Akubra Overload

[Yeps]

EDIT: UNFORTUNATELY, I'VE BASHED THIS ONE AND WET IT TOO MANY TIMES, AND GETTING THE STRAIGHT-SIDED LOOK IS UNLIKELY AT THIS POINT. This, however, is not bad news, as it simply means I'll just have to buy another Squatter! That is great news, because I love this hat.

Holy guacamole! What do you do to your hats? Either you are the hardest wearing hat-wearer ever, or you have a strange concept of what requires replacing.

 

[Neophyte]

Disregard my earlier statement...I essentially realized that I was talking about shaping a Squatter like a Campdraft.

Eventually I thought "Why not just buy a Campdraft?" and then I realized how ridiculous I sounded before.

 

[Mr E Train]

I received my size 7 3/4 Squatter today from bolthead. The brim got a little misshapen during shipping, but I can work that out. I like it.

 

[Neophyte]

Does anyone own an Akubra Whippet?

I'm trying to find any information on this hat, specifically the type of block it has. By this I mean: Does it have a more oval or round crown, and does it have taper?

I'd like to have a short-brim hat with little taper to it, to counteract the massive brim on my Squatter. Anyone?


I'd also like to know if anyone knows of any differences between the DavidMorgan Squatter and the HatsDirect Squatter; that deep fawn Squatter on DavidMorgan has caught my eye...

 

[gtdean48]

...
I'd also like to know if anyone knows of any differences between the DavidMorgan Squatter and the HatsDirect Squatter; that deep fawn Squatter on DavidMorgan has caught my eye...

DavidMorgan is an Imperial Quality felt with a liner & chinstrap hooks where HatsDirect is a Superfine Quality/Featherweight no liner.

 

[Neophyte]

I'm not sure that's right, as my HatsDirect willow green Squatter has a liner that says "Imperial Quality".

 

[gtdean48]

I'm not sure that's right, as my HatsDirect willow green Squatter has a liner that says "Imperial Quality".

Interesting, the one I have doesn't. Akubra may have gone back to the Imperial for recent runs because a year or so back they were Featherweight & no liners. I don't see the grommet holes in your photos so I'm guessing no chinstrap hooks. That may be only difference from DMs now.

 

[Neophyte]

That's pretty interesting. I don't even know what Superfine is...how old is your Squatter? Is Superfine a better quality fur than Imperial?

 

[gtdean48]

That's pretty interesting. I don't even know what Superfine is...how old is your Squatter? Is Superfine a better quality fur than Imperial?

Not really, it is a lighter weight = not as dense as the Imperial. Like the difference between a Dress weight & a lite weight beaver that Art at VS Custom used to offer. IMHO

 

[Neophyte]

You know what, I just realized from pics that the DavidMorgan Squatter DOES have ventilation holes/chinstrap hooks, right above the ribbon. Now I know what y'all were talking about...
I honestly have no idea what difference there is between "lightweight" or "dress weight" felt, except for thickness of the felt. I only own three hats, all Akubra Imperial Quality (though the Fedora is extremely soft and supple), so I'm still inexperienced in the hat world. Add that vintage hats in size 59cm are an absolute NIGHTMARE to chase down, and I'd have to say...I'm pretty new at this.

Thank you for explaining that to me. I keep hearing about "lightweight", "Artlite", and "Superfine," but I'd no idea what these were.

 

[gtdean48]

Vintage 7 3/8 hats are out there, more abundant than my 7 5/8 size. Unfortunately, 7 3/8 puts you in the size with other Loungers who are GREAT at landing them.

Akubra Imperial Quality are like dress weight felts the hatters get from Winchester. The hatters just pounce them more so they end up with a much higher finish than what Akubra puts out. Until you've handled them, knowing the difference is near impossible.

 

[Neophyte]

True, there are vintage hats out there for my head somewhere, but they are really hard to find, at least for me. I even tried JohnnyPhi, but the largest hats there were 7 1/2.

The only experience I have related to hats are wearing them. I've much to learn.

 

[Neophyte]

Well, since I've posted so many Squatter pics already, and I'm waiting for a response from EverythingAustralian regarding a Bluegrass Green Campdraft, I'll just post another pic:

 

[fenris]

Here's another shot of my Fed IV Deluxe... this time on my daughter's head.

 

[Covenant07]

She's certainly fashion forward.......

I don't believe I would have ever imagined saying that a combination of a brown Fed IV and pink crocs looks adorable. But there you have it. It does, and she's beautiful. I love these kid pictures in the different threads.

 

[Neophyte]

Alright, guys. It's taken several weeks of numerous "showers", but my Fed IV has been rebashed, something I thought for sure couldn't be fixed. It is now exactly as I'd like it, although the brim is about .20'' shorter all the way around the hat, giving it a stingy profile (at least for me, as I've been wearing the 3'' brim Squatter for quite a while now). I'm very much liking it, though it still needs some work.

If only I could have a hat that merges the best characteristics of both the Federation IV and the Squatter, and in green:

Oh Wait! That's called an Akubra Campdraft in bluegrass green!

 

[Yeps]

See? Everyone told you it would turn out okay. It is looking good. Perhaps the Squatter has changed your perspective, but that is definitely not a stingy brim.

 

[Tone]

And if you want another FED IV, just trim the binding off your Campdraft and give it a "dimensional" cut.

Or, send your FED IV in to have it bound back into a Campdraft - only with a dimensional cut.

Or, trim the binding off the Squatter (now that you've had a couple hats and starting to understand how hat shaping works) and make yourself the kind of Stylemaster people actually want the Stylemaster to be.

Enjoy the Campdraft, too.

 

[jbucklin]

Neo, the Fed looks good! Don't lose heart!!!

 

[Tone]

Yes, Just keep your head at a FED IV 3/4 turn and it's all good. :eusa_clap