Indy's Hat

jlee562 · Feb 6, 2016

"The" hat was a Herbert Johnson "Poet" model, which was trimmed to order by a man named Richard Swales. The block in use now is very probably not the same as the original hat.

Check out indygear.com for more than you ever thought you needed to know about the Indy hats.

Kermit Jones · Feb 6, 2016

Thanks, Johnny. It's funny, but as I watch movies now... well, I never just watch them anymore - especially if a hat comes on screen...

We particularly like watching period-set shows like Foyle's War, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, etc. - all of which are Fedora-heavy... and awesome for it. I'm considering getting the Fed IV since it appears to be the best bang for the buck. However, I'm also building my own hat block at the moment... which I'm hoping will turn out to be a fun adventure.

Anyway... thanks for the response... looking for more from the experts!
KJ

Kirk H. · Feb 6, 2016

I agree with everything Johnny said and will also add that you can't go wrong with the Fed IV. They are great hats that can take whatever you or the elements throw at them. The price is great too. And Welcome to the Lounge.

Kirk

Kermit Jones · Feb 6, 2016

Jared, thanks for the link. I've crawled through IndyGear several times... and you're right... TONS of info there. Overwhelming in the beginning, but I'm slowly starting to absorb. Appreciate the recommendation, though, and I agree that you're probably right about the block in use. A shame... if they'd only known....

H Weinstein · Feb 6, 2016

Hi, Kermit. Yes, lots of great info here and at Indygear and their Club Obi Wan forum. Have you seen the entertaining 12-min video "The Fedora Chronicles"? It covers the history of and differences between the hats in each Indy movie. Link:

I agree you can't go wrong with the Akubra Fed IV. I have 3 of them (2 brown -- 1 Raiders style, 1 Crystal Skull -- and 1 gray), though mine are the less-expensive standard Imperial Quality rabbit felt. I'm no expert, but these hats feel great at a great price. (Also, Hats Direct offers fast shipping and superb customer service; if you ask, they'll try to find the best fit in stock for you.)

Hand bashing the Fed IV is easy and fun. And there's something special about knowing you shaped your own hat every time you wear it.

JackieMatra · Feb 6, 2016

The plain indisputable fact of the matter is that the Akubra Federation IV does not have the same dimensions as the hat worn by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark".
One of the hats worn by Harrison Ford in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is in the hands of a collector and here are the specifications for the actual hat as follows:
Size: 7 ¼ (size 58 European)
Crown: 5 ½ (5.5) inches
Brim (front & back): 2 ¾ (2.75) inches
Brim (sides): 2 5/8 (2.625) inches
Ribbon: 1 ½ (1.5) inches (39mm)
http://www.indygear.com/igfedora.html

Fedora Loungers seem to be obstinately oblivious to the above information.
I think that as regards Indiana Jones' hats, the opinions of the real Indiana Jones fanatics at Club Obi Wan and Indy Gear should carry considerably more weight than those of the mere Indy dilettantes here.

Another further problem with the Akubra Federation IV, as an "Indy" hat, is that it is just way too thick and heavy, and the its brim just will not bend in the wind as Indiana Jones' hat does in the movies.

There is an Akubra hat that is thin and light enough to behave properly and it's the American version Akubra Adventurer available from David Morgan and Kakadu Trader in the U.S.A., which should definitely not be confused with the quite different Akubra hat of the same name that is available from Australian retailers.
The brim of the American version Akubra Adventurer hat is larger than that of Indiana Jones' hat(s), but it's possible to cut the brim down to the correct size, whereas it is not possible to do the reverse with a hat such as the Federation IV.

The American version Akubra Adventurer is sold with an open crown so that you can bash it yourself, or you can have David Morgan hand crease it for you themselves for a fee. Who knows, they may even cut the brim down to your specifications, if you ask them to.

RJR · Feb 6, 2016

JackieMatra said:
The plain indisputable fact of the matter is that the Akubra Federation IV does not have the same dimensions as the hat worn by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark".
One of the hats worn by Harrison Ford in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is in the hands of a collector and here are the specifications for the actual hat as follows:
Size: 7 ¼ (size 58 European)
Crown: 5 ½ (5.5) inches
Brim (front & back): 2 ¾ (2.75) inches
Brim (sides): 2 5/8 (2.625) inches
Ribbon: 1 ½ (1.5) inches (39mm)
http://www.indygear.com/igfedora.html

Fedora Loungers seem to be obstinately oblivious to the above information.
I think that as regards Indiana Jones' hats, the opinions of the real Indiana Jones fanatics at Club Obi Wan and Indy Gear should carry considerably more weight than those of the mere Indy dilettantes here.

