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Akubra Stylemaster thoughts and opinions

HatNut-Jack

New in Town
Messages
17
So I've kind of gotten the hat bug now, and for my next purchase I'm looking at something a bit more conservative, so I thought the Akubra Stylemaster might be a good one to try out. How do people rate it?

The other question is, should I branch out and buy other brands, like maybe a Stetson Whippet, or even a Borsalino? I'm not too inclined to do that because I know that Akubra make good hats that can stand up to the weather (it rains a lot where I live), and I don't want to buy a hat, wear it in the rain and have it shrink and warp like crazy.

I mean, how is the felt on a Stetson hat? Is it durable and good in the rain?

What do you guys think, should I go for a Stylemaster?
Call me crazy, but I own 3 Stylemasters from Hats by the 100 in Australia. Love the hats! Check out their You Tube videos. Warning: Andrew could sell you every hat he reviews. I know from experience. Very nice hats and good service. Some colors in some style are special orders and take a couple of months to get. Enjoy!
 

dkstott

Practically Family
Messages
726
Location
Connecticut
I just added a Moonstone Stylemaster from Hat's Direct to the herd of Stylemasters. Carbon Grey, Acorn Fawn and now Moonstone.

Call me crazy, but I own 3 Stylemasters from Hats by the 100 in Australia. Love the hats! Check out their You Tube videos. Warning: Andrew could sell you every hat he reviews. I know from experience. Very nice hats and good service. Some colors in some style are special orders and take a couple of months to get. Enjoy!
 

dkstott

Practically Family
Messages
726
Location
Connecticut
So, I've been playing around with changing the crease in one of my Stylemaster hats.

Wondering if I stand a chance to getting it permanently into either a diamond crease or center crease.
 

Brinybay

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Seattle, Wa
I don't know how or why this happened, but I don't like it and was wondering if there is something I can do to fix it.

20191222_161817.jpg

View attachment 201921
 
Last edited:

bluesmandan

A-List Customer
Messages
303
Location
United States
That may require more than steam. Soak the brim, shape it the way you like, then set the hat on a gallon milk jug and let it dry overnight.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Brinybay

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Seattle, Wa
:) Thanks, I'll try the steam fix.

P.S I cropped the pic. My expression on the selfie was scary looking, even to me!

Plastic surgeons today can work miracles, but you may be beyond reconstruction.

A little steam from a kettle will easily cure your very slightly wonky brim.
 

FedoraRedHat

One of the Regulars
Messages
106
Hello,

I've just purchased an Akubra Stylemaster in Navy based on the high brand recommendations from the members here. I'm in the U.S., so it should take a while for it to get here from Australia. Just wanted to say thanks for the advice, and Happy Holidays to everyone!

-[Insert Linux Username Pun Here]
 

Woodtroll

One Too Many
Messages
1,263
Location
Mtns. of SW Virginia
Hello,

I've just purchased an Akubra Stylemaster in Navy based on the high brand recommendations from the members here. I'm in the U.S., so it should take a while for it to get here from Australia. Just wanted to say thanks for the advice, and Happy Holidays to everyone!

-[Insert Linux Username Pun Here]

The waiting is the hard part, but Akubra hats are a very good value and worth the wait. I think you’ll be pleased.

Welcome to the Lounge!
 

luke

New in Town
Messages
24
Location
Cambridge, UK
Hi everyone,

Is it me or is the rear of the crown on a style master quite a bit lower than the front? Does anyone have a measurement for the height of the back of the crown?

Also, I'm interested in the possibilities of reshaping the crown also (I think another chap was asking about this a few posts ago....) It just seems a bit too low at the back for me.

Samuel, your re-worked Stylemaster looks more like an 'open crown' fedora now! Quite different to other pictures of the same hat. The crown looks quite a bit higher too. Is that right? Was it easy to do?

I would prefer to get the Bogart or Sydney, but they just don't seem to do them in the fawn colour anymore (I know David Morgan does but it's out of my budget with the shipping to Europe included).

Any help would be great.

Thanks!
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Hi everyone,

Is it me or is the rear of the crown on a style master quite a bit lower than the front? Does anyone have a measurement for the height of the back of the crown?

Also, I'm interested in the possibilities of reshaping the crown also (I think another chap was asking about this a few posts ago....) It just seems a bit too low at the back for me.

Samuel, your re-worked Stylemaster looks more like an 'open crown' fedora now! Quite different to other pictures of the same hat. The crown looks quite a bit higher too. Is that right? Was it easy to do?

I would prefer to get the Bogart or Sydney, but they just don't seem to do them in the fawn colour anymore (I know David Morgan does but it's out of my budget with the shipping to Europe included).

Any help would be great.

Thanks!

The Stylemaster has some rake, but not a lot. You can easily push the crown out to “open,” but removing to old crease takes work. Otherwise, the felt will just want to return the the factory shape. You can wet and steam it, but I find it best to also use an inside crown form to use as an anvil to push the felt against. I use the back side (wood) of a hat brush or the back side of a stainless steel spoon to work the old crease out. Once you have all the old crease worked out you can reshape it. Go slow, use a light mist of water, and regular applications of steam. For me, there is a bit too much taper and definitely not enough crown height to work with on the Stylemaster.

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

luke

New in Town
Messages
24
Location
Cambridge, UK
Hey,

Thanks for that. I just want a hat like the Campdraft (which I've got) but with some taper (I'm tall and slim).

The Stylemaster kind of fits the bill, but I don't like the pre-creased crown shape.

I can't seem to find the exact hat I'm after....
 

dkstott

Practically Family
Messages
726
Location
Connecticut
The Stylemasteris a great hat and comes with a teardrop crease. That shape inherently has a lower rear crown.

I've been able to modify the heck out of the crease by getting it wet & then slowly reshaping it.

I used a spray bottle of water to start with, then steam from a tea kettle. A small bowl worked to get rid of most of the factory crease.

It wasn't completely an open crown when I was done, but it was enough for me.

Then it was just a matter of slowly shaping it to my liking. I was able to get a center crease in one of mine. But then decided that I preferred more of a diamond crease.

It takes some time to get it done, but it can be done with patience.

Personally, I like the "rake" on the hat. I'm not a fan of the "stove pipe" straight look on me.
 

luke

New in Town
Messages
24
Location
Cambridge, UK
That's good to know.

I've been working my Campdraft in all sorts of ways to get the right shape, but I think there's just too much crown to begin with. The height is perhaps not so much an issue, but definitely the sides. I wish I could shrink it.

I don't think having a lower crown at the rear (or 'rake') suits me. It doesn't work with the proportions of my head. If anything I think a higher rear and lower front works better for me.

Does anyone have anymore pictures of reworked Stylemasters? I'm interested in what you can do with non-open crowns.
 

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