Drowned my Akubra

[Joel Tunnah]

I've said some grumpy things about my Akubra Stylemaster before, but it was pretty stiff, and scratchy to the touch. I stand by that statement.

But after reading about several people's Akubras getting softer after getting wet, I decided to give it a try. I put the whole hat under cold water for 15 minutes, and worked the water into the felt with my fingers until it looked thoroughly soaked. Then I let it dry on a towel, brim down, and resting on the brim.

The difference is immediately noticable. The felt is now soft and more pliable, and has a smoother overall appearance. None of the color ran, and the ugly factory bash came right out, so I can do my own thing with it now. If it shrank, it was minimal.

Try it!

Joel

 

[RBH]

Hey Joel, can you show us a picture of the 'finished' product?
As for looks I think the Stylemaster is one of the few modern fedoras that has a classic look.

 

[Simon82]

I second the call for photos!

Joel,

Thanks for posting on this. I've eyed the Stylemaster, but didn't like the factory bash either. What's it like softened and more or less open-crowned? Is there much taper?

 

[Joel Tunnah]

I will post pics tonight. The hat had a wicked taper out of the box, and it still does now... but that's the style. It's much less noticable with a center dent bash.

But the felt is really impressing me now. I'm thinking Campdraft, with the Heritage felt, and thoroughly soaked in the tub.

Joel

 

[Pilgrim]

Y'know, we do tend to be a bit delicate in our handling of hats.

One of my good friends was an Idaho cowboy who shaped the 60's Bailey western hat I still have. He began his shaping by chucking it in the bathtub and soaking it.

Of course, his recommendation for getting a new pair of boots to fit was "go stand in the crick and then wear 'em 'til they're dry".

 

[Art Fawcett]

Of course, his recommendation for getting a new pair of boots to fit was "go stand in the crick and then wear 'em 'til they're dry".

lol lol lol

Well said Pilgrim!!! I worry sometimes about the over abundance of caution when hats are concerned. I have gent's that won't wear one of my hats in the rain and it never ceases to puzzle me. Heck, I BUILD them to withstand rain, but when it's all said & done, they are still just hats, no matter who makes them.
Your friend sounds like a wise man.

 

[RBH]

. I'm thinking Campdraft
Joel

The Campdraft is a great hat, and yes it will get better with time.
Soak that dude and it will bend to your will!

 

[johnnycanuck]

soaking it in the tub? Drowning it in the sink? Ok whatever works. I usually find the best way to relax a Akubra is wear it in a rain storm. But if you cant wait for the rain might as well make your own.
Johnny

 

[Feraud]

soaking it in the tub? Drowning it in the sink? Ok whatever works. I usually find the best way to relax a Akubra is wear it in a rain storm. But if you cant wait for the rain might as well make your own.
Johnny

I can always wait for the next rainstorm to come along.

 

[Jerekson]

Another thing you might want to consider, if you find your Akubra to be 'scratchy' -

I sanded the felt on my Federation with fine grit sandpaper. I originally had heard of this being done on COW; I tried it myself and am quite pleased with the results.
The fuzz kind of just accumulated and blew off with a quick puff, leaving the undercoat nice and smooth. When I ripped the liner out of my hat for a home-block, I compared the inside of the crown to the bottom of the brim - wow, big difference.

I would suggest you try it if you still are bothered by the rough felt. It really will change the overall feel (and look, for that matter) and you really can't damage your hat with it as long as you do it properly.

Another plus is that you can sand the felt thinner if you want. This would, I imagine, give the hat a more vintage feel. /shrug [huh]

Okay. Jerekson

 

[Joel Tunnah]

Ok here are some pics.

In this one the Akubra "Fedora" (Sydney) is on the left, the Stylemaster on the right. You can see that the Sydney has a slightly straighter block, but basically the same crown height.

Next, the Stylemaster with a center dent.

You can see how the brim is nice and floppy, and the felt has a nice smoothness as I mentioned.

 

[Jerekson]

Good job. Looks quite nice with the center dent.

The taper on those crowns still makes me shudder though lol

 

[Joel Tunnah]

Yes, I removed the ribbon. I haven't decided on the exact replacement yet, but I'm thinking 2" black.

 

[Pilgrim]

lol lol lol

Well said Pilgrim!!! I worry sometimes about the over abundance of caution when hats are concerned. I have gent's that won't wear one of my hats in the rain and it never ceases to puzzle me. Heck, I BUILD them to withstand rain, but when it's all said & done, they are still just hats, no matter who makes them.
Your friend sounds like a wise man.

Thanks, Art. Y'know, they're HATS. They're meant to cover your noggin and protect it from sun, rain and snow. Not wearing one because it's raining is a bit like not wearing shoes because it will wear out the soles.

And none of those plastic hat prophylactics for me, either. If it gets wet, it'll also dry out. :fedora: