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Akubra Campdraft

Scuttle

One of the Regulars
Messages
114
This hat wants to be the boss of me... I ain't gonna let that happen.

Crease is getting there:

xKxdrPz.jpg


Might just plain step on the thing for a while, next.

~ S.
 
Last edited:
Messages
10,883
Location
vancouver, canada
So I know this is in here somewhere because I’ve seen something about it, but can’t find it.
I have 3 Campdrafts, the taupe fawn and BGG are my go to. Wear them daily. The SB I rarely wear because the brim has a big curl to it. And when I pop the front down, it is very drastic.
857a6f1b223244637ed8c1eb2c2e924f.jpg

c6f9c515be4de722ec4b0b7a5cd55f3a.jpg


Is there a way to flatten them brim a bit to look more like my others...
9c8fbe6cee9a3735e12c73eddc868ac1.jpg


Looking back at older pics of the SB, it used to not have this much of a curl.

Thanks for the help


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My SB just arrived. I purchased it with the intent to wear brim up but mine has a much more radical upturn than my BGG. It is not so severe when I flip it down however. So I guess I will be wearing it snapped down. Still a damn fine hat for so little $$$$ ....it was only the 3.5 month wait that was painful.
 

Scuttle

One of the Regulars
Messages
114
^ Looks like it's already there to me; I like the shape and height of the crown, and the proportions with the brim up. And welcome to The Lounge!

Thanks!

And, thanks to @bluesforchallah whose CD profiles inspire(d) me, and who offered me early encouragement when I asked him about his hats via PM.
thumbup1.gif~original


Profile:
swTftTV.jpg


As far as "already there"? Almost.

Different elements still want to pop back, regardless of distilled water mistings, light steam, etc.. For example, the front keeps squaring out more than I'd like even after pretending to keep my chosen angles, but is finally coming into (preferred) line.

Great hat, tho, clearly able to take More. I wore it out in the rain this morning, then continued to set the front of the brim with... materials on hand.

azqH8x2.jpg


;)

~ S.
 
Messages
12,032
Location
East of Los Angeles
...Different elements still want to pop back, regardless of distilled water mistings, light steam, etc..
Your use of the word "mistings" caught my attention. I've only ever used distilled water on my hats because I don't have a way to properly apply steam, but I spray them until the water begins to "pool" on the felt a little, pour off the excess, then wait...well, I've never actually timed it, but probably 30-60 seconds...for the felt to absorb the remaining water so it's good and wet. After that it usually shapes rather easily, and once I'm satisfied with the new shape I set the hat aside and let it dry at room temperature. So far my method doesn't appear to have harmed the felt(s) in any way, and they hold their new shape well. That being said, I've only been wearing hats regularly since 2008 and have only done this on new/modern hats. Professional/more experienced hatters would probably suggest a better method, but this works for me.
 
That being said, I've only been wearing hats regularly since 2008 and have only done this on new/modern hats. Professional/more experienced hatters would probably suggest a better method, but this works for me.

I'm much less experienced, but have used soakings with distilled water with no ill effect on both vintage and new felts (including a Camp Draft). Roy doesn't seem to have any issues either...

 

Scuttle

One of the Regulars
Messages
114
Your use of the word "mistings" caught my attention. I've only ever used distilled water on my hats because I don't have a way to properly apply steam, but I spray them until the water begins to "pool" on the felt a little, pour off the excess, then wait...

Thanks for your more complete explanation. While I do technically "mist" my hat, the actual effect is more what you described-- a goodly amount of pooled, pourable water.

My main distinction (for now) being, I've set two Homburgs and re-creased a Hampton using far less water/steam than this Camp Draft is asking for. The CD shapes, it dries, it unmorphs in defiance. Or at least it did, up until this week end. I'm liking where it is, at last. What a great hat!

Now, to Stop fussin' with it! [I enjoy shaping open crowns, but tend to get picky about them in a way I don't with pre-creased items.]

I'm much less experienced, but have used soakings with distilled water with no ill effect on both vintage and new felts (including a Camp Draft). Roy doesn't seem to have any issues either...


o_O

Oh, right; I always seem to forget about that video. :confused: The reason I don't use tap water is because our city puts so many chemicals in ours that I'm concerned it might discolor the felt.

Right! Our city water is notably bad (nobody drinks it straight from the tap, and in fact pregnant women and small children are warned against it outright). :eek: I'm grateful for the distilled water tip, and so many others.

~ S.
 
Messages
12,032
Location
East of Los Angeles
...My main distinction (for now) being, I've set two Homburgs and re-creased a Hampton using far less water/steam than this Camp Draft is asking for. The CD shapes, it dries, it unmorphs in defiance. Or at least it did, up until this week end. I'm liking where it is, at last. What a great hat!
I know exactly what you're describing here. Every one of my Akubras did the same thing to some degree the first time I creased them, and I quickly learned I needed to check them occasionally as they dried to make sure they were holding their new shape, and tweak them a little if they weren't. In my experience this is even more prevalent with their deluxe/Heritage Quality felt hats; I only have one, but I had to crease the crown twice and the brim four times before it held the shape I wanted. That Heritage felt is some resilient stuff. Regardless, after you're re-shaped them two or three times the felt "loosens up" a bit and is more willing to accept new shapes.
 

moontheloon

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,592
Location
NJ
I know exactly what you're describing here. Every one of my Akubras did the same thing to some degree the first time I creased them, and I quickly learned I needed to check them occasionally as they dried to make sure they were holding their new shape, and tweak them a little if they weren't. In my experience this is even more prevalent with their deluxe/Heritage Quality felt hats; I only have one, but I had to crease the crown twice and the brim four times before it held the shape I wanted. That Heritage felt is some resilient stuff. Regardless, after you're re-shaped them two or three times the felt "loosens up" a bit and is more willing to accept new shapes.
My question is ... why in the world would anyone want to deal with any of this ?
 

The Wiser Hatter

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,765
Location
Louisville, Ky
Just use a steamer so so so much easier than plain water. It’s what is used to make the hat originally. All hats are steamed it’s the practice since the beginning. The Roy Rogers thing was done with a light felt hat which you don’t see in modern hats they just don’t make felt like that any more.


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bluesforchallah

Practically Family
Messages
728
Location
Shakedown Street, Seattle

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