Club Obi Wan

What material is the hat made of?

BroadSword wrote:Question...do ALL versions of the Fed say "Imperial Quality Felt" or just the deluxe?

Just the Deluxe. And Jack, they're rabbit/hare fur felt.

So they are just like the HJs

binkmeisterRick wrote:

BroadSword wrote:Question...do ALL versions of the Fed say "Imperial Quality Felt" or just the deluxe?

Just the Deluxe. And Jack, they're rabbit/hare fur felt.

According to Buchanan Bob on the previous page, the Deluxe gets the "Heritage" felt and the Regular gets the "Imperial".

Which is which?

EDIT: Nevermind, you all. I found it here:

http://www.hatsdirect.com/federation/felt.html

no better source than the HatsDirect website on explaning the material...



opps, didn't see above edit, disregard comment

IndianaJack91 wrote:So they are just like the HJs

The difference is that the Akubra Federations are made with Australian rabbit/hare, which makes a much heartier felt than the HJ's. Akubras were basically designed to be worn in the Outback from the beginning, so the felt they use will hold up to the elements. The Federation will take a TON of abuse and think little of it. I'm not sure the modern HJ could withstand the same kind of abuse.

I have on my Fed IV regular and it says Imperial Quality Felt on the inside. Hope this helps.
Bob

I've just ordered my standard Fed IV!

I'm happy to finally replace my old DP (a cheaper but honest hat...but definitely NOT an Indy hat)!
When the Fed will arrive to me (and when I'll decide how bash it) I'll post some photos.

Sorry if otherwhere posted: I've found on YouTube an Akubra hat care video. I hope this can help all "Real-Felt-Hat" newbies like me! CLICK HERE!

My Regular Fed says Imperial quality felt as well. I posted that you tube vid in the hat brush thread....cool little vid.

Been playing with the bash some more on my Fed IV trying to get the desired look without using steam at all if I can help it. I noticed under the Vendor section of the main page that it says the Federation hats do not come with appropriate dimensional cut to the brim. Is this true for the Fed IV as well?

The Fed IV does have a dimensional cut.

Matt

Here's the next generation:

Is that a Fed IV Luke? And that's a real cute kid.

Yes to both.

Hi, I've been lurking around here for the past few weeks, trying to find some pieces of Indy gear that I could afford. With all the collected information on the front page, plus hands-on merchandise opinions of the members of COW, I was able to make my decision to get a Federation IV last week.

And as a wonderful coincidence, both my account activated and my hat arrived today.

Will post pics soon of my first attempt at bashing.

Good grief, ichnob! When did you order your hat? I placed my order on Memorial Day last week and expect it this week.

I seem to be in the same boat as you, new around here but bit by the Indy Gear bug. I also just ordered a Todd's shirt Saturday night. I think I'll hold off on getting the jacket seeing as how it's gonna be 100 degrees for the next three months down here in Austin. Also, my Doc Martins will be my Alden's substitute. Pants? Just some Old Navy khakis with pocket flaps...well worn though.

I ordered my hat on Monday, but I requested for the EMS shipping (3-5 days). I was hoping to get it on Saturday so I could wear it on the weekend, but it didn't. Still, hatsdirect has really fast shipping. Now I want one in moonstone grey as well.

Also, the More Close Enough Boots thread has some more alternatives for boots besides Docs. With their advice, I went with Rockport Farnums, cheaper than the Docs I was thinking about getting.

ichnob wrote:I ordered my hat on Monday, but I requested for the EMS shipping (3-5 days). I was hoping to get it on Saturday so I could wear it on the weekend, but it didn't. Still, hatsdirect has really fast shipping. Now I want one in moonstone grey as well.

Also, the More Close Enough Boots thread has some more alternatives for boots besides Docs. With their advice, I went with Rockport Farnums, cheaper than the Docs I was thinking about getting.

I ordered mine last monday and still no word on it being shipped???

Here are the pics as promised. This is my first attempt at bashing a hat, so any input you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated. I have done this bash without any use of steam so far, and have yet to spray on cold water for the front crease. Just gonna wear it in a few days to see how it feels.

