Club Obi Wan

You had a head wound in your hat?

Well, yes....and no. The original Federations came out with a red liner. If you added the Akubra cap tag, you would have recreated an original 2001 Federation.

Regards! Michaelson

Look at that?!

Did you do the modification?

B

Michaelson wrote:Well, yes....and no. The original Federations came out with a red liner. If you added the Akubra cap tag, you would have recreated an original 2001 Federation.

Regards! Michaelson

wot??
you mean the symbol etc, on the liner??

and no, I didn't do it...
My liner was somewhat....errr, in need of replacement...and I had a friend who was going up to Katoombah to visit her mum, so she dropped it off at The Hattery..(HatsDirect)...and they put it in for me.
As usual, their service was TERRIFIC

Getting down to the brass tacks, this is for those who own BOTH incarnations of the Federation IV. Does the Deluxe live up to it's title?

I bought and sold a regular because I wasn't that impressed with the felt quality and am thinking of pulling the trigger on a Deluxe but am a bit nervous as to the quality.

Anyone who either own both or have handled both, I'd appreciate some opinions.

Randy

Oh MY GOD!!!!
The bulge I've been after for about 9 months, I JUST GOT!!!.......BY SITTING ON IT....

Thanks Fedora

before...


after



Anyone else do/try this??

Count me as another looking for the answer to theinterchange's question. I love my Fed IV Reg., but it is a lot "fuzzier" than I would like. I've been considering getting a Deluxe, but want to know if the felt is that much smoother, compared to the Deluxe, to justify the purchase. I know this has been asked before, but the answers always seemed vague and varied from "yeah, it's great" to "I don't think it's worth it at all."

Could someone perhaps do a nice close-up shot of both the Reg felt and the Deluxe, or at least give a more detailed comparison?

Thanks!

darthbish wrote:Oh MY GOD!!!!
The bulge I've been after for about 9 months, I JUST GOT!!!.......BY SITTING ON IT....

Thanks Fedora

Anyone else do/try this??

No. I wear a 62. When I put the dents in, it bluged out on its own.
It took a while getting used to. I'll post pics.

jasonalun wrote:Count me as another looking for the answer to theinterchange's question. I love my Fed IV Reg., but it is a lot "fuzzier" than I would like. I've been considering getting a Deluxe, but want to know if the felt is that much smoother, compared to the Deluxe, to justify the purchase. I know this has been asked before, but the answers always seemed vague and varied from "yeah, it's great" to "I don't think it's worth it at all."

Could someone perhaps do a nice close-up shot of both the Reg felt and the Deluxe, or at least give a more detailed comparison?

Thanks!

I agree that this forum (Fed owners) should be the one to provide a definitive resource for COW in answer to this question. It's the one I certainly asked before buying a Fed (I went with the DLX and don't regret it at all!), but I would have loved someway to make a more informed decision.
All told, it is a lot of money and buying something sight unseen is stressful (especially when returning it from where I live will cost you a good 1/3 of the sale price.)

Is there anyone out there that can make this happen?
The side by side detailed comparison could even be it's own thread.

Thoughts all?

B

This is a question I've asked 2-3 times without a "real" answer. Glad I'm not the only one who's asking and not satisfied with what they've gotten in reply!

Randy

P.S It looks like the only way to get an answer is find out yourself.. I just ordered a Deluxe.

Okay guys, I do not have close up pickies of both hats, however I do own both and can honestly say that the Heritage felt used on the Fed Deluxe is finer and lighter (weight) than the Imperial felt used for the Regular."

That said, the Heritage felt feels denser, however the hat also feels thinner, like it has been pounced more heavily (hence the overall classier feel).

I absoultely would recommend the Deluxe if you are after a classy looking dress hat or a Raiders style hat.

My Deluxe was bashed into a generic Raiders style and I wear it all the time.

Cheers
Jonesy

So your deluxe's felt is heavier than the regular. And I assume smoother? Thanks for speaking up!

Randy

Just re-read my post and my bad.

I should have said . .

" . . that the Heritage felt used on the Fed Deluxe is finer and lighter (weight) than the Imperial felt used for the Regular."

Whoops!

That said, the Heritage felt feels denser, however the hat also feels thinner, like it has been pounced more heavily (hence the overall classier feel).

