Question for all you"Federation" types...

Panama Tom Jr. · Post by **Panama Tom Jr.** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 6:06 pm

After a long hiatus I'm finally getting back on the forum and I'll start my return with a question: Is it standard practice to trim the brim on an Akubra Federation? I've seen this in some tutorials on shaping an Indy style fedora, and I understand that a standard Federation brim is 1/8" wider than the original movie hat. Is that extra 1/8 really that noticeable? I'd be more nervous trying to trim a hat and end up with an uneven and/or sloppily cut edge. Opinions?

Modern Jones · Post by **Modern Jones** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 6:12 pm

Glad you're back Panama Tom Jr.!

I trimmed mine, but at the end of the day, it depends on ...

-the shape of your face (Thin, long, round, etc.)
-height of the crown

I was looking for more of a TOD hat. I knew my ROTLA hat was going to be a different hat all together. As you know, once it's gone, it's gone!

The Akubras crown is low and rounder than a Raiders block. I thought it looked better with a thinner sided brim. But I have a skinnier, chisled face.

Regards,

Eric

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 7:00 pm

Exactly!
1. Try it on.
2. Wear it.
3. If happy with it, proceed to 5. If not, proceed to 4.
4. Trim it, but remember that a little does a LOT for the overall appearance. One step at a time is good. When finished proceed to 5.
5. Look at that shiny smile of yours in the mirror while wearing it.

That's pretty much how I went by for what it's worth.

Regards,
Swindy

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 6:31 am

I did trim mine, back in the days (read: less than a year ago) I had no clue whatsoever about hat dynamics (construction, reblocking and such).
Should I order an another Fed, I guess I'd reblock it first to push the crown to a full 6 inches or more. Then, I'd see if the brim needed any additional trimming.

Merrick · Post by **Merrick** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 6:38 am

The brim of my fed deluxe looks too big when comparing it for screen accuracy, especially with the shape of my face. However, I've had it for a few years now and I really like it the way it is.

BUT if I were to buy another to purely be my 'Indy hat' I would trim the brim just that little bit.

VP · Post by VP » Fri Nov 19, 2004 7:12 am

I didn't trim mine, and I'm not going to.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 8:09 am

No trimming on my Federation.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 8:39 am

I trimmed mine, but only after I've had the hat 6 months or so. I mulled over the idea for at least a month or so before finally doing it.

With the Federation, it really does depend on what size the hat is and on the wearer. As I understand the story, when those at COW helped create the hat, they wanted the brim to be equal in proportion regardless of the hat size. So if it was a smaller hat, the brim would be proportionally sized to that of a larger hat. Apparently, the Akubra folks didn't want to do this, so they made the brim a standard width regardless of the hat size. So if you wore a size 6 7/8, the brim width would be exactly the same as a 7 1/2. If you have a larger hat, then the brim is probably better proportioned to your hat. I wear a 7 1/4 (58) and trimming an equal 1/8 inch worked for me.

bink

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:09 am

No trim...I like the way they come right out of the box....

The crown, however, is a different story.

Feraud · Post by **Feraud** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:26 am

I have not felt a need to do any trimming on mine.

Hatman · Post by **Hatman** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:31 am

Like has been said earlier, I think it depends on the size of the person.
I have not trimmed mine, but I wear a size 59 cm.
Wear it a while before you do anything.

Hatman

SHARPETOYS · Post by **SHARPETOYS** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 1:12 pm

I never cut mine either. I like it like it is size 59

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Sat Nov 20, 2004 3:32 pm

Get your Akubra (Best Fedora I've owned in over 20 years), wear the heck out of it for 6 months and think about how you want to make it better. Then send it to a pro to do the work.

VP · Post by VP » Tue Nov 23, 2004 10:39 am

There ain't no pros around here.

thefish · Post by **thefish** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:05 am

Got a federation deluxe back in May. Didn't trim it, just wore it through seven kinds of H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks.

Won't trim it now, and it just keeps looking better and better.

The most I might do is send it to Art Faucett for a reblock at a later date, but right now, it doesn't need it.

-Dan