Campdraft vs Bushman

[Gromulus]

I own neither a Campdraft nor a Bushman, but my advice to you as a hatless lurker is to go with the Campdraft. It has a shorter brim, but by no means a short brim. Every 1/8 inch difference in brim size is remarkably, ridiculously noticeable, and you will be far happier at the beginning with the narrower Campdraft brim, because it will be more versatile and more in keeping with what you had in mind. Hats with very wide brims like the Bushman, I personally consider to be strictly outdoors hats, better yet in the full sun, and I think you would get less use out of it than you would a Campdraft.

In general I would concur. The Camp Draft is a very versatile hat. I own both Silverbelly and Taupe Fawn Camp Drafts, with a Bluegrass Green to arrive any day now. My next hat is going to be a dark brown, primarily for outdoor use. I tend to favor lighter brown/tan hats for general everyday use but for variety (and the larger brim), the Bushman will be my next hat. From the pics available I tend to gravitate towards the Bushman's color vs. the dark brown of the CD.

I also own a Moonstone, Steel Grey, and Acorn Stylemasters but I have no interest in the dark brown model. Just not a fan of dark brown hats for everyday use I suppose but I do like them for outdoor activities since they tend to hide the dirt better. Different strokes (and lids) for different folks!

 

[1961MJS]

... Different strokes (and lids) for different folks!

Hi Gromulus

Different Lids for Different Kids

Later

 

[monbla256]

I own neither a Campdraft nor a Bushman, but my advice to you as a hatless lurker is to go with the Campdraft. It has a shorter brim, but by no means a short brim. Every 1/8 inch difference in brim size is remarkably, ridiculously noticeable, and you will be far happier at the beginning with the narrower Campdraft brim, because it will be more versatile and more in keeping with what you had in mind. Hats with very wide brims like the Bushman, I personally consider to be strictly outdoors hats, better yet in the full sun, and I think you would get less use out of it than you would a Campdraft.

Being an owner and almost daily wearer of a Bushman for over thirty years now, I have to not agree that it is strictly limited as an "outdoors" hat. Depending on where you live ( I'm not familiar with the "...state of Grace" ? ) what type of clothes you wear daily your physical size/shape etc. the Bushman may be "just" the hat for you. It is not THE Akubra here on the Forum ( the Campfraft is the "in" Akubra and all other Akubra's are measured against it I have found) but you need to evaluate your needs hat wise and as you have done, continue to gather "data" for an informed decision JMHO

Onward thru the fog

 

[Gromulus]

Hi Gromulus

Different Lids for Different Kids

Later

I like it!

 

[T Rick]

I just checked 3 of my tape measures and can't find the "... a good bit more than..." dimension on any of 'em

Lol... reminds me of an OT story (I'll keep it short). Building composite trusses on the ground for a salt storage barn. Me, to apprentice on the other end of the center section: "What is your measurement?". Apprentice: "A little less than a half inch" (we are centering this piece, so will nail it with equal meaurements on each side). Me: "YOU GOT THOSE LITTLE MARKS ON YOUR TAPE??". Apprentice: "Yeah". Me: "Well, what does it read?". Apprentice: "Three sixteenths". Me: "THANK you".

 

[monbla256]

Lol... reminds me of an OT story (I'll keep it short). Building composite trusses on the ground for a salt storage barn. Me, to apprentice on the other end of the center section: "What is your measurement?". Apprentice: "A little less than a half inch" (we are centering this piece, so will nail it with equal meaurements on each side). Me: "YOU GOT THOSE LITTLE MARKS ON YOUR TAPE??". Apprentice: "Yeah". Me: "Well, what does it read?". Apprentice: "Three sixteenths". Me: "THANK you".

BINGO Reminds me of my Millwright apprentice days years ago when I was told it was "..3" and 2 rch's " ( it's not fit for a family Forum but use your imagination ) What trade were you apprenticing for? Me was a woodworking Millwright made it to Master before I went back to school and went into the drafting end of the business. was warmer in the office
Onward thru the fog

 

[BobG]

Thanks for all the great responses! I listened to the recommendations and just placed an order with Hats Direct for a taupe fawn Campdraft. Soon I'll not be hatless! I'm sure I'll have other questions then. Again, thank you!
Bob

 

[monbla256]

Thanks for all the great responses! I listened to the recommendations and just placed an order with Hats Direct for a taupe fawn Campdraft. Soon I'll not be hatless! I'm sure I'll have other questions then. Again, thank you!
Bob

I like your color choice. You've now joined the in-group of Akubra owners here at the Forum !! But truthfully, your aquiring probably one of if not the best production hat made today. Wear it daily and remember it is the true"... fan the fire, water the horse" hat

Onward thru the Fog")

 

[Tone]

...and it continues to keep the cost of the Bushman more reasonable.

