The Federation IV Display Page

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 4:30 pm

I really like this Fed IV of yours quite a bit, fuzzjunk... it looks very nice!

Bartram · Post by **Bartram** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 4:40 pm

fuzzjunk wrote:I know I look a bit "pale" in these photos.

My Fed IV Deluxe:

Creepy

Great Fed!!

B

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:38 pm

Just throwing this out in case there were still questions....this is from Deb. at hatsdirect.com
in regards to my question about my hat size....

"The Federation is a little smaller than marked so a 57 measures 56.5 cm. This size should be okay as the straight side allows the hat to sit down on the head. A size 58 (57.5) would be way too big I think."

So right now, the batch of Feds are running a half size smaller.

Wojtek · Post by **Wojtek** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 3:57 pm

Hi,
Ok here is my fed IV dlx after reblock:

Sorry for the quality. Pictures were taken iwith a flash and in a close distance.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:16 pm

I love the way this hat looks (and looks on you) Wojtek!
Beautiful!

I look forward to seeing some more shots of this hat sometime... maybe outside with natural light?
Definitely one of the BEST Fed IV's I've seen.

Wojtek · Post by **Wojtek** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:39 am

I do appreciate your opinion. Thanks.

Bartram · Post by **Bartram** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 11:37 am

Wojtek,
Great looking Fed indeed!

Give us some details on the re-block.

B

Wojtek · Post by **Wojtek** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 11:58 am

First I have trimmed a little bit my fed with scissors : 2-3 mm on both sides. Then I've made a "square looking" block of pear wood. It was really easy to make one after I had found a good peace of trunk. It took my like two afternoons to form it with a file and sand paper. It is not finished yet, but I will post a picture soon. It is a little bit higher in the front. Then I put the hats crown into a hot water and then on the block. After 2 hours I've put it off and made aprx. 10 percent turn and then bashed gently, because it was still a little wet. Thats all.

Bartram · Post by **Bartram** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:53 am

Nice!
Looks super cool on you. VERY adventure-worn if you will.

Good stuff.

B

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sun Feb 21, 2010 4:18 am

Question - I just bought a Akubra Bogart. Although it works great for a Sherlock Holmes close enough (for now) I had some questions.

The felt for it seems rather thin and fairly stiff. I haven't owned a fedora in almost 10 years and it was a Stetson. The two Stetsons I owned weren't stiff at all, and the felt seemed thicker then my Akubra Bogart.

So, how is this in comparison to the Fed IV? Is the Bogart made from dif. felt?And what does this really mean in terms of quality, since I've always heard Akubra's in general were pretty good quality.

Switch625 · Post by **Switch625** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:37 pm

Took some photos in the snow. My hat looks better and better each time I wear it!

jlee562 · Post by **jlee562** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 1:53 pm

backstagejack wrote:Question - I just bought a Akubra Bogart. Although it works great for a Sherlock Holmes close enough (for now) I had some questions.

The felt for it seems rather thin and fairly stiff. I haven't owned a fedora in almost 10 years and it was a Stetson. The two Stetsons I owned weren't stiff at all, and the felt seemed thicker then my Akubra Bogart.

So, how is this in comparison to the Fed IV? Is the Bogart made from dif. felt?And what does this really mean in terms of quality, since I've always heard Akubra's in general were pretty good quality.

What grade felt is specified on the inside of the hat?

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:55 pm

Hey Switch, snow there in Austin too, huh? Good hat for the weather.

Switch625 · Post by **Switch625** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:00 pm

Yeah, it snowed real hard most of the morning. That's the hardest I think I've ever seen it snow in person. It's stopped for now but they're saying it's supposed to start again late this afternoon.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:26 pm

jlee562 wrote:
backstagejack wrote:Question - I just bought a Akubra Bogart. Although it works great for a Sherlock Holmes close enough (for now) I had some questions.

The felt for it seems rather thin and fairly stiff. I haven't owned a fedora in almost 10 years and it was a Stetson. The two Stetsons I owned weren't stiff at all, and the felt seemed thicker then my Akubra Bogart.

