mine arrived today, too!

[Gilgamark]

Arrived Today

Here's my just-dried Moonstone Fed IV Deluxe. I went with a combination of kaosharper's modified Maltese Falcon bash with the height of the store-bought bash on the Akubra Stylemaster. The front is 4"; the back is 3 1/2". I put a tugboat effect on the sides; they rise to 4 1/2" at the back of the dents.

I went with the understated dents and tight pinch of the Maltese Falcon, which I like. Thoughts on making the dents deeper. I think I'm going to snap the back of the brim up a little more.

Overall, I'm please with this for my first bash. I was really surprised how easy it was to work the felt when wet.

I apologize for the poor quality of these photos. The batteries were dying in my camera. In fact, they are now dead.

 

[BobC]

A very nice looking Fed, G.

 

[RBH]

I like that one, nice long c-crease!

 

[scottyrocks]

congrats! looks great on ya!

----------------
Now playing: Cold War Kids - Dreams Old Men Dream
via FoxyTunes

Thanks, I love it.

 

[Goose.]

Wow Gilgamark. I really like that hat on you! Great bash work!!!! :eusa_clap
I think the pics are GREAT and I especially like the measurements you provided. Thank you for posting.

I wish I had a Federation IV Deluxe moonstone.

Oh, and I think the dents are fine.

 

[scottyrocks]

Wow, looks great man! Awesome job on the bashing. Was it easy getting the pinch right?

*squirms in seat* I really want mine now!!!!

Yes, it was pretty easy. I dont use steam. Sprayed water gives me excellent control without the danger from too much steam. I spray until its coated but not soaked, and begin to push to shape. Works great.

 

[scottyrocks]

Newb question... how stiff exactly is that brim? Like is it bendy or inflexible?

I sprayed it as described above and then do a process I call muutchering. I over-exaggerate the bend so that as it tries to return to where it started, it winds up exactly where I want it. Sometimes it requires a little reinforcement before its dry, but it works well for me.

 

[scottyrocks]

Nice lid Scotty - great job on the bash.:eusa_clap It suits you well. Is that a deluxe or a regular Fed IV? I got a regular and did not realize how comfortable it had become until I started wearing a different fedora and then switched back again.

Now just watch out for the Hovitos.

Its a regular. I knew it would be exactly what I wanted. The deluxe may very well be more comfortable, but this hat feels like a dream.

Too bad the Hovitos dont know you the way I do, Belloq . . . lol

 

[scottyrocks]

nice fed, is that a Crystal Skull bash?
And is that a regular or deluxe?

Its a regular.

Actually, I am a fan of the HJ Raiders hat so I went for a taller front for the crown, and pinched it higher than what I perceived as the CS bash.

 

[Gilgamark]

. . . I don't use steam. Sparyed water gives me excellent control without the danger from too much steam. I spray until its coated but not soaked, and begin to push to shape. Works great.

Interesting, I went with distilled water in a spray bottle, too. Steam didn't seem as controllable to me either. I also wondered how long the felt would stay pliable with steam. With water, I resprayed when it started to dry, which was only one area.

I'd be interested what others think about water v. steam. Are there any threads?

I agree with Scotty on the feel of the Fed IV, too. This hat feels like it's already broken in. Amazing.

 

[Johnny.]

Here's my just-dried Moonstone Fed IV Deluxe. I went with a combination of kaosharper's modified Maltese Falcon bash with the height of the store-bought bash on the Akubra Stylemaster. The front is 4"; the back is 3 1/2". I put a tugboat effect on the sides; they rise to 4 1/2" at the back of the dents.

I went with the understated dents and tight pinch of the Maltese Falcon, which I like. Thoughts on making the dents deeper. I think I'm going to snap the back of the brim up a little more.

Overall, I'm please with this for my first bash. I was really surprised how easy it was to work the felt when wet.

I apologize for the poor quality of these photos. The batteries were dying in my camera. In fact, they are now dead.

Wow, I love the bash on this hat! You did the crown really well and the brim's a work of art. I love how the brim comes down at the front, looks awesome.

 

[ryang]

Gilgamark - great job on that bash. It looks great on you.:eusa_clap

 

[Spats McGee]

Here's my just-dried Moonstone Fed IV Deluxe. . . . .

Overall, I'm please with this for my first bash. . . . .

Gilgamark, I've got to join the chorus here. The Fed looks great on you and if you hadn't admitted that it was your first bash, I'd never have guessed. Nice work.