Akubra Overload

[RickP]

Seems Ive bumped in to somthing "Akubra" several times today.. Got to thinking I havent worn the old Stockman in a while... so on the head it goes!

This one had a couple rough spots on the brim edge when I picked it up... I trimmed it down to a 2-1/2" brim... Suits my sensibilities better than a bigger brim

 

[Wade H]

I believe theres on on ebay right now https://www.ebay.com/itm/135244457858?_skw=akubra+silver+spur&itmmeta=01J7VTSB27S7B5NQGYA8TF5RKJ&hash=item1f7d32a782:g:b2YAAOSw6lFm2cfO&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx+KZ9MfhVJKn5vZAgH2NOSHHR1S7x2SilwFnKsAUrPZZIuIamManEYvH+UYZ1+e8OwtnSuy2wsoZRNBLkP3LbdDe4jphik7V+v2awaytnZFScftYJ/C4fsuCKpmH4ptbEGnFdL9xXrWlIS/JTMmLIa+oykqLuyUkVCz9SLfzAuNQg9TVd5DOUvkZU25jYwSjaDgB79kPKXtvf+44HuzTZlC5nPD2eT1zMPkldTJkZZklypg1LZ9fmIIjuk9o59oZe5u+p1efdohE=|tkp:Bk9SR5ix5fq-ZA

As its an Akubra with Imperial fur, its a known quality and a solid hat. the one on ebay does look like its a wider brim (maybe 3-ish "wide?). Looks a lot like the brim on my Akubra Lawson which is a 3". Also looks like someone tried to do a kettle curl on it that will either need a bit of work to restore curl, flatten it out, or trim the brim down a bit to civilize some wavyness

Thanks. That's the one I'm looking at. As long as it isn't too much longer than 3" it will probably work. I definitely don't want the curl but that could be ironed/steamed out. Looking for a good trustworthy hiking hat. Looks like you cut the brim on your. How did you go about getting it clean and round?

 

[StoryPNW]

High temps are finally down in the 70s, I wore my Angler doing some field mowing this afternoon. I also cut the plastic tip liner out. It seems less hot on my head, but I'm not sure if that's all in my head.

 

[RickP]

Thanks. That's the one I'm looking at. As long as it isn't too much longer than 3" it will probably work. I definitely don't want the curl but that could be ironed/steamed out. Looking for a good trustworthy hiking hat. Looks like you cut the brim on your. How did you go about getting it clean and round?

Ive got a couple of brim cutters (M&F brand in 1/8" and 1/2") Theyre pretty easy to make a neat cut, even if steering around a damaged edge. They have a curved slot that the brim edge rides nicely in. ( as long as it not a bound edge... they can be a bit snug in the slot) Basically slide the brim into the base, pop the blade down and carefully trim away. Way easier than trying to keep an exacto blade straight. Honestly Ive used some of my leather tools to cut felt. Some of then are extraordinarily easy to cut straight with.... just have to be good at sharpening

If youre looking for a solid outdoors hat, That SIlver Spur should be great. To me it looks like its a 3" if not even larger. If the edge curl doesnt steam out real easy, you can always trim an 1/8" off at a time till you like it. If you dont want to buy a cutter, most western wear stores like Cavendars will trim brims for free.

If thats the same hat, its not a bad price... hat looks like its in nice shape except for the curled edge... Id Grab it!

 

[RickP]

And after you get the brim straight, Take a pic and share it! They ALWAYS look better on the owners head lol

 

[RickP]

High temps are finally down in the 70s, I wore my Angler doing some field mowing this afternoon. I also cut the plastic tip liner out. It seems less hot on my head, but I'm not sure if that's all in my head.
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Nice hat... I agree about cutting the clear liner out... here in east texas, its just way too warm for a plastic lining... that and when they get old they have an irritating crinkle sound effect... Ive removed almost all the liners in my older hats (except for a few that actually had the logo printed on the cellophane... I left then alone)

 

[RickP]

Picked this little gem up on ebay yesterday all the way from Down Under. Marked as an "East Coast" model. Nice dark green Imperial fur, Bound edge 2" brim. Over time Ive found more than a few Akubras in Austrailia from either ebay or the Salvation Army store. Have found some nice hats that evidently were only sold over there.. fun to find something Ive never seen in the wild here. This must be a green month... this is the second green Akubra Ive grabbed this month. ( plus a mint green Stetson Gay Prince) Now I can sit back a wait to see how long it takes to get here. Last couple Austrailian hats made it to US in about a week and then wandered around inside the us for 2-3 weeks lol


https://www.ebay.com/itm/256619298863

 

[RickP]

Got another keeper in today! Its some flavor of "Akubra exclusive for Outback Trading Company" hat. Cant make out all the embossing on the front, but I can almost make out "Sidney- something, and the number 1975 below it. Not sure if thats the year or a model name. So if anyone knows what it was Im all ears.

Grommet vents on the sides. It was a big boy.... a bit almost 3-3/4" brim. (bigger than my Lawson and just plain too big for my needs) Has a raw edge so I Trimmed it to 2-7/8 brim.... PERFECT! Slightly lighter shade of green with a tad bit more grey than the Lawson next to it. Really nice color Imperial fur felt. The old Lawson still has its original 3-1/8" bound brim edge, so the new one is JUST a hair trimmer... Looks like a full 6"" tall crown without the bash so Ill resist any temptation to make it more dress hat-like.. just too tall for the brim to be any narrower. I need a few wider sun hats for the sake of my delicate neck anyway lol

Did some steaming for wrinkle remediation, wavy brim straightening, and it will need a bit more work on the crown and bash, but it was clean and havent found any stains or damage anywhere... just a touch of embossing removal on the sweat from honest forehead wear. Someone wore it and took good care. This one goes on the "keeper" wall. Will be a great fall and winter outdoors hat. Ill sand the corners of the newly trimmed edge soon, but thats enough fun for one day!

 

[Denton]

Picked this little gem up on ebay yesterday all the way from Down Under. Marked as an "East Coast" model. Nice dark green Imperial fur, Bound edge 2" brim. Over time Ive found more than a few Akubras in Austrailia from either ebay or the Salvation Army store. Have found some nice hats that evidently were only sold over there.. fun to find something Ive never seen in the wild here. This must be a green month... this is the second green Akubra Ive grabbed this month. ( plus a mint green Stetson Gay Prince) Now I can sit back a wait to see how long it takes to get here. Last couple Austrailian hats made it to US in about a week and then wandered around inside the us for 2-3 weeks lol


https://www.ebay.com/itm/256619298863

What do you think of the 1950s date? Akubra has been making hats for some time, but older Akubras don't seem to show up very often, and we don't seem to have a timeline of different stages in the history of their hats (as we do for other hat makers).

 

[RickP]

What do you think of the 1950s date? Akubra has been making hats for some time, but older Akubras don't seem to show up very often, and we don't seem to have a timeline of different stages in the history of their hats (as we do for other hat makers).

Im a bit skeptical of a 1950s date too, but one never knows... Ive found more than one hat coming directly out of OZ that Ive not see over here, and some looked like they were new/ old stock and were in OLD boxes

 

[RockyR]

And this is why I consider Pat and the team at Katoomba Hattery to be 'da best'! (It's the little things)

 

[The Shoe]

What do you think of the 1950s date? Akubra has been making hats for some time, but older Akubras don't seem to show up very often, and we don't seem to have a timeline of different stages in the history of their hats (as we do for other hat makers).

Im a bit skeptical of a 1950s date too, but one never knows... Ive found more than one hat coming directly out of OZ that Ive not see over here, and some looked like they were new/ old stock and were in OLD boxes

When I was trying to find out how old my Pocketweight Stylemaster, I reached out to the people at Akubra. We came to the conclusion that it is a late 60s hat. They said Australia went metric in 1966, so my hat with the size 60 tag had to have been later than that.
The one you’re looking at seems to have only an imperial measurement, which would make it pre 1966, so the 50s date might not be too far off.

 

[RickP]

When I was trying to find out how old my Pocketweight Stylemaster, I reached out to the people at Akubra. We came to the conclusion that it is a late 60s hat. They said Australia went metric in 1966, so my hat with the size 60 tag had to have been later than that.
The one you’re looking at seems to have only an imperial measurement, which would make it pre 1966, so the 50s date might not be too far off.

Excellant info! Ive got a couple of older Akubras. A Little Brown Metropolitan with the triple row stitching on the brim has always been one of my favorites. I am usually fond of ALL Akubra things, but Im particularly fond of some of the older "Town:" hats that rarely seem to make over here to the US. The SALVO Store ( Salvation Army Store online) over there has supplied several of mine.

By the way....I just got an email that the Akubra East Coast IS OUT FOR DELIVERY TODAY! 9 days from Perth to East Texas isnt bad ( US Postal Service usually takes THAT long just to get things through the Dallas Processing Center 200 miles away lol

 

[RickP]

Once again I'm impressed with used hats out of Australia! They evidently don't trash their hats like Americans do. Got here reasonable quick, well packed with ZERO packing peanuts lol! This thing is beautiful! Really nice green, super soft smooth felt (thin firm but soft dress weight felt) , fits perfectly! Evidently an older non metric Akubra in 7-1/4 is the same size as a Stetson 7-1/4. Good to know so I can buy more of these lol! Unusual bright olive satin liner on the sides with a nice brown top liner. Imperial felt. Pictures don't show it very well, but the sweatband actually has a Brown/Green tint to the leather. Reminds me a lot of the old green Browning Kangaroo boots of my youth. Ive never seen a color combination exactly like this in an Akubra.

Absolutely beautiful! C crown with a little 1-7/8" brim. Ribbon bound edge (1/8"on top and 1/4" on bottom. Hard to see till you look close but theres a row of stitching on the top of the brim just inside the edge binding... nice touch! ), oh and the brim snaps up or down nicely. I rarely wear anything except my hemp hats up, but I could do this one for sure. It will prob spend most of its time snapped down.


The pictures are straight out of the box, I have not steamed, shaped, ironed, or even hit it with a brush yet! One of the nicest condition older hats Ive had come in for a while ( except for a couple older Stetsons, but I paid way more for them! lol). Ill give it some love taps with a horsehair brush here in a bit and maybe rub a little leather conditioner on the sweatband, but Im not going to have to do anything else... I wish they were all like this one lol


Humm... just dawned on me that my last four hats have been some shade of green (two Akubras and two older Stetsons).... guess thats a trend lol... Ill be ready for St Patricks Day this year I guess

 

[Edward]

Once again I'm impressed with used hats out of Australia! They evidently don't trash their hats like Americans do. Got here reasonable quick, well packed with ZERO packing peanuts lol! This thing is beautiful! Really nice green, super soft smooth felt (thin firm but soft dress weight felt) , fits perfectly! Evidently an older non metric Akubra in 7-1/4 is the same size as a Stetson 7-1/4. Good to know so I can buy more of these lol! Unusual bright olive satin liner on the sides with a nice brown top liner. Imperial felt. Pictures don't show it very well, but the sweatband actually has a Brown/Green tint to the leather. Reminds me a lot of the old green Browning Kangaroo boots of my youth. Ive never seen a color combination exactly like this in an Akubra.

Absolutely beautiful! C crown with a little 1-7/8" brim. Ribbon bound edge (1/8"on top and 1/4" on bottom. Hard to see till you look close but theres a row of stitching on the top of the brim just inside the edge binding... nice touch! ), oh and the brim snaps up or down nicely. I rarely wear anything except my hemp hats up, but I could do this one for sure. It will prob spend most of its time snapped down.


