ hats? What do you have btw?
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Post by ThrowMeTheWhip on Jun 21, 2014 0:46:55 GMT -5
A FedIV Deluxe as I said. It's got some problems, but I got it second-hand for $90. I like it. Needs a new ribbon-- the dye leached out after the first rain and changed the felt color and also stained the ribbon a weird sort of copper color.
Best best best option is just to get a Penman. But he's expensive. But his'll last. I'm also seeing these Garrison Hatters lids lately. Relatively affordable and they look awesome. Haven't handled one myself yet, though.
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Post by anindyjones on Jun 21, 2014 1:01:53 GMT -5
Well if I have to choose between one of those two names you listed I think I know who I'll have make my hat. I emailed both to ask for advice on ribbon & bow replacing and one was happy to offer advice while the other was afraid that if he told me how to tie a ribbon he may be giving away secrets and was afraid he wouldn't be in business long afterwards :/ I like your hat a lot btw plus it's very affordable. Thanks for your advice too. I'm pretty green in this field but I'm starting to get my sea legs under me lol!
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Post by ThrowMeTheWhip on Jun 21, 2014 1:35:53 GMT -5
If I had to guess…. I'mma say Mr. Penman was open and helpful and Mr. Garrison not so much? I've dealt with John before, though never bought from him. He's a fount of information and truly a gentleman. Haven't dealt with Mr. Garrison…
Rest assured, your Dorfman mistake is all too common. I only wish everyone would look here and in other communities first before falling for the deceptive marketing. It's a bummer to see people get roped into a crummy hat.
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Post by anindyjones on Jun 21, 2014 2:58:07 GMT -5
Do you have any other pics of your hat posted here in any threads? I looked at a hat like yours elsewhere and it looks slightly darker than what I'd like to have. Also, is all of your Indy clothing the real thing or do you use any close enoughs?
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Post by ThrowMeTheWhip on Jun 21, 2014 3:16:02 GMT -5
I own 2 Westeds but I don't use them for costuming purposes since I don't like the fit.
Now then, for the rest of my gear:
Todd's Factory Seconds jacket -- it's cut smaller than it should be-- perfect since I'm a small guy. A few small nitpicky issues, but other than that, very accurate.
Todd's shirt
Todd's gun belt, holster, web belt
Todd's repro MKVII bag and strap (he no longer sells the repro bags)
LLBean Close-enough chinos
Wade Egan Superholder (not screen accurate, but far more practical than the screen-accurate holder)
In that picture I'm using a Graeme Roberts whip, though I own others. Graeme isn't making whips anymore and that's a good thing-- he's a conman and a thief. I got swindled by him myself. Complete bastard.
The gloves are Todd's too. Not totally accurate… …but we're talking stitching discrepancies here-- we're truly in nitpicking territory.
Boots are first gen Todd's Outdoorsman-- he no longer makes these either. But I've seen Aldens in person-- they're absolutely indistinguishable purely based on appearance. Obviously Aldens are of higher durability, though.
I think that's everything. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Also, "real thing" is subjective. There are a lot of indistinguishable from the "real thing" options out there. Such as the Alden/ Outdoorsman I mentioned. Obviously there are plenty of hat makers too and they're all super close. You're not going to get the exact Herbert Johnson Fedora from the movie, but you'll get plenty of fedoras that are indistinguishable by any number of hatters. Same with the shirts, jackets, etc.
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djd
Gear Hauler
Posts: 19
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Post by djd on Jun 21, 2014 15:57:03 GMT -5
I have to say that Akubra's fed IV is a great hat for the money and very durable. Steele and Jones make fantastic hats at a reasonable price. I've a garrison on order so I'll let you know how that is.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
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Post by S. Dakota Jones on Jun 21, 2014 16:55:08 GMT -5
I also have a Garrison in production(ToD), I'll probably make a review when I get it and probably showcase my other gear then too  . I'm pretty new at this as well but I'm in the middle of "accurizing" my Todd's fedora into a more used look....maybe SoC or after Well of Souls...not sure yet lol I admit that's kinda the fun part - taking a hat and really making it your own. |
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Post by ThrowMeTheWhip on Sept 4, 2014 19:20:20 GMT -5
If I had to guess…. I'mma say Mr. Penman was open and helpful and Mr. Garrison not so much? I've dealt with John before, though never bought from him. He's a fount of information and truly a gentleman. Haven't dealt with Mr. Garrison… In light of more recent dealings with John, I can now believe that he'd treat you as described. |
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