Akubra Campdraft Question

[Edward]

And also - (@ Edward) - I thought the front brim would snap down naturally i.e. with no need for steaming?

My Campdraft was noticebly stiffer all over than any of my other Akubras (as I'd tend to ecpect with a more 'Western' style). The brim as new was raised all round and din't seem to have any snap to it (very different than the Federations). I had to steam it to get it to curve downwards at all. No idea how representative this is of the model more broadly as I've only ever shaped that one, but I was under the impression that, it being a Western hat, it didn't have a snap brim as part of the design.

 

[Paravians]

I've got my Campdraft today, just came home this evening and opened it! I think 10 days AU to Europe is pretty good, even considering the festive period.
It was well boxed:

But no Akubra box (or anything else, like foam pads etc.):

However it is in perfect conditions, sorry for the artificial light and bad quality of the pics:

I immediately tried if the front snaps down, and it does easily:

I ordered my size i.e. 58cm, both my Angler and Stylemaster fit perfectly in this size.

This above is my Stylemaster with a hat stretcher gently inserted. Fits the same with the Angler.

However , the stretcher (bolt unmoved) goes way deep inside the Campdraft!! The hat is LARGE easily a 59 or 59.5. In fact it touches my ears. I have managed to make it fit perfectly with a couple of cork strips. However I am surprised.

I sprayed some water on it (didn't want to stress the fibres) and tried a crease (still have to watch those videos above!) just to see how it fits.

Overall the hat is lovely even though I am surprised at the size, it's also rather stiff ...I was hoping in a softer hat. It will soften with use I guess. The colour is lovely and goes on everything I suppose (can't wait to see it in daylight).

 

[Frunobulax]

I've got my Campdraft today, just came home this evening and opened it! I think 10 days AU to Europe is pretty good, even considering the festive period.
It was well boxed:

But no Akubra box (or anything else, like foam pads etc.):

However it is in perfect conditions, sorry for the artificial light and bad quality of the pics:

I immediately tried if the front snaps down, and it does easily:

I ordered my size i.e. 58cm, both my Angler and Stylemaster fit perfectly in this size.

This above is my Stylemaster with a hat stretcher gently inserted. Fits the same with the Angler.

However , the stretcher (bolt unmoved) goes way deep inside the Campdraft!! The hat is LARGE easily a 59 or 59.5. In fact it touches my ears. I have managed to make it fit perfectly with a couple of cork strips. However I am surprised.

I sprayed some water on it (didn't want to stress the fibres) and tried a crease (still have to watch those videos above!) just to see how it fits.

Overall the hat is lovely even though I am surprised at the size, it's also rather stiff ...I was hoping in a softer hat. It will soften with use I guess. The colour is lovely and goes on everything I suppose (can't wait to see it in daylight).

Read through the Akubra Overload thread ( where most Akubra discussions take place. You'll find your sizing issue is the norm, not he exception. All three of my CDs were at least a size larger on me upon delivery. Wear it for a while with the sizing strips, and over time the sweatband will shrink and conform to your head. It may take a couple dozen wearings, or even a couple months, but eventually it'll shrink to fit.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[daddy0d0]

Morning all, I've got a question I'm hoping you can help me with. I want to soften up the crease on my Campdraft and need some guidance. I no longer like how tight the crease is in front and want to round it out a bit but it doesn't want to cooperate. When I try to work it out I continue to get a "ghost effect", crease is still visible to some degree. Is there anyway to get the crease out completely?

 

[jlee562]

Try more steam first. But yeah, when those tight creases get put in, a reblock is usually in order to sort it all out. Lots of folks on COW find this out when they decide they no longer like the "Raiders" crease.

 

[RJR]

View attachment 98283 View attachment 98283 Morning all, I've got a question I'm hoping you can help me with. I want to soften up the crease on my Campdraft and need some guidance. I no longer like how tight the crease is in front and want to round it out a bit but it doesn't want to cooperate. When I try to work it out I continue to get a "ghost effect", crease is still visible to some degree. Is there anyway to get the crease out completely?

It will likely take a LOT of steam and maybe a couple of tries.

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

You might need to take it back to a dome and then reshape it. A very slightly undersized dome can be used to get the old shape out and let it dry and reset without ruining or removing the sweatband. Then reshape it after.

You might contact:
http://www.hatshapers.com/Product Pages/Straight_Sided_Dome.htm

and discuss your specific needs with them. Also a search in the forums will get you several suggestions about this process. There are even a few videos on it from Moon's thread on hat shaping.