Another further problem with the Akubra Federation IV, as an "Indy" hat, is that it is just way too thick and heavy, and the its brim just will not bend in the wind as Indiana Jones' hat does in the movies.

There is an Akubra hat that is thin and light enough to behave properly and it's the American version Akubra Adventurer available from David Morgan and Kakadu Trader in the U.S.A., which should definitely not be confused with the quite different Akubra hat of the same name that is available from Australian retailers.
The brim of the American version Akubra Adventurer hat is larger than that of Indiana Jones' hat(s), but it's possible to cut the brim down to the correct size, whereas it is not possible to do the reverse with a hat such as the Federation IV.

The American version Akubra Adventurer is sold with an open crown so that you can bash it yourself, or you can have David Morgan hand crease it for you themselves for a fee. Who knows, they may even cut the brim down to your specifications, if you ask them to.

Second for the DM Adventurer.

jlee562 · Feb 6, 2016

That's because the Fed IV was designed with an eye for the Crystal Skull hat.

moontheloon · Feb 6, 2016

H Weinstein said:
Hi, Kermit. Yes, lots of great info here and at Indygear and their Club Obi Wan forum. Have you seen the entertaining 12-min video "The Fedora Chronicles"? It covers the history of and differences between the hats in each Indy movie. Link:

I agree you can't go wrong with the Akubra Fed IV. I have 3 of them (2 brown -- 1 Raiders style, 1 Crystal Skull -- and 1 gray), though mine are the less-expensive standard Imperial Quality rabbit felt. I'm no expert, but these hats feel great at a great price. (Also, Hats Direct offers fast shipping and superb customer service; if you ask, they'll try to find the best fit in stock for you.)

Hand bashing the Fed IV is easy and fun. And there's something special about knowing you shaped your own hat every time you wear it.

fantastic vid right there... I was about to link that one

Kermit watch the above vid ... then watch this vid ... then save your money and call John Penman aka bendingoak here on the forum

Alexander Sommerset · Feb 6, 2016

I have to say, I have a love/hate relationship with Indy Jones. On one hand I am glad that the movies sparked interest in fedoras, but on the other annoyed because so many Indy fans don't really care about fedoras, they only about "the Indy hat." There is so much rich history, great fashion, and vibrant colors outside the Indy movie experience that so many Indy fans never even consider. In fact, Indy's hat is rather boring and drab if you ask me. So, on one hand I love it that the movie made fedoras take front and center again for many but on the other I roll my eyes at the whole thing.

moontheloon · Feb 6, 2016

Alexander Sommerset said:
I have to say, I have a love/hate relationship with Indy Jones. On one hand I am glad that the movies sparked interest in fedoras, but on the other annoyed because so many Indy fans don't really care about fedoras, they only about "the Indy hat." There is so much rich history, great fashion, and vibrant colors outside the Indy movie experience that so many Indy fans never even consider. In fact, Indy's hat is rather boring and drab if you ask me. So, on one hand I love it that the movie made fedoras take front and center again for many but on the other I roll my eyes at the whole thing.

I'm curious why you care so much about what gets others into hats

this post reminds me so much of the people in my industry that we call jazz nazis who are so concerned with people in the jazz community who are interested in mainly Miles Davis

like ... why are you listening to Kind Of Blue when there is a world of amazing jazz ?

who cares?! ... let them enjoy what they enjoy and enter via whatever gateway they desire

it is no concern of yours quite frankly

Alexander Sommerset · Feb 6, 2016

LOL. Show me where I said no one was allowed to enjoy what ever hats they wanted to enjoy.

moontheloon · Feb 6, 2016

Alexander Sommerset said:
LOL. Show me where I said no one was allowed to enjoy what ever hats they wanted to enjoy.

impressive acronym ...thank you for letting me know that you are laughing while typing ... completely necessary

hopefully you were continuing to roll your eyes while "LOL" ing

to lump every person interested in a particular hat into an "indy fans" throng is quite ignorant if you ask me

and to suggest this throng of undesirables doesn't consider any other aspects of fedora wearing and its history is equally as ignorant

as you were with your acronym

have a great day

javadave61 · Feb 6, 2016

KJ, welcome to the forum! As you can see, we're a diverse group with diverse opinions.

If you get the Fed IV, you'll be 95% of they way there. If not more. You'll certainly be miles ahead of the Indy hat you have now.

