Akubra Overload

[johnnycanuck]

Hello All, I came across the Lounge back in December and what I learned from lurking here helped me decide on my first "real hat", an Akubra Banjo Patterson in fawn. I'd always worn baseball caps as I went through school and raised my kids and just got rather tired of them. I really love everything about the BP - the color, the crown height and shape. I purchased the hat in January and have since picked up 2 of the cattleman hats from ebay, one in a darker gray and one in a medium toned brown. I like the cattleman, but prefer the crown of the Banjo Patterson. What I am really looking for is something very similar to my BP in a lighter color with a larger brim to wear while fly fishing. (tired of sun burned ears and neck) From what I been able to gather from my research I might be looking for a Tablelands in sand or sorrel tan. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Doug

Tablelands is probably the widest brim you are going to get with that crown size/shape. I personally have the Coolabah that has a smaller brim but a croc band.
https://everythingaustralian.com.au/row/coolabah-hat.html
Then you have the coober pedy with an opal in the sweat band. It’s beween the Coolabah and tablelands in brim size but it is also a bound brim.
https://everythingaustralian.com.au/row/coober-pedy-hat.html
hope that helps some
Johnny

 

[Jedi5150]

Hello All, I came across the Lounge back in December and what I learned from lurking here helped me decide on my first "real hat", an Akubra Banjo Patterson in fawn. I'd always worn baseball caps as I went through school and raised my kids and just got rather tired of them. I really love everything about the BP - the color, the crown height and shape. I purchased the hat in January and have since picked up 2 of the cattleman hats from ebay, one in a darker gray and one in a medium toned brown. I like the cattleman, but prefer the crown of the Banjo Patterson. What I am really looking for is something very similar to my BP in a lighter color with a larger brim to wear while fly fishing. (tired of sun burned ears and neck) From what I been able to gather from my research I might be looking for a Tablelands in sand or sorrel tan. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Doug

The "Lightning Ridge" seems to have a very similar crown, with a slightly wider brim, and comes in a lighter color than the BP. The "Territory" has a massive 4" wide brim, but the crown is more similar to the Cattleman, although it also comes in lighter colors.

Another option, have you looked at the "Riverina"? It seems to be almost exactly what you're describing:
https://www.davidmorgan.com/shop/product/2069/riverina-hat

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

The "Lightning Ridge" seems to have a very similar crown, with a slightly wider brim, and comes in a lighter color than the BP. The "Territory" has a massive 4" wide brim, but the crown is more similar to the Cattleman, although it also comes in lighter colors.

Another option, have you looked at the "Riverina"? It seems to be almost exactly what you're describing:
https://www.davidmorgan.com/shop/product/2069/riverina-hat

I own the Lightning Ridge and am very pleased with it. Its basically the same hat as the Banjo, only with a 3" brim. Mine is in the heritage fawn color, which is grayish in color, but not very dark. It also comes in a sand color, which is much lighter. I tend to sweat easily, so I went with the fawn color to try to avoid staining.

There are a good number of Akubras on the David Morgan website. Many with different crown heights and brim widths. They definitely give you a lot to chew on as far as the different styles and felt types. The Imperial felt is their lower grade and more lightweight felt, but still decent quality nonetheless. The Heritage felt is their higher quality felt and thicker.

I will add that the Lightning Ridge is only available through DM.

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[Modad2010]

Thanks for all of the responses. From looking at the David Morgan site, it seems that the Lightning Ridge is pretty much the same as the Australian version of the Coober Pedy - leather hat band with opal - only in a Heritage felt. It also seems to have more of a front to back center crease with a front pinch rather than a slightly elongated teardrop like the BP. I'm not really needing a hat with a liner due to it being used as more of a work hat while fishing. I am curious if the sand color is more of a really pale tan or does it "read" white in the sunlight. I am sorry about all of these questions, but this is about as troubling as picking out a new 4wt, fiberglass fly rod for fishing dries exclusively.lol. Thanks again, guys for putting up with a newbie.