So, how is this in comparison to the Fed IV? Is the Bogart made from dif. felt?And what does this really mean in terms of quality, since I've always heard Akubra's in general were pretty good quality.
What grade felt is specified on the inside of the hat?

Imperial Quality Fur Felt - which is the same as the Fed right?

I think I'm just not used to the felt feeling thinner then my old stetsons, which may not mean anything. Maybe I'm just not used to owning a good quality fedora.....

It's not snowing here near Houston, per say....kinda sleeting as it seems more ice then snow...

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:17 pm

Here's a good link:

http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/produ ... Federation

2 kinds of felt used for the Fed IV, the Imperial grade, which is the Fed. IV Standard and the Heritage grade, which is the Fed. IV Deluxe. The Deluxe is a better quality rabbit/hare blend, smooth finish and quality sheepskin sweatband. The Deluxe is recommended in dark brown.

jlee562 · Post by **jlee562** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:57 pm

backstagejack wrote:
jlee562 wrote:
backstagejack wrote:Question - I just bought a Akubra Bogart. Although it works great for a Sherlock Holmes close enough (for now) I had some questions.

The felt for it seems rather thin and fairly stiff. I haven't owned a fedora in almost 10 years and it was a Stetson. The two Stetsons I owned weren't stiff at all, and the felt seemed thicker then my Akubra Bogart.

So, how is this in comparison to the Fed IV? Is the Bogart made from dif. felt?And what does this really mean in terms of quality, since I've always heard Akubra's in general were pretty good quality.
What grade felt is specified on the inside of the hat?
Imperial Quality Fur Felt - which is the same as the Fed right?

I think I'm just not used to the felt feeling thinner then my old stetsons, which may not mean anything. Maybe I'm just not used to owning a good quality fedora.....

It's not snowing here near Houston, per say....kinda sleeting as it seems more ice then snow...

Yeah, Imperial quality is what's used on the Fed. I have a recent year Stetson Temple and the felt on that feels slightly thicker and more dense, but the Akubra has been my go-to rain hat with no ill effects.

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:54 pm

Switch625 wrote:Took some photos in the snow. My hat looks better and better each time I wear it!

You'll get NO arguement from me on that statement!
Hat looks GREAT, Switch... Really nice photos!

Bartram · Post by **Bartram** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:40 pm

+1!!!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:18 pm

Luke Warmwater wrote:Yesterday at the firehouse. It was on my head all day.

Luke Warmwater,

Am I loosing my mind but are you a brother? If so how come I didn't know that? or did I and I'm loosing what little grey matter I have left?

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:30 pm

Just ordered my Fed. I took Bending oaks philosophy and measured multiple times. Then I took Michaelson's advice and specifically told them my measurements to be compared to the inside of the hat.

I was consistently coming up with being in at 56 1/2. Since the Fed's are running a half size small, I ordered a 58 and told the guys at hatsdirect that if they felt that would be too big to adjust accordingly in regards to my measurements.

I can't wait as I've never actually had a "real" Indy hat that was the proper stove pipe shape and dimensional cut.....hopefully it gets here in time for me to take it out camping on March 15th...

Now, I keep hearing multiple theories in regards towards shaping the hat. Some say cold water bottle, some say steam.....which works best with the Fed?

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 1:37 pm

I would use cold water. You want to stay away from steam as much as possible as overdoing it can make the hat taper. Its just safer with water. Whenever I've needed some help creasing a hat, I always used cold water and its never gone wrong.

Dave

Bartram · Post by **Bartram** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 2:55 pm

I agree with the Doc (Ulloa) on this one.
Steam will get that hearty Akubra felt to soften up, but once it does you will have to be happy with the results, because it will set and stay.

I used a little steam when I bashed my Fed IVDlx, but ONLY on the crown. My advice would be, get it on your head and start the bash. Then, once you get it going the way you like, you can use some steam or water to help the hat keep going that way.
The brim will take care of itself.

My 2 cents.

Best,
B

Zombie Jones · Post by **Zombie Jones** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:15 pm

backstagejack wrote:Now, I keep hearing multiple theories in regards towards shaping the hat. Some say cold water bottle, some say steam.....which works best with the Fed?

