Akubra Federation first bash attempt

marco polo · Post by **marco polo** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:39 pm

Hope you guys are'nt getting fed up with me, but I took

some inspiration from PJ and Pagey to try my own bash on an

Akubra Federation . I have'nt used any steam or anything, except

I did use a tad bit of hair spray and jumbo paper clips

.

Hope you enjoy, critique is welcome!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/ ... /bash3.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/ ... /bash2.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/ ... kubra3.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/ ... kubra2.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/ ... kubra1.jpg

Indy_Railok · Post by **Indy_Railok** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:41 pm

Nice Bash, Marco!

Without Steam? And with Hairspray..

I'm collecting ideas becuse my own Akubra arrives next week.

prairiejones · Post by **prairiejones** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:46 pm

That looks freaking great!!! Expert work!! Those Federations are a stiff felt. I used cold water and clothes pins(as some know, per my tutorial) That bash is craftsmanship, my friend. You'll do great with an AB in the future. They practically bash themselves.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:53 pm

Great job, marco! You did an excellent job on that hat!

bink

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 11:59 pm

I think you did a terrific job, Marco.
Well done.

Best Regards,

ShanghaiJack · Post by **ShanghaiJack** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 3:54 am

Great bash Marco. You really have the humps nailed. Now how about some pics of you wearing that well bashed lid.

VP · Post by VP » Sun Sep 11, 2005 6:23 am

Nice.

Although I have seen so many untapered AB's lately that your Fed looks a bit tapered.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 8:50 am

Looks good!
Maybe push the center dent just a little further down in the back?

Not critique, just my point of view.

Regards,
Swindiana

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 8:50 am

VP, that's because of the nature of the Akubra block. The Akubra block is much rounder on top than the AB block, so the humps naturally are rounder on top, too. That said, marco, you did a fantastic job on that bash! Looks better than the first bash I ever did, though in retrospect, I think I used too much steam. I think I'll lay off the steam altogether in the future. With each new picture I see, it seems that folks are getting better and better at self bashing their hats!

bink

marco polo · Post by **marco polo** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:27 am

Thanks everyone for the encouragement !

I pushed the center

dent down a tad more in the back . I have to say that for the

price these Akubras are worth it. The shipping and handling is what

hurts! I was wondering if , after shaping the fedora , you should

apply some kind of felt stiffener to keep it in place?

VP · Post by VP » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:39 am

Nah, Akubras already have an enormous amount of stiffener. No need to add more. Maybe some Scotchguard if you want.

prairiejones · Post by **prairiejones** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 10:40 am

VP is right. Do not add stiffener

WConly · Post by **WConly** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 2:55 pm

My goodness, man....that looks great...super job! Enjoy! W>

marco polo · Post by **marco polo** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 5:57 pm

Thanks all! I will post a couple more pictures in the morning after

I get off work.

Feraud · Post by **Feraud** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 6:00 pm

Nice job. I hope she gives you many years of good wearing!

IndyTaz · Post by **IndyTaz** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 10:26 pm

Wow Marco...sniff...brings the patriotism out in me...buy Australian made

Regards
TAZ

IndyK · Post by **IndyK** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 12:33 pm

Nice bashing marco polo, especcially the crown.

I've been trying hard to bash my own Akubra but from Your pictures I think I can see where I go wrong. I think the hardest part with the Akubra is to get the "Cairo-look", but maybe it's because the felt is thicker and the amount of stiffener?

The Akubra is a great hat to wear and most of my bashing has been done after wearing it in the rain simply trying to put it back into shape before it dries. I wont recommend this way of bashing but it has given my Akubra a kind of personal look that I like and it just comes natural from daily use.

I'll work a little with the crown now, looking at Your pictures, and post some pictures soon.

Cheers

marco polo · Post by **marco polo** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:38 pm

Here are a couple more pictures, try to overlook my ugly

mug

I did'nt style it after any particular scene, I just wanted

that boxy look with plenty of camel humps.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/ ... kubra5.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a303/ ... kubra4.jpg

Again, I apologize for the poor quality shots.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:45 pm

That is one fine looking job, my friend! Don't change a thing now.

Regards! Michaelson

marco polo · Post by **marco polo** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:37 pm

Pictures please!

