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I love the Fed IV!!

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
The Everyman Indy is pretty much the same as the Adventurebilt Henry, which I have one of.

There isn't much comparison between a Fed IV and a Henry. The Henry/Everyman is better is every regard, inside and out. The 80/20 rabbit/beaver blend gives the hat all the characteristics of a 100% beaver hat. Finish, smoothness, and the ability to take a crease are superb. Interior materials, fit and finish are top-notch, as well.

As it is a machine made hat, I don't know about custom sizing, as John does with his handmade hats.

I've never owned a Penman, but I would expect them to be very different beasts from the Akubra. The Akubra is a production line hat, while the Penman is individually custom made. The Akubra is rabbit or rabbit /hare, while the Penman is beaver or beaver/rabbit. The Penman is also several times the price of the Akubra. Penman is a hat I'd buy to wear on special occasions; the Akubra is a solid daily driver. Horses for courses. I do love the look of the Penman coloured felts, especially the green, and the freedom to choose the ribbon colour is a big plus. If Akubra did a dealwhere I could order a Fed IV type hat and spec things like ribbon colour, a wind trolley, and brim binding, I'd bed in serious financial trouble.... ;)
 

Tukwila

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,382
Location
SW of Antifa Central (PDX)
I've never owned a Penman, but I would expect them to be very different beasts from the Akubra. The Akubra is a production line hat, while the Penman is individually custom made. The Akubra is rabbit or rabbit /hare, while the Penman is beaver or beaver/rabbit. The Penman is also several times the price of the Akubra. Penman is a hat I'd buy to wear on special occasions; the Akubra is a solid daily driver. Horses for courses. I do love the look of the Penman coloured felts, especially the green, and the freedom to choose the ribbon colour is a big plus. If Akubra did a dealwhere I could order a Fed IV type hat and spec things like ribbon colour, a wind trolley, and brim binding, I'd bed in serious financial trouble.... ;)

I live just over the hill from John Penman's shop in Hillsboro, Oregon. John also sells his own factory, or production, hat called the Everyman. That's what I have, and posted above. It's a blend of rabbit/beaver, but is a very good hat. Better than most modern Stetsons, IMO, except the Excellent Quality Stetsons which are 100% beaver felt. Even then, I think the construction is certainly as good or better than a modern Stetson or Akubra.

The Everyman Indy (EI) hat has great felt and is a substantial hat. It's tough enough to wear out and about as a daily driver, even in nasty weather. But it's also nice enough to wear with a suit and tie, IMO, or nice casual dress. The price has gone up recently, but so have prices generally. Even though it's a factory built hat, the EI is well made and has good felt (not Winchester; sourced from South America) and should last for generations with decent care.

I also own the Everyman Non-Indy. While I love the color of the Granite felt (grey with brown hues running throughout), this hat is not the same quality felt as the Indy hat. Mine is bashed like a Bogart or Casablanca Penman hat, but it doesn't fit true to size like the Indy version either. The 60cm was way too tight, and the 61cm I have is too loose... I have considered selling my Bogart Everyman, but I do love the color so much...

i-Drmnffc-S.jpg
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scottyrocks

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,160
Location
Isle of Langerhan, NY
I've never owned a Penman, but I would expect them to be very different beasts from the Akubra. The Akubra is a production line hat, while the Penman is individually custom made. The Akubra is rabbit or rabbit /hare, while the Penman is beaver or beaver/rabbit. The Penman is also several times the price of the Akubra. Penman is a hat I'd buy to wear on special occasions; the Akubra is a solid daily driver. Horses for courses. I do love the look of the Penman coloured felts, especially the green, and the freedom to choose the ribbon colour is a big plus. If Akubra did a dealwhere I could order a Fed IV type hat and spec things like ribbon colour, a wind trolley, and brim binding, I'd bed in serious financial trouble.... ;)

The Indy Everyman is not a custom, really. It is a factory made hat fitted out by John as an Indy hat to his very high standards. The price is just under 3x the current price of an Imperial Fed IV, and not quite 2x more $$ than the Heritage grade Fed IV.

If I was starting over again right now, knowing what I know, I'd go for an Indy Everyman over either of the Fed IVs.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,736
Location
London, UK
The Indy Everyman is not a custom, really. It is a factory made hat fitted out by John as an Indy hat to his very high standards. The price is just under 3x the current price of an Imperial Fed IV, and not quite 2x more $$ than the Heritage grade Fed IV.

If I was starting over again right now, knowing what I know, I'd go for an Indy Everyman over either of the Fed IVs.


Ah, not the same ones I've looked at, then. I'm not in the market for US hats any more, alas. Akubras from Aus still seem reasonably priced, but everything US-based has shot up in price with the weak pound, alas. I'll be waiting until that changes. Double the price of a Fed DLX is more than I'd spend generally, though for something special it wouldn't be unthinkable.
 

