Adventurebilt hats status update (read if you have an outstanding order)

You got that backwards. He works on new orders on the weekend & backorders during the week.

Ah, thanks for the correction Bruce. -M

Steve is certainly not getting rich off of anybody. A skilled businessman he is not, but nor has he ever been intentionally dishonest. At least as far as my interactions are concerned. I'm waiting for a hat still as well. But I'm also quite sure it will arrive in due time.

Bruce Wayne said:

Hat making machines are rare nowadays & cost several thousand dollars for each.

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The following is in no way a commentary on Adventurebilt's production methods, but rather a fairly well-informed (I like to think) observation on hat-making and the English language.

In the real world of custom crafted attire (bespoke tailoring, shoemaking, hatting, etc.), "handmade" could mean any number of very different things, no matter what dictionary one chooses to cite.

Me, I produce "handmade" custom hats. By my way of seeing things, so does every custom hatter, at least every custom hatter of whom I am aware.

So, do I use electrically powered machinery? Darned right I do, and I'm always on the prowl for more. Sure, I operate those machines with my own two hands. No robotic controls around here. No assembly lines. But I wouldn't necessarily be averse to such things, if they would help me produce a better hat, more consistently, and in less time.

Even if a hatter worked under candlelight in a shop without so much as a single electrical outlet, he'd still be working with felt hat bodies made on machines (well, there is a way of making one's own felt hat bodies, but I know of no one actually doing that these days), and he would still be trimming those hats with ribbon made on machines in mills. Et cetera.

You're absolutely right, Mr. Wayne -- hat-making equipment is scarce, and it can be quite costly. But a person can put together a well-equipped hat shop without taking out another mortgage, provided he's willing to make a big investment in time (that's the big one) and travel and repairs. A good friend of mine has assembled a quite impressive collection of hat-making gear. And while it's true that he has sunk a significant amount of money into his operation over the several years he's been in the game (time flies), he has made an even bigger investment in mutually beneficial relationships with people in various aspects of the business. He, as much as anyone else, was the impetus for another person getting into making various hat-making tools, most of which hadn't been in production for several decades. We all benefit from that.

Any recent word on anyone receiving hats from Adventurebilt?

mingoslim said:

Any recent word on anyone receiving hats from Adventurebilt?

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Since the latest updates over on COW regarding the cash flow/raw materials shortage, I have not received any emails/updates from Steve on the situation (eg needing more cash to purchase more bodies, etc) nor have I made an attempt to send another email. The thought has crossed my mind to send an email...but I also think "how many have I sent over the years?" My email address is the same as it was back in November 2007 and I have exchanged emails, most recent reply being June or July of 2011; while I have thought about the idea of sending additional money just to get the hat, I also consider it might just be tossing more money into what has become a black hole for who knows how many of us. No warm fuzzy with the lack of communication over the years. I generally come down to the thoughts that I would probably be better off just ordering a hat from Art...

Bernie

XPLSV said:

Since the latest updates over on COW regarding the cash flow/raw materials shortage, I have not received any emails/updates from Steve on the situation (eg needing more cash to purchase more bodies, etc) nor have I made an attempt to send another email. The thought has crossed my mind to send an email...but I also think "how many have I sent over the years?" My email address is the same as it was back in November 2007 and I have exchanged emails, most recent reply being June or July of 2011; while I have thought about the idea of sending additional money just to get the hat, I also consider it might just be tossing more money into what has become a black hole for who knows how many of us. No warm fuzzy with the lack of communication over the years. I generally come down to the thoughts that I would probably be better off just ordering a hat from Art...

Bernie

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I am with you on almost everything you say . . . I have emailed, called, and have even thought of sending more $$$ . . .
Perhaps if I make bonus this fall, I will get another hat from Art. They are the best hats I own, and among my favorites! He is awesome!

This is the best Fedora Lounge S-M thread ever.

XPLSV said:

Since the latest updates over on COW regarding the cash flow/raw materials shortage, I have not received any emails/updates from Steve on the situation (eg needing more cash to purchase more bodies, etc) nor have I made an attempt to send another email. The thought has crossed my mind to send an email...but I also think "how many have I sent over the years?" My email address is the same as it was back in November 2007 and I have exchanged emails, most recent reply being June or July of 2011; while I have thought about the idea of sending additional money just to get the hat, I also consider it might just be tossing more money into what has become a black hole for who knows how many of us. No warm fuzzy with the lack of communication over the years. I generally come down to the thoughts that I would probably be better off just ordering a hat from Art...

Bernie

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Absolutely.

Blackthorn said:

Absolutely.

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+1!

++1, I ordered from Mr. Fawcett...no regrets.

Off the top of my head, I think 2 COW hats have been received since last update. Steve's still out there making hats.

I mean look, Art makes great hats, but some of us want "THE" Indy hat. Some people don't get the attraction of having "THE" hat, and I get that too. And AB probably isn't for them.

Point well taken jlee, I would love to have me one of The Indy Hats.
Regards.
Tino O.

alanfgag said:

This is the best Fedora Lounge S-M thread ever.

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BWAhahahaha! You crack me up, Alan.

For all Indy Fans, you can get a well made Indy Fedora on this side. All are handmade + the Original Herbert Johnson Poet for 189,00 EUR.
http://www.advintagefedora.de/shop/
http://www.advintagefedora.de/bilder/advingalerie.html

jlee562 said:

Off the top of my head, I think 2 COW hats have been received since last update. Steve's still out there making hats.

I mean look, Art makes great hats, but some of us want "THE" Indy hat. Some people don't get the attraction of having "THE" hat, and I get that too. And AB probably isn't for them.

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Absolutely understand having "THE" hat...the problem is, some of us (ie me) paid in full back in November 2007 and have no hat. Everyone who has read this thread is aware of the various troubles that have befallen Steve, but that doesn't do much for me when I hear of new orders being placed before old orders...or the lack of communication issue, which probably has aggravated everything else.

mingoslim said:

I am with you on almost everything you say . . . I have emailed, called, and have even thought of sending more $$$ . . .
Perhaps if I make bonus this fall, I will get another hat from Art. They are the best hats I own, and among my favorites! He is awesome!

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I was very close to ordering a hat from Art several years back and then I lost my job due to contract downsizing and ended up working overseas for awhile. Most of the fedora's I wear with my coat & tie attire are 1940's with the tall crowns and wide brims...exactly what Art can deliver. I think I'll have to place that order this summer...maybe in one of the colors I just don't have in my hat collection!

XPLSV said:

Absolutely understand having "THE" hat...the problem is, some of us (ie me) paid in full back in November 2007 and have no hat. Everyone who has read this thread is aware of the various troubles that have befallen Steve, but that doesn't do much for me when I hear of new orders being placed before old orders...or the lack of communication issue, which probably has aggravated everything else.

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Look friend, you don't have to go off on me, I'm waiting for a hat too.

Steve is out there, making hats. That's all I know.

What I was addressing was completely separate issue about people suggesting to get a hat from Art. That's all.

Chepstow said:

For all Indy Fans, you can get a well made Indy Fedora on this side. All are handmade + the Original Herbert Johnson Poet for 189,00 EUR.
http://www.advintagefedora.de/shop/
http://www.advintagefedora.de/bilder/advingalerie.html

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I had to pop in on this one. First, they aren't made by hand. Two, they are so removed from being the indy hats that the only thing that is the same about the HJ is the name.

I hope everyone gets their Indy hats soon. I'm ordering a Spiderman outfit for myself.