Wool Fedora questions

Indiana Wayne · Post by **Indiana Wayne** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:53 pm

I am going to buy a fedora from US Wings, until I can afford a Akubra federation, and I would like to know a few questions about wool fedoras. My sister said wool shrinks if it gets wet, so here are a few questions about wool.

1. How many inches would a wool fedora shrink?
2. If it shrinks once will it shrink again if it gets wet again?
3. Will wool get soft if it gets to worn out?

I will add more questions when they come into my head.

Thanks!

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:10 pm

If I were you I would just save up until I could get an Adventurebilt. The prue rabbit is compairable in price and quality to the Akubra fed and has the perfect block.

Post by **Ken** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:13 pm

My very first hat was a wool fedora and when it got wet it tapered horribly. I wasnt really that aware of shinkage but thats not to say it didnt occur. Sorry I cant be more specific.

In terms of if it gets soft or not I have found mine turned rock hard.

Personally I have found owning a fur felt hat much enjoyable but whatever you decide on just make sure its a hat that you're happy with.

Ken

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:30 pm

Shrinking isn't the problem. Taper is! Seriously, do not get a wool fedora, they are just a waste of hard-earned money that could be put to better use buying a Fed, or an AB rabbit, or a Snowy River, or a Kepler, or a PB (may be a bit expensive). You will regret the purchase of a wool hat, go for something made of fur. :junior: -IJ

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:32 pm

Just SAY NO to wool. Save your money for a fur felt. What's gonna happen is you'll get the wool and wonder why you didn't just wait and save money for the fur. Trust us and learn from our mistakes.

Indiana Wayne · Post by **Indiana Wayne** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:39 pm

Molorom wrote:HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO ANYTHING WEVE SAID!

Yes, I have been. I am going to get a Akubra federation for Christmas, but I need a cheap hat to have from know to then, and my mom will be paying for this hat, so I cant get a real expensive hat. I get 10 dollars for mowing the grass, but that money will be going into buying some gear.

Indiana Wayne · Post by **Indiana Wayne** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:44 pm

I have an old vintage wool bowler hat, and it is one of the best hats I have.

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 11:24 pm

Let's not pick on Wayne too much. Everyone has to learn sooner or later... whether it's the easy way or the hard way. You can't make people listen sometimes, let's not scare him off so soon. When I was that age 20 years ago I wanted everything NOW.... don't confuse me with facts when my mind's already made up.

Keep in mind, he's growing and what ever he buy's today he'll out-grow in a year.

Wayne... go ahead and get that wool felt hat you've had your eye on. Just don't ever wear it out of the house or in the rain and you'll be fine. In 4 years you'll be ready for an Adventurebilt and by that time you should have that money saved.

My advice, and you can take it or leave it... save for an Adventurebilt.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 8:39 am

Renderking Fisk wrote:My advice, and you can take it or leave it... save for an Adventurebilt.

The best hat you've owned in over 20 years?

I concur with everyone. You can get an Adventurebilt in Rabbit for $135.00. Go out and mow as many lawns as you need to, do as many errands, wash cars, do everything within legal boundries to get the money for that hat. It will mean so much to you once you do and you will not be disappointed.

Dakota Ellison · Post by **Dakota Ellison** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:11 am

I assume you can Scotchgard a wool hat as well as any other. Then you can go outside in the rain.

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:14 am

Hemingway Jones wrote:
Renderking Fisk wrote:My advice, and you can take it or leave it... save for an Adventurebilt.
The best hat you've owned in over 20 years?

Still love my Akubra's... and they were the best fedora's I've ever owned. I'm boxing the two that I wore to the hospitals the day my boy's were born.

I'll continue to plug the Akubra while at the same time pointing other fans towards Art Fawcett for fans who are looking for the Bogart 1940's look and Steve Delk for the more Authentic Ford - 1930's look.

What I like about Steve's hats is that the only way you could get a more authentic vintage fedora is to borrow Dr. Brown's car and drive back to 1935 or 1936.

I wish Steve was making them back when I was 15 years old, I would have saved for one... the wool ones I bought only lasted a month or two wearing them in New England weather. If I had saved all the money I spent on the foolish wool fedora's (I bought at least 5 of them) I would have been able to buy something better. Nobody's fault other then my own because I didn't know any better and didn't try to find someone local who could have made me a better fedora.

I'm tired of being fustrated because younger people won't listen, I read some of my writings that I wrote 20 years ago (so bad... my eye's bled and my head throbbed...) and when I was 15 I didn't listen either. I thought I knew everything... but all I really knew was that there was more to learn.

Good luck to Wayne, and God Bless him. If we don't scare him off, he might become a cornerstone member in the years to come.

Indiana Wayne · Post by **Indiana Wayne** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:20 am

Thanks everybody!

