Fed IV or Squatter

[avedwards]

I've decided that I want a moonstone Akubra, but I can't decide between a Fed IV or a Squatter. Both have pros and cons for me, the crown being better in the Squatter, the brim and ribbon colour being better on the Fed IV. So which do I pick?

Does anyone have picture of a Squatter bashed with a teardrop or diamond crown as those are what I like best? There are more than enough Fed IV pictures, so I don't need any of them, but so far I have seen no DM Squatters without a centre dent (not really my style), and I have searched a lot of threads.

Thanks
Alan

 

[billyspew]

Does the squatter come in moonstone? I've only seen it in Steel Grey?

Out of interest why's the crown on the squatter better for you?

 

[avedwards]

The DM Squatter comes in moonstone (though without a black ribbon, which I'm not quite so keen on) as well as open crown, without that pork pie bash which suits many but not me.

The crown on the Squatter is that little bit better as it is only 5 1/4" rather than 5 5/8". I spoke to Art Fawcett about hats a while ago (won't be able to afford one of his yet though) and he practically guessed (correctly) what my head is like just from being told that I am tall and thin. And he recommended no more than 5 1/2" crown maximum, making the Squatter better crownwise.

As for the brim, Art suggested no more than 2 5/8" to me, making the Fed better brimwise.

 

[billyspew]

Go squatter and trim the brim?

 

[avedwards]

I was thinking that, but wondering if David Morgan can do that for me, as well as maybe put a black ribbon on. But the Fed IV (standard) has the added advantage of price, as it's only £50 while the Squatter is about £85.

I guess I'll inquire at DM and then decide. But pictures of the Squatter with a teardrop or diamond crown are still appreciated, as I want to get rid of the country hat impression and make it look more like a city hat.

 

[Chuck Bobuck]

Personally, I feel the crown on the Squatter is too low to bash into a teardrop or diamond. I've tried and my head just pushes it out. Also, I like a taller crown. The fact that the Fed has a taller crown shouldn't be an issue as you can bash it down to where you think you'd like it to be.

I believe you could order the Squatter with a long oval and with a black ribbon. Could take some time. There are at least 2 or 3 versions of Squatter. One has Imperial quality felt with a liner, another has Superfine Quality felt with no liner. The latter, I believe, comes with the pork-pie bash. I would go for the former with Imperial felt and liner. Here's the pics of my Squatter, with a center dent and my Fed with a diamond.

 

[avedwards]

Personally, I feel the crown on the Squatter is too low to bash into a teardrop or diamond. I've tried and my head just pushes it out. Also, I like a taller crown. The fact that the Fed has a taller crown shouldn't be an issue as you can bash it down to where you think you'd like it to be.

The Stetson Chatham is a teardrop drown and that's only just over 5". But the point about the Fed's bash is very valid, besides, I like the deep gaps created when a tall crown is bashed into a teardrop. Allows the hat to be pulled low on windy days without pushing the creases out.

So maybe a Fed IV it is, although I might just end up tossing a coin to decide. I change my mind daily about which hat to get, one day it's a VS (no idea where to fund it from) the next it's a Squatter and then it's a Fed. But probably the Fed due to price. I'll see what state of mind I'm in when I order...

 

[avedwards]

fftopic: That looks like a diamond bash and a teardrop bash at the same time, so which does it class as? Is there a name for when it is both at the same time?

 

[Goose.]

Don't have a Squatter, so I can't advise on a choice based on experience.
But, as posted earlier, if it is the crown height you are concerned with, you can indeed adjust for that with a Federation.

Here is mine in my Hopefully you can see by the bash that it is down a bit.
The front is 4.25" high and the rear 3.25" .

Hope this helps. Post a pic when you get whatever you decide on

EDIT: you mentioned you don't want pics, but I'm putting this small one in for those that may be surfing around and have the same question/concern.

 

[avedwards]

Goose, is yours a regular or a deluxe? It looks amazing, although I'm looking at moonstone at the moment (brown in a few months maybe).

 

[Goose.]

Goose, is yours a regular or a deluxe? It looks amazing, although I'm looking at moonstone at the moment (brown in a few months maybe).

Thanks
It's a Deluxe. I'm waiting on a FIVD moonie, but this dark brown is my "go to beater". You won't regret getting one in any color. Love it.

 

[Chuck Bobuck]

fftopic: That looks like a diamond bash and a teardrop bash at the same time, so which does it class as? Is there a name for when it is both at the same time?

I was going for a diamond, it could be a teardrop, maybe it's a hybrid. Similar, not quite though, to Matt's in this thread...

http://thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=39460

 

[avedwards]

That makes me wonder, regular or deluxe? I intend to shrink a 59cm down by half a size anyway, so shrinkage is not the issue. The issue is whether the price is worth the extra quality (I only care about durability, not about texture) and all the threads I have searched (and there are more than enough) seem to have mixed opinions on this.

 

[CRH]

fftopic: That looks like a diamond bash and a teardrop bash at the same time, so which does it class as? Is there a name for when it is both at the same time?

I our household we call that a 'wrinkle tail' .

 

[Lefty]

Akubra has just announced that it's filing for bankruptcy and will not fulfill existing orders.

 

[CRH]

Personally, I feel the crown on the Squatter is too low to bash into a teardrop or diamond. ...

Somebody's itch'n for a fight lol.

A box (diamond?) was the second crease I put in my Squatter, the first being a classic cattleman - wow! The box was too damn cool! - the crown was almost square but I really wanted a hat with a low tail center dent so that's where it landed.

 

[CRH]

Akubra has just announced that it's filing for bankruptcy and will not fulfill existing orders.

Lefty - you crusty old S.O.B! If I ever get ahold of you I swear I will send you TO THE MOON!

 

[Woodfluter]

Akubra has just announced that it's filing for bankruptcy and will not fulfill existing orders.

Lefty, you're supposed to wait five more days to do that. Just until April 1...I mean, folks here could have a heart attack! You wouldn't want that on your conscience!

 

[KY Gentleman]

Akubra has just announced that it's filing for bankruptcy and will not fulfill existing orders.

YOU GOT ME! I have another Camp Draft on order and my heart sank...

 

[avedwards]

A box (diamond?) was the second crease I put in my Squatter, the first being a classic cattleman - wow! The box was too damn cool! - the crown was almost square but I really wanted a hat with a low tail center dent so that's where it landed.

Is there anything else to say other than worthlesswithoutpics ?