Akubra Overload

[1967Cougar390]

The brims on all three of my Fed IVs were rather flat when I received them, but developed more pronounced flange on their own during the first few weeks I wore them; not a deep flange by any means, but more noticeable. Steam and a little shaping should do the trick on yours.

As far as the boxes Hats Direct/The Hattery uses, this has been an on again/off again problem for quite some time. When I ordered my first Fed IV back in 2008 it arrived with one end of the shipping carton crushed inward approximately 25%. I had been advised to expect this because it was a chronic problem at the time, so I wasn't too surprised and was pleased when the hat inside was unharmed.

I was able to coax the flange of the brim exactly how I wanted. I gave the front a little extra “snap down” because it would not stay down on its own. My Moonstone has a perfect flange and snap to the brim.

Steven

 

[Zombie_61]

I was able to coax the flange of the brim exactly how I wanted. I gave the front a little extra “snap down” because it would not stay down on its own. My Moonstone has a perfect flange and snap to the brim.

Steven

Snap? On a Fed IV? None of mine ever had that ability so I simply shaped the fronts of the brims as I wanted them and left them alone. Not a perfect solution, but good enough for me.

 

[Boomerang]

Snap? On a Fed IV? None of mine ever had that ability so I simply shaped the fronts of the brims as I wanted them and left them alone...

The first Fed IV I received was in black. That bad-boy is stiff as a board the the brim does indeed "snap" up and down. My moonstone Fed IV is less stiff overall, and the brim gently "clunks" up and down. My tawny fawn Fed IV arrived floppy as all get-out. It's definitely the least-firm hat I own, and the one that took the most work to get into shape.

So my experience is that stiffening on the Fed IV is all over the road. Not a complaint, just an observation.

 

[1967Cougar390]

Snap? On a Fed IV? None of mine ever had that ability so I simply shaped the fronts of the brims as I wanted them and left them alone. Not a perfect solution, but good enough for me.

On the Tawny Fawn that’s basically what I did. I steamed the brim 1/4 of the way around at a time until I achieved my desired results. I added a little extra dip at the front might be a better term than snap. It looks good to me so that’s how it will stay. The Moonstone actually snaps and stays down or can be snapped back up. I will definitely wear it in the down position. Both Feds are wonderful and I couldn’t be happier with them.
Steven

 

[1967Cougar390]

The first Fed IV I received was in black. That bad-boy is stiff as a board the the brim does indeed "snap" up and down. My moonstone Fed IV is less stiff overall, and the brim gently "clunks" up and down. My tawny fawn Fed IV arrived floppy as all get-out. It's definitely the least-firm hat I own, and the one that took the most work to get into shape.

So my experience is that stiffening on the Fed IV is all over the road. Not a complaint, just an observation.

My Tawny Fawn Fed took the most work to shape of all of my hats. I enjoyed the challenge and the end result. I feel the work really makes it my own.

Steven

 

[Zombie_61]

The first Fed IV I received was in black. That bad-boy is stiff as a board the the brim does indeed "snap" up and down. My moonstone Fed IV is less stiff overall, and the brim gently "clunks" up and down. My tawny fawn Fed IV arrived floppy as all get-out. It's definitely the least-firm hat I own, and the one that took the most work to get into shape.

So my experience is that stiffening on the Fed IV is all over the road. Not a complaint, just an observation.

It's not only the Fed IVs; varying degrees of stiffness seems to be common on all of the hats Akubra makes. Most of my Akubras were about the same when I got them, but one of my Campdrafts was so stiff that it actually required some effort to snap the front of the brim down the first three or four times. And on my most recent Akubra, a stingy-brimmed Hampton, the crown was/is so soft and malleable that it seems they forgot to use stiffener on it. *shrug*

 

[Héctor Fernández]

Is this level of stiffness equally as hard with the open crown models?

 

[Rumad]

Mine was open crown Héctor. It came pretty stiff, the brim much more than the crown. I pretty much wore it for a week, and between all the steaming/tweaking I did plus being in the rain twice it already seems a bit softer. I’ll say it pretty unfair to compare them to customs, because they’re just different animals, but I WILL say I’m very happy with mine.

 

[Héctor Fernández]

Thanks my friend. I believe you are right, it would be an unfair comparison.

Mine was open crown Héctor. It came pretty stiff, the brim much more than the crown. I pretty much wore it for a week, and between all the steaming/tweaking I did plus being in the rain twice it already seems a bit softer. I’ll say it pretty unfair to compare them to customs, because they’re just different animals, but I WILL say I’m very happy with mine.

 

[Zombie_61]

Mine was open crown Héctor. It came pretty stiff, the brim much more than the crown. I pretty much wore it for a week, and between all the steaming/tweaking I did plus being in the rain twice it already seems a bit softer...

Akubras like rain! Well, mine do anyway. It's probably an effect of the so-called "acid rain" we're allegedly exposed to these days, but rain water has had a softening effect on the felts of my Akubras; slight, but noticeable. And while they're wet it's a good time to tweak the crease/bash if you so desire--the hat's already wet, why not take advantage of the opportunity?

 

[1967Cougar390]

Is this level of stiffness equally as hard with the open crown models?

Hector, three of my Akubras came open crown and the stiffness compared The same to my Stylemaster.

Steven

 

[tropicalbob]

Is this level of stiffness equally as hard with the open crown models?

Hi, Hector. After looking at the Akubras I have and reading the comments of other members, I've come to the conclusion (could be wrong) that the style has nothing to do with the stiffness or softness of a particular hat. Rather, it seems to me that particular production runs display more or less stiffness due to either the amount of starch added during production or the way a particular run of fur felt absorbs the starch. I'm just guessing but it makes sense to me. I'd like to ask a custom hatter the question.

 

[1967Cougar390]

I posted this in another thread but it seems to be a perfect fit for the Akubra Overload.

From left to right:
Fed IV in Moonstone
Stylemaster in Carbon Grey
Fed IV in Tawny Fawn
Sydney in Regency Fawn

Steven

 

[crawlinkingsnake]

Nice post Cougar. When I saw your name made me think. I saw a 1967 Olds 442 today in mint condition. Would love to own it.

 

[1967Cougar390]

Nice post Cougar. When I saw your name made me think. I saw a 1967 Olds 442 today in mint condition. Would love to own it.

The 442 is a great car. Luxury and muscle is a great combination.

Steven

 

[DaveProc]

The old Fed IV today

 

[DaveProc]

Fed IV today

 

[johnnycanuck]

Anyone else remember the fedoras Akubra used to make? Like the Clubman?
Johnny

 

[Ian]

I do remember the Clubman and similar Johnny, and my Dad was of the era where going to work at the office without a hat was sacrilege. I was an outdoor worker so my choices were bigger brims for shade and a handmade brow band. Now I'm an office worker in mental health and today's choice is my no longer available Akubra semi Homburg that I altered the bash and brim on

 

[1967Cougar390]

I’m thinking about getting another Stylemaster. I’m intrigued by the Bluegrass Green. Does anyone have outdoor pictures of this color Stylemaster? I don’t want a Leprechaun green, the Bluegrass looks like a lighter grey with some hints of blue and green. Is this correct?

Steven