 

[Jedi5150]

Thanks for all of the responses. From looking at the David Morgan site, it seems that the Lightning Ridge is pretty much the same as the Australian version of the Coober Pedy - leather hat band with opal - only in a Heritage felt. It also seems to have more of a front to back center crease with a front pinch rather than a slightly elongated teardrop like the BP. I'm not really needing a hat with a liner due to it being used as more of a work hat while fishing. I am curious if the sand color is more of a really pale tan or does it "read" white in the sunlight. I am sorry about all of these questions, but this is about as troubling as picking out a new 4wt, fiberglass fly rod for fishing dries exclusively.lol. Thanks again, guys for putting up with a newbie.

I can't speak for anyone else, but don't let the lining be a deterrent for a hat you like. I removed the lining of my Cattleman the first day I got it.

 

[Modad2010]

Another option, have you looked at the "Riverina"? It seems to be almost exactly what you're describing:

The brim on the Riverina is a bit larger than what I was wanting. I have thought about getting one and having the brim trimmed down a bit, maybe to 3 1/4" to 3 1/2".

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

Thanks for all of the responses. From looking at the David Morgan site, it seems that the Lightning Ridge is pretty much the same as the Australian version of the Coober Pedy - leather hat band with opal - only in a Heritage felt. It also seems to have more of a front to back center crease with a front pinch rather than a slightly elongated teardrop like the BP. I'm not really needing a hat with a liner due to it being used as more of a work hat while fishing. I am curious if the sand color is more of a really pale tan or does it "read" white in the sunlight. I am sorry about all of these questions, but this is about as troubling as picking out a new 4wt, fiberglass fly rod for fishing dries exclusively.lol. Thanks again, guys for putting up with a newbie.

The only thing I can really say about the lining is that it may be beneficial to have it if you plan on wearing it in cooler weather. On the flip side, it could also help keep the hat from staining from sweat. At the end of the day, you could always take Jedi's advice and just remove it all together.

As for the sand color, I can't really speak for what it would look like under the sun. What I can say is that the color of the heritage fawn in the photos on the DM site match my hat darn near exactly. There is a thread on here dedicated to the Lightning Ridge (named Akubra Lightning Ridge). There are a few pics of both colors if you want to check them out.

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[Just A Hat Rack]

Thanks for all of the responses. From looking at the David Morgan site, it seems that the Lightning Ridge is pretty much the same as the Australian version of the Coober Pedy - leather hat band with opal - only in a Heritage felt. It also seems to have more of a front to back center crease with a front pinch rather than a slightly elongated teardrop like the BP. I'm not really needing a hat with a liner due to it being used as more of a work hat while fishing. I am curious if the sand color is more of a really pale tan or does it "read" white in the sunlight. I am sorry about all of these questions, but this is about as troubling as picking out a new 4wt, fiberglass fly rod for fishing dries exclusively.lol. Thanks again, guys for putting up with a newbie.

If a teardrop crease is what you're after, the Angler is not only a fitting name, but seems to be very similar to the Banjo as well. The brim is 3" and the crown may be a tad taller in the front. The down side is that they only offer it in one color.

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[deadlyhandsome]

Brent, Al, and Blackthorn, I appreciate the kind words, and thanks for the welcome!

Brent, you are correct in your assumptions, and a 44 Special would server you well, should it ever need to, haha! I appreciate the head's up about longevity of Panama hats. That's something I hadn't considered and didn't realize was an issue.

Blackthorn, I'll definitely post some pictures of my new Slouch. It will be seeing quite a bit of use in the coming months, and I'm looking forward to wearing it in. I love your Mark Twain quote about slouch hats.

Doug

Some people have great luck with Panama hats and gets decades of use from them. Me, I’m hard on my gear. Maybe you won’t have my issues with needing a hat that can take a lot of abuse.

It’s good to have another in our profession here on the Lounge too.




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[Bird Lives]

Hey guys...I've posted this in several spots...It's my new Akubra Sydney that I picked up from Bernie Utz's in Seattle July 3rd...

First I was creasing it non-stop...then I started seeing "Ghost Creases" and that freaked me out. "New Hat already screwed up" were the type thoughts running through my head. Then I read abit around here and Ironed the crown with a steam iron, Metal soup ladle, and a handkerchef between the iron and the felt.

