Akubra Overload

[Mm25]

Good job. I can barely see where the original crease was. Do you have a hat block? What method did you use?
Wear it in good health
Johnny

Thanks.
Punched it up dry, then ran hot water over it, inside and out. Took a metal domed mixing bowl that fit and pressed out the crease from the inside while steaming the outside over a tea kettle. I keep thinking I’ll get around to making a block, but when I need one it’s usually on impulse and I just find a way to make due. On rustic hats it works good enough.

 

[johnnycanuck]

It’s official. My “get up and go” has in fact got up and left!

Johnny

 

[johnnycanuck]

Here is my 20 year old Snowy River.

Johnny

 

[G MAN]

Johnny is that your oldest Akubra?
My first Akubra is the Stockman that I recieved as a gift for my 30th birthday.
In 3 weeks it will be 27 years old.
Anyone have an older Akubra?

 

[johnnycanuck]

Johnny is that your oldest Akubra?
My first Akubra is the Stockman that I recieved as a gift for my 30th birthday.
In 3 weeks it will be 27 years old.
Anyone have an older Akubra?
View attachment 337939

Did some quick math.... and I lied. I bought it in 2003. I bought my first one, a federation back in 2001 after thinking about the purchase for over a year. It was two years later I wanted something less formal with an “outback” look. I have at least one that’s older that is called the “down under” but I have only had that hat for about a year.
Johnny

 

[The Shoe]

Johnny is that your oldest Akubra?
My first Akubra is the Stockman that I recieved as a gift for my 30th birthday.
In 3 weeks it will be 27 years old.
Anyone have an older Akubra?
View attachment 337939

I love the red band on that one. I haven’t possessed an Akubra for anything approaching that length of time, but I was lucky to come across this vintage Stylemaster. I emailed Akubra about it and they suggested it was most likely late 1960s (just like me!). I also have a Snowy River that someone (probably @johnnycanuck) told me was an original 1980s model.

 

[Mm25]

Here’s one I had forgotten about as the brim and crown are smaller than I usually like. I like the tri color ribbon, the pin and the yellow liner though, so I put it into service today. Apparently production started around 1987. Don’t know how long it lasted on this particular model.

 

[Mm25]

Another Akubra that seems to have dropped out of the line up. A heritage grade Flinders. Like all of the heritage hats I have, it seems the sweatband is slightly larger than the corresponding imperial grade.

 

[Zombie_61]

Another Akubra that seems to have dropped out of the line up. A heritage grade Flinders...

"Flinders"??? C'mon, now they're just making stuff up.

Nice hat though. Wouldn't mind owning one myself.

 

[johnnycanuck]

"Flinders"??? C'mon, now they're just making stuff up.

Nice hat though. Wouldn't mind owning one myself.

I remember pouring over web pages back in 2000 trying to decide on the best hat to order. I remember those models.
Looking good, discontinued but good
Johnny

 

[Boomerang]

Another Akubra that seems to have dropped out of the line up. A heritage grade Flinders. Like all of the heritage hats I have, it seems the sweatband is slightly larger than the corresponding imperial grade. View attachment 339360 View attachment 339361

I'm a sucker for a bound brim...

 

[The Shoe]

My first open crown hats - CD & Fed IV will be here within an hour or two.
Quick question. Should I steam from the outset, or start off working on the dry crown. Thanks in advance - I’ve been on the lounge for a while now, but still a complete newbie when it comes to shaping hats.

 

[Woodtroll]

My first open crown hats - CD & Fed IV will be here within an hour or two.
Quick question. Should I steam from the outset, or start off working on the dry crown. Thanks in advance - I’ve been on the lounge for a while now, but still a complete newbie when it comes to shaping hats.

Some of the Akubras start out pretty stiff, and if you fool with them much when they are dry you run the risk of wrinkles/spiderwebbing that could be tough to get out later. Sort of like folding a piece of corrugated cardboard. However, I have seen some that are softer right off the bat that could be worked dry.

If you have any doubt at all, it’s much better to start with steam, or even a light misting with distilled water that’s given a few minutes to soak in and soften the felt enough to work it without wrinkles.

Good luck!

 

[Mm25]

Some of the Akubras start out pretty stiff, and if you fool with them much when they are dry you run the risk of wrinkles/spiderwebbing that could be tough to get out later. Sort of like folding a piece of corrugated cardboard. However, I have seen some that are softer right off the bat that could be worked dry.

If you have any doubt at all, it’s much better to start with steam, or even a light misting with distilled water that’s given a few minutes to soak in and soften the felt enough to work it without wrinkles.

Good luck!

Exactly this advice!

 

[StrawBunyan]

Akubra Lawson in Heritage fawn.
Bought it today. I am IN LOVE.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Akubra Lawson in Heritage fawn.
Bought it today. I am IN LOVE.

View attachment 341397 View attachment 341398

Great looking hat. Really suits you. Wear it in good health
Johnny

 

[StrawBunyan]

Great looking hat. Really suits you. Wear it in good health
Johnny

Thank you kindly.
I am glad I made the 5 hour round trip to try the hats before I bought one.
I never even considered the Lawson and it ended up being the best looking hat in the place once I got it on my head

 

[johnnycanuck]

Thank you kindly.
I am glad I made the 5 hour round trip to try the hats before I bought one.
I never even considered the Lawson and it ended up being the best looking hat in the place once I got it on my head

No worries. I know the good people here in the fedora lounge really like their tall boxy crowns, myself being one of them but not everyone looks good in that look. The slight taper of the Lawson really compliments your face shape and the brim gives good sun protection without being overbearing. I even like the colour. Good choice all round and I hope you get many a good years use out of it.
Johnny

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Akubra Lawson in Heritage fawn.
Bought it today. I am IN LOVE.

View attachment 341397 View attachment 341398

I agree with the others: looks good and seems to “fit” you. Can’t go wrong with an Akubra.

 

[Zombie_61]

After reading for years about how dark Akubra's Carbon Grey was, I thought I'd find out for myself:

Not as dark as I anticipated. I mean, it's dark, but not...oh, who cares? I think it's a nice shade of dark grey with good contrast against the black ribbon. It's also the longest I've waited for an Akubra, nearly six months. Surely not a record, but longer than the four month wait as advised when I ordered it. The crowns on these Hamptons are shorter than I'd like, but they're nice casual "knock around" hats with a bit of goofy attitude.