Bob Roberts
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 11,201
- Location
- milford ct
GREAT hat!Thanks guys for the valuable info, I'm pretty sure I'm going to join the Fed IV owners contingent. Now I just need to decide what color...................
GREAT hat!Thanks guys for the valuable info, I'm pretty sure I'm going to join the Fed IV owners contingent. Now I just need to decide what color...................
Unfortunately no Fed's.I just purchased a couple from Australiangear, They have a sale going on some of them right now, prices roughly 30% less than David Morgan, and that's including shipping. plus models and colors not available here. One of the one's I ordered was a Cattleman in Bluegrass Green.
Each one of you is a bad influence (on my pocketbook).
How tall is the crown on a Fed IV? Hats Direct doesn't list it online.
They do, but the link to that information is very nondescript and can be easy to miss. They list the open crown height as 5-5/8" (142 mm)....How tall is the crown on a Fed IV? Hats Direct doesn't list it online.
Meyer the Hatter carries some Akubras: http://www.meyerthehatter.com/AKUBRA/71/dept I saw a Squatter in their display window a couple of years ago, too.The last time I saw an Akubra in a shop in the USA was in 1980 or so when I was in high school. It's probably not what you want to hear, but I bought all my Akubras when living in Australia. Walked into the shops and forked over cash.
$$$$Meyer the Hatter carries some Akubras: http://www.meyerthehatter.com/AKUBRA/71/dept I saw a Squatter in their display window a couple of years ago, too.
I can vouch for the Akubra size shrinkage.Oh my, the discussion on shrinkage can be very nuanced. Buried in the depths of the collective knowledge here are some very good explainers from our resident hatters and people whom have likewise handled many more hats than I.
That having been said, there certainly are a few generalities we can make. Modern Christys hats in particular are notorious for shrinkage and aren't representative of what one should expect from a quality hat.
Beaver felt is naturally more resilient against water, so shrinkage is generally minimal. But all felt hats continue to felt overtime, which is why hats benefit from the occasional reblock.
Vintage felts are a crapshoot. Sometimes they're spot on, sometimes they've obviously shrunk up. So much has to do with how much hat the care received in its life, and how it was cared for before it got to you. I've had several 6 7/8ths hats gently stretched and/or reblocked to fit me. I don't personally look for vintage hats that are larger than my size in the hopes that it has shrunk.
Akubra hats can shrink up to half a size...mine isn't quite that severe, but it definitely has tightened up to my head (this makes it a really good rain hat though....hard to blow off).
Oh my, the discussion on shrinkage can be very nuanced. Buried in the depths of the collective knowledge here are some very good explainers from our resident hatters and people whom have likewise handled many more hats than I.
That having been said, there certainly are a few generalities we can make. Modern Christys hats in particular are notorious for shrinkage and aren't representative of what one should expect from a quality hat.
Beaver felt is naturally more resilient against water, so shrinkage is generally minimal. But all felt hats continue to felt overtime, which is why hats benefit from the occasional reblock.
Vintage felts are a crapshoot. Sometimes they're spot on, sometimes they've obviously shrunk up. So much has to do with how much hat the care received in its life, and how it was cared for before it got to you. I've had several 6 7/8ths hats gently stretched and/or reblocked to fit me. I don't personally look for vintage hats that are larger than my size in the hopes that it has shrunk.
Akubra hats can shrink up to half a size...mine isn't quite that severe, but it definitely has tightened up to my head (this makes it a really good rain hat though....hard to blow off).
I have a question about hat cleaning and after a search of "hat cleaning" did not get it answered. I just picked up a vintage Borsalino in mid grey that needs a refresh. There are no stains in the felt or ribbon but overall just looks a little soiled and tired.
The liner is yellowed and even though it is stitched in may remove it give it a light wash.
Question: Would it make sense to try the Scout as a first round or plunge right in and give it naptha bath?
I am game to try the naptha but if I can do the refresh with the Scout will go that route. Should I remove the ribbon and clean that separately?
Any words from the experienced hat cleaners out there? Not opposed to sending it out to a real hatter for cleaning but, what the hell, why not learn a little bit more about hats??
My experience as well.If the liner bothers you,replacements are readily available and you know they're clean.I find that most hats come out fine after a vacuum, brush, and steaming.
B