Re: Question for fedora gurus

Posted by Dakota Ellison from spider-tj021.proxy.aol.com on February 28, 2000 at 02:00:36:

In Reply to: Question for fedora gurus posted by MK on February 27, 2000 at 23:54:11:

: With so many fedoras to choose from, I am unclear on what is really the best way to go. The HJ is obscenly expensive and some say it is still not right. Is that correct? Does it need further modifying? The Miller hats are more reasonable, but which one? How close are they to the real thing? Those who answer tell me what hats) you have. I am sorry for rambling, but I would like to get the last word on fedoras. Thanks for your help.

I have a few but the most recent is the Stetson Temple which I
ordered from the Stetson factory outlet for $26 plus shipping. It
is close but the crown is a tad short and it tapers a bit. I was
going to live with this otherwise fine hat. I had looked at some
pictures Steve took of his Custom Hat fedora and was debating if
I wanted to spend over $300 for a hat when the Indy Miller became
available. I hadn't considered buying a Herbert Johnson at all. I
don't care if you're in Houston of London, without customers you're
nothing. HJ is not doing right by their customers. And as to whether
it is a good replica, who's gotten one lately that can tell us?
You can order and get the Miller in 3 or 4 days if they're in
stock. It has the right size crown with no taper. The color is the
same as Indy's hat in the Last Crusade scene where it's lying on
the table with the Grail marker in Donovan's appartment. Outdoors it's
lighter, just as the one in the movies. Now, to the Miller drawbacks.
They won't supply the hat with a fedora dimensional cut. Which
means you should order it with the widest brim possible. This leads
to a problem in that Miller's isn't always shipping out what you
order. Of those who have gotten one so far, myself and Austin Powers
seem to be the only ones who got the brim they wanted. I would say
if you order a Miller to be adament with them and measure the brim
carefully when you get it and send it back (ouch) if it doesn't measure at least 2 3/4". If you order the unbashed one which I would
reccomend, it'll look like an orthodox rabbi's hat. If you want it
to look like Indy's you have to do it yourself. Check Pattersons
instuctions in the IndyGear site or the Akubra site. Go to the Goodwill store and buy an old fedora for $2 to practice on. Take your
time. There has been some debate about the ribbon size.
All the authorized Indy hats from Stetson or Ocean Pacific come
with a 1 1/2" ribbon.
The Herbert Johnson comes with a 1 1/2" ribbon. They ought to
know.
Leave the 1 3/4" on the hat if you want it to look like Frank
Sinatra's. Sorry, I couldn't help it.
I've just taken pictures of my Temple and Miller. I have no idea
how to post them here, but if you give me you're e-mail, I'll send
them to you. Talk about rambling.

Hope this helps. Check with Steve. He knows.

Cheers

Ellison

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: : With so many fedoras to choose from, I am unclear on what is really the best way to go.  The HJ is obscenly expensive and some say it is still not right.  Is that correct?  Does it need further modifying? The Miller hats are more reasonable, but which one?  How close are they to the real thing? Those who answer tell me what hats) you have. I am sorry for rambling, but I would like to get the last word on fedoras.  Thanks for your help.

:    I have a few but the most recent is the Stetson Temple which I
: ordered from the Stetson factory outlet for $26 plus shipping. It
: is close but the crown is a tad short and it tapers a bit. I was 
: going to live with this otherwise fine hat. I had looked at some
: pictures Steve took of his Custom Hat fedora and was debating if
: I wanted to spend over $300 for a hat when the Indy Miller became
: available. I hadn't considered buying a Herbert Johnson at all. I
: don't care if you're in Houston of London, without customers you're
: nothing. HJ is not doing right by their customers. And as to whether
: it is a good replica, who's gotten one lately that can tell us?
:    You can order and get the Miller in 3 or 4 days if they're in
: stock. It has the right size crown with no taper. The color is the
: same as Indy's hat in the Last Crusade scene where it's lying on
: the table with the Grail marker in Donovan's appartment. Outdoors it's
: lighter, just as the one in the movies. Now, to the Miller drawbacks.
:    They won't supply the hat with a fedora dimensional cut. Which
: means you should order it with the widest brim possible. This leads
: to a problem in that Miller's isn't always shipping out what you
: order. Of those who have gotten one so far, myself and Austin Powers
: seem to be the only ones who got the brim they wanted. I would say
: if you order a Miller to be adament with them and measure the brim
: carefully when you get it and send it back (ouch) if it doesn't measure at least 2 3/4". If you order the unbashed one which I would
: reccomend, it'll look like an orthodox rabbi's hat. If you want it
: to look like Indy's you have to do it yourself. Check Pattersons
: instuctions in the IndyGear site or the Akubra site. Go to the Goodwill store and buy an old fedora for $2 to practice on. Take your
: time. There has been some debate about the ribbon size. 
:      All the authorized Indy hats from Stetson or Ocean Pacific come
: with a 1 1/2" ribbon.
:      The Herbert Johnson comes with a 1 1/2" ribbon. They ought to
: know.
:      Leave the 1 3/4" on the hat if you want it to look like Frank
: Sinatra's. Sorry, I couldn't help it.
:      I've just taken pictures of my Temple and Miller. I have no idea
: how to post them here, but if you give me you're e-mail, I'll send
: them to you. Talk about rambling.

:    Hope this helps. Check with Steve. He knows.

:    Cheers

:    Ellison

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