Out of Box --


1st Bash Attempt


Head Shots



Again, thanks for the recommendations for this hat. Couldn't be happier with an entry level Indy hat. Definitely a step up from my Disney bought Dorfman's Pacific earlier this year. Cheers!

ichnob, great job on that bash! I love the shape of your hat. It looks like it came right out of the box with a slight reverse taper to the crown.

Scott

I ordered mine on the Sunday before Memorial Day and got an email confirmation that it was going out on the next postal run. He said it'd be her in 5-10 business days. It's been six now, so I'm just being patient. Can't wait to try my hand at my first bash.

what would be the correct colour to get to be an indy hat for the fed IV the dark brown or the tawny fawn?

thanks:)

Dark brown.

thank you i shall be ordering a akubra fed IV at the end of the week...cant wait!

Well, I just spent over an hour reading and looking over these comments and posts, and having emailed hatsdirect, and receiving a reply so quickly from them, I just pulled the trigger and bought a FED IV reg. Dark Brown.

My head size is just "slightly" under 23 1/2 in. which makes it a 60.

I know that all the advise, suggestions and pictures posted here will be a HUGE help!!!!

This is my first "real" fedora, have always wanted one since seeing ROTLA as a kid.

Solo

Congrats on your purchase, Solo. I hope you'll get the same joy from your first fedora as I do from mine.

I ordered mine last monday and I received an email telling me that they would ship it soon. Do they sent an email when it actually ships or do they just ship it? I sent an email to enquire but they never got back to me??? Getting a bit worried.

I only had 1 e-mail since I paid for the express shipping. The e-mail had a tracking number that showed me the delivery progress (shipping from factory, to plane from AU to US, etc.). I don't know how long regular shipping takes, but hopefully someone else can answer that. Here's hoping you get your tracking number very soon.

(Still waiting on tracking numbers for my Todd's package, for my boots, and for my whip)

i was a little puzzled as to why hatsdirect dont recommend EMS shipping to the UK?

has any UK buyers tried using the EMS service to the UK?

We (Hatsdirect) do not recommend EMS to the UK because it can take 7+ days, you are 100% guaranteed to be charged import duties and other charges we do not understand. Airmail takes 5 days usually - and you generally don't pay duty (your poor Queen will have to slum it a bit) because we write "gift only" all over the box. Canada is the same...

Had a quick look at some of the pics - hats are looking great!

Cheers, Ron

Mountainman, one question: HatsDirect ship to Italy ONLY with EMS...why? Because we have inefficient postal service or there is other reasons?

mountainman wrote:We (Hatsdirect) do not recommend EMS to the UK because it can take 7+ days, you are 100% guaranteed to be charged import duties and other charges we do not understand. Airmail takes 5 days usually - and you generally don't pay duty (your poor Queen will have to slum it a bit) because we write "gift only" all over the box. Canada is the same...

Had a quick look at some of the pics - hats are looking great!

Cheers, Ron

thank you for the response i shall be ordering very soon

Here's my regular Federation IV....I'm still having issues with my first bash.

<newer photo posted farther down the thread>

At first glance you hat looks kinda small. Will it fit farther down, or is that it?

Have you been using any steam on the hat, or are you bashing it dry?

It's hard to tell how the top dent looks, but that often determines how the rest of the hat comes together. Did you put in the top dent first, or the side dents? I find that putting in the top dent first usually yields better results.

Would it be possible to post a couple more pics, like a top and a couple profile shots?

I did have it up at an angle...a bit hot out today.

I'll post better angles when I can.

looks like the sides are caving in. that happens when you put a deeeeeeep center dent in. you didn't steam the crown at all (i hope)?

if you lessen the center dent and push back the side dents to bring the stovepipe back, you'll get some nice straight lines.....if thats what you want it to look like....

just got my fed4 dlx........wow......the felt is very, very nice. the rabbit felt quality is probably up there with steve's for sure.

i'll bash it tonite and post pics soon. AC.....get mr. kettle ready!!!!

cheers,



G

John Falcon wrote:Here's my regular Federation IV....I'm still having issues with my first bash.

The fed isn't far enough down on your head. It should be right above your ears. Bring the front of the brim down more and the center dent is probably WAY too low....Check out 3 of my pics for comparison.





