Akubra Overload

[CRH]

I stumbled across a 'relatively' new hattery (i.e. since last September) in Robertson, NSW (Aus):

The Highland Hattery

Lovely owner, Michelle, and a beautiful store. Also plenty of Akubra and Avenal hats. It has real atmosphere, much like The Hattery at Katoomba. Loved it!

I'll definitely be visiting again, and it's great to see another small hat store pop up.

Worth a stop in if you're travelling in the Southern Highlands.

There was a size 58 Akubra Kentucky Rancher in stock (sand).

Love the Kentucky Rancher. If you ever run across an Akubra Boss of the Plaines in size 59 let me know. So many Akubras out of production that I let get away.

 

[RockyR]

I am about to take delivery of my second Fed IV (although Deluxe this time). The first of which has a tear drop.

For something different, I was considering getting a cattlemans crease (blasphemy, I'm sure).

Has anybody done this with a Fed IV, and if so, would you have any pictures? I've done it with my Squatter (pics below), but not sure if the Fed IV would also work with it...

[I've trawled the forum and found nothing other than a fleeting reference to a Lounger looking to put a type of 'modified Montana crease' in a Fed IV... but no pics]

 

[Mighty44]

I am about to take delivery of my second Fed IV (although Deluxe this time). The first of which has a tear drop.

For something different, I was considering getting a cattlemans crease (blasphemy, I'm sure).

Has anybody done this with a Fed IV, and if so, would you have any pictures? I've done it with my Squatter (pics below), but not sure if the Fed IV would also work with it...

[I've trawled the forum and found nothing other than a fleeting reference to a Lounger looking to put a type of 'modified Montana crease' in a Fed IV... but no pics]

View attachment 617314

If you look at enough photos from the golden era you will see plenty of men wearing side dent creases on city hats. I think it was more of a 1920s and 30s style so that by the 40s and 50s it looks to be mostly older fellows sporting this style. Go for it!

 

[M Hatman]

I am about to take delivery of my second Fed IV (although Deluxe this time). The first of which has a tear drop.

For something different, I was considering getting a cattlemans crease (blasphemy, I'm sure).

Has anybody done this with a Fed IV, and if so, would you have any pictures? I've done it with my Squatter (pics below), but not sure if the Fed IV would also work with it...

[I've trawled the forum and found nothing other than a fleeting reference to a Lounger looking to put a type of 'modified Montana crease' in a Fed IV... but no pics]

Why not? Before it was a "Cattleman/Rancher" crease it was the crease of choice for bankers/businessmen and presidents.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Why not? Before it was a "Cattleman/Rancher" crease it was the crease of choice for bankers and presidents. View attachment 617337 View attachment 617338 View attachment 617339 View attachment 617340 View attachment 617346

And apparently TV police lieutenants. Ray Collins almost always wore side dents in Perry Mason (a heck of a great show for hats, btw).

@RockyR: Akubra’s deluxe felt is fairly forgiving. Try the side dents - if you don’t like them, change them to front dents. Easy.

 

[GuitarGuy99]

So, is the Fed V coming?

 

[RockyR]

Thank you for the ideas and inspo! I'm now convinced that what I had in my mind will work. Yep, only 1 week to go.

In the meantime, I modified my Angler...

It's my first attempt at the ribbon combo... and now my fave hat in circulation. Thinking of doing it to the Kiandra (without vent holes)

 

[H Weinstein]

So, is the Fed V coming?

So it would seem from the Hats Direct website, where they hint at things to come: "The Federation Hat Project is undergoing some exciting updates in 2024, to stay notified sign up below or follow us on our Instagram page."

You can sign up for their email updates at this link --https://hatsdirect.com/collections/the-hattery-exclusives/products/federation-iv-deluxe-open-crown

 

[RockyR]

So it would seem from the Hats Direct website, where they hint at things to come: "The Federation Hat Project is undergoing some exciting updates in 2024, to stay notified sign up below or follow us on our Instagram page."

You can sign up for their email updates at this link --https://hatsdirect.com/collections/the-hattery-exclusives/products/federation-iv-deluxe-open-crown

New colours, perhaps? It's a winner, so they would have to keep the current colours too (surely)...

 

[Who?]

New owners meddling with the product line.

Let‘s hope they know what they are about.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

New owners meddling with the product line.

Let‘s hope they know what they are about.

As I understand it the Fed IV is a product of The Hattery. They designed it and order its production and sell it. Historically, I don’t believe Akubra had much to do with any of the Federation line beyond making them and putting their name on them.

However, 1) I could be wrong (I usually am) or 2) the new owners could indeed be ‘’meddling’ or 3) both of the above.

 

[Who?]

As I understand it the Fed IV is a product of The Hattery. They designed it and order its production and sell it. Historically, I don’t believe Akubra had much to do with any of the Federation line beyond making them and putting their name on them.

However, 1) I could be wrong (I usually am) or 2) the new owners could indeed be ‘’meddling’ or 3) both of the above.

Okay. I actually have no clue, and am just guessing.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Zombie_61]

New owners meddling with the product line...

"New owners..." Ugh. That's rarely a positive sign.

 

[RockyR]

"New owners..." Ugh. That's rarely a positive sign.

Twiggy Forrest... purchased RM Williams too (from LVMH). Doing some 'curious' things and designs with RMs... there's mixed opinions about Twiggy taking the helm. Some good, some not so.

TheLostCowboy is right, The Hattery has the exclusive for the Fed IV and Akubra just makes them (I think it's a minimum of 30 hats and Akubra will make it to your preference). So I think it's more likely that The Hattery will be expanding the choices on offer.

 

[Yamahana]

In emails with Trudi about ordering another Fed IV back in March, she said “we’ll have something that’ll interest you later this year..can’t reveal yet.. but watch!”

 

[RockyR]

Update re: Akubra... it seems that prices have increased by around 12%

Lovely.

 

[rogueclimber]

Update re: Akubra... it seems that prices have increased by around 12%

Lovely.

The hat I bought a few weeks ago went up 21%! yikes

 

[RickP]

Glad I got a pretty good stack of Akubras so no sticker shock here lol ( think Ive got 8)

 

[The Shoe]

Glad I got a pretty good stack of Akubras so no sticker shock here lol ( think Ive got 8)

Likewise. I have 6 felt, one hemp and one polypropylene. The Campdraft costs almost twice what I paid for it three years ago.
Still the best bang for the buck? I can’t see myself getting another unless I find some second hand bargains.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

200+ USD for an Akubra is asking a lot.

I will continue to support them though - it’s worth it to have at least one source for reliable, replaceable hats. I still don’t know how my modern Stetson would perform in the rain and I don’t intend to find out. At least not as long as I have an Akubra to lean on instead.