What hat are you waiting for today?

[Frunobulax]

Well, my Akubra Federation IV came in today. Not quite what I was expecting. I've never had a new felt hat before. It's a lot stiffer than I thought it'd be. Molds like clay though.
I'm gonna play with it a bit tomorrow I think and try to get a good bash going. I tried dry bashing a teardrop but couldn't get it to pop up in the middle. I think steam will help with that.
Any good videos on bashing hats that y'all would recommend?


Still waiting on my Dobbs Homberg. Should be here tomorrow.

It should soften up after some wear and exposure to the elements. Akubras respond well to rain and will get softer over time.

We have several threads on hat creases. This is my favorite.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/monster-bash-videos-show-us-how-you-bash.85436/

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Well, my Akubra Federation IV came in today. Not quite what I was expecting. I've never had a new felt hat before. It's a lot stiffer than I thought it'd be. Molds like clay though.
I'm gonna play with it a bit tomorrow I think and try to get a good bash going. I tried dry bashing a teardrop but couldn't get it to pop up in the middle. I think steam will help with that.
Any good videos on bashing hats that y'all would recommend?


Still waiting on my Dobbs Homberg. Should be here tomorrow.

In my experience, I’ve found Akubra to be all over the map. Some have been quite soft, and some very stiff; and I am referring to hats of the same model with the same, felt quality designation. I’ve also noticed a considerable difference in the nap of the felt. I’ve had some that have been a smooth “bald” finish, and others, with a quite long hair finish; and again, I’m referring to hats are the same model with the same felt quality designation.

These inconsistencies are not limited to Akubra. When I have ordered custom hats, I have asked the hatter to go through his inventory of hat bodies to find the least stiff. It can be frustrating, but you are not alone.

 

[Cuvier]

It should soften up after some wear and exposure to the elements. Akubras respond well to rain and will get softer over time.

We have several threads on hat creases. This is my favorite.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/monster-bash-videos-show-us-how-you-bash.85436/

I'd dig around in that thread. Thank you very much!

In my experience, I’ve found Akubra to be all over the map. Some have been quite soft, and some very stiff; and I am referring to hats of the same model with the same, felt quality designation. I’ve also noticed a considerable difference in the nap of the felt. I’ve had some that have been a smooth “bald” finish, and others, with a quite long hair finish; and again, I’m referring to hats are the same model with the same felt quality designation.

These inconsistencies are not limited to Akubra. When I have ordered custom hats, I have asked the hatter to go through his inventory of hat bodies to find the least stiff. It can be frustrating, but you are not alone.

I don't mind a stiff hat if the quality is there. I'm going to be working with it and getting it to fit properly. It's slightly big but I can fix that with some slight padding. It'll shrink some with time.
I love the color but I wouldn't mind a wider ribbon maybe one in a contrasting color. Maybe a pugg?

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Well, my Akubra Federation IV came in today. Not quite what I was expecting. I've never had a new felt hat before. It's a lot stiffer than I thought it'd be. Molds like clay though.
I'm gonna play with it a bit tomorrow I think and try to get a good bash going. I tried dry bashing a teardrop but couldn't get it to pop up in the middle. I think steam will help with that.
Any good videos on bashing hats that y'all would recommend?


Still waiting on my Dobbs Homberg. Should be here tomorrow.

“Molds like clay”....never heard anyone use those terms about Akubra.
Lucky man you must be.
B

 

[Cuvier]

“Molds like clay”....never heard anyone use those terms about Akubra.
Lucky man you must be.
B

Compared to my old battered hats this is a lot easier. The others are fairly set in their ways. This one is stubborn but with some steam I think I can get it to take a nice shape. If nothing else I can take it to a local western hat shop and get it shaped there.

 

[Granville]

Been a while since I picked up a new hat (new being subjective -- my wife says, "what's your obsession with dead guys' hats?"). Toronado by Stetson. Not sure what color it will really be -- Seller's description: Olive Green with a brown band. I'm hoping the green is pretty true to the pic. Sweat looks to be in good shape; no noticeable moth damage; 3x Beaver, which guys on the lounge tell me really means 3% Jerry Mather.

One of my high school buddies used to drive around in a Toronado (his dad's car). Front wheel drive (rare for the time), it had no "transmission hump" running down the center of the car. i.e., flat floor throughout.

 

[Blare]

Been a while since I picked up a new hat (new being subjective -- my wife says, "what's your obsession with dead guys' hats?"). Toronado by Stetson. Not sure what color it will really be -- Seller's description: Olive Green with a brown band. I'm hoping the green is pretty true to the pic. Sweat looks to be in good shape; no noticeable moth damage; 3x Beaver, which guys on the lounge tell me really means 3% Jerry Mather.
View attachment 505192 View attachment 505193 View attachment 505194 View attachment 505195
One of my high school buddies used to drive around in a Toronado (his dad's car). Front wheel drive (rare for the time), it had no "transmission hump" running down the center of the car. i.e., flat floor throughout.
View attachment 505196

if those color renditions are somewhat accurate… it is giving me a bit of joker vibes…. Very cool

 

[BobHufford]

Toronado by Stetson

I dig it!

 

[Cuvier]

Here's my Fed IV after playing with it a bit. First time bashing a hat. I think it came out pretty good.

 

[Steve1857]

Here's my Fed IV after playing with it a bit. First time bashing a hat. I think it came out pretty good.

Nice job!

 

[steur]

Might take a while, but fingers crossed.

Sold as a panama. Ok then.

Not sold as a panama, but I'll take it. Shouldn't take as long either.

 

[BobHufford]

Sold as a panama. Ok then.

Arminto! Looking forward to seeing more. Good gets Stefan.

 

[Steve1857]

Might take a while, but fingers crossed.

Sold as a panama. Ok then. View attachment 505355

Not sold as a panama, but I'll take it. Shouldn't take as long either.

View attachment 505356

Two nice looking finds, Stefan.

I'll see if I can speed the "Panama" up a bit

 

[steur]

Arminto! Looking forward to seeing more. Good gets Stefan.

Two nice looking finds, Stefan.

I'll see if I can speed the "Panama" up a bit

Thanks, guys. You'll be surprised about the "arminto", Bob.

 

[Blare]

Might take a while, but fingers crossed.

Sold as a panama. Ok then. View attachment 505355

Not sold as a panama, but I'll take it. Shouldn't take as long either.

View attachment 505356

 

[BobHufford]

Won a lot with ten hats, but will only take three of them to save on shipping. No idea on brands or sizes ... of course.

 

[Zombie_61]

“Molds like clay”....never heard anyone use those terms about Akubra.
Lucky man you must be.
B

I've had that experience with all of my Akubras, but to get there you have to really saturate the felt with water. Being shy with the moisture won't get the job done, especially if you've sprung for the Heritage Quality felt.

 

[BobHufford]

I needed a brown St. Regis.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I needed a brown St. Regis.

View attachment 506092

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Nice grab, Bob. Are you going to ask for the Bond box be shipped too? It’s the expense and unknown on shipping that keeps me from bidding more on these auctions. Fortune favors and all that.

 

[BobHufford]

Nice grab, Bob. Are you going to ask for the Bond box be shipped too? It’s the expense and unknown on shipping that keeps me from bidding more on these auctions. Fortune favors and all that.

Thanks Brent. No ... I'm leaving the hat box behind. I asked that they make sure there is no box dimension over 12" if possible, but keep the brim as is -- I can deal with a lowered crown if needed.