Cheers
Jonesy

I got your meaning, I think. haha It's easy to do. I figured you had it backward, but was asking just to be clear. I know by pouring over this thread Michaelson compared the Deluxe to a beaver feel.. so that's encouraging! As is your review Jones Boy!

Thanks, and I feel I made a good choice in getting the Deluxe.

Randy

theinterchange wrote:So your deluxe's felt is heavier than the regular. And I assume smoother? Thanks for speaking up!

Randy

Yes that is correct Randy, much smoother - you will not believe how good it feels.

You will find yourself picking it up all the time, caressing it . . .

. . . hang on I am in the wrong forum!!

Cheers
Jonesy

Jones Boy wrote:Okay guys, I do not have close up pickies of both hats, however I do own both and can honestly say that the Imperial felt used on the Fed regular is finer and lighter (weight) than the Heritage felt used for the Deluxe. I absoultely would recommend the Deluxe if you are after a classy looking dress hat or a Raiders style hat.

My Deluxe was bashed into a generic Raiders style and I wear it all the time.

Cheers
Jonesy

Jonesy,
Thanks so much for the post.
If you are willing to go back and edit the original post we could point to it as the referrent for this question in the future.

Thanks for posting and, great looking FED!!

B

Jones Boy wrote:Okay guys, I do not have close up pickies of both hats, however I do own both and can honestly say that the Imperial felt used on the Fed regular is finer and lighter (weight) than the Heritage felt used for the Deluxe. I absoultely would recommend the Deluxe if you are after a classy looking dress hat or a Raiders style hat.

My Deluxe was bashed into a generic Raiders style and I wear it all the time.

Cheers
Jonesy

man that is the best raiders fed IV i have ever seen, howed u do it?
Did u sit on it?
Did u steam it?

Jones Boy Gosh your Fed looks great, any "on the head" pix?

It IS a nice looking hat. I can't wait to get my Deluxe!

Randy

Thanks guys. A smidge of steam to set the pinch and the dents, but no I did not sit on it. There are plenty of great resources around COW about basing a Fedora, however this is something that I posted a while back. Not so much on the bashing, more around the optimum depth of the bash/dents.

Cheers
Jonesy

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35504

that thread was..umm... interesting to say the least. I must admit, I sat and read the whole thing just now.

Good advice though.

Randy

Please evaluate. Do I need to do some more work?



http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii26 ... C04088.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii26 ... C04083.jpg

Looks sharp jkdbuck76!
Any further advise would depend on what look you were going for.

Great "turn" and "bulge" BTW.

Keep it up,
B

That looks very Last Crusade/Crystal Skullish. I don't know if that's what you were going for. But if so, I like it! You may want to tighten the pinch a little where it goes down toward the ribbon in /\ that area of the pinch if that makes sense.

by the way is that a regular or deluxe?

Randy

It is a Deluxe.

I'll try making it a little more narrow.

I was shooting for Chrystal Crusade.

jkdbuck76 wrote: Please evaluate. Do I need to do some more work?

I think you should lower the back a bit as well as the front.
Btw spot on CS crown bash though.

Hi everybody, new to this forum
Here are some pictures of my new fed delux from this Christmas...








cheers!

Rudolf - nice bash! It looks great.

Ryan

A nice box from the Hattery was just delivered. Pics and a review to come later, I'm glad the mail caught me before I walked out the door for the morning!

Randy

Rudolf, Great Fed.
Look at that pinch! I love it.

How did you get it so tight and long?

B

^
What he said!

^
yup from me, too.

Randy

So interchange, what do you think? I never really looked into the Fed before. I assume your review will be about the Deluxe.

BTW, what is a Deluxe (w/ shipping) going for these days?

About $109 USD + shipping.

You can do the math here http://www.hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/produ ... Federation

mcmanm wrote:So interchange, what do you think? I never really looked into the Fed before. I assume your review will be about the Deluxe.

It's been so busy today, I've not had a chance to even get the hat out of the box except for a quick inspection this morning.

So far, I like it. But, I'll get more into it tomorrow, and take a few pics.

Randy

theinterchange wrote:

mcmanm wrote:So interchange, what do you think? I never really looked into the Fed before. I assume your review will be about the Deluxe.