Snakewhip_Sable · Post by **Snakewhip_Sable** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:17 pm

Oh, don't be that way, guys. I still have, love, and wear my first wool fedora. It's great in the rain (and in stormdrains) and has never shrunk or tapered - though it was a bit tapery to begin with. Though, it has now been demoted to 'stunt hat'. I wear it when it gets cold too, as it keeps me warmer than a fur felt hat does. I mean arctic type cold though. For the sub-arctic cold, I wear the Soviet mink fur noggin-topper.

That being said, I really do recommend having a quality hat too, but a wool one is a good starter while you save up for a nice fur felt fedora.

If you want a real Indy hat, though, it's gotta be fur felt.

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:45 pm

Good choice Wayne, glad you decided to take our advice. I do have to agree with Ren that its you're choice and we were wrong to try to steer you towards another hat.

But I am glad you're getting a Fed, if what I've heard on COW is any indication, you'll be very happy with it. :junior: -IJ

Mola Ram · Post by **Mola Ram** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:54 pm

Wayne,
Dont get scared away by this. We are just trying to help you not make the same mistake that we have made allredy. One thing that really annoys me is when kids use their age as a excuse for what they are capable of doing. I am only 1 year older than you. most likely less than that. I turned 14 just a few weeks ago. I sell whips that i make my self, sell things on ebay. exe to make money. so far, in the past year ive made a total of 1400, off of my whips, and selling items on ebay. Just get a skill, and make $$ off of it. Thats what ive done, and its something that i enjoy alot.
Kindest Regards,
Adam

Snakewhip_Sable · Post by **Snakewhip_Sable** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:57 pm

Molorom wrote:We are just trying to help you not make the same mistake that we have made already.

A very good point.

Shiva · Post by **Shiva** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 2:14 pm

I would advise you one step more. While I have not seen the rabbit Adventurebilt I do have a beaver Adventurebilt and the felt is FAR superior to an Akubra. From what I hear about the Rabbit Adventurebilt I would opt for that. It is not really any more expensive than an Akubra but it is custom made rather than mass produced and is a superior hat. Personally I don't like Akubra felt very much. It is stiff and grainy especially if you are getting teh standard Akubra rather than the delux. I would save my pennies and get an Adventurebilt.

Shawnkara · Post by **Shawnkara** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 2:39 pm

There are some pieces of gear where it's OK to buy "close enough" at entry level to our hobby. The fedora is one where IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT!!!!! Save for a real hat.

IndianaGuybrush · Post by **IndianaGuybrush** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 2:52 pm

My first hat was a wool Dorfman Pacific, and I loved it at the time. I think I spent $35 for it, I can't think of a better bargain Indy fedora once it's been restlyed. Keep in mind that Wayne is new to the fedora wearing community. He might not be ready to wear one regularly. There is nothing wrong with getting a cheap fedora just to see how one sits on your head and whether or not you like the way it looks. Age might not be a huge factor, but $ situation is. Molorom, you said you made $1400 over the past year selling whips and stuff on eBay. Well, since your expenses are pretty low that $1400 can be spent as disposable income, and $225 or even $135 for an AB is a reasonable expense. Wayne may not have the same luxury, or he may not have a skill that people are willing to pay for. The DF is $35, but then you say the DF fur felt is only slightly more, so get that... but then the Akubra fed is only slightly more, so get that. But then the fed deluxe is much nicer and only slightly more, so get that... but then the AB pure rabbit is about the same (only slightly more) so get that... well once you're done moving up the ladder you're spending $100 more than you had originally intended.

Bottom line Wayne, you have to spend what you feel comfortable spending. if i had the money, I would definitely wait and get the AB rabbit. If it were a choice between the DP fur felt (which is around $75 I think) and the AB or Akubra, I would tell you to get the Akubra or the AB. As it stands, you don't know if you're even going to be wearing this fedora. you don't know if you're going to like it. i'd hate for you to spend $100+ dollars, which if I'm reading your situation correctly is a lot of money to you, and then end up putting the fedora away in a closet. This way you spend a few weeks worth of allowance, but you end up buying something that's worth a heck of a lot more. You're finding out whether or not an indy fedora is right for you.

I'd advise you to get the AB if you can wait, because the quality is leagues away from any wool felt fedora, and the DP specifically. But I won't try to dissuade you from getting a wool fedora, because that's the way that most of us here got started, and it's the first fedora I really fell in love with. Come on folks, be faithful to your roots

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:45 pm

I agree that wool felt fedoras are not the quality of fur felt, but remember not everybody has the money for a high end fedora, or even a mid-range one either. I'd say figure out how much you'd be willing to spend and check out the selection of fedoras in that range. Any of the fedoras on our main page (Indygear.com) are good fedoras. That's why they're there. Yes, there are a few not there yet as it's still being updated. The Akubra is a good starter fedora for price and durability both. Not everyone wants a high end all-beaver fedora. I'd also make sure you know your proper hat size beforehand. Returning a mail order fedora is not fun, especially if it's overseas.

Also, don't be afraid to look in the ol' Archives here in the fedora section. Many people have asked the same questions and a lot of discussion is located here for your viewing.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:02 pm

I would add to MJ's advise. I wore a Dorfman Pacific for over 10 years for backpacking/camping. I was happy and non-wiser, until I ran into the crew here.

) My wool fedora served me nicely. It kept the sun off, it kept the debris off my neck while bush-wacking, it served as my cup when scooping river water after a dusty hike, .... it tapered, turned green I didn't care - fellow backpackers knew I was seasoned if they saw me with my well worn hat. Just go with what your budget allows.

Indiana Jess · Post by **Indiana Jess** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:27 pm

Wayne, keep an eye on the classifieds section. You never know when a Fed or Fed delux in your size is going to turn up. What is your hat size anyway?

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:46 pm

Good to have you on board Wayne. I'm a Tennessee boy myself.

From the left: Official Last Crusade 1989 Fedora, Wool Disney, Wool Dorfman Official Indiana Jones, Stetson Fur Felt Indy, Peters Bros Fur Felt _ I. I have since also gone through an Akubra Fed and now own an Adventurebilt.

As you can see, the two Wool ones, the Disney and Dorfman, look pretty bad. But keep in mind, both of these hats took extreme beatings for two years camping, hiking, snow, rain, etc. Wool fedoras are great for people on budgets. Just be willing to replace them, and prepare yourself for fading and shrinking before their time is up.

Fur felts have the same issues of shrink and taper, but it just takes longer and they can be reblocked. Wool ones cannot.

Mike

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:37 am

Thats a pretty good bash in that old baby. Its really one of the better looking wool fedoras I've seen.

Welcome to COW!

Zach R. · Post by **Zach R.** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 4:03 pm

Meh, when I got my fedora a few weeks ago, I made the stupid (albeit cheap) decision to buy the wool one off of amazon(I assume it is the stetson, it doesn't say) before I found these forums.

Oh well, its always good to have a little bit of everything in your collection, even if I started off buying a not so great part of it.

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:08 pm

If you didn't know what else was out there, there's no sense of asking "What should I have done..."

I should have invested in Microsoft back in 1984, it's not my fault I never heard of it back then, right?

Zach R. · Post by **Zach R.** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 5:59 pm

Thats true.

Crappy first post huh?

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:02 pm

Oh, I forgot...

Welcome to the madness! You've come for the gear.... stick around for the people.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:50 pm

Zach R. wrote:Thats true.

Crappy first post huh?

Oh, don't worry about it, Zach. Some of us have been sending crappy posts for a while!

And if it's your first fedora, it's pretty hard to know what to buy right off the bat. Many of us have years of buying "poor quality" hats before getting to the point of being very particular about what we want. Shoot, I still have some pretty cheap hats in my collection, and I've worn hats as long as I can remember!

Welcome. Kick back, relax, and enjoy the fun.

bink

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:25 pm

And avoid group hugs with Bink!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:36 pm

there is away room for a group hug.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:52 pm

Yes, there is nothing wrong with gruop hugs. Its just that Bink has sticky fingers. Just keep an eye on your wallet and you'll be ok.

Zach R. · Post by **Zach R.** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:07 pm

*whips out a pad and starts taking notes*

Ok...no group hugs...bink...gotcha

Feraud · Post by **Feraud** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:25 pm

Indiana Wayne, what all these good intentioned folks are trying to emphasis to you is this:
Water + wool =

The Akubra is going to make a nice Christmas gift. In the meantime, a lesser quality cap would not be a major faux pas, would it?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:02 pm

Zach R. wrote:*whips out a pad and starts taking notes*

Ok...no group hugs...bink...gotcha

Well, my friend, if you're gonna start taking notes, you're going to need a BIG notepad around here! And don't forget to read chapters four and five of Michaelson.

Oh, and if you give me a couple bucks, I'll go out and, uh, buy you a special notepad for all that note taking.

bink

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:20 pm

Indiana Wayne wrote:Yes, I have been. I am going to get a Akubra federation for Christmas, but I need a cheap hat to have from know to then...

Sorry to come in late here, but do you really need a hat, Wayne? Seriously, don't confuse want and need.

Much better to take the money you'd spend on a junky wool fedora and:

(a) Not spend it at all,
(b) Buy a cheaper piece of real Indy gear like a MKVII bag and a good leather strap for it.

Seriously.

Also, you mention having a wool bowler hat which you like. Might I suggest this is because they're made in a completely different way? All the bowlers I've ever handled have been quite stiff, almost like mini-helmets. An open crown hat with a bash in it is a completely different thing.

Indiana Wayne · Post by **Indiana Wayne** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:26 am

I have a WPG MKVII bag and strap. I don't need a Akubra, since a nice member bought me a adventurebilt fedora. The first pictures don't work, but there are more if you go down.

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t ... e26208d74c