Beaver felt/Akubra/Borsalino find.

[Jeremiah]

So having several hats made of beaver I would like to get your opinion on something.
My AB raiders that I got from Steve feels like pure velvet. Very dense. I only need to tweak it a small bit for it to hold the shape. It's awesome. It is around 2 years old. Been through one reblock. I have brushed it regularly and worn it religiously.

I also have two penmans in beaver. One a western with lots of stiffner so obviously it feels different. The recent penmans raiders I got is beaver but definitely does not feel as silky smooth and velvety as my AB. Still smooth and soft though. So how different are your beaver fedoras by different makers?

[Indiana Jeff]

Heck, I have two beaver hats made by Steve and each is different. The brown ROLA style is stiffer and the felt has a smoother pounce. The Sahara colored CS is floppy as can be and has a longer nap to the finish.

A lot goes into the differences of the final product. Starting with the felt blank. There's a thread here somewhere in which Steve talked about getting different batches of felts from the same manufacturer and how different they could be one batch to the next. Made his job all the harder trying to crank out a consistent fedora for customers.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Jeremiah]

I see. That makes sense. Things I am starting to like about both the floppier and stiffer Raiders fedoras. Guess that makes it much nicer to have two styles rather than carbon copies of one another. Thanks Jeff.

I will look for that thread but if you or anyone finds it first or happens upon it feel free to throw the link in here. Thanks. I will do the same.

[Jeremiah]

Ok with that question answered now that I already have this thread and rather than start a new one. Here is another question. I just picked up my first Akubra. It was at a local flea market. On the leather sweat it has the Akubra logo in gold and has the imperial quality on the logo.
Says made expressly for outback trading CO PA.
Says down under on sweat as well. Sweat is in fine shape as is hat overall. Paid $5 for it.
Here is pic. Any info anyone has? Rabbit/beaver blend? Feels pretty smooth.

[Forrest For the Trees]

As far as I know, Akubras are 100% rabbit fur, but we're talking about some hearty Australian hares, so I think their fur has much stronger properties than what you would find on your typical rabbit fur dress fedora sourced elsewhere.

[Jeremiah]

Gotcha. Thanks. I have been looking and it seems at least on the David Morgan site it was discontinued some time ago. The outback model.

[Jeremiah]

I decided since the hat only cost me $5 I would try my hand at replacing the cloth ribbon with a leather one of a darker color. It's the same leather I use to make my wallets. Sunset oil tan. Nice and light and maitenance free.

What do you think? Probably any hatters in the audience will cringe.

[Jeremiah]

I like it so guess that's good enough.

[Indiana Jeff]

It's the holiday weekend, not many folks online.

I like what you did with the ribbon. You have a keeper there.



Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Charybdis]

Looks great!

[Forrest For the Trees]

Totally like it. You made a good change to the hat. Has a lot of character. Does it fit you?

[Jeremiah]

Thanks.
Yes it does fit with a very small piece of craft felt in back behind sweat.
Probably will shrink up a tad and fit fine without it down the road. So I feel I was in the right place at right time.

[RJR]

Looks good and fits,that's all that's needed.

[Jeremiah]

Thanks guys.
Well here is another one I just won off eBay.
Should be here next week so I will post some picks but here is the link to the sell page.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/162189786403?ul_r ... mwBanner=1

What do you guys think? What can I expect? I never had a vintage hat before.

[jlee562]

Nice score, decently old, based on the oilskin lining. When you receive it, gently pull back the sweat and look for the paper tags.



There's some variances, but you can usually discern the felt color. Folks more knowledgeable than me can date the hat (approximately, of course) based on the stamped numbers as well.

[Jeremiah]

Thanks. Should be here Tuesday so will definitely post some pics.

[Jeremiah]

Here it is. Outside and inside shots. I have never felt a softer hat. Has XX on sweat. No paper remains inside sweatband. I can see remnants of it though. Brim is about 1 7/8". After consulting someone it's highly probably this hat was treated with mercury.

[Indiana Jeff]

Very nice. I'd wear it with the front curled up a bit like you have in the first picture all the time.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[Jeremiah]

Thanks Jeff, that certainly is the way the felt is laying for now. Would take some work to make it lay down in front.

[Indiana Jeff]

I find a slight upward pencil roll on shorter brim hats to look pretty sharp.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff