Akubra Overload

[HatMagnet]

Great looking Fed UWS Cowboy! I've got to stop reading this thread, I just ordered a Federation in Moonstone from Hats Direct and that makes my 3rd Akubra in 2 months! :eusa_doh: If the Fed is on a par with the Campdraft and Stylemaster I have I'll be a happy puppy though.

 

[carter]

Bargain Shopping

It turns out the reason my Adventurer was on the "reject pile" was not because there was a manufacturing defect; it's because it was a manufacturer's interim sample that had features that were changed before DM's Adventurer went into production. In this case, it appears that the crown was shorter and more tapered than the final product.

By the same token, the Bushman they have in my size is also a sample and was set aside because it's not quite the shade and tone that became DM's proprietary "Nullarbor Tan" color. It's still a nice-looking color, though. I returned to DM to check the hat out again and for the time being decided to pass. There's nothing wrong with the hat; it's just that it may be too much hat for me. It is quite substantial. It has the scale to be bashed and shaped into a ranger hat or a Southwestern cowboy hat, and--if bashed into a fedora--makes for one big fedora! OTOH, I do have a couple pairs of low-heeled roper style cowboy boots, and maybe this hat in a Western curl or cattleman's crease might be just the thing.

JohnnyB53, It appears that the David Morgan Showroom, like the HATCO Outlet Store, may be a great location for finding deals on slightly-less-than-perfect Akubras. What's your opinion on their stock of 7 5/8 Akubra rejects? I'm interested in seeing an Adventurer and a Bushman. I wonder if they'll ship? Hmmm.....

 

[kaosharper1]

JohnnyB53, It appears that the David Morgan Showroom, like the HATCO Outlet Store, may be a great location for finding deals on slightly-less-than-perfect Akubras. What's your opinion on their stock of 7 5/8 Akubra rejects? I'm interested in seeing an Adventurer and a Bushman. I wonder if they'll ship? Hmmm.....

I had a thread on my DM Adventurer when I received it back in January here:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=26796&highlight=kaosharper1

Its a great hat. I wore it today. It's a little less stiff than a Fed but more so than a Campdraft. But after a couple of snowstorms (I was living in the Northeast then) it started softening, and now its as soft as the Campdraft. It also takes bashes well. I've changed it a couple of times.

 

[BobC]

Another Akubra arrived at our house today. It's a heritage fawn Banjo Patterson. The brim took a bit of a beating in transit, and I had to wet it down a la Gene and work the waves out of it.

The jury is still out on this one. It's no Campdraft, and it has quite a bit of taper in the crown. The brim is also different than I'm used too with the back turned down. It is also pretty big even though I ordered my usual size, so I cinched it up with some foam to get it to fit. I'm a little happier with it now than I was when I first saw it, but the jury is still out.

 

[RBH]

Another Akubra arrived at out house today. It's a heritage fawn Banjo Patterson. The brim took a bit of a beating in transit, and I had to wet it down a la Gene and work the waves out of it.

The jury is still out on this one. It's no Campdraft, and it has quite a bit of taper in the crown. The brim is also different than I'm used too with the back turned down. It is also pretty big even though I ordered my usual size, so I cinched it up with some foam to get it to fit. I'm a little happier with it now than I was when I first saw it, but the jury is still out.

That has a nice causal look Bob... but I still like the Campdraft best.

 

[jec]

Bob-

The Banjo fits you well, but I think you'll like it better when you are wearing a rugged coat and jeans and you're out hiking or working in the yard. IMHO it's not a dress up hat.

 

[BobC]

That has a nice causal look Bob... but I still like the Campdraft best.

I'm inclined to think the Campdraft is the best of the Akubras, RBH. I probably pick mine up nearly half the time. Most of the rest of the time the black from Major Moore is on my noggin. Now there is a very fine hat.

 

[BobC]

Bob-

The Banjo fits you well, but I think you'll like it better when you are wearing a rugged coat and jeans and you're out hiking or working in the yard. IMHO it's not a dress up hat.

I agree, jecoe. It's definitely not a dress hat. I put it on tonight after I got home from work so my better half could take some pictures of it for the lounge. I will wear it more with jeans and sweatshirts or t-shirts, but that's how I wear most of my hats anyway. I don't wear a hat to work because I don't have a place to keep it there where I know it'll be safe and not messed with or sat on or some other thing.

 

[carter]

I had a thread on my DM Adventurer when I received it back in January here:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=26796&highlight=kaosharper1

Its a great hat. I wore it today. It's a little less stiff than a Fed but more so than a Campdraft. But after a couple of snowstorms (I was living in the Northeast then) it started softening, and now its as soft as the Campdraft. It also takes bashes well. I've changed it a couple of times.

Thanks, kaosharper. I went back and read the Adventurer thread. Now I think I'll get one to mess with.

BobC, The banjo peterson looks like a good casual hat for you but I agree with Rusty. The Campdraft gets the nod.

 

[Mr. Paladin]

I have just e-mailed Mr. Lilburne and added my name to the list for the grey Campdraft. You guys have finally convinced me...plus, I just can't bring myself to shape a Stetson OR into a fedora style...I know, I know--but I LIKE my modern Stetson dress hats! This gives me the ability to play without offending the conscience.