It's been so busy today, I've not had a chance to even get the hat out of the box except for a quick inspection this morning.

So far, I like it. But, I'll get more into it tomorrow, and take a few pics.

Randy

Mate, when do we get to see some pickies~!

Cheers
Jonesy

Hey,

I'm thinking of purchasing a Fed IV alongside the Magnoli HJ I have on order. I know from previous comments that the hat's not fully 100% SA, but for getting the closest to the Indy fedora in either model, Dark Brown's the way to go, correct? A stupid question, I know, but I just wanted to verify; my monitor's not the best at displaying colors, especially for Hats Direct's site.

You are correct JME2.

Cheers
Jonesy

Thank you, Jonesy.

jasonalun wrote: I love my Fed IV Reg., but it is a lot "fuzzier" than I would like.
Thanks!

I have a fed IV regular but I dont have the fuzzy problem at all. Do you brush the hat? I do every time it gets wet to keep the fibres flat.

FINALLY getting a chance to work with my hat! It's been a crazy week. I'm going to eat some lunch, then get to bashin', picture takin', and postin'.

Randy

I've had my Fed IV since November and I wear it every time I go out. It's just perfect. Here's my go at the idol grab scene bash. What this picture doesn't illustrate is the lovely smell of wood-smoke it has aquired at all my outdoor events, and a slight 'softening-in' with constant use.
Best article of clothing I ever got.

enigmata - looks great, but let's see it on your mellon I can't wait to get mine into the great outdoors rather than just to and from the office.

Ryan

I second gsolideogloria's motion.

Anyway, I just placed an order for a Fed IV Delux, Dark Brown about 15 minutes ago. This will be my first go at bashing and I'm looking forward to it. I'll be posting pics hopefully within two weeks; thanks again for your help, Jonsey.

No probs - always happy to assist.

Cheers
Jonesy

Man, this has been a crazy week. I apologize for those wanting a review and pics! I have hardly been online this week!

Here are the pics as promised!http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/th ... mparisons/

First off, before I forget it.. I ordered a 58 and the sizing was dead on. Fit is better than my Keppler.

When I opened the box and pulled the cardboard insert out of the hat, I noticed some little holes where the sharp ends of the board ripped the liner. I'm going to contact Hats Direct to see if I can get a replacement.. as is, it's minor but don't want an issue in the future. There's a pic of the damage.

I'm going to compare apples to apples. I DID own a regular Fed, as stated before and wasn't really thrilled about the felt. While this is a hair fuzzier than my Keppler, there is enough of a difference in Deluxe vs Regular TO ME to warrant buying it! I love the richness of the felt color vs my Keppler.

In terms of ribbon, I like the Keppler's better.. but the Deluxe is nice, too.

I applied a little steam to help the bashing process. I went for a Raidersish bash, I was set to take a stab at the idol grab and decided to do whatever I wanted. I'm still working on the brim, it seems to want to keep going flat. But bashing the crown was a breeze.

Overall, I'd give the hat a 9 out of 10. And a resounding thumbs up to those wanting a green light for ordering but were gun shy.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention what oddly is my favorite part of the hat.. the sweatband. It's so doggone soft, makes my Keppler cry in shame. Yes, I'm weird.. but that really makes me happy. Causes the hat to feel better on my head having a softer sweat. While it is a tad short, as many complain about.. doesn't bother me any.

Oh, and the expedited shipping was just that. I ordered late last thursday night, and tuesday morning, the mailman delivered it to my door!

Randy

Oh man...anyone wanna buy two fed standards so I can buy two fed deluxes??? Nice Randy!

theinterchange wrote:While it is a tad short, as many complain about.. doesn't bother me any.

Randy,
Great looking Fed! I too LOVE the sweat band on my Dlx. It's like no other hat I've got.

Could folks comment on this idea that the Fed is "short". In what sense is it short? Is it's height not SA or something? And didn't use an AB block as it's template?

I'm asking because I experience some of the "shortness" but figured it was my strangely tall head. Is it the hat too?

B

Thanks, I'm VERY pleased with the hat. Still needs brim work, anyone have tips on getting the brim to cooperate?

Oh, I was meaning the sweatband, I've read quite a few people complaining about that. I don't really notice it.

Randy