The Fed IV is a bit thick. It's the nature of the rough and tumble fur felt that Akubra makes. I took a gamble and took some fine sandpaper to mine and pounced it into a smoother, somewhat lighter felt. I love how it feels now. It has more play in it now and feels a bit more like the "floppy" hat of the real Dr. Jones.

Enjoy! You'll likely be happy whichever way you go.

T Jones · Feb 6, 2016

I considered buying either a Campdraft or a Fed IV but I couldn't see paying out nearly $150 for Heritage felt, including shipping, when I could get a better quality hat custom made for $25 more, ($175 for rabbit), and get one the way I want it. If you decide to go Beaver the cost would be $225. Northwest hats is probably about the best deal around for a custom made hat. Some of the Loungers here have Mike's hats, and I have one on the way. He does make Indy hats, btw....

https://www.facebook.com/Northwest-Hats-430701690275477/

http://www.northwesthats.com/

I would love to get a Penman, but I can't afford his prices on my Warehouse wages.
Some day, though.....

Alexander Sommerset · Feb 6, 2016

Yes. And I'm still rolling them.

RJR · Feb 6, 2016

T Jones said:
I considered buying either a Campdraft or a Fed IV but I couldn't see paying out nearly $150 for Heritage felt, including shipping, when I could get a better quality hat custom made for $25 more, ($175 for rabbit), and get one the way I want it. If you decide to go Beaver the cost would be $225. Northwest hats is probably about the best deal around for a custom made hat. Some of the Loungers here have Mike's hats, and I have one on the way. He does make Indy hats, btw....

https://www.facebook.com/Northwest-Hats-430701690275477/

http://www.northwesthats.com/

I would love to get a Penman, but I can't afford his prices on my Warehouse wages.
Some day, though.....

TJ,I have several of John's as well as three of Mike's;trust me you won't be disappointed.

T Jones · Feb 7, 2016

RJR said:
TJ,I have several of John's as well as three of Mike's;trust me you won't be disappointed.

Thanks, RJ. I'm still trying to decide on the color I want. After looking at the Pecan and the Granite under more natural lighting I decided against those colors. I may go back with the darker brown that Mike uses for his Indy hats, unless I can find a mid-tone that I like.

Then again, I already have an Indy style hat in dark brown...Converted from a Resistol Stagecoach Western

The open crown height on this one is 5 3/4. I like a deeper and more defined crease.

Rock A Billy from "The Killer"...Jerry Lee Lewis

William G. · Feb 8, 2016

Mark G said:
I was up in the bay area, and a friend works for Lucasfilms in research and gave us a tour of the Ranch.

Here's a pic of some of the props used in the films.

That's, like, half my childhood dreams in a trophy case. Except for the alien skull, of course.

H Weinstein · Feb 8, 2016

Hi, again, Kermit. Many valid points made and opinions debated in the thread following your post. A few things to keep in mind:

1- The Fed IV really was developed by Hats Direct and Akubra with design input from knowledgeable members of Indy Gear and the Club Obi Wan forum (including hatter Steve Delk, who created the legendary Adventurebilt hat line and made the hats for KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL), intended as an affordable Indy-style hat. (The brim is slightly smaller on the sides than THE hat.) Read through the comments in the Fedora section on COW and you'll generally find great praise for the Fed IV.

2- I bought a David Morgan Adventurer first, before I knew of the Fed IV. The Adventurer is indeed a nice hat, made of a lighter, floppier felt. But it's also a lighter color, and I don't think the crown is as square and boxy as the Fed IV, so to my eye it yields a bashed shape that looks less like a RAIDERS or CRYSTAL SKULL hat than the Fed IV. After I got my first Fed IV, I actually sold my DM Adventurer.

3- Personally, I preferred the slightly heavier (though by no means TOO heavy) felt of the Fed IV. It feels sturdier and more likely to hold its shape over time, but it will soften with wear, time -- and a few adventures!

4- How much do you want to spend? The Fed IV (and Akubras in general) are designed to be affordable, sturdy, high-quality production hats. While I'd love a more expensive custom hat (even though I'd do my own bash from an open crown because it's fun), I couldn't justify the extra cost.

5- The only time I ever had any stranger say, "Hey, Indiana Jones hat!" to me was when I wore my Fed IV to the actual "Indiana Jones & The Adventure of Archaeology" Exhibition at the National Geographic Museum in Washington DC. Most people don't know or care. If you like the hat and style, just have fun wearing it

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