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Akubra Campdraft

PAZ28

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
Germany
Akubra Campdraft, which size?

Hi!

I'm new here and that's my first thread. I hope you can help me... :)

I wanna buy an Akubra Campdraft and my question is, shall i buy it in the right size or a size taller?
I'm asking because some kinda felt hats shrink when they get wet and dry again...
I never had an Akubra before so i dunno if it would happen to the Campdraft.

And what would be the rigth size? My head circumference is approx. 58cm...

Thanks!

Alex
 

Rogera

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,365
Location
West Texas
Your size. They usually fit a tad big at first then contract to a perfect fit after creasing and a little wear.
 

Grizzly Adams

A-List Customer
Messages
364
Location
New Mexico
When we were ordering the FL edition of the Bluegrass Campdraft, I was advised to buy the next size up. I normally wear a 57. I ordered the 58, and it was big. Padded the sweat for a month or so, and finally was able to take it all out. Hat fits fine now. FWIW...[huh]

PS: I live in a dry climate (NM) and I noted that when I was visiting in OR this summer that the hat seems to "grow" a half size again!:eusa_doh:
 

PAZ28

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
Germany
Thanks! So i think i will stick to my size. At least i can put something behind the sweatband if it's a bit to big.

thanks for helping me!
Now i have to order and wait for it, quite a long time...

See ya!

Alex
 

enrique

New in Town
Its been almost 2 weeks since I ordered my Campdraft, in between checking the front porch for the UPS carrier I have been reading up on how to put a cattleman's crease in it myself -- is it really as simple as shown in this video? Are there any drawbacks to using steam (I am thinking potential shrinkage). I have also read a lot of postings suggesting just get it wet and bash it the way I want it. Anyone have a prefered method for bashing this hat western style?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-pGgrXI3uI
 

Landman

One Too Many
Messages
1,751
Location
San Antonio, TX
Enrique,

Steam certainly won't hurt a Campdraft. Just make sure you don't get it too close to the heat source. You don't want to heat the felt but just let the felt absorb the moisture from the steam. Don't apply any steam to the sweatband because that could cause shrinkage to the leather.

My experience with the Campdraft has been that since it is a heavier felt it doesn't hold a dry bash well until it gets a little moisture. Instead of steam, I prefer to mist it lightly with distilled water and then shape it. That method gives me more time to work with the crease and holds it better. The felt will look a little blotchy when it is wet but don't panic. When the felt dries it will look just like it did before you applied the moisture. You also might want to give it a light brushing after the felt dries. A good quality natural bristle paint brush works well for a hat brush.

You can certainly try dry bashing it first though. I've just had better luck getting the crease to hold with a little moisture.
 
Messages
10,524
Location
DnD Ranch, Cherokee County, GA
... Anyone have a prefered method for bashing this hat western style?
...

I use a sprayer with distilled water like Mike suggested earlier. I wet down the crown then put it on my head looking in a mirror.
Using a paper clip in the ribbon band, I center it with my nose so I can line up the center dent. Regardless of the crease, getting the center lined up with how the hat will actually be on your head is a key first step IMHO... I use steam to "set" the crease once I have it like I want it. HTH
 

Orangegrad

Practically Family
Messages
918
Location
Northeast, OH
New bash for my BGCD

I was tired of the center dent. All my fedoras have center dents. So I tried something a bit different.

IMG_2099.jpg IMG_2098.jpg IMG_2097.jpg IMG_2096.jpg IMG_2095.jpg IMG_2094.JPG IMG_2093.JPG

I have to say this took over two hours to get the way I wanted it. And it might get a bit of touching up here and there. Not sure if you can see - but I put in very shallow back dents as well. They just seemed to fit the style.
 
Last edited:

Orangegrad

Practically Family
Messages
918
Location
Northeast, OH
Orangegrad, fun bash. You always look so happy wearing you CDs. I share that sentiment.

,,,Mike

Thanks, Mike. I think I'm finding that I prefer thin ribbons to all others. I have to Camp Drafts and two Alessandrias and an early 50s 3X beaver OR. I suspect I'll have more thin ribbons as the years go on.
 

viclip

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Canada
I use a sprayer with distilled water like Mike suggested earlier. I wet down the crown then put it on my head looking in a mirror.
Using a paper clip in the ribbon band, I center it with my nose so I can line up the center dent. Regardless of the crease, getting the center lined up with how the hat will actually be on your head is a key first step IMHO... I use steam to "set" the crease once I have it like I want it. HTH
Thx for the great paperclip tip. I've had a dickens of a time properly centering dents/bashes, this should greatly assist
 

Orangegrad

Practically Family
Messages
918
Location
Northeast, OH
Andy, my congrats, to that nice new bash. Nicely done. The back dents are a secret tip too. Never seen that and looks cool!

Thanks, Manfred. At first the back dents were accidental. Then once I saw them, I decided I like them. Not very noticeable - but for those who look for details, they're there.
 

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