Lee's Bogie

[MK]

Lee Kepler has a added a Bogart hat to his line. Sergei shot these photos of it.

Enjoy!

 

[Pyroxene]

That looks nice. I just finished watching a bunch of Harold Lloyd movies and saw many hats that looked like that.

I think that is about the smallest hat I would attempt to wear.

Pyro..

 

[Matt Deckard]

Needs a bit of a wider ribbon.

Looks pretty good, in fact it looks more accurate than 90% of the bogie hats I have seen on the market.

Good Job.

Hopefully someday companies will start making felt bodies with Cavenaugh edges again, just like the ones Bogie wore.

 

[MK]

I like it.....but the front of the bash doesn't look correct to me. This one kind of reminds me of the stock Indy Miller bash.

Check out Bogies lid on The Golden Era.

 

[Bogie1943]

Lee I have to say the lid looks great, the front bash needs a little work but for you that won't be much of a problem I am sure. :cool2:

 

[Matt Deckard]

I think lee used a wooden block to do the teardrop.

I think using an open block and just hand bashing the hat would make the shape more to Bogie's style.

most hats back then were sold open crown and the buyer or the seller would shape the hat to the customers satisfaction.
That is why when you get a deadstock vintage hat in the box, they are often unshaped.

 

[Pyroxene]

Good eye, Matt. After reading your post and then reviewing the pics, I think you are correct. The center pic, for me, gives it away.

Pyro

 

[Dr. J]

I spoke to Lee today and he said that he would be using a wider ribbon on the hat to make it look more film-accurate. He also said the turnaround on all his hats was six weeks.

Regards,

Dr. J

 

[Lee Keppler]

This hat now has the 1 3/4" ribbon. If you want a hand bashed version, I believe I can manage that! I can get this one with a welted edge, but it is stitched. Give me some feedback please.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

I think it will look great with the wider ribbon and hand block. Any idea of the price yet ?















Just do the next right thing !!

 

[Lee Keppler]

Same as my Raiders, $135.00. I just re-bashed it and now it doesn't look pre-formed. I'll order all future ones open crown and give 'em the Falcon bash myself.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Well, I've been in touch with Lee about ordering one of these. I've been wanting a grey hat, and first looked at the Akubra offerings before deciding to give my business to Mr. Keppler. My original idea was to get a dark grey Indy, but now this Bogie is looking too good to pass up.

Specs, according to Lee, are: "2 1/4" snap brim, 4 3/8" at
the tallest point and 4 1/8" in the front in a size 7 1/8. A bound or welted edge is available, but the welted edge is stitched."

He also said that its actually a little darker than the photos show, which is great. It'll go great with my trenchcoat!

Now I just need to decide what edge to get. I've always liked the raw edges on hats, since that's what my first favorite fedora (Indy's) had, but a bound edge seems dressier, and most of the hats I notice in Golden Era films seem to have either a bound or welted edge. I'm leaning more towards the welted edge for this hat. Is a stitched welt necessarily a bad thing?

Those of you that have vintage hats, what is the general style for the edge, and do you good folks have any opinions one way or the other?

Many thanks to Andykev for the information on welts in another thread.

Thanks,

Brad

 

[Michaelson]

I'm currently in the same boat, as I've been talking to Lee as recently as yesterday about this hat. I'm also leaning toward a welted edge, but in retrospect, that reminds me of the old cheap wool fedoras we ran across all through the 1980's, so I'm leaning BACK toward the raw edge myself. I've never been a fan of the bound edge. I've seen to many cheezy gangster movies, and the the henchmen or gamblers always seemed to be the ones wearing them. (grins) If this is as good as his Indy hat, and considering it's from the same company and hand bashed by the same man, I can only see another winner coming in my direction next year. Other than that, I'm exactly at the same point that you are in my decision making on my order. I'm also wondering what a 2 1/4 inch brim is going to look like with my thinner face. I'm used to at least a 2 3/4 brim. Hummm. More to ponder.....Regards. Michaelson

 

[Brad Bowers]

Originally posted by Michaelson
...that reminds me of the old cheap wool fedoras we ran across all through the 1980's,

That's been my gut reaction, too. I can't seem to get past it, yet I look at "The Maltese Falcon," and it looks good on Bogart, so I'm torn. Since Lee hasn't seen the welted edge, either, I might be the guinea pig.

The narrower brim should go fine with a thin face, since Bogart wears it so well. I've got a round face, and I've always preferred the larger brims, so the narrower brim might look funny on me. Still, Lee's new offering is unique and classy, too nice to pass up!

Brad