Delux or not?

[qabbe]

Hello!

I need to know the difference between the Federation and the Federation Delux. I know that there is a difference in quality but anything else that is usefull to know? I realy think I should get the standard federation bu haven't decided yet. Any response is deeply apreciated!

Qabbe

 

[Mr. Rover]

The believe the color of the felt is richer and more consistant on the federation deluxe.

 

[Art Fawcett]

I'm at a loss on this one asI haven't done much with them. Fedora!!!! can you help??

 

[Renderking Fisk]

I have both. You should get both, too.

If I had to chose... the deluxe.

 

[fedoralover]

I have both and the deluxe is a much nicer color and is made from what Akubra calls their Heritage felt as opposed to it's Imperial felt that is standard issue on most of their hats. They come Open crown, meaning you have to shape them yourself and were made to be Indiana Jones replicas. They both have dimensionally cut brims. The front and back are around 2 3/4 to 2 7/8ths and the sides are around 2 5/8ths or so. Hatsdirect is a stand up company you can trust. If you want a more standard type of fedora they offer other styles that may suit your tastes more in case you aren't into the Indy look. However you can shape it anyway you want and you don't have to give it the Indy look if you don't want to. You just put in the shape you want and give it a light steaming over a teapot and it will keep it's shape. Just like any felt hat though, if you get it thoroughly drenched and soaked it will shrink some. Keep in mind they are off the shelf hats that are mass produced and some who have bought them have noticed some minor problems. If you order one and see a problem, DO NOT SHAPE IT, just e-mail Ron Liliburne and tell him the problem and ship it back and they will give you another hat. But if you shape it, they will not take it back. For the money it is a good buy for a new hat. It is a great outdoor type of hat that you can wear anywhere. If you don't trash it in the weather it will look nice enough to wear anywhere.

If want something to just wear for dress and don't mind paying a little more, I'd strongly suggest to e-mail Art Fawcett and tell him what you are after. He has a great vintage collection to choose from OR as you can see from the other post, he can make you one that'll knock your socks off.

hope this helps fedoralover

 

[qabbe]

Thanks a lot fedoralover!

So what you are saying is that the hat can't take bad weather, is that it? If I ruin the shape in the rain isn't it possible to reshape it with steam and so on. Will this destroy the hat completely?? We do have a lot of rain here.

Qabbe

 

[Renderking Fisk]

Or, you can do what I did. Get a Deluxe... shape it yourself then when you know exactly what you want have Art reblock and shape it for you.

 

[fedoralover]

NO, the hat can take bad weather, but keep in mind that the hat is not made out of plastic. Felt is a fabric of sorts, probably the strongest fabric that is made from a natural source. But under severe drenching the hat may shrink some and yes loose it's shape. BUT, you can reshape them many times with a reblock or if it's not too bad you can do it yourself with a little bit of steam out of a teapot. It will not destroy the hat to get it completely drenched. A lot of people like the distressed look that a fur felt fedora gets from being out in the weather. Just let it dry at room temperature. Don't put it near any heat or the leather sweatband and the felt may shrink up to a size too small for you to wear.

I live in Oregon and I wear an Akubra Federation every day throughout the winter and I work outside in the weather. Just keep in mind that just like any piece of outdoor equipment, everything has it's limitations.

regards fedoralover

 

[qabbe]

Thanks fedoralover!

With that you completely answered my question. Then there is no question about it...I will get a fedora delux in the near future. I just have to consider the size for a while. I'm pending between 2 size.

Qabbe