Doug C · Post by **Doug C** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:13 pm

INdyTone, yours looks a bit darker is it a Delux or Reg?

Doug C

marco polo · Post by **marco polo** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:19 pm

Nice hat Tone! How do you think they compare overall to some

of the other Indy hats? Look forward to seeing some pics of you

wearing it

prairiejones · Post by **prairiejones** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:57 am

I'm 6' 3 1/2" and the Akubra brim is a little big for me.
I would have to agree with every point that Tone made. The Akubra is a stiff, durable hat that passes as a decent Raiders hat. It is easy to bash, but you'll probably never be happy with the bash.
Tone you'll be pleased to know that your future AB makes up for all of these shortcomings. Then you'll have three great hats.

prairiejones · Post by **prairiejones** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:52 pm

I had the brim cut 2 7/8 front and back and 2 5/8 sides. That's pretty standard, but is narrower than the Akubra.

IndianaRedmon · Post by **IndianaRedmon** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:24 pm

Nice bash in the Federation hat Marco polo. I like the Federation it was my first indy hat.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:41 pm

I've noticed in both the hats pictured as well as mine, the back of the brim is turned up. I just recently flattened mine. Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't it be flat(ish) for a Raiders hat. The LC Venice look has that upturn though. I may use my Akubra for a LC lid if I ever get a AB.

marco polo · Post by **marco polo** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:46 pm

Thanks for the pics and review Tone! I'm not a hat expert , but it

looks darn good to me! I measured my ABs brim against the

Akubra and the AB is 2 3/4 " sides , 3" front and back. The Akubra

was about 3" all the way around.

prairiejones · Post by **prairiejones** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:02 am

I think the proportions look great.

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:21 am

is it possible to actually buy these hats in sydney? i live in melbo8urne, australia and ive got someone coming down from sydney in a few weeks. or is onlime the only way to buy them?

also...ive never bashed anything in my life. is it relatively easy to do just by quickly reading that sticky bashing faq/tutorial?

Merrick · Post by **Merrick** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 7:18 am

Dre wrote:is it possible to actually buy these hats in sydney?

Nope.

You can only buy them from the shop in Katoomba - The Hattery - which is the retail shop of HatsDirect. They have a couple of Federations on a rack by the counter (well they did in 04 when I visited). Katoomba's about and hour and a half out of Sydney, but that depends I guess on what suburb your friend lives in. Perhaps they could take the scenic route to Melbourne? The shop has a neat little cafe inside too and sells all sorts of hats and gloves and things.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 7:49 am

Indiana_Tone wrote:Thanks, Marco.

Okay, trimmed the brim down a bit more....Likin' the look a lot better now; but - as I don't trust my own warped perspective to begin with...... what do you think? Pic 1 or Pic 2 or Does the hat now look like I have to "guard me lucky charms" at this point?

Pic 1
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y268/i ... 27_IMG.jpg

Pic 2
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y268/i ... 38_IMG.jpg

Is the hat still wearable in public?

Nice Tone. I may have to trim mine a bit.

Dre · Post by **Dre** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 8:19 am

ah k. thanks for the heads up Merrick.

i think i meant NSW...their retail shop. i always accicdently say the city when i mean the state. is katoomba in the blue mountains? i went there last summer, which was BEFORE i knew anything about indy gear.

if i'd have known i might have nipped in and bought one then!

DanielJones · Post by **DanielJones** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 11:47 pm

Nice piece of work you've done there, I must say.

Cheers!

Dan

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:53 am

Tone, I just can't put my finger on it...not sure if it's the bashes, or the brim, but something about this hat makes your head look like a vase.

Kidding aside, Tone, that's a GREAT job - trimming the brim really hit the proportions just right. (Yes, definitely wearable in public.

) Great job...and no turn in that, right?

Marco, you've done an outstanding job there. That's not always easy to get right. I could never tell how far down to bring that tight center pinch...I've seen some start an inch above the ribbon, some start more like 1.5 or 2 inches away. Yours looks like one of the closer ones I've seen, but it really works!

Akubra Federation first bash attempt

Akubra Federation first bash attempt

Re: Akubra Federation first bash attempt