Notice how the center dent looks like it is really deep....but it's not. If you look at the back pic you can see how tall the crown still is. And look at the brim on mine....it looks like yours needs to come down more.

Hi John,

you look like you are having issues with the top bash which should be just a centre crease. This should be placed into the hat first so the crown remains relatively high and the side profile relatively straight. The sides can then be shaped. Vegeta has posted some good pics as a guide.

Once you have this basic shape you can further refine it. Don't be afraid to bash the hat back out to the "Open" state and start again. This working will simply soften the felt and it will start getting the well worn look faster!

Ron

I was copying the pics of the various Feds off of the Hats Direct page to do side by side comparisons. It looks like the same picture was used for both the Dark Brown Fed IV and the Dark Brown Fed IV Deluxe.
Are they both Deluxes or Regulars?
Still hoping for a Grey Fed IV Deluxe. Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....

Marty

I received my Fed IV today and just finished the bash. What a great hat! The felt feels superb and is very easy to bash in my opinion, and this is my first try! I've been working it into a tight pinch, Raiders bash with no specific scene in mind, only a feel.

When I first put it on, it was a bit large so I used the sizing foam strip that came with the hat. Now it fits perfectly! I'm sure it will settle in with time and use. I ordered the actual size that I would normally wear, so I think that the 'Akubra's run small' is not true at all. Order what you wear and it'll fit to your head even if it is a bit large on first try-on.

I just had time to snap a quick, fuzzy photo with my Apple Photo Booth program with my 'not-quite-the-real-thing' shirt and pants. I'm waiting on Todd's shirt and I'm just going to wear some flap-pocket Old Navy khakis that I bought a couple of years ago. Actually, the keen-eyed observer will notice that my jacket is an Elvis '68 Comeback repro. It'll do in a pinch for a hat photo I reckon. Enjoy! And buy a Fed IV!


Whip? Nah, use a belt for the photo.


Top Bash.


This doesn't hurt so bad...

i am very impressed with this akubra offering. great smooth felt that takes a bash like pudd'n

so without further adieu, my CS stunt hat.....to take on the world's adventures while the AB CS is in the movie star trailer

btw, ron wasn't kidding when he said that the fed 4 block was very close to the CS block



cheers,



G

Aeris_Canon wrote:That looks great from the front! Nice job.

Did you get any top and profile shots while you were out today? The front view looks really good there.

thanks AC...your kudos goes farther than you know

this was the only photo i could snag before the sun went down and the batteries went dead on the digi-cam. i'll try to snap some pics tomorrow.

cheers and thanks again,


g

The Fed IV looks like it would make not only a great KOTCS "surrogate," but also a perfect KOTCS hat for someone who either can't afford an AB, doesn't want to wait for one, or wants a good inexpensive hat to "fill in" until the AB arrives.

Jack

How long is it taking for you guys to get your FedIV's from ordering to delivery? I want to order one now, but we're moving in 4 weeks and I don't know if it will get here in time. Also, are you guys spraying your hat with the waterproofing spray that was talked about? I believe it was Scout's.

Thanks.

rbinko2001 wrote:How long is it taking for you guys to get your FedIV's from ordering to delivery? I want to order one now, but we're moving in 4 weeks and I don't know if it will get here in time. Also, are you guys spraying your hat with the waterproofing spray that was talked about? I believe it was Scout's.

Thanks.

Haven't sprayed it yet, but that's something I'll definitely be doing once summer is over.

rbinko2001 wrote:How long is it taking for you guys to get your FedIV's from ordering to delivery? I want to order one now, but we're moving in 4 weeks and I don't know if it will get here in time. Also, are you guys spraying your hat with the waterproofing spray that was talked about? I believe it was Scout's.

Thanks.

mine came into Canada in a little over 1 week. i treated one of my hats with stiffener once and i didn't like the results. after that, i chose to leave the hats alone....no treatment, no brushing, etc.

Thanks for the info. Im waiting to hear from hatsdirect to make sure they have my size in stock, then I will place the order.

Same bash, but straighter on the head


<photos removed to make room for new ones later in the thread>

I ordered mine on Sunday night before Memorial Day and it arrived yesterday, Wednesday. So it took 10 days to get to me. No spraying of a waterproofer for me. I'm just going to leave it as is and let it get dirty.