Just A Hat Rack

Practically Family
Messages
619
Location
Buckeye Nation
I think the angle of the photo gives the impression that the crown is more tapered than it actually is. All three of my Fed IVs currently have a Diamond crease, and...well, you be the judge:

7Eo39Wl.jpg

FocbUgW.jpg


And just to show the Diamond shape:

eJ69nNE.jpg
Sorry for commenting on an old post, but I realized I made an error in my terminology. What I had said before was in reference to a rake, not a taper. I'm still learning here [emoji846]

Ryan
Hat size: 7 1/2
 
Messages
11,894
Location
Southern California
Sorry for commenting on an old post, but I realized I made an error in my terminology. What I had said before was in reference to a rake, not a taper. I'm still learning here [emoji846]

Ryan
Hat size: 7 1/2
Ah. Yeah, "rake" and "taper" are two different subjects. I try to give all of my hats at least a little rake because I like the look, but between the shape of my head and the way I wear them it's been difficult for me to get the backs of the crowns low enough for the look I'd really like. I'm sure most here would advise me to raise the front of the crowns, but to my eye that makes the crown look too tall when viewed from the front, especially on the Fed IV with it's relatively narrow brim width on the sides. Yeah, I'm an odd creature. :(
 

Just A Hat Rack

Practically Family
Messages
619
Location
Buckeye Nation
Ah. Yeah, "rake" and "taper" are two different subjects. I try to give all of my hats at least a little rake because I like the look, but between the shape of my head and the way I wear them it's been difficult for me to get the backs of the crowns low enough for the look I'd really like. I'm sure most here would advise me to raise the front of the crowns, but to my eye that makes the crown look too tall when viewed from the front, especially on the Fed IV with it's relatively narrow brim width on the sides. Yeah, I'm an odd creature. :(
I'm with you. Crown height and brim width need to be proportionate, at least to my standards. I'm personally not a fan of too much rake (again, proportions), but I think it suits others well. My next purchase is going to be an "Indy" hat of some sort. I was originally wanting to get a Fed IV, but if the funds will allow, I may go the custom route. I'd like to have a crown height of something near the Raiders hat, but maybe with a little more width in the brim. We shall see.

Ryan
Hat size: 7 1/2
 

scottyrocks

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,160
Location
Isle of Langerhan, NY
I'm with you. Crown height and brim width need to be proportionate, at least to my standards. I'm personally not a fan of too much rake (again, proportions), but I think it suits others well. My next purchase is going to be an "Indy" hat of some sort. I was originally wanting to get a Fed IV, but if the funds will allow, I may go the custom route. I'd like to have a crown height of something near the Raiders hat, but maybe with a little more width in the brim. We shall see.

Ryan
Hat size: 7 1/2

Sounds like you want a Fed III.
 

Just A Hat Rack

Practically Family
Messages
619
Location
Buckeye Nation
Sounds like you want a Fed III.
I think Johnny is the one who sported the only Fed III that I've seen, and I honestly can't recall the dimensions of it. I'm guessing they're no longer in production, so finding one would be a challenge. Especially when folks tend to hang on to their Akubras. I am considering the custom route in the hopes of getting something with higher quality felt, and any minor tweaks I may want as far as dimensions go. I have nothing against Akubra, but my understanding is they can't hold a candle to a good custom.

Ryan
Hat size: 7 1/2
 

scottyrocks

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,160
Location
Isle of Langerhan, NY
I think Johnny is the one who sported the only Fed III that I've seen, and I honestly can't recall the dimensions of it. I'm guessing they're no longer in production, so finding one would be a challenge. Especially when folks tend to hang on to their Akubras. I am considering the custom route in the hopes of getting something with higher quality felt, and any minor tweaks I may want as far as dimensions go. I have nothing against Akubra, but my understanding is they can't hold a candle to a good custom.

Ryan
Hat size: 7 1/2

Yes, and I was one of the people who said it, even though I have IVs and a III. ;)

The IIIs are larger versions of the IV in every dimension. That's why I mentioned it here, as you said you wanted a slightly bigger (my words) Indy hat.

Yes, Fed IIIs are hard to find used because they have been out of production for some time, and people do hold on to their Akubras. That should say something about the overall desirability of these hats, although they not as well finished as customs. I proudly wear mine as often as I wear my more expensive hats.
 

bearinfedora

Familiar Face
Messages
72
After some considerations, comtemplations, cogitations and cerebrations, I pulled a trigger for Federation IV. Ordered hats are Federation IV Deluxe black and heritage fawn. I was also fixated to order brown color as well, but it seemed quite close to Cedar Brown color for Campdraft in my collection.

I might get it later at some point once there's space in shelf :)
 

scottyrocks

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,160
Location
Isle of Langerhan, NY
After some considerations, comtemplations, cogitations and cerebrations, I pulled a trigger for Federation IV. Ordered hats are Federation IV Deluxe black and heritage fawn. I was also fixated to order brown color as well, but it seemed quite close to Cedar Brown color for Campdraft in my collection.

I might get it later at some point once there's space in shelf :)

(Lack of) shelf space is never a good reason for not acquiring more hats. :)

Congrats on your acquisitions.
 
Messages
11,894
Location
Southern California
After some considerations, comtemplations, cogitations and cerebrations, I pulled a trigger for Federation IV. Ordered hats are Federation IV Deluxe black and heritage fawn. I was also fixated to order brown color as well, but it seemed quite close to Cedar Brown color for Campdraft in my collection.

I might get it later at some point once there's space in shelf :)
You realize, of course, that you're now mandated to post photos in this thread after you receive your new Fed IVs. Preferably after you've creased them; head shots would be nice. :D
 

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