Me and My New Akubra Federation!

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:11 pm

I'd posted some pics of my new gear a while back in the General Gear section and at the time all I had was one of the wool "Official" hats. Getting that hat, however, led me to wanting the rest of the gear, which led me all the way back around to wanting a better "real" fedora.

So, I decided to start off with an Akubra and I'm extremely pleased. First of all, the customer service at Hats Direct is AMAZING! I ordered my hat late last Wednesday night, which I'd assume because of the time difference was regular hours there. So within 30 minutes of placing my order online I was already receiving emails asking me to double check my size, giving shaping instructions, and 10 minutes later I had a tracking number and a note that my hat was shipping out that very day! Remember this was VERY late Wednesday, and by Monday my new hat was already at my door! Wow!

So here are some pics of my new hat, with about half an hour of bashing on it. I'm sure it'll wear in a little more "Raiders looking" with time, but I'm really happy how easily this bashed in to the Raiders look without steam or even water...this is all bashed by hand only.

Okay, short story long...Here's the pics!

In the bushes...

And me wearing it...

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:19 pm

Very good job my friend! it looks like you were lucky enough to get one with a straight sided block.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:25 pm

Now that's a good looking hat, my friend!!

These Akubras only get better with age and wear, so if it's starting out looking that good from the get-go, just wait!

High regards! Michaelson

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:29 pm

congrats on your new fedora and thanks for sharing the pics with us. What size is it?

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:33 pm

I bet it's a 7 1/4 or smaller.

Regards! Michaelson

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:36 pm

Thanks for the kudos, guys!

It's marked a 59, but Jenny at Hats Direct told me she picked this one out for me because it actually measured out a little bigger than a 59, but not quite a 60, and my head was measuring out at exactly 59.5, so I got lucky on that one.

I've read that several people here have had better luck with the larger sized Akubras, so I'm happy I need such a big hat.

Now I just have to decide if my next hat should be a Fed Deluxe or a Carbon Gray regular Fed. Either way I'm sure I'll be happy.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:41 pm

WOW!

Your hat is definitely a departure from the norm then. It's been past practice (or at least observations) that the block seemed to change at about the 57 size break from a straight sided crown block to one with a bit more of a taper. I wear a 59-58, and all mine have had a slight bit of taper right out of the box.

Either you're EXTREMELY fortunate, or they finally got it right for those of us with a bit larger heads!

Just as an aside, you might want to check out the new gray Camptown beaver blend that JerseyJones is coming out with directly for about the same monies, and U.S. made! Read about it in the vendors section.

High regards! Michaelson

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:54 pm

I've read that several people here have had better luck with the larger sized Akubras

Michaelson, I have allways thought that the larger sizes had the better block shape ( straight sides)?

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:55 pm

None of mine have. All the smaller sizes I've handled have had a good straight sided block, though.

Regards! Michaelson

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:11 pm

Thanks! Sorry some of them are so blurry, I didn't have anyone home today to run the camera for me.

kalkamel · Post by **kalkamel** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:09 pm

I've got the same hat and I've got to tell you it is real value for your money!

I'm thinking of getting another one for the LC look!

Pitfall Harry · Post by **Pitfall Harry** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:00 am

Man, that's a sharp hat and that's only the Regular.

So you did get a little bigger of a size than what you actually are?

I rounded up a little when I ordered my hat. Well, I figured out my size and had to look where I fit in on the small, medium or large scale. Of course I bought the "Official Fur Felt" Indy hat. It's worked out really well for me but I wish I would have spent a little more and gotten an Akubra.

WinstonWolf359 · Post by **WinstonWolf359** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:25 am

It was a tiny bit loose out of the box, but I've heard that most fedoras snug up a bit naturally with wear. I used a little of the foam tape they provide at the front and back to chinch the sides in a little and now it fits perfectly.

I really can't complain about the price either...I think it was $115 WITH express mail shipping that had it to me in three days. I think that's an amazing value.

Pitfall Harry · Post by **Pitfall Harry** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:41 am

Hmm.....foam tape. Can you pick that stuff up at a regular store or craft place?

I may try that in my hat. Maybe I can get a snugger fit on mine for the moment and then when it starts to shrink with time I can take it out.

kalkamel · Post by **kalkamel** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:43 am

I think its just pieces of strip foam with double sided tape. That's what I got with mine.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:30 am

I think it was $115 WITH express mail shipping that had it to me in three days. I think that's an amazing value.

I always said the Federations were one of the best bargains out there. They still are. Fedora

Feraud · Post by **Feraud** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:44 am

A good looking hat. Wear it in good health!

GraveRobberGreg · Post by **GraveRobberGreg** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:58 pm

Nice hat! I just got two Feds myself...one grey and one black. They are very nice hats. Now i'm just waiting for my hat from JerseyJones and that will put my collection at 6 hats. I will have to post pics soon.

Now that I have seen yours I need to order a brown Fed

Raider · Post by **Raider** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 7:49 am

Great hat! I love Akubra. You want it to look better? Beat it! Visit Lee Keppler's site to see their short movie. It works with Akubra as well. You beat it - you make it look better, I am telling you...

:junior: Raider