Akubra Campdraft

[Scooterz]

What kind of wire is the reed made from? Is it likely to get the verdigris from oxidation?

 

[dkstott]

I'm fairly certain that the wire is piano wire / stainless steel. No worries about corrosion.

I removed the wire from my first hat after it got sat on. The wire bent and I couldn't get the shape back to normal. It felt more comfortable to me after that, so I removed the wire from my other Akubra's.

 

[PanosChris]

This one came fast. Taupe fawn is another great color to own. I start to like thin ribbon fedoras more and more

What's next ?

Panos

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[Desert dog]

This one came fast. Taupe fawn is another great color to own. I start to like thin ribbon fedoras more and more

What's next ?

Panos

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Another great looking hat Panos! Moonstone is a color that that I wear a lot.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[BIGG SHOW]

Hello all,
I’m getting ready to pull the trigger on a cedar brown Campdraft Deluxe. I’ve never bought one before and I’ve never tried one on...

I’ve read here and elsewhere that the regular Campdraft’s “shrink fit”. I’m a 7 3/4 in a Stetson etc. should I order the same with a Campdraft? I don’t want the hassle of an exchange all the way to the land down under so I want to make sure I get it right the first time.
I appreciate any info.

Cheers

ps - can I steam bash my own crease at home with a Deluxe? I know it’s a heavier if not stiffer, more dense felt?

 

[1967Cougar390]

Bigg, I would definitely check your head size before ordering. I found that after measuring my head and trying on cowboy hats at my local Tractor Supply store that I was in between sizes. I ordered the next size up and I feel like my Akubras feel great. I have noticed a small amount of shrinking of the sweatband, but I really call it conforming to my head.

Shaping or bashing your own crease is a pretty straight forward process. There are a lot of good videos on YouTube showing how it’s done. All I’ve used is a tea kettle for my steam source. I hope this helps. Check the Akubra Overload thread on this site it has a great amount of information.

Steven

 

[Frunobulax]

There is already a wealth of information on the Lounge about CDs and Akubras.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/akubra-campdraft.32716/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/akubra-overload.33000/

 

[BIGG SHOW]

Thank you kindly for the information. I appreciate it. I’m actually in between a 7 5/8 and 7 3/4 in hat size. I’ve had my head measured at a professional hat shop so to speak. I have a couple fur felt Stetsons both size 7 3/4 and they fit perfect. So, I’ll go with the same size for a CD.

I know I can steam and bash my own hat at home and I have done so at least once already. I just wasn’t sure if the Deluxe CD was too stiff for a DIY steam bash at home.
Thanks again all
Cheers

 

[Frunobulax]

Thank you kindly for the information. I appreciate it. I’m actually in between a 7 5/8 and 7 3/4 in hat size. I’ve had my head measured at a professional hat shop so to speak. I have a couple fur felt Stetsons both size 7 3/4 and they fit perfect. So, I’ll go with the same size for a CD.

I know I can steam and bash my own hat at home and I have done so at least once already. I just wasn’t sure if the Deluxe CD was too stiff for a DIY steam bash at home.
Thanks again all
Cheers

I have a Deluxe that came open crown. It did just fine.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thank you kindly for the information. I appreciate it. I’m actually in between a 7 5/8 and 7 3/4 in hat size. I’ve had my head measured at a professional hat shop so to speak. I have a couple fur felt Stetsons both size 7 3/4 and they fit perfect. So, I’ll go with the same size for a CD.

I know I can steam and bash my own hat at home and I have done so at least once already. I just wasn’t sure if the Deluxe CD was too stiff for a DIY steam bash at home.
Thanks again all
Cheers

The CD is an easy hat to crease on your own.

There are already many threads with all sorts of relevant info if you take the time to search the forum. By searching old threads you can find a great accumulation of knowledge. If you still can’t find exactly what you’re looking for it’s helpful if you add your questions to a related existing thread rather than starting a new thread. If nothing else, the Ask A Question, Get An Answer thread can be used. As it is, one of the site’s moderators (bartenders) will almost certainly merge this new thread into an existing thread.

 

[BIGG SHOW]

I have a Deluxe that came open crown. It did just fine.

Cool, thanks Frunobulax.
Cheers

 

[BIGG SHOW]

The CD is an easy hat to crease on your own.

There are already many threads with all sorts of relevant info if you take the time to search the forum. By searching old threads you can find a great accumulation of knowledge. If you still can’t find exactly what you’re looking for it’s helpful if you add your questions to a related existing thread rather than starting a new thread. If nothing else, the Ask A Question, Get An Answer thread can be used. As it is, one of the site’s moderators (bartenders) will almost certainly merge this new thread into an existing thread.

With all due respect,
I’m lucky I’m able to navigate this site well enough to correspond at all.

I have a deep understanding and admiration for rules as well as structure. I do. Nevertheless, one must recognize there is a difference between ignorance and arrogance. I regret if my lack of technological skill is a burden. In my world “Bartenders” serve me cold Budweiser an’ Whiskey sours and the only people “on line” are trapeze artists.

I’m not involved with social media or any other forums of the like.
My genuine life long love for fine hats pushed me to sign up here and ask questions so I could bone up on my knowledge of fur felt tops. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be typing this.

Cheers

 

[deadlyhandsome]

With all due respect,
I’m lucky I’m able to navigate this site well enough to correspond at all.

I have a deep understanding and admiration for rules as well as structure. I do. Nevertheless, one must recognize there is a difference between ignorance and arrogance. I regret if my lack of technological skill is a burden. In my world “Bartenders” serve me cold Budweiser an’ Whiskey sours and the only people “on line” are trapeze artists.

I’m not involved with social media or any other forums of the like.
My genuine life long love for fine hats pushed me to sign up here and ask questions so I could bone up on my knowledge of fur felt tops. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be typing this.

