Best deals for Indy Hats

[Bart]

Being new to the Lounge, Gents, I thought you could direct me to where to find a good deal for an Indy hat. Have been reading your posts a few weeks and I'm getting "Fedora Fever". I don't think I could start from the "ground up" with an open crown and flat brim. Also I'm wondering how to figure the brim width for one's facial features. Your suggestions greatly appreciated, Bart.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

Try this...

http://www.indygear.com/gear/fedora.shtml

 

[SHARPETOYS]

A good honest hatter!

Steve Delk AKA Fedora is a member here. He has made about 500 of these in the last year or so. $225 in beaver for members.

http://www.adventurebilthats.com/

 

[Kt Templar]

I've just got an Akubra Federation and am very pleased with it and at the price!

http://www.hatsdirect.com/hat-info/federation.html

Pop over to COW and dig around the fedora section, lot's of enthusiasm for the Adventurebilt.

http://www.indygear.com/cow/index.php

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Indy solutions

Bart,
If you want something movie-acurate, you'll have to go custom. For that, I guess Steve "Fedora" Delk is the expert, or go to COW. If you want a simple solution that isn't an exact copy of Indy's hat, there are a few ways to go. Miller Hats carries an entire line of Indy-style hats (go with the Indiana Miller collection for the better ones, not the lisenced products). I own a Miller hat, and my research into their Indys suggests that they measure up to the Miller I already have, and love.

As for the Akubra Federation, it's open crown might seem scary, and I was worried when I bought mine, but it's easy. The brim isn't Indy-shape out of the box, but it's not flat, either. It's a snap-brim and ready-to-wear. The Mid-brown is the closest to the Indy color, but it is on the darker end of the scale. So far, my Fed has been great in the rain and snow. My only warning about the Fed is that the felt is a bit stiff, but not cowboy hat stiff.

Good luck and welcome.

 

[ITG]

Steve's already built 500 hats in one year?!!!? Yowsers!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bart]

Indy solutions

So you think the Akubra would be easy to shape. Seems I saw a link of some kid working on a Federation and shaped into an Indy. When I saw him cutting the brim, I figured, it must be easier than that or better yet leave the brim alone. The next question was about the brim width...how do you figure what width you need?

As for Akubra, I assume you would order direct from Australia

Then you sound high on the Miller products, I did see their line up of Indy styles. Lots of varied hat bands, but what is the standard width of the gros grain band and after all, isn't that the Indy style? Thanks for your reply. Bart

 

[indyjim]

Welcome Bart!
The brim on the Akubra Federation is already dimensional. There is no need to cut it. Brim and crown are proportional for the hat sizes. All you gotta do is bash it to your likeing and wear it. Order your normal hat size. It may be a little loose at first but can easily be adjusted with the foam they supply. It will quickly conform to your head and tighten up. Yes you order direct from Australia. It will usually take less than 10 days to get to you by air. Don't worry. Ron and the crew at HatsDirect are great to deal with. I have purchased 4 hats from them.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

You don't have to cut the brim. I didn't, but I like the Fed's wide brim. Many people cut it to match the measurements of the hat in the Indy films.
As for matching brim width to your face, I'm not an expert. Until you actually have a couple, I'd say, stick with 2 1/2", 2 5/8", and 2 3/4" brim sizes.
The Akubra Federation is only available from hatsdirect.com in Australia. The shipping cost is high, but the hat price is low. In the end, it doesn't cost any more than ordering a hat from a domestic seller.

I do like Miller, and I find their hats softer and dressier. They are made by Biltmore. The cross grain ribbons on their regular Indys are fairly acurate to the movie, and more acurate to the period than thinner crossgain bands. If I remember right, they are about 1 1/2". I go by the measurement supplied for their open crown Indy, which I'm planning to get.

If you're wondering which is the better choice, that depends. The Akubra is stiffer, tough, and can really handle the elements well. The Millers will be softer and look dressier. Plus, they have more color and brim width choices. I haven't put the Miller to any punishment, but I've heard they stand up pretty well. My Akubra is my "ugly weather" hat, but it still gets compliments.

If I've failed to address your questions in any way, blame my thick skull, and whack at it again!

P.S. I'm wearing my Akubra in my avatar.

 

[Feraud]

I own the Akubra Federation Deluxe. It is a great, tough hat at a good price. 100% rabbit felt. That hat arrives un-bashed and is very easy to do! Trimming is not necessary. I used some steam to soften up the felt, shape and let dry.
Here is mine..
The more I wear this hat the more comfortable it becomes.

Steve (Fedora)'s Adventurebilt hats come highly recommended. 100% beaver at a fine price. Check Club Obi Wan for thorough discussions and praise for these hats.

 

[Bart]

Indy Hats Experts

Many thanks to you all for your kind advice and know how. That's a real beauty, Feraud, bet you really feel like Indy on Broadway NYC in that lid!!
Again, thanks friends. Bart

 

[Feraud]

Feraud, bet you really feel like Indy on Broadway NYC in that lid!!
Again, thanks friends. Bart

Well.. it does put a 'spring' in my step.

 

[Legal Concepts]

What do you folks mean by "snap Brim" ?

 

[Not-Bogart13]

snap brim

A snap brim is basically a brim that's "up" all the way around, and can be easily pulled down. Look at the pictures of my open road. There are shots of the brim up sitting on my desk, and the others with it down. No steam, no work. snap it up, snap it down.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/micha...=&.done=http://photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

 

[Kaleponi Craig]

Bart, I own an Adventurebilt, by our own Fedora. There isn't a better Indy hat then this one.

 

[Fedora]

Steve's already built 500 hats in one year?!!!? Yowsers!!!!!!!!!!!

:cheers1: Yes indeed! And I have the needle scars to prove it!! Since my hats use no machine stitching, everything is by hand, and that means wounds. But, not so much anymore. I have gotten smarter I guess, and it has been quite sometime since I buried a sewing needle in the finger. No more steam scalds either, but I still occassional get burned by the brim irons and heavy tailor iron. Fedora

 

[riccardo]

Indyjim.

Hi,
I like very much the hat in your avatar, it's an Akubra Federation...isn't it?
Might you post some pics of it?

Many thanks in advance.

Best regards.
Riccardo.

 

[Zach R.]

Actually, I presume it is an Adventurebilt.

 

[Bart]

Indy Jim

Thanks for your input. I think I will take your advice and order a Federation. I hope I can shape it as it should be. Bart.

 

[Zach R.]

Actually, if you had the cash, I'd order the Deluxe as there have been numerous accounts of the colors going wonky on the regular Federation.