I agree with DR Ulloa and Bartram--start off with cold water. Distilled cold water, btw. Tap water often contains purification chemicals that can affect the dye and cause discoloration.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:21 pm

Zombie Jones wrote:
backstagejack wrote:Now, I keep hearing multiple theories in regards towards shaping the hat. Some say cold water bottle, some say steam.....which works best with the Fed?
I agree with DR Ulloa and Bartram--start off with cold water. Distilled cold water, btw. Tap water often contains purification chemicals that can affect the dye and cause discoloration.

Ah, will do, thanks guys!! Apparently, spray bottles are not common anymore..... I got one from Target but I could only find one in the Travel section....but it really ***** and is limited on its spraying options....

HD suggested I get a size 57 instead of a 58....which would mean they size would be a 56.5. That kinda worries me as my head measurements were, 56.5....so there'd in theory be no room for shrinkage. But I'd rather have a hat that fits great and might need some stretching later on, then one thats superhuge and I'd have to spend the price of another hat just to get an exchange.....

Indiana Bugs · Post by **Indiana Bugs** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:54 pm

backstagejack wrote:Ah, will do, thanks guys!! Apparently, spray bottles are not common anymore..... I got one from Target but I could only find one in the Travel section....but it really ***** and is limited on its spraying options....

Home Depot, Lowe's, . . .

darthbish · Post by **darthbish** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 6:36 am

scottyrocks6 wrote:
backstagejack wrote:Ah, will do, thanks guys!! Apparently, spray bottles are not common anymore..... I got one from Target but I could only find one in the Travel section....but it really ***** and is limited on its spraying options....
Home Depot, Lowe's, . . .

Bunnings......Go-Lo, or any of what I tend to call "@#$% shops"..

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 3:20 pm

darthbish wrote:
scottyrocks6 wrote:
backstagejack wrote:Ah, will do, thanks guys!! Apparently, spray bottles are not common anymore..... I got one from Target but I could only find one in the Travel section....but it really ***** and is limited on its spraying options....
Home Depot, Lowe's, . . .
Bunnings......Go-Lo, or any of what I tend to call "@#$% shops"..

Ah, you know I didn't even think about Home Depot....I'll def. check there. Thanks again! Soon, I'll be able to post my Fed....

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 4:49 pm

Just got my Fed and very glad I listened to their advice on sizing...always listen to the experts!!

I was able to shape the crown without any water, I'm going for an LC bash...but not sure I'm getting there yet, it IS my first hat ever to bash though so...working on it.....

The brim is harder still, but I think thats going to take some of the stiffness to wear off over time...

It's a beautiful hat, and I'll get some pics up ASAP....

I got my Azuma LC shirt yesterday and my Fed IV today.....I'm about as happy as can be right now.......add these to my vintage mrk VII, my Wade Egan LC strap and my Noel Howard web belt.....I've never been this much Indy before. MY gf is probably going to break something rolling her eyes at me so much, LOL!!

Arch Stanton · Post by **Arch Stanton** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 12:13 pm

Here's my Fed IV reg. Sorry about the bad picture. I think it was taken in the middle of me saying something that my friend posted on facebook. But that's the hard thing about getting a good look at yourself in your gear. Those self-taken myspace angles always make the hat look distorted. You need some crummy pic someone else took. I need to get a better pic. I've been trying really hard to get the LC curl to the brim, but you can't really tell from there. But I'm quite confident I've mastered what I think is a halfway between a tight Raiders and a loose CS bash. The end product will be my perfect amalgamation hat, taking one bit from all of the films.

Bartram · Post by **Bartram** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 12:49 pm

Looks great Arch!
And nice MKVII as well.

Let us know how those LC curls come out.

B

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:23 pm

Arch, it looks like you're pointing to your invisible friend. His invisible hat looks great on him, by the way.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:26 pm

Bartram wrote: Let us know how those LC curls come out.

B

Yeah, I can't get my new fed to do the LC curl at all.....right now it looks almost exactly like the CS bash from the front cover of EMPIRE magazine covering CS.....I've tried wetting down the brim and curling it myself....but its a resilient hat....

btw is there any "danger" in wearing the hat if your hair is still wet from the shower? Will it cause any shrinkage?