I also want to order a Fed IV but still can't make up my mind whether to go with the Deluxe or Standard, even though I have read all the threads I can find about the topic. It seems that people are pleased with their choice no matter which version they choose. I am used to western hat styling, so stiff as a board does not bother me at all. It is actually more difficult for me to become accustomed to a soft and pliable hat than something like Peters Bros. "bullet-proof" fedora but I am working on the conversion. Any last ditch help will be appreciated before I give up and pick one on my own weak knowledge of Akubras. [huh] :eusa_doh: [huh]

 

[RobFedoraField]

Campdraft in grey

I just added myself to that list as well. has anyone put a wider ribbon on their campdraft? or would that be sacriligious?

 

[G MAN]

BobC, The Banjo Paterson is a nice hat, I have both colors.
As jecoe said it is a hat that looks better with a rugged coat and casual clothing.

 

[BobC]

BobC, The Banjo Paterson is a nice hat, I have both colors.
As jecoe said it is a hat that looks better with a rugged coat and casual clothing.

I had the day off today and wore it for part of the day. It's growing on me, especially now that I have it looking better and fitting better than it did when it arrived.

 

[Jerekson]

These really are not the good pictures that I was hoping to be posting, but I guess they illustrate well enough...

Here's my Federation IV...

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Squatter

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Federation III. I'd still be wearing this hat if it could take it, but sadly I had to retire it in favor of my Federation IV. It was abuse on my part and I take full responsibility for it - won't happen again with the Fed IV. I don't think I could take it.

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[JohnnyB53]

I had a thread on my DM Adventurer when I received it back in January here:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=26796&highlight=kaosharper1

Its a great hat. I wore it today. It's a little less stiff than a Fed but more so than a Campdraft. But after a couple of snowstorms (I was living in the Northeast then) it started softening, and now its as soft as the Campdraft. It also takes bashes well. I've changed it a couple of times.

I agree with Kaosharper1: The Adventurer is a great hat, pure & simple and the slight difference in proportions vs. the Federation work very well. With the Adventurer's slightly lower crown and wider brim, it's easier to shape for satisfying proportions. The felt behaves just as Kaosharper1 says--easy to bash, but then it holds that bash until you're ready to try another. I put a teardrop pinch in mine and it looks great.

In fact, its proportions and felt softness remind me a lot of an Italian fedora. I wish I could have another Adventurer in a mid-grey with a black band. It would look totally Italian.

The Adventurer is a nice soft hat. In my case my tawny fawn Fed IV is slightly softer, but I've had it longer and have bashed it mercilessly. It's had 4 different crowns in as many weeks. I'm hooked on how open crown/unshaped brim hats conform to the head. I also benefit from a lucky accident: my std. Fed IV came with the Deluxe sweat band, and that is a noticeable difference. It's like buttah and makes my Fed IV the most comfortable of the 3.

I like it so much I just ordered myself a Fed IV Deluxe in moonstone for Christmas.

Last night we got hit by a rainstorm with a driving wind. I wore my Adventurer and it was perfect. Being a soft felt, the brim flexed with the wind rather than acting like a sail to blow it off my head. The hat was wonderfully water repellant to the point that I'd get in the car with a wet hat, and by the time I drove 5 miles to the next stop, the hat was dry again. And of course, no color running and no mis-shaping.

 

[citRon]

These really are not the good pictures that I was hoping to be posting, but I guess they illustrate well enough...

Here's my Federation IV...

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Jerekson...how on Earth did you get that wonderful up-swoop on the sides of the Fed 4 brim? Also, did you trim the brim any? Looks fantastic!

 

[Jerekson]

Jerekson...how on Earth did you get that wonderful up-swoop on the sides of the Fed 4 brim? Also, did you trim the brim any? Looks fantastic!

Uh...it wasn't easy, let me tell you...

On the basic scale though, it's pretty much just leaving the brim flanged as is, and adding in additional swoop to the sides on top of it. Get the front of the brim to break how you want it, and then use your half-curled fingers like guide-rails to push in the sides, working towards the back. When you get towards the rear add a little more kick.
It's more complicated than that, but you can do it. I know you can.

The key is to keep the original flange job. If you flatten the brim or downturn it or whatever, it won't work.

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[cookie]

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I need some lurv and a reblock....FWIW

 

[Swagman]

Akubra sizing consistency

For those of you that have purchased several Akubras, how consistent do you find the sizing? I should be a 55, but have ordered a 56 thinking I should go slightly larger to accommodate some future shrinking, but it seemed far too large even with some band filling. So the next round I went with a 55, but it's way too tight. Going to try a stretcher on that one. In retrospect it seems like I got a big 56 and a small 55.

How much play does there seem to be in the sizing from Akubra. I'd like to get a Stylemaster, but don't know if I should go to what my head measures (55) or what is the safer bet of 56.

 

[KY Gentleman]

The Akubras tend to run a little big but they do conform some after wearing.
I usually get a 7 7/8 hat (size 63) and it is almost too big. Eventually it seems to tighten up some and feel great. I recently bought a Campdraft in size 62 and it fits like a dream! I just hope it does not grow to be too tight.