Rebashing a Federation regular

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:18 pm

I've owned a Federation regular for about a year and have worn it through the best and worst of New England weather. My question is this : How hard is it to reshape an already bashed and beaten Federation? I have been admiring pics of current Federation owners and then look at mine and realize that mine just isn't how I'd like it. I'm looking for options. Should I bring it to a professional and go from there, or attempt it with steam or cold water, depending. This forum is the place of experts (I've been lurking for months and have learned a great deal!), so I am here to pick brains.

Thanks in advance.

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:19 pm

Well if you don't think you did a good enough job with it, then I'd say take it to a pro, show them pics of what you want, and have them do it. The most it should set you back is $50.00 :junior: -IJ

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:23 pm

Thanks for the quick reply. Is this a reblocking or just a rebashing that I'd be asking for? I know this thread needs pics (I'm working on it), so I know I am asking a blind question.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:14 pm

Most likely have to ask for a reblock. I've found that once the hat felt has been in a certain shape for awhile, it tends to want to revert back to that shape when you try to put a different one on it. Popping out all the dents and trying to put new ones in would probably just drive you insane.

I'd say reblock if you want the hat to look new and be shaped the way you want it.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:36 am

Welcome, Aztec! First of all, the Federation is a great hat which loves to be worn. I wore the heck out of mine. It was also the first open crowned hat I ever purchased and had to shape 100% by myself. (Kinda odd thinking about that, considering I've worn fedoras for so many years!)

Anyhow, the great thing about the Federation is that it'll take about any abuse you give it. That said, I think your first course of action would be to try and reshape it yourself. No need to pay to have someone else restyle it for you if you can get the results you're after with your own hands. Personally, I'd avoid using steam, but instead try a spray bottle of cold water. Pop out the bash, spray it till the hat is damp (not soaking, though) and have at reshaping it. When you're happy with how it looks, let it dry and it should hold its shape. I used to always tweak mine after I got caught in a good rainstorm and it worked well for me.

Now, if your Federation is extremely tapered after you pop the bash out, it might need a reblock, but it's worth trying it yourself before deciding whether or not to pay someone else to do it for you. Good luck!

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:49 am

Thanks for the welcome! I was quite intimidated by the open crown, but with the tutorials I found on line, I felt a little more comfortable. This was my first open crown and first "real" Fedora ( I've had a number of wool ones that I still love), but I didn't want to mess up. The more I read, though, the more I feel that the cold water spray may be a solution first. It's not like you can break a hat, right?

Pics forth coming...

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:05 pm

Well, you CAN break a hat, but with the Akubra it'll take a lot to do just that! But unless you take a pick axe to it, don't worry about "breaking" your hat.

It's tough and will handle any rough housing you give it. And if you "mess up," just start over again.

bink

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:43 pm

Bink's right. The Federation can take a beating, I know. Mine has!

Indiana Lee · Post by **Indiana Lee** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:55 pm

I recently did mine with cold water....and it worked just fine. Good Luck!

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:56 pm

Lets see if these pics work...
As you can see by the images, these are prior to any re-bashing attempts. Any suggestions

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/c ... t22-28.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/c ... t22-27.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/c ... t22-26.jpg

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:04 pm

well from the front it looks like there's some taper, and from the top, the center dent is way too wide. Other than that, looks good. :junior: -IJ

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:48 pm

The center dent is what is bothering me, because it did not start out that way, maybe it's that I wear it too low? or I have a ginormous head

? I just wonder if a spray bottle will bring it back to a center dent I can live with. It's almost becoming a teardrop all on its own. Incidently, I actually don't mind the taper, but that's me.

Indiana Lee · Post by **Indiana Lee** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:51 pm

Yep, that center dent needs work. I would use the cold spray method mentioned above. Rework it, and let it dry.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:31 am

The front of the center dent need to be higher than the back and like stated before not so wide and deep.

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:35 am

I've noticed that most federations have font tilt instead of back tilt. Mine does.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 8:20 am

Strider wrote:I've noticed that most federations have font tilt instead of back tilt. Mine does.

Well, just wear it backwards then. DUH!

Aztec, I agree that for an Indy style bash the center dent is a bit wide. I'd keep tweaking that a little. You also mentioned that you don't mind the bit of taper, which brings me to a very important point... Enjoy YOUR hat!

Many of us around here are more than picky when it comes to the slightest bit of taper on a hat. That said, regardless of what anyone might say regarding it being "too tapered," if you like it that way, that's all that matters. You should be happy with the look of your hat since you're the one who will be wearing it. I hope when you get your hat the way you like it, you'll share some pics of you wearing it!

bink

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:29 am

Well... I guess it's a success. I wet it down and reshaped it last night and then let it dry. Here are some more pics. I also stuck one of me in there-I hope you like the Indiana Jones exact replica shirt...

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/c ... t23-37.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/c ... t23-36.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/c ... t23-35.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/c ... t23-33.jpg

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:50 am

How high is the center dent ( fron and back measurments)? taken fron the brim to the top of the crown where the center dent is.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:01 pm

That last pic is great! You wear that hat well, my friend. Though the individual front picture makes the hat look quite tapered, it looks like it fills out nicely when it's on your head.

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:01 pm

I was wondering when I was reshaping it, if I was making the dent too deep. Should I push it out a bit? Thanks for the compliment about that last pic Bink, I was happy that my eyes were at leat visible. Usually when I smile they disappear. Anyway. I have enjoyed a few good fine fedoras, but I think the Fed is one that I favor, now. I also have a Blaser-

http://www.blaser.de/AO_Einzelansicht.6 ... aeca75cb70

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:41 pm

If you are using ( like the one in the link you posted) it to deep and wide.

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:18 pm

I actually used (I believe it was Page's tutorial -Pages' Pagey's ?), but maybe I need to start again. With such a deep center dent, when I put it on it pushes up and out which increases the width of the dent. I don't know how Ford did it? I look at some of the photos supplied from the film and it seems that the top of his head doesn't even touch the bottom of the dent, where as mine distorts it completely. Any way... The hat was quite resiliant with the spray bottle- Usually after a rain storm I wouldn't touch it, but now after significantly dampening it, I feel like I can attempt a better bash. This is getting addicting...

Pretty soon you'll see me frequenting the jacket section, the general gear section.. and I'll be fully hooked... oh man

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:12 am

How high is the center dent ( fron and back measurments)? taken fron the brim to the top of the crown where the center dent is.
_________________

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:53 am

Oak, Is this what you're looking for?

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/c ... t23-38.jpg

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:54 am

I just looked at the pic, the front is 4 1/4 inches, and the back is 3 1/2.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:54 am

aztec, yes and thank you. I think if I were you I would try moving them up a tad. The Akubra doesn't have the fullness as the AB does ( near the top of the crown). This may give you better results.

Aztec · Post by **Aztec** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:56 pm

Thank you all for the advice. I think I am again happy with the shape of the hat, just in time for some good old New England Fall weather.