 

[monbla256]

...and it continues to keep the cost of the Bushman more reasonable.

I'm working on that one ?

Onward thru the Fog

 

[T Rick]

BINGO Reminds me of my Millwright apprentice days years ago when I was told it was "..3" and 2 rch's " ( it's not fit for a family Forum but use your imagination ) What trade were you apprenticing for? Me was a woodworking Millwright made it to Master before I went back to school and went into the drafting end of the business. was warmer in the office
Onward thru the fog

I wasn't the apprentice, I was dealing with an apprentice with a rather poor attitude (TBH, he was a bit on the lazy side). Not the worst I've seen, but far from the stellar performance/attitudes I've seen from many.

I'm a Carpenter by trade, but the Millwrights are a Sister trade to us, in the same Union. When they get busy as they often do here in Motown (auto plant shut downs and changeovers etc.), they often fill out the ranks not only with Travelers, but also local Carpenters. Some of us are more in tune with the Millwright trade than other Carpenters. I tend to be one of the last Carpenters on Millwright jobs when I get the call (hoping for a call for millwright work in the next couple of weeks in fact, though I got a call today about a possible emergency shut down at a local nuclear power plant that may put me back to work there instead). In this economy, it is a constant effort to seek employment as work has been very tight.

BTW I came back into the trades after decades as an Estimator then business owner. Thinking of again seeking a change (getting a bit long in the tooth for banging nails and climbing scaffolds ).

Sorry for the thread drift, I need to learn more about the Bushman. I kn ow my Camp Draft will be a long time favorite!

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

I know this is an older thread,but I would like to add my two cents worth. I've been wearing hats a long time. I never considered myself a collector of hats, or a connoisseur of them. I usually only had one hat to take care care of all needs. Since I found this site, I have been enlightened about hats and have purchased two since joining ,and received one as a gift. I like what I read in the forums for the most part, but I wear a hat mostly because I wear glasses and live in the Pacific Northwest. I have a new OR Stetson if I think I will need a hat when I wear a suit. For me the hat that shines the most is my Akubra Bushman. Again I don't wear to be stylish or to impress anybody. I wear it for protection against the elements, and I don't think there is a finer hat to be found for this purpose. I could handle not having but one hat ,and for sure it would be the Bushman. I have a stampede strap attached to it that also came from David Morgan. I know most of you would not wear this set up to town. Up here where I'm from people wear hats for mostly the same reasons I do. The people who don't wear hats wouldn't even know what a stampede strap was if they saw one, and certainly wouldn't know if it was appropriate to wear this type of hat about the town. I could care less. I don't wear hats indoors. Just the way I was raised by a whole bunch hat wearers and gentleman. The Bushman. One great hat. >

 

[monbla256]

Dasmoeturehead,
I think you and I are the ONLY Bushman afficianado's on this Forum I think part of it is that it's an exclusive hat with a NON Aussie supplier. Takes some of the "mystique" out of aquiring a hat when you can just order it and it show's up on your doorstep 3 days later. No 3/4 mo hassle, waiting for Customs etc. I wear mine about 4 out of 7 days a week, and my Cattleman and Stylemaster pick up the other 3 days Here's my newest one I bought going on 4 years ago now and as you say "...The Bushman, One great hat . "

 

[Gromulus]

Dasmoeturehead,
I think you and I are the ONLY Bushman afficianado's on this Forum

You underestimate yourself monbla. Actually your posts (as well as those of the late Colby Jack) convinced me to buy a Bushman. I already have three Campdrafts (Fawn, Silverbelly, and Bluegrass Green) and was considering the Mid-Brown color as well. The unique color and similar style of the Bushman won me over. Being a recent purchase I have not had much occasion to wear it as of yet this winter, but I can see it being one of my "go to" hats for outdoor activiity wear.

