Buying an Indy fedora

ztmario · Post by **ztmario** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:34 pm

hey all.. just want to say that I HAVE been trolling and reading, but still need some custom advice.

I recently bought a disney fedora because they looked good in the picture and didn't start my serious research until now. and.. even though I'm not a hat person... this thing is @#$%. it's not THAT bad, but it's obviously nothing more than a costume piece. it's kind of hard to take seriously. here are my questions:

1. If I was to steam it and redo the front pinch to more of a raiders spec (I managed to pull it off dry and it looks a LOT better), would it hold for a full day without hairspray? also, when I do this pinch, I notice that at a roughly 3/4 turn, the dent in the side of the hat that's facing away is VERY prominent. as if half the hat has caved in (which it has, of course). it looks kind of stupid, actually. however, I haven't seen any other indy hat pics at this particular angle. do ALL raider style hats show the concave so blatantly? or is it just because the disney wasn't made with enough material to properly provide for a raiders pinch (seems unlikely, but thought I'd ask). oh, it's the cheap wool version, btw.

2. since I already paid $45 for this hat, and I STILL lose $20 if I ship it back for a return, I'm keeping it, but considering a cheaper alternative. I was thinking of the akubra fed.. (yes, I know and LOVE the AB and Lee's version, but I can't spend over $100 on a hat at this point) but I notice in the picture that the front of the fed's brim drops off dramatically. like.. straight down. is this how they all end up? because if so, I'll stick with the disney and save the $80.

thanks for any advice in advance!

Pitfall Harry · Post by **Pitfall Harry** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:41 am

Both the Akubra Fed and Fed Deluxe are solid hats. The brim in the pics you saw was most likely styled that way. I know when I got mine it was as stiff as a board. The only way the brim is going to droop like that is if you keeping messing with it and want it styled like that.

Trust me. These hats are the best bang for your buck if your not wanting to spend a lot. They're waaaaaaay better than that Disney hat you bought.

By the way.....don't feel bad. I've owned a Disney Indy hat. The only thing they're good for really is sitting on a shelf.

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:52 am

Go with the Akubra. When I got mine the brim was not stiff as a board, but wasn't like a piece of tissue paper either. It was firm enough to style the way I wanted it. The Akubra Federation (and consequently the Deluxe) is a tank. The Fed that I have, I bought about 3 years ago. It's been through countless rain storms, been to Mexico, an absolute downpour in South Africa, frozen in London, and even been lost in San Francisco for weeks (I didn't think I'd ever get it back!) and it still kicks butt. The thing has gone through heat and rain and just keeps on pushing, with very little taper other than what came with the Raiders styling I gave it. For a beginning hat, I couldn't recommend any better hat.

I do also own an AB Rabbit and have another AB (Beaver) on the way. I still say the Akubra is a fantastic hat. It'll last you forever!!

Here's an older picture of mine, showing how a styled Akubra should really look (with Fuller's earth added).

And here's one taken this summer of me (on the left) wearing it:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/ ... 010019.jpg

In Christ,
Shane

Dostacos · Post by **Dostacos** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:01 am

since it looks like you are going for many pieces all at the same time, get the Fed Deluxe, it will leave more room in the budget for the jacket

Dan

ztmario · Post by **ztmario** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:33 am

with the akubra I would need to shape it myself, correct? and how necessary is it to trim the brim? if it does need to be done, how hard is it?

genrader · Post by **genrader** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:11 am

I'm just going to ask a little question here since people are helping and it's sort of relevant:

Why would I buy a Fed Deluxe over a Fed, other than the darker color?

(I'm soon to buy my first hat and would like to know that).

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:14 am

The Deluxe is made from the highest end/quality felt that Akubra produces their hats from. It's softer, but denser than the standard Federation.

Just a better grade material, even though the Fed is top drawer, the Deluxe is just a bit better in terms of material quality.

Of the two, it's my personal favorite.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:13 pm

I have the Fed Regular and I love it. I know the Delux is a better grade but I'm more than happy with the one I got. It's not like its a bottom of the barrel hat, far from it. The local Cracker Barrel restaurant in my town has the WOOL Indy for sale for $20. So I've seen and felt it. The WOOL Indy well,.... to be cordial there is no comparison betweeen the two. Also, part of the experience is bashing the hat yourself.

Fatwoul and I go our Fed's about the same time. He got the Delux, we both posted our pics and compared the colors of each. Mine was a bit darker than his and I'm sure it all depends on which batch the felt comes from.

The prices on each hat has also dropped quite a bit since I got mine 2 months ago, so order it before the exchange rage changes goes back up!!!!

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:19 pm

Of course not. The 'Cracker Barrel' hat is wool. I know, we have them at our restaurant too!

The Akubra is rabbit fur felt.

Two completely different items.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:54 pm

Michaelson wrote:Of course not. The 'Cracker Barrel' hat is wool. I know, we have them at our restaurant too!

The Akubra is rabbit fur felt.

Two completely different items.

Regards! Michaelson

Yeah, I just caught that typo and fixed it

As I said there is no comparison between the two.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:55 pm

Heck, they probably took the hats off the same truck, Erin. My Cracker Barrel is in Manchester.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:27 pm

I take it back that Top pic is sweet!!!!!

I am so going to cracker barrel tonight. How long does it take to taper like that? 1 or 2 walks in the rain?

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:51 pm

I've had Miller's do that as well, and they are made of rabbit, so it's not just reserved for wool anymore.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:55 pm

Ya got me there, AC! They start out of the gate looking great, but give 'em a year of regular wear and tear, and they are a mirror image of your top photo.

Regards! Michaelson

Indiana Jess · Post by **Indiana Jess** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:24 pm

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that hat as long as you pull it down over your eyes.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:33 pm

Aeris_Canon wrote:What's wrong with my top photo?
You should see the thing "on". YIKES!

Never said there was a thing wrong with your top photo. I said after a year of wear and tear, they looked just LIKE your top photo.

Regards! Michaelson

ztmario · Post by **ztmario** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:09 am

but how hard is the brim cutting and styling? and can I style the wool with any success?