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:33 pm

The only issue with putting a wet head into a hat is the mark it leaes on the liner. It does not damage the hat at all.

Dave

Arch Stanton · Post by **Arch Stanton** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 6:48 pm

Here is a better pic of the curl, baskstagejack. You're right about it being hard to get it to do that. I was being all tender-soft with it at first, but then I decided to just start literally rolling it like it was a cigar or something. It popped back out, to be sure, but it still had the slight hint of a curl. Then over time It started looking right. I think something like the curl can be an easy thing to over-do though, and make it start looking like a cowboy hat.

I'm thinking about giving it a slight tug down on the front of the brim on the right to give it a faux-Raider's turn. I didn't turn my hat, but I still am shooting for a tiny bit of that look whilst keeping a slight curl.

I also like the slight outward taper of the crown, but I think I just really got lucky with that, or maybe it's the way my head is shaped. This has become a strange obsession for me. I never imagined myself in a million years ever fussing about my clothes. But what it is about this hobby is that you see something you like and you try to recreate it, or take a piece of many things you like. Like a sculptor. I thought I was some kind of crazy person before I found this forum. But I still think I'm crazy.

But at the end of the day I want to say that I really have got a hat that I love a lot. I didn't even have the extra scratch at the time to spring for a "deluxe", but I'm still happy.

Sorry about the dirty mirror. I don't have many guests. lol

Tremolo · Post by **Tremolo** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 7:55 pm

That´s looking really good Arch! To me the brim already has a slight hint of the faux-Raiders turn, but that could be due to the angle of the picture.
The reverse taper is also very nice!

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 6:18 pm

I'm liking the curl, arch! I think you're right though....don't baby it. These are tough hats from everything I've heard and so far am experiencing. What I've taken to doing is whenever I take it off in a store, etc and hold it, I hold it by either side, curling the brim...

here's some pics of me and my fed, again my first real "indy hat" I've owned the Stetson Ark, and Temple...and a DP. But first fairly SA hat and first bash ever...so...yeah.

Hopefully eventually an LC...but I think its gone CS for now....

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:57 pm

backstagejack wrote:
Zombie Jones wrote:
backstagejack wrote:Now, I keep hearing multiple theories in regards towards shaping the hat. Some say cold water bottle, some say steam.....which works best with the Fed?
I agree with DR Ulloa and Bartram--start off with cold water. Distilled cold water, btw. Tap water often contains purification chemicals that can affect the dye and cause discoloration.

Ah, will do, thanks guys!! Apparently, spray bottles are not common anymore..... I got one from Target but I could only find one in the Travel section....but it really ***** and is limited on its spraying options....

HD suggested I get a size 57 instead of a 58....which would mean they size would be a 56.5. That kinda worries me as my head measurements were, 56.5....so there'd in theory be no room for shrinkage. But I'd rather have a hat that fits great and might need some stretching later on, then one thats superhuge and I'd have to spend the price of another hat just to get an exchange.....

Don't over think this. Give them you measurements and have them pic the size.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:14 pm

quit reading garbage

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 1:14 am

BendingOak wrote:
Don't over think this. Give them you measurements and have them pic the size.

Already did, lol, got the hat and it fits fine (pics above...)......thanks though!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:25 pm

I'm glade you got your hat and it fits. It did sound from your post that you were trying to guess the sizes and figure out how much it would shrink and such.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sun Mar 14, 2010 3:00 pm

BendingOak wrote:I'm glade you got your hat and it fits. It did sound from your post that you were trying to guess the sizes and figure out how much it would shrink and such.

Well, I was just worried since my measurements were 56.5 cm and they wanted me to order a hat that was sized 56.5 cm. Just thought that'd leave no room for shrinkage...but yeah, I took their advice and it should be fine....using some foam in it right now.

No worries though. When I get one from you (one day soon I hope) I'll just send you my 5 times measured head and a pic or two and let you do whatever.....

Wore it to church today with a dark brown suit, one of my friends at lunch told me if I ever get married, he wanted one these to wear!!