 

[monbla256]

You underestimate yourself monbla. Actually your posts (as well as those of the late Colby Jack) convinced me to buy a Bushman. I already have three Campdrafts (Fawn, Silverbelly, and Bluegrass Green) and was considering the Mid-Brown color as well. The unique color and similar style of the Bushman won me over. Being a recent purchase I have not had much occasion to wear it as of yet this winter, but I can see it being one of my "go to" hats for outdoor activiity wear.

Welcome to the Bushman Club !! Glad to have another convert

 

[Harry Gooch]

For those of you who have both a Bushman and a campdraft, are they similar in terms of ovalness? I have a campdraft with seems to fit my long oval head fairly well. Is the Bushman more or less long oval?

Thanks,

Harry.

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

Dasmoeturehead,
I think you and I are the ONLY Bushman afficianado's on this Forum I think part of it is that it's an exclusive hat with a NON Aussie supplier. Takes some of the "mystique" out of aquiring a hat when you can just order it and it show's up on your doorstep 3 days later. No 3/4 mo hassle, waiting for Customs etc. I wear mine about 4 out of 7 days a week, and my Cattleman and Stylemaster pick up the other 3 days Here's my newest one I bought going on 4 years ago now and as you say "...The Bushman, One great hat . "

Yes Sir I think your right. By the way thanks for the info about these hats. After considering what you had said about these hats I bought one and love it. I do understand some people wear hats indoors, I just don't wear one in the house or when I go out to eat. I know some people work indoors where it's fine to wear a hat. Didn't mean to come on so strong there. Yea it's a great hat for sure.

 

[Gromulus]

For those of you who have both a Bushman and a campdraft, are they similar in terms of ovalness? I have a campdraft with seems to fit my long oval head fairly well. Is the Bushman more or less long oval?

Thanks,

Harry.

I am not sure either of these models is really a "long oval" as normally stocked. I know Everything Australian (and perhaps Hats Direct) in OZ have reblocked the CD to a long oval for some customers. My head is fairly round and I don't notice any difference in fit and feel between the CD and Bushman. Oh, and for the record there are no real issues ordering any hats from OZ. I have ordered twice each from EA and Hats Direct and (when the hats are in stock) have had them delivered in two weeks or so right to my door, no muss no fuss. I currently have another order placed for Capricorn and Rink models from EA which should be in by May, just in time for summer. If you want a Campdraft (and yes, they ARE worth it) this is your only option outside of used. Two weeks (or even three months) is hardly a long wait for hat, especially compared with the Adventurebilt boys who have waited as long as three years!

 

[Harry Gooch]

I am not sure either of these models is really a "long oval" as normally stocked. I know Everything Australian (and perhaps Hats Direct) in OZ have reblocked the CD to a long oval for some customers. My head is fairly round and I don't notice any difference in fit and feel between the CD and Bushman. Oh, and for the record there are no real issues ordering any hats from OZ. I have ordered twice each from EA and Hats Direct and (when the hats are in stock) have had them delivered in two weeks or so right to my door, no muss no fuss. I currently have another order placed for Capricorn and Rink models from EA which should be in by May, just in time for summer. If you want a Campdraft (and yes, they ARE worth it) this is your only option outside of used. Two weeks (or even three months) is hardly a long wait for hat, especially compared with the Adventurebilt boys who have waited as long as three years!

Yeah, I suppose it would be more correct to say that the Camp draft is a longer oval, though not a true long oval. I still had to give mine a bit of a stretch fore and aft to get it to fit comfortably.

Harry

 

[monbla256]

For those of you who have both a Bushman and a campdraft, are they similar in terms of ovalness? I have a campdraft with seems to fit my long oval head fairly well. Is the Bushman more or less long oval?

Thanks,

Harry.

I do not have a LO head and found my Bushman to fit perfectly so I would say that you would need to take it to a hatter if it would not adapt to your head. My experience with Akubra's is that most of them settle into the head shape of the wearer with time, rain, sun etc. Give David Morgan an e-mail and ask if he can stretch a Bushman to LO if you feel you truly need to. I always go directly to the source if possible to get questions like this answered and the folks at DM are very good about getting back to you and answering you questions.

As always, Onward thru the Fog