What is the difference?

Doeindy · Post by **Doeindy** » Sat May 05, 2007 7:32 am

Hi All;

Could someone show me what the difference is between a Akubra Federation and a Akubra Federation Delux?

Also can some one also tell me why people re-block hats?

I am new to Feds, and I am interested in getting one of the above,

Take care,

Paul.

whiskyman · Post by **whiskyman** » Sat May 05, 2007 8:33 am

The Federation Deluxe is supposedly better quality felt than the regular Federation - it is also a slightly different colour, a little redder and darker if I remember correctly. Personally, I prefered the standard to the deluxe - because of the colour, and also because the felt which seemed rougher on the deluxe.
People reblock hats to return them to their original shape once they have shrunk. All hats will shrink to some degree over time, depending on the quality of the felt and how much it's worn, and in what weather.

Whether you feel your hat has tapered/shrunk and needs a reblock is a personal opinion. I can't stand when my hats have tapered even a little, others don't mind so much.

Indiana Max · Post by **Indiana Max** » Sat May 05, 2007 9:30 am

The Federation

and the Deluxe

As whiskyman said, there is a little difference between the colours and the Deluxe is better quality felt. I prefer the Deluxe, cause the colour is closer to the LC hat and the felt is really better.

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Sat May 05, 2007 1:08 pm

I find the deluxe looks more Indy because of the color, but I swear by the standard fed. It may be the best off the shelf rabbit felt fedora available. Mainly, from what I've read at several forums, the deluxe is not as universally liked as the standard version.

As for reblocking, whiskeyman is 100% with his answer, but there's another one common to this forum's patrons, and occasionally hat wearers in general. To change the look of the hat, even if it's new. Either version of the Fed makes a great foundation for a more screen accurate hat than it starts off as (as in JPD's or Fedora's block). Then, of course, you might want the hat body of a particular hat, but not like the shape.

Doeindy · Post by **Doeindy** » Sun May 06, 2007 1:06 pm

Hi all.

Thank you for the heads-up. I would love to get a Delux , but to be honest , if I can afford either after postage to the UK then it would be the standard. When I look at the Standard I see a Raiders colour, but if I look at the Delux then I see LC.

Would you say that my observation is right that the Standard Akura looks more Raiders than the Delux?

Thanks again,

Paul.

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Sun May 06, 2007 1:29 pm

To be bluntly honest, in my own personal opinion, I don't think the color of either Akubra looks very Indy-ish. The color on the Deluxe is better as far as I'm concerned, but it's still not quite "right". They are both dark, probably darker than you would expect, but I have never thought the color of the standard Federation to be very Raiders at all. It has always seemed way too dark to my eye. The standard is still a great hat, no doubt, but if you're trying to decide which Akubra comes closer to Raiders, color wise, I'd have to say the Deluxe.

-GCR

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Sun May 06, 2007 2:58 pm

GCR is right. The standard Fed's color is far from an Indy Brown. However, I found that mine lightened up over time, especially after getting wet. If you go for the standard Fed, it's not for the color. However, there are a few bleaching and distressing techniques posted in the Care and Distressing section that might help get a better color.