bashing my new hat

[deadlyhandsome]

View attachment 160275
When Banjo was almost new

Now I’m confused. Is your Fed IV already creased or is it still open crown?


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[Geenee]

Now I’m confused. Is your Fed IV already creased or is it still open crown?


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My Federation IV is still in the box. I have to wait for a good moment. I don’t have access to the photo studio in this week.

 

[Kane]

Go for it. I did my Akubra Campdraft open crown with a similar sense of trepidation, and it was super easy and fun. I did dry bashes first, and then did a spray bottle treatment and that set the bash in place. The next time I crease or bash my hat I will do it with steam! These folks know of what they speak, as does Trudi at the Hattery, so full steam ahead, or the spray bottle if you’re more comfortable with that. But after doing it you will realize that it’s not a big deal to do.

Check out the thread here called Monster Bash videos:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/monster-bash-videos-show-us-how-you-bash.85436/

You will see people bashing their hats. I found it instrumental and comforting.

 

[scottyrocks]

Thank you for everything Guys. I promises that I will soon try to shape my Fed IV. I would like to take some photos for you and ask for a possible correction.

It's correct if you like it.

 

[RJR]

It's correct if you like it.

+1

 

[Zombie_61]

Hello there,
all tips and methods look good. However, I have a lot of fears about my first attempt to shape the hat (Federation IV Deluxe). I tried to persuade a salesman to shape a hat for me, but the ladies from The Hattery disagreed. They wrote that I would certainly manage even at home. Of course I have instructions, I have watched videos, but when I take my Fed to my hand, I start to be scared and it paralyzes my further actions. I'm afraid that I will do something wrong, make a bad shape or damage my hat. You can laugh, but it's a challenge for me. Your shapes are great. I would love to have it over me.
Maybe some first tip for a beginner?

First, welcome to The Lounge Geenee!

My first fur felt hat was also a Fed IV, except it was the standard/Imperial Grade. It was also the first hat I shaped/creased myself so I was a little apprehensive, but after a few moments of manipulating the felt I was surprised by how easy it was. I didn't have a decent way to apply steam to the hat (and still don't), so I used/use the "distilled water in a spray bottle" method--spray the outside of the crown until the felt is good and wet, wait a minute or two for the felt to absorb it, then begin. I agree with what Jared/jlee562 wrote in post #77 above; start by giving the hat a Center Dent so you can use that to establish both the center line of the crown and the desired crown height in the front and back. Of course, if you want a Center Dent crease you only need to add the side dents to the front of the crown and you're done. But if you want a Teardrop, or a C-Crown, or a Diamond (arguably the most popular creases for fedoras) you simply expand that Center Dent until the crown has the shape you want (viewed from above, of course), then add the side dents to the front of the crown. Because I use distilled water instead of steam, at this point I stop and let the hat dry at room temperature (never use an artificial heat source like a blow dryer or space heater to dry the hat faster because you can shrink the felt). Once the hat is dry I wet it again, then form the dome/bump/hump in the center of the crown to allow space for my head, and let it dry again. Once I get the crown shape I want, I'll spray and shape the brim.

All of that being said, one of my Fed IVs is the deluxe/Heritage Grade. I found it a little more difficult to shape than the standard/Imperial Grade hats because the felt is denser and, on mine, kept wanting to revert to its open crown shape. So I had to re-spray and re-shape the crown a couple of times before it accepted its new shape, and had to spray and shape the brim four or five times. Patience really is a virtue.

Akubra's fur felts aren't indestructible, but they're reasonably durable so unless you're Edward Scissorhands or apply too much heat for a prolonged period of time you shouldn't damage your hat by shaping it.

 

[Geenee]

Watching movies and photos I loved your hats. Now I know that it is often the effect of patient work, practice and experience. I doubt if I can shape my hat like that.

 

[scottyrocks]

I think you need to read this:

 

[Geenee]

sweet

 

[Geenee]

Hello there,
it happened today!
Photos soon...

 

[scottyrocks]

Hello there,
it happened today!
Photos soon...

Will you be passing out cigars?

 

[Geenee]

Thank you for your support and help.
Now is the time to watch...

 

[Geenee]

Will you be passing out cigars?

I never had a chance to taste a good cigar. I rather smoked those popular, available in ordinary supermarkets. I would not like my dear friends to give something weak.

 

[Mark70]

Very nice!!! Looks professionally done. Wear it well.

 

[scottyrocks]

Nice job.

 

[Kane]

Well done! It looks great. Can you get Cuban cigars in Warsaw? This would be a good time to fire up a nice Cuban. It will go well you with your new hat.

 

[Kane]

Is that the imperial or the heritage felt? How does the felt feel? My Campdraft in heritage felt is nice but a little on the stiff side.

 

[Geenee]

Is that the imperial or the heritage felt? How does the felt feel? My Campdraft in heritage felt is nice but a little on the stiff side.

I have Deluxe versions. so the felt is (pure fur felt) Heritage. I have several Akubra hats, including Banjo Paterson. I can probably confirm your feelings.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Both grades are pure fur felt. In my limited experience, the quality of the sweatband is more pronounced than the quality of the felt.


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[Zombie_61]

Nice work Geenee! I think your hat's new shape suits you very well.