Decisions, Decisions

[Nigel]

For the past 12 months I've been looking for a vintage OR but with no luck, I've either been pipped at the post for everything I've bid on or it went way too high. So I decided after reading all the threads here I would buy myself a Campdraft, a good looking, hopefully hard wearing hat. I contacted Ron at Hatsdirect to see what he had in stock, he only had the taupe fawn in stock and the Silverbelly had a 3 month wait, what's a guy to do, go for the taupe for instant gratification or be patient and order the silverbelly, after all thats the colour I wanted, well I did what any self respecting Lounger would do, I ordered both. so now I get the best of both worlds, one now the other later.
Now to start saving for both of Kens' Camptown modelslol

BTW what would members recommend for shaping my Campdraft when it arrives? dry bashed, wet/misting bash or use steam. This is my first open crowned fedora I'm hoping to go for a classic c crown or diamond bash, still undecided.

 

[Spellflower]

Re: bashing Akubras

If the Campdraft is anything like other Akubras, you won't be able to dry bash it- without moisture it will just pop back to how it was. I've had Akubras taper dramatically after steaming, and there is some other anecdotal evidence here as well.

I'd advise you to get it good and wet and then shape it and let it dry without heat.

 

[Rick Blaine]

...I did what any self respecting Lounger would do, I ordered both.

Well done! :eusa_clap
Rather following the great Mae West's dictum "...when faced with a choice between two evils, I always pick the one I haven’t tried before.”
I do not think you will have a bit of trouble dry bashing these. I have never had to do anything more with my Akubras.

 

[Stoney]

Although you'll find many posts from me on the merits of steaming in a crease,
I would recommend that you mist the hat with fresh clean water to shape it initially. Steam is great for setting a crease, but you've got to know how not to overdo it.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Well, there you are

Three replies, three different answers. lol

 

[Colby Jack]

My Bushman dry bashed just fine....never wet it once. Though I will be ordering those same Campdrafts down the road also!

 

[Nigel]

My first Campdraft finally arrived, sorry no pics as yet will try to get some posted soon. It's the taupe fawn, just another 2½ months to wait for the silverbelly[huh] . This is my first non vintage and open crowned fedora. I am impressed with this hat, the quality, the felt and the good sized crown. I've tried a little dry hand bashing with satisfactory results though I'm having a problem with the dents, they just seem to keep popping back out perhaps a little water is in order. I'll keep playing with the bash until I'm happy, still undecided between c-crown or diamond. BTW does the brim loosen up a bit? mine keeps snapping back up.
I've been checking out all the Campdraft bashes posted on the other threads so I've got plenty of food for thought. I'll get some pics up soon for my entry to the Brotherhood of the Thin Ribbon.

 

[ideaguy]

First- congratulations!:eusa_clap
Second- I've always found that using steam-judicioulsly-is much, much easier with a new hat; don't overdo it, just get the felt nice & warm, a little damp-don't have to soak the poor thing, and start adjusting slowly-keep the kettle on, give the hat a little blast of steam, take it away from direct contact with the steam, pinch here & there- just enough to give you a mild shaping-as advised previously, the trick is knowing when to stop...
the brim, if you steam it on the underside, will easily "snap"- and the application of steam will allow you to get close to what you want a lot quicker.

Go easy. No need to rush, look at a lot of hats BEFORE you start!! have a mirror handy, large enough that you can step a good 5 ft away & see yourself, and have patience.
That's my .02 cents worth, it works for me, have done a LOT of hats this way, with good results. True secret: patience, patience, patience.

Good Luck!

 

[RBH]

My first Campdraft finally arrived, sorry no pics as yet will try to get some posted soon. It's the taupe fawn, just another 2½ months to wait for the silverbelly[huh] . This is my first non vintage and open crowned fedora. I am impressed with this hat, the quality, the felt and the good sized crown. I've tried a little dry hand bashing with satisfactory results though I'm having a problem with the dents, they just seem to keep popping back out perhaps a little water is in order. I'll keep playing with the bash until I'm happy, still undecided between c-crown or diamond. BTW does the brim loosen up a bit? mine keeps snapping back up.
I've been checking out all the Campdraft bashes posted on the other threads so I've got plenty of food for thought. I'll get some pics up soon for my entry to the Brotherhood of the Thin Ribbon.

I anoint you a brother in the BROTHERHOOD OF THE THIN RIBBON !

The Campdraft is a great hat. A little mist of water was all my Campdraft needed. Since then all it took was a dry crease to go from a c crown to a slight diamond crease.
As for the brim.. I just worked mine back and forth to 'limber' up the felt. Dont worry...Akubras are tough, you will not hurt it buy doing that.
I for one look forward to your photos... once again
WELCOME to the Brotherhood!!! :eusa_clap

 

[KY Gentleman]

From what I've seen the Campdraft is a great looking Akubra. Be sure to post pictures!

 

[Nigel]

Finally

I got around to some pics of my Campdraft, here they are:
Right out of the box

First attempt at bashing

Doing a Douglas

Out and about

The pictures could be better, but that's more to do with the photographer than the camera:eusa_doh:
How did I do:fedora:

 

[tonyb]

Nothing not to like there, Nigel. There's a reason that OR-esque style remains so popular, eh? They've been around for a good 70 years or more and they still command a steady audience. I imagine they are less common a sight on your side of the pond (not that you'll see them all over around here, either, but they are more prevalent than other styles of hats, with the exception of your standard cowboy lid).

Yes, I'm liking the way you have it shaped. The way you've go the front of the brim works well with that lid and with your face.

 

[Nigel]

Great stuff! Where'd you order from that you got them so fast?!!!

I ordered 2 Campdrafts, one in Taupe Fawn (pictured) and one in Silverbelly. The Taupe Fawn was in stock, order placed 17th April and I had it on my head 10 days later. The Silverbelly however is special order and delivery is expected anywhere between 2 and 3 months time. I ordered from Ron at Hatsdirect, the Campdraft is not listed on his site but if you drop him an email he can get them.

Looking at the pic below, to me it seems the front of the brim wants lowering a bit more, from the angle of the shot it almost looks snapped up.

 

[RBH]

You did great on your crease!! I would like the front a little lower.
Just work the front brim up and down with you hands, no need to wet it. A little working of the felt will give you what you want.
Once again GREAT JOB!!! :eusa_clap

 

[KY Gentleman]

Thats a very nice looking hat and it suits you well. Hope you get the silverbelly model soon!