The pictures are straight out of the box, I have not steamed, shaped, ironed, or even hit it with a brush yet! One of the nicest condition older hats Ive had come in for a while ( except for a couple older Stetsons, but I paid way more for them! lol). Ill give it some love taps with a horsehair brush here in a bit and maybe rub a little leather conditioner on the sweatband, but Im not going to have to do anything else... I wish they were all like this one lol


Humm... just dawned on me that my last four hats have been some shade of green (two Akubras and two older Stetsons).... guess thats a trend lol... Ill be ready for St Patricks Day this year I guess


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Nice. I've seen a few like this one on eBay recently. Give me a 50s vibe, a bit Sinatra. Proportions like these pair nicely with a short jacket, especially a leather like an A2 or such, imo.

 

[RickP]

Nice. I've seen a few like this one on eBay recently. Give me a 50s vibe, a bit Sinatra. Proportions like these pair nicely with a short jacket, especially a leather like an A2 or such, imo.

I believe the both Salvation Army store in Perth AND the Goodwill Store in Sidney are both listing things on Ebay now. Ive seen several nice Akubra things (AND bought a few) from both that Id never seen over here. Always supposed they were either special orders for a particular store there or were just a non export Australian market model. Nice to find things that are just a bit different

 

[Edward]

I believe the both Salvation Army store in Perth AND the Goodwill Store in Sidney are both listing things on Ebay now. Ive seen several nice Akubra things (AND bought a few) from both that Id never seen over here. Always supposed they were either special orders for a particular store there or were just a non export Australian market model. Nice to find things that are just a bit different

Yes indeed! I suspect a lot of those are from back in the day when hats were more common and so they weren't typically exported here. I don't know when Akubras first became available up here, though I imagine they might have been a harder sell to introduce in an era when there was still a significant hat industry in England - probably same for the US?

 

[Wade H]

I did a thing. Braved the interwebs and bought an Akubra Silverspur on EBay. The photos made it look like it was in decent shape but needed a little love. When I got it I found there was a small hole in the pinch that wasn’t very visible in the photos. After a lot of trial and error I was able to smooth the brim and reshape the crown so the hole wasn’t visible. I shored up the hole a bit from the inside so it doesn’t spread. It’s not perfect but it was a good learning experience. And for a hat that’s meant for hiking and yard work, I’m pleased for now.

 

[Edward]

I did a thing. Braved the interwebs and bought an Akubra Silverspur on EBay. The photos made it look like it was in decent shape but needed a little love. When I got it I found there was a small hole in the pinch that wasn’t very visible in the photos. After a lot of trial and error I was able to smooth the brim and reshape the crown so the hole wasn’t visible. I shored up the hole a bit from the inside so it doesn’t spread. It’s not perfect but it was a good learning experience. And for a hat that’s meant for hiking and yard work, I’m pleased for now. View attachment 643489
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Looks good. Can't see the hole in your photos. A pity about it, though otoh, maybe it's a small plus if it means you feel able to use the hat the way you intended rather than feeling a bit too precious about it. Not that you are necessarily wired that way - this occurs to me becasue I am!

 

[Frontporchcharlie]

I did a thing. Braved the interwebs and bought an Akubra Silverspur on EBay. The photos made it look like it was in decent shape but needed a little love. When I got it I found there was a small hole in the pinch that wasn’t very visible in the photos. After a lot of trial and error I was able to smooth the brim and reshape the crown so the hole wasn’t visible. I shored up the hole a bit from the inside so it doesn’t spread. It’s not perfect but it was a good learning experience. And for a hat that’s meant for hiking and yard work, I’m pleased for now. View attachment 643489
View attachment 643490
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I remember seeing that hat on eBay, I’m glad one of us Loungers gave it a new life. Good work!