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:06 pm

Here's an interesting read about the Akubra:

Fur Felt
The prime factors in the quality of fur felt are the quality of the fur used and how tightly it is worked together in the felting process.The basic fur in a felt hat is the under-fur of rabbits, and the quality of this fur is a prime factor in the quality of the hat produced. Fur from wild rabbits gives the best quality. Akubra not only uses more wild rabbit fur in their hats than any other hat company, but also a better fur, as they cut their own fur from the skins, keeping control of quality of the hats from start to finish.

The quality of the felt in American hats is often designated by a number of X’s, an arbitrary value differing between manufacturers. Akubra does not use X’s. They produce four felt qualities. Their standard quality, with a world-wide reputation for durability, is offered in two finishes, the Imperial Quality, used in most of the standard hats we offer, and the Superfine, used in the Slouch hat. The Sydney is made from a lighter weight felt, using a finer fur, with a finish similar to the Imperial Quality. Their premium quality, developed recently for the Heritage Collection, is very much in the Akubra tradition, a stronger, more dense felt for even greater durability, which also allows a finer pouncing for a superb finish. Pliofelt is the new pliable fur felt used in Akubra’s crushable Lifestyle collection

Reeded Leather Sweatbands
The leather sweatband inside the hat is the only part which touches the head and hence is the key to a comfortable hat. Good leathers are breathable, soft and absorbent. In the best hats the leathers are "reeded" in order to conform better to the head. A reed, once a thin piece of rattan, but now commonly a plastic fibre, is encased in an impervious ribbon of oiled silk or synthetic material, and attached to the bottom of the leather. The ribbon helps to keep perspiration from staining the body of the hat. The reeded leather sweatbands used by Akubra are made of the finest roan sheepskin, specially tanned to ensure comfort.

About Akubra Hats
Australians needed hard wearing hats with wider brims than the usual European brims, to protect them from the sun and rain. Akubra soon became known for the durability and comfort of their felt hats, and recognized throughout the world for the Australian styling with a flair that reflects the independent, confident, and sometimes adventurous spirit of the dinkum Australian.

Akubra Hats® have been Australia's quality hats since the early 1900's, ever since Arthur P. Stewart set up to make a hat to meet the needs of this bustling new colony. Australians in the earlier days, much like the Americans of the West, needed better hats than the usual, and, like the Americans, they had to make them for themselves. Akubra hats stood the test of life on the cattle stations and droving routes. Akubra hats still stand the test, not only in Australia, but throughout the world. We have been bringing Akubra hats to the United States since 1965, at prices other brand names cannot match, in a quality they envy.

Akubra is the only major hat company making fur felt hats from start to finish, beginning with the raw skins through all the processes of preparing the fur, forming the hood, dyeing, blocking and pouncing the hat to the final trimming. Their control of the entire process allows them to produce an exceptional quality of fur felt. The quality of Akubra's felt is attested to by the fact that they have no need for the coloured powders used by many manufacturers to even out the color and hide flaws in the felt. The reputation of Akubra hats is built on the long lasting quality of their fur felt and the comfort of their reeded leather sweat bands.

Indiana Bugs · Post by **Indiana Bugs** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:16 pm

Who wrote it?

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:22 pm

This info. came from an Australian supplier of Akubra hats listing on Ebay.

Luke Warmwater · Post by **Luke Warmwater** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:29 pm

Sent my F4 to Penman for a reblock job and it looks fantastic:

John replaced the sweatband, liner and ribbon.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:07 pm

I like it! Good job!

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:37 pm

Agreed.
Looks GREAT!

jnicktem · Post by **jnicktem** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:46 pm

I agree! Looks fantastic! I have been meaning to send in my Fed IV Deluxe to John to get the sweatband replaced (it has some knarly bends in it!). But right now I am on the fence on whether or not to just sell it. It just doesn't get worn as much anymore.

fenris · Post by **fenris** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:18 pm

Sell it to me!

Oh, wait... what's your size?

I have the same problem with my Christy's... the sweatband "wrinkles" when I put the sizing tape - it depends on the haircut; if it's short (semi-bald), I need to use sizing tape. When my hair gets longer, I remove the tape. Although, now when I remove the tape, some wrinkles are still there.