Since then I have been experimenting with creases, although with a light touch....I think I like this one, although I don't know what to call it. What do you guys think? And what would you call it? Do you think I need to get the point of the front pinched pushed down a little further...The highest part over the side dents is just a tad over 5". The center of the point in front is about 1/8" under 5"....I would need to steam it, to get it to go any further in and might pull the highest part down a bit.

Also, can you notice any ghost creases still lingering around? I can still detect a little extra shine here and there...Thought about maybe a little pouncing but I don't want to get excessive about it...I don't want to add 10 years age to the hat before it's a month old LOL!!


Whaddaya think?

 

[RJR]

Hey guys...I've posted this in several spots...It's my new Akubra Sydney that I picked up from Bernie Utz's in Seattle July 3rd...

First I was creasing it non-stop...then I started seeing "Ghost Creases" and that freaked me out. "New Hat already screwed up" were the type thoughts running through my head. Then I read abit around here and Ironed the crown with a steam iron, Metal soup ladle, and a handkerchef between the iron and the felt.

Since then I have been experimenting with creases, although with a light touch....I think I like this one, although I don't know what to call it. What do you guys think? And what would you call it? Do you think I need to get the point of the front pinched pushed down a little further...The highest part over the side dents is just a tad over 5". The center of the point in front is about 1/8" under 5"....I would need to steam it, to get it to go any further in and might pull the highest part down a bit.

Also, can you notice any ghost creases still lingering around? I can still detect a little extra shine here and there...Thought about maybe a little pouncing but I don't want to get excessive about it...I don't want to add 10 years age to the hat before it's a month old LOL!!
View attachment 127996 View attachment 128000 View attachment 128002

Whaddaya think?

Your crease is a personal thing;it only has to please you.To my eye what you've done looks good.

 

[Bird Lives]

Now here is the same Sydney with a center crease and side dents...

When I go to the center dent, can you see the ghost creases from the before C-crown/diamondish bash?.... I don't think it's real obvious, but you know how we can get..lol! But seriously, do you guys see any tail/tell crease lines from the former bash when I went back to the center dent?



I'm thinking maybe I should just stay with a light center dent so as not to ruin the integrity of this soft open crown... I read here where these Akubra Sydney/Fedoras are a little on the delicate side...And I do know, when I take it back to open crown, there are some VERY dark lines where the front pinch is...I certainly don't want to create a hole there, just by creaseing the hat too much.

You guys know these hats....any opinions?

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

Now here is the same Sydney with a center crease and side dents...

When I go to the center dent, can you see the ghost creases from the before C-crown/diamondish bash?.... I don't think it's real obvious, but you know how we can get..lol! But seriously, do you guys see any tail/tell crease lines from the former bash when I went back to the center dent?

View attachment 128007 View attachment 128008 View attachment 128009 View attachment 128010

I'm thinking maybe I should just stay with a light center dent so as not to ruin the integrity of this soft open crown... I read here where these Akubra Sydney/Fedoras are a little on the delicate side...And I do know, when I take it back to open crown, there are some VERY dark lines where the front pinch is...I certainly don't want to create a hole there, just by creaseing the hat too much.

You guys know these hats....any opinions?

I personally favor the center crease more. I also don't see any "ghost creases," but I'm also viewing this on my phone. Ultimately you should stick with what you like.

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[Zombie_61]

...I'm thinking maybe I should just stay with a light center dent so as not to ruin the integrity of this soft open crown... I read here where these Akubra Sydney/Fedoras are a little on the delicate side...And I do know, when I take it back to open crown, there are some VERY dark lines where the front pinch is...I certainly don't want to create a hole there, just by creaseing the hat too much.

You guys know these hats....any opinions?

I have no personal experience with the Sydney, but if it's anything like my Akubras it can handle a little creasing and re-creasing easily.

I personally prefer the Teardrop crease because I think it suits the hat better than the Center Dent, but that's just my opinion. It's your hat, shape it however you like! And I see no evidence of ghost creases in your photos, so, well done!