Cheers

I figured it was just a lack of understanding how this site works. I’m not a tech savvy guy myself, but when you join a group the onus is on you to try to learn how it works. Not a big deal when mistakes are made.

The best way to search The Lounge is to use a search engine (Google etc.) and add the words “The Fedora Lounge” (e.g., Akubra Campdraft Fedora Lounge).

Cheers,

 

[tropicalbob]

It's way better to have a hat that's a bit too large than too small. Besides, HatsDirect usually includes a few styrofoam spacers in the box that you can slip in behind the sweatband if you need to. I just got the CBCD a few months back and absolutely love the thing.

 

[BIGG SHOW]

It's way better to have a hat that's a bit too large than too small. Besides, HatsDirect usually includes a few styrofoam spacers in the box that you can slip in behind the sweatband if you need to. I just got the CBCD a few months back and absolutely love the thing.

Thanks Bob!
So, I’m assuming the Campdraft runs true to size?
Your ringing endorsement is encouraging.

two questions,

1, how tall is the crown? I’m a bit anxious about it. It seems many lounge members prefer a tall crown. Not so much myself. The CD has many stellar reviews and I have no doubt it’s a quality item yet, I worry I’ll look as if I’m wearing a top hat. I want to avoid that!

2, how’s the color? How dark? As I’m sure you know, it can be hard to get a feel for it with online pictures alone. My dream come true would be a “Whiskey” color. That would be superb. A semi light, almost golden honey tan. A man can dream.

Cheers

 

[Frunobulax]

Please read the threads above. All of your answers, and more, are contained in those threads. That's what they are there for. Dimensions of Camp Drafts are listed on the sellers' websites.

It may be helpful to perform some of your own due diligence prior to purchasing the hat.

 

[T Jones]

Thanks Bob!
So, I’m assuming the Campdraft runs true to size?
Your ringing endorsement is encouraging.

two questions,

1, how tall is the crown? I’m a bit anxious about it. It seems many lounge members prefer a tall crown. Not so much myself. The CD has many stellar reviews and I have no doubt it’s a quality item yet, I worry I’ll look as if I’m wearing a top hat. I want to avoid that!

2, how’s the color? How dark? As I’m sure you know, it can be hard to get a feel for it with online pictures alone. My dream come true would be a “Whiskey” color. That would be superb. A semi light, almost golden honey tan. A man can dream.

Cheers

As far as the open crown being too tall or looking like a top hat, I don't think you'll have any worries. The open crown is blocked in such a way that it will give a nice and proportionate full crease. Akubra was actually one of a few hat companies that was licensed by Stetson to make their Open Roads a good time back.

 

[Woodtroll]

1, how tall is the crown? I’m a bit anxious about it. It seems many lounge members prefer a tall crown. Not so much myself. The CD has many stellar reviews and I have no doubt it’s a quality item yet, I worry I’ll look as if I’m wearing a top hat. I want to avoid that!

2, how’s the color? How dark? As I’m sure you know, it can be hard to get a feel for it with online pictures alone. My dream come true would be a “Whiskey” color. That would be superb. A semi light, almost golden honey tan. A man can dream.

Cheers

Keep in mind, on us big-headed guys (I wear a 7-3/4), an "average" brim and crown size actually can look small or "stingy". It's not strictly a matter of dimensions (actual size), but proportions. I have a Campdraft and am just able to get a full teardrop crease into without the top of the hat laying on my head, which I intensely dislike. I honestly wish it were a little taller, so I do not think, once you get it creased, that you will think it looks too tall on you.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[Scooterz]

Thanks Bob!
So, I’m assuming the Campdraft runs true to size?
Your ringing endorsement is encouraging.

two questions,

1, how tall is the crown? I’m a bit anxious about it. It seems many lounge members prefer a tall crown. Not so much myself. The CD has many stellar reviews and I have no doubt it’s a quality item yet, I worry I’ll look as if I’m wearing a top hat. I want to avoid that!

2, how’s the color? How dark? As I’m sure you know, it can be hard to get a feel for it with online pictures alone. My dream come true would be a “Whiskey” color. That would be superb. A semi light, almost golden honey tan. A man can dream.

Cheers

You can lower the crown quite a bit. You may have to make a little dome in the top. I use the back of my hand or a kids toy ball to shape the dome. Shaping is best done with spritzing/spraying distilled water on Akubras rather than steam. Search for Zombie_61's posts and you will see much lower crown shapes than some others tend to go for on here. Bigger side dents also help depending on the shape you like. There is a slight tradeoff, lower crown height makes it harder to have deeper side dents. None of this is really hard and perfectly symmetrical hat creases aren't always the "coolest". Some asymmetry makes the hat look lived in and more at home on your head. Almost no one who sees you wearing a hat in public is looking at your crease, most are just going "wow that guy is wearing a hat" and wishing they had the guts to wear one. Post pics of your results. Use Google search for old posts by moontheloon about how to crease or bash hats. He had a youtube video too. I cannot always find the older posts by the search on the current fedora lounge search function.

 

[BIGG SHOW]

Thank you kindly to Mr T Jones, Mr Woodtroll and Mr Scooterz!

I appreciate the helpful, encouraging comments and information.

I do “perform” my “own due diligence prior to purchasing” a hat. There’s only so much you can grasp through pictures, written word and item descriptions.

I’ve always been of the mind state that it’s best to hold an item in your hand and try it on first and foremost. With a hat sold only in Australia (I’m in Boston, USA) that option isn’t available.

Call me crazy but the way I see it, the next best thing would be to reach out to folks familiar with the hat. Those who have direct experience with it.

I figured a site named “The Fedora Lounge” was as good a place to start as any. Aren’t I a loon?!

Cheers