Fed

 

[Paravians]

I've got a new Campdraft. I tried the wind trolley, which was very snug around the crown. However when I tried to put it back, it's loose, like it's too long. I know it's a stupid thing to ask but for the life of me I cannot make it tight again around the crown. There's nothing along to slide/pull the cord tight.
Second question, the (left part of the) ribbon stays up, should I use hot glue to fix it? Or what? I am afraid to make a mess with the felt.
I know these are dumb/anal questions but it looks messy, see pic. (I have searched the forum and the Campdraft mega-thread to no avail).

 

[Art Fawcett]

Paravians, please don't use hot glue. To settle the ribbon down put a thin white cloth over the ribbon and put a steam iron on it, it will stay down. For the windcord, just pull the button counter clockwise and it tightens. THat's what the loop is for. It's meant to stay semi tight.

 

[belfastboy]

I've got a new Campdraft. I tried the wind trolley, which was very snug around the crown. However when I tried to put it back, it's loose, like it's too long. I know it's a stupid thing to ask but for the life of me I cannot make it tight again around the crown. There's nothing along to slide/pull the cord tight.
Second question, the (left part of the) ribbon stays up, should I use hot glue to fix it? Or what? I am afraid to make a mess with the felt.
I know these are dumb/anal questions but it looks messy, see pic. (I have searched the forum and the Campdraft mega-thread to no avail).

My CD ribbon does the same thing everytime I put it away in the box. Steaming it puts it back to where it should be but unless I am very careful in placing back in the hat box it bends back in on itself. Alas, mostly I just accept it as it is.....the will of the ribbon is stronger than mine!!!

 

[Paravians]

Thanks Art, pulling anti-clockwise the button worked, the white stuff on the back of the button makes friction with the band itself and it should stay put.
For the ribbon though, I don't even have a clothes iron I'm afraid...
I use this hat when cycling in bad weather, so it will get a bit abused.... that's why I'd like things to stay put in the wind etc.

 

[Paravians]

My CD ribbon does the same thing everytime I put it away in the box. Steaming it puts it back to where it should be but unless I am very careful in placing back in the hat box it bends back in on itself. Alas, mostly I just accept it as it is.....the will of the ribbon is stronger than mine!!!

It bothers me, I must have some OCD (I know I have LOL!)

 

[BobHufford]

For the ribbon though, I don't even have a clothes iron I'm afraid...

If you have a tea kettle you can hit it with a bit of steam and use your finger to flatten it. The bow ends will flap around in the wind, but should return somewhat to their flattened state. It most likely was bent when stored in the box (was folded over against the cardboard if there was a hole for the crown to rest in).

 

[Paravians]

Actually I got the hat only yesterday and the ribbon was fine, pic below.
Now both sides of it are not flat against the brim, they go up. It's weird!

 

[BobHufford]

They may soften up after a few rides in the rain. I'd hold off on the glue for a bit...

 

[Frunobulax]

Wetting the ends of the ribbon with distilled water and smoothing them out with your fingers should help, as well. However, depending on how you store your hat, the ends will flop around and distort over time. So f it really bothers you, you'll likely have to repeat the process.

But no glue. You'll regret that.

 

[Paravians]

It's riding the bike, I do ~30 miles every day, obviously the wind lifts and distorts the ribbon upwards. I will hold the glue, or perhaps a tiny almost-invisible stitch will do....

 

[RJR]

It's riding the bike, I do ~30 miles every day, obviously the wind lifts and distorts the ribbon upwards. I will hold the glue, or perhaps a tiny almost-invisible stitch will do....

A tiny stitch will likely do but I'll assure you that a lot of thin ribbons kinda have "flying"bow tips.

 

[Preacher Man]

Hello Paravians, and welcome to the Lounge! Art is right, no hot glue at all and just pull that wind trolly button counter clockwise and it'll tighten. My ribbon ends on my Campdrafts do exactly the same. I've accepted it as a fact of Campdraft life. As Funobualx says, distilled water applied with a finger will do the trick. Always does for me. You may have to wet the ribbon end down pretty wet, but it always straightens out that infernal curl. Wear that Campdraft well sir! Enjoy it.

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

Your CampDraft is telling you that you move in a forward direction and that its leading ribbon flies to the rear. All 4 of mine do the same. (Well, the last actually now has a medium ribbon over the old ribbon and the ends are sewn.) But the point is that your hat is completely normal.

Just be aware that the wind cord is really cosmetic. Mine failed miserably in a high wind. I had a string blowing from my lapel and a hat blowing down the tarmac at an airport. Not a good thing.

Nice hat.

Enjoy,
Fed