 

[chicken1616]

Hello All, I came across the Lounge back in December and what I learned from lurking here helped me decide on my first "real hat", an Akubra Banjo Patterson in fawn. I'd always worn baseball caps as I went through school and raised my kids and just got rather tired of them. I really love everything about the BP - the color, the crown height and shape. I purchased the hat in January and have since picked up 2 of the cattleman hats from ebay, one in a darker gray and one in a medium toned brown. I like the cattleman, but prefer the crown of the Banjo Patterson. What I am really looking for is something very similar to my BP in a lighter color with a larger brim to wear while fly fishing. (tired of sun burned ears and neck) From what I been able to gather from my research I might be looking for a Tablelands in sand or sorrel tan. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Doug

I have a Territory. It is a good looking hat (I get compliments quite often). The brim is 4", which is huge. It works well in hot weather, because of the brim, and it has two big ventilation grommets on each side. Really makes a difference. However, I really think the brim would get in the way of you fly fishing.
I think the Pilbara might be a good compromise.
https://www.davidmorgan.com/shop/product/90/pilbara-hat

 

[Jedi5150]

Some people have great luck with Panama hats and gets decades of use from them. Me, I’m hard on my gear. Maybe you won’t have my issues with needing a hat that can take a lot of abuse.

It’s good to have another in our profession here on the Lounge too.




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Thanks Brent, it's always fun to see fellow LEOs on forums.

And as promised to Blackthorn, here are some photos of my new slouch, with the puggaree I ordered separately. Like I mentioned earlier, it came from Akubra with a military bash, which I didn't end up liking in person, so I changed it to a pinched telescope, using a tea kettle. I'm very happy with how it turned out:

Top view of the bash:

Obligatory selfie. This was a little tough to take, since I had to manually focus on a spot on the ground roughly where I'd be standing, then gradually move forward and back until the focus was right. Hahaha. And of course I had to use eucalyptus trees as the backdrop:

Doug

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thanks Brent, it's always fun to see fellow LEOs on forums.

And as promised to Blackthorn, here are some photos of my new slouch, with the puggaree I ordered separately. Like I mentioned earlier, it came from Akubra with a military bash, which I didn't end up liking in person, so I changed it to a pinched telescope, using a tea kettle. I'm very happy with how it turned out:

Top view of the bash:

Obligatory selfie. This was a little tough to take, since I had to manually focus on a spot on the ground roughly where I'd be standing, then gradually move forward and back until the focus was right. Hahaha. And of course I had to use eucalyptus trees as the backdrop:

Doug

Looks good, Doug. You wear it well.


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[Fed in a Fedora]

Thanks Brent, it's always fun to see fellow LEOs on forums.

And as promised to Blackthorn, here are some photos of my new slouch, with the puggaree I ordered separately. Like I mentioned earlier, it came from Akubra with a military bash, which I didn't end up liking in person, so I changed it to a pinched telescope, using a tea kettle. I'm very happy with how it turned out:

Top view of the bash:

Obligatory selfie. This was a little tough to take, since I had to manually focus on a spot on the ground roughly where I'd be standing, then gradually move forward and back until the focus was right. Hahaha. And of course I had to use eucalyptus trees as the backdrop:

Doug

The pug also came from Akubra? I have a hat which needs one.

TIA,
Fed

 

[Willybob]

Great high country pic Jedi. Where was the photo taken? It looks familiar. I am also in the central Ca area, up in the foothills.

 

[Jedi5150]

Thanks for the kind words, Gents!

The pug also came from Akubra? I have a hat which needs one.

TIA,
Fed

Fed, this one I ordered from Sydney, it did not come from Akubra. You can buy replacement pugs from Akubra, but they feel less authentic to me. The one that came with my first Slouch had 4 folds, and the one that came with my new Slouch had 5 folks. Neither had the customary dip at the front and back. These aftermarket ones feel much sturdier, and have 7 folds, which is accurate (the 7 folds represent the 6 States of Australia and the last fold for it's Territories). The downside is the shipping was as much as the puggaree itself:
https://www.lawranceordnance.com/de...ustralian-slouch-hat-puggaree-seven-fold.html

Just recently, I ordered another one from Canada, much cheaper shipping, and looks to be the same model. I'm still waiting for it to arrive:
http://www.godarsinc.com/australian-imperial-force-slouch-hat-puggaree-p-1072.html