My Camp Draft arrived !

[RBH]

The Camp Draft arrived today. It really is a great hat! I ordered the Taupe Fawn color and I love it.
The felt is not butter soft but was soft enough that it was easy to shape the open crown.
I would recomend this Akubra , as it seems to be a well made hat.
here it is out of the box

a liner shot

after creasing

and on my head

 

[Mr. Lucky]

THAT is a fantastic hat! Congrats.

 

[Razzman]

Well done! A very fine looking hat. :eusa_clap

 

[DOUGLAS]

Great hat RBH!:eusa_clap

 

[Byrne Sherwood]

I got a Campdraft recently and am also pleased with it. Had to wait three months, which was quite a test of patience. What did you use to get the bash? Steam? Water? Mine didn't come out looking as smooth, so am wondering what method you used. I misted mine with water, but perhaps was too stingy. You picked a good color; I may go that route next time (I went with Silverbelly).

 

[Victor]

I really like the look of that hat and the shape. It is exactly the style that I generally go for, looks just like an old Stetson Open Road. I am curious if you know how the felt compares to the Akubra Cattleman which is a decent and very sturdy hat but has somewhat coarse and heavy felt compared to a vintage Open Road.

 

[Russ]

Akubra used to make the Stetson Open Road under license. I bet this is the same hat with a different name now. I had one and sold it after a pigeon attack gave it certain pychological associations even after I cleaned it...

After seeing yours, I'm tempted to buy a Campdraft -- especially now that I'm more aware of what lurks overhead.

 

[Razzman]

I agree with Victor it has a nice OR look to it. You did a great job in bashing it to achieve that look. If you don't mind my asking, where did you order the hat from. I checked several on line dealers with no luck in finding a Camp Draft model by Akubra.

 

[HLSheppard]

I believe this is the place:

http://shop.valleycountry.com.au/catalogue/category1/category13/category54/product334

I've got my eye on one as well.... :fedora:

 

[RBH]

I got a Campdraft recently and am also pleased with it. Had to wait three months, which was quite a test of patience. What did you use to get the bash? Steam? Water? Mine didn't come out looking as smooth, so am wondering what method you used. I misted mine with water, but perhaps was too stingy. You picked a good color; I may go that route next time (I went with Silverbelly).

Thanks for all the good words everyone!
I sprayed mine with a water bottle, wet it really good [not to the point that it dripped water] and then I gentley started the shaping process.
Yes here is the place I got mine. They were great to deal with. And yes it took 3 months, as the CampDraft had to be ordered from Akubra.
http://shop.valleycountry.com.au/catalogue/category1/category13/category54/product334
It is a fine hat none the less.

P.S. I ordered the 7 1/2 size and it fits great.

 

[Byrne Sherwood]

I'll re-bash mine and take it a bit slower. Yours came out great!
Also check out http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au. You pay a lot for shipping, but it still comes out cheaper than most US-based sellers. I've bought a couple of Akubras from them and they are good folks. Note that the website has prices in Australian dollars, but there is a currency converter available.

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

Nicely done RBH. You did a great job on the bash.

I did the conversion - 73 mm is approx. a 2 7/8" brim.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

I order all my Akubra's thru Ron at Hatsdirect. I have the same hat and it only took a couple of weeks. If it not on his web site he can still get it for you. Just send him a email or link to the other site. Great service with a great price...

http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi/products.cgi?group=Fedora+Hats

 

[jake_fink]

The campdraft is a good looking hat. It would be cool in one of the special order/"custom" colours Akubra offers, like blue grass green or navy.

You've given me soemthing to think about as gift giving (and getting) season creeps up.

 

[RBH]

Been wearing my CampDraft all week end. Gotta tell ya I LOVE IT !
This is a great hat for the money.
Gotta go.... I need to take my hat out for a walk.

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

I shaped my Akubra Fed Deluxe with just cold water. I took my time, and revised the bash over the course of a few evenings. I think that's the key.

 

[ideaguy]

RBH :eusa_clap :eusa_clap Great lookin' lid! Is there a difference in sizing between
the Akubra line and an OR? I was considering one, but wondered about the basics-like will my 7 3/8 LO be the same as theirs? You look like you really are
enjoying the hat-nice to see.

 

[riccardo]

Hi to all,
I begun wear my campdraft on 15th september every day, It is a very beautiful hat,for me, I've shaped it like your. I've pourchased a silver belly the seller send me a faw one. But I really love it.
Everyone call me "hey,texano"lol lol
Best regards.
Riccardo

 

[Byrne Sherwood]

Thanks for the bashing tips, gentlemen. I re-worked my Campdraft this weekend and am pleased with the improvement. Like Riccardo, I get comments like "Hey Tex/Cowboy", which took me aback at first as I don't see it as an especially western looking hat since I don't have a cattleman's crease. Not that I have a problem with the western look (quite the contrary), but I have a different hat for that mood. Tony-nice Fed; that might be my next addition.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Enjoy the Campdraft!

I think I was one of the early owners of the Campdraft on the Lounge, and I have to say it's one great hat. The Campdraft and the Fed both come highly recommended by me! Enjoy them!
NB