Woodtroll
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,263
- Location
- Mtns. of SW Virginia
My new Lightning Ridge arrived today, and all I can say is, WOW! It's funny how in the 5 years since I bought my first felt hat (Akubra Slouch), my taste in style has changed. After my first Slouch, I bought a Cattleman, which I did after hours and days of pouring over the website, deciding between models. The Cattleman looked the most like what I was looking for. Although I still have my Cattleman, and have no plans on parting with it, it took a back seat to my Slouch, so I decided to buy a second Slouch (one size bigger than my first).
Recently I got the hankering for another Akubra, so I went back to the site and started looking again. My two main criteria were that it have a smaller brim (at least slightly) than the Slouch, which is 3.5", and that it be in lighter color. I happened upon the Lightning Ridge, and fell in love with the sand color. But with a 3" brim, I was worried it might not be "enough" smaller than my Slouch, particularly for wearing around town. Out on the trail, the Slouch's brim is excellent. I also wanted to try a crown that was something besides a pinched telescope, since all three of my Akuras have that crown.
So my initial impressions when I received my Lightning Ridge were how incredible the felt looked and felt. The thickness just screams quality, without making the hat feel heavy. The 3" brim width is just perfect! I very much liked the color in person, as I thought I would. I didn't care for the dark leather band with the opal, but that's OK, because I knew I would be replacing it regardless, with a puggaree. I can't help it, I know they aren't everyone's cup of tea, but to me the pug just screams "adventure" like no other hat band. My wife and daughter both preferred the original hatband, they liked the dark leather contrast.
Another thing I wasn't crazy about was how wide the flat area between the pinches was on the front of the crown. So that's where my modifications began. I removed the liner immediately (I can't stand them), and then I fired up the tea kettle to get to work bashing. I'm pretty confident with the tea kettle after being so happy with how my recent Slouch turned out, when I changed it from a military bash to a pinched telescope. So on my new hat, I deepened and lengthened the side dents, bringing the front to a much narrower pinch. Then I added the puggaree off my Slouch, to see how it would look. I have two more pugs on order, and will use one of the new ones on the Slouch. Now I am in love with the way my new Lightning Ridge looks. I may make one final modification though...since I'll now have 3 good, aftermarket pugs, I think I'm going to use tea to dye one of them, making it a fair bit darker, and then see how I like it on the sand colored Lightning Ridge, for just a bit more contrast.
Sorry for the teaser post without photos. I'll try to get photo or two tomorrow of my new hat, showing the "upgraded" dents and pinch. I think I may have found my new favorite Akubra. In fact, it probably won't be my last Lightning Ridge...a fawn one is calling my name.
I dislike liners too; that is usually the first modification I make. But I do save them so they can be put back in somewhere down the road.
It sounds like you aren't afraid to take a hat and make it your own! That's one of the good things about the Akubras; they are relatively cheap and are available brand new, so I'm not afraid to do what I want to them, knowing I'm not committing sacrilege on a vintage hat or fine custom.
Good luck!
Regan