Indiana Jones Fedora Felt options

[Pat Za Ponor]

Hey guys,

I have some questions regarding the felt on fedoras. I don't know much about how they're made, but I know different animals are used to make different types of felts. Now, are these animals killed for the hats? I've been looking into getting a fedora for awhile but I've held off because I don't wear animal products.

What about the wool felts? I assume they're from sheep and the sheep aren't killed.

Also, are there any animal friendly Indy jackets available? Preferably Raiders or Temple.

Thanks

 

[bullwhipcracker]

Wool felt is from sheep they are sheared....keep that hat dry though.
Also, wested used to make a cotton Indy Jacket. Can't find the link, so you will have to email them. http://www.indyjacket.co.uk/home.html

Hey guys,

I have some questions regarding the felt on fedoras. I don't know much about how they're made, but I know different animals are used to make different types of felts. Now, are these animals killed for the hats? I've been looking into getting a fedora for awhile but I've held off because I don't wear animal products.

What about the wool felts? I assume they're from sheep and the sheep aren't killed.

Also, are there any animal friendly Indy jackets available? Preferable Raiders or Temple.

Thanks

 

[Zombie_61]

Here's a link to Wested's stone-washed brown denim Raiders jacket:

http://www.ekmpowershop4.com/ekmps/shops/westedcom/stone-washed-denim-raiders-71-p.asp

Regarding hats, from what little I know the usual felt options are wool, rabbit, and beaver. Wool is generally the least expensive because it isn't nearly as durable or long-lasting as the others and will shrink if it gets wet. Rabbit and beaver are far more durable and will generally shrink only if heat is applied (whether they're wet or dry). However, everything I've read regarding the manufacturing process for rabbit and beaver felts refers to the fur being removed from pelts, which doesn't sound animal-friendly to me.

 

[Air Pirate]

The Adventurebilt hats use beaver, but i have no idea if they are killed or not. I dont know what the HJ Poets had though but id guess beaver.

the biggest problem with wool felt is tapering, after a while the hat stretches out and no amount or reblocking will fix it.

my bro made his own hat and here is a thread on his methods: http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=27053

 

[Apollo]

I dont know what the HJ Poets had though but id guess beaver.

Herbies are Rabbit

 

[Kt Templar]

Yes, the rabbit and beaver hats mean ex rabbits and beavers.

Wool hats obviously don't but are prone to shrinkage and tapering.

No one seems to make a pleather Indy jacket but you might try asking Magnoli. Wested don't feel that pleather is worth the effort. They do make a stonewashed denim Indy jacket that works pretty well.

Costume base has a MKVii bag copy that has a pleather strap (it's a bit rubbish though). They also have a pleather belt and holster rig.

You can also get nylon whips if you want.

 

[Indy Magnoli]

No one seems to make a pleather Indy jacket but you might try asking Magnoli.

Yes, we can make jackets in pleather, but the labor costs, etc leave it the same cost as one of our goatskin jackets (around $495 for this style).

Kind regards,
Magnoli

 

[ob1al]

I've noticed some cheapo-knockoff pleather costume jackets (from the far east, IIRC) on eBay recently.

Not very accurate, but not bad for a costume piece either. Depends what you want to use it for, I guess, but aside from the Wested denim that's the only other animal friendly versions I know of.

 

[Pat Za Ponor]

Thanks for the help everyone.

Looks like I'll have to settle on a wool fedora. The quality just isn't the same, but it'll have to do.

And I'm going to definitely keep you in mind Magnoli in the future if I ever decide to get the jacket.