Club Obi Wan

I ordered it today! I would have got an Adventurebuilt but I need it for Halloween, I will someday. You all said order one size up so I ordered a med/large 7/18. My head is 22 1/2 so I hope it's right. Can't wait.
I've been trying to get some pics up of my vintage fedora but my mother is the one with the digital camera so it's up to her whan she can. I really hope my hat fits me well, I plan to wear it a lot. Thanks all

George

Great stuff George, the fed is a GREAT hat, please post some pics when it arrives!

Regards

Al

A Fed is always a great pic

Good choice. The Fed is a sturdy hat. When bashing, steer clear of the steam!! Try dry first. If you need moisture, use small amounts of cold water worked in with your fingers. Take your time and good luck.
Try Pagey's tutorial
http://eaglesnest.goblinjournals.com/pagey.html

Great, some say order a half size up cos it shrinks, some say it's gonna be too big. Now what?

George

Order what fits you, I have never had a problem with great shrinkage, in fact my first Akubra was slightly tight, after time and loads of wear it started to conform.

Don't sweat it, George. It won't be THAT much off. Like the guy's said, you can use the sizing tape. I believe Akubras are supplied with it, though I could be wrong. Also some people just tighten the ribbon. This warps the brim and if you're lucky you'll get a bit of reverse taper out of it. It's a neat little trick for really getting the Raiders look.

Well, I gotta say, I'm a bit irratated and nervous about the size I ordered.

George

I've always given Ron my exact HEAD measurement, and he's picked out one that fit my supplied measurement. Anytime he supplied one based on standard 'size', it's been either to large, or small....both 'fixable', but like I said, that's no longer my practice in ordering.

The Deluxe Fed....MY favorite of the two Feds.

Regards! Michaelson

If the hat is too big, you can always use the patented "lampshade trick". Was this yours Michaelson or MK's? I forget...

Anyway, take the leather sweatband from your hat and fold it out. Slightly wet it and place it on a lit table lamp (with a shade) until the sweatband shrinks slightly and it fits better. S'easy!

Regards, Dr. J

I think that lampshade trick was from Fedora, unless he got it from someone else.

Indiana George wrote:You all said order one size up so I ordered a med/large 7/18. My head is 22 1/2 so I hope it's right.

That sounds like my head measurement. I wear an 7 1/8 Akubra Federation Deluxe. It fits perfect.

You should have no problem with the hat.

With thoughts to bashing. Some folks swear with the dry technique and others are for the steam. I have only used light steam and bashed it when it first arrived only! The steam made the felt pliable. I shaped it and let it dry. It took a nice shape.

As an aside, I never thought the sides of my brim had enough 'swoop' for me. It felt too flat. I did not re-steam but would handle and try to curl the brim. I tend to not steam and 'tweak' the hat often. Hemingway Jones described a way of storing the hat on its crown between two bookends. I have done this with slight improvement to the brim.

We had a weekend of rain. My Friday commute home from work found dear Akubra and I soaked! I took the opportunity to curl the brim and let it dry.

I am extremely happy with the result! The brim has a great curl! No taper to the crown. I guess it might be described as a 'Raven Bar' bash!

Keep in mind while excessive water/moisture can taper the crown, a brim might need a good soaking and dry to get a particular shape.

Will try to post a pic soon of my new/improved Fed Deluxe.

Good luck with you hat. Hope to see pictures soon. I fear we Akubra wearers are a dying breed.

No you're not. You're just not heard from as much as you used to be, but the Akubra will never die as a favorite tough hat for the field. Great 'bang for the buck'.

Oh, I had the same experience with a weekend of non-stop rain when helping D.Jones move, and my Deluxe never tapered one bit, though it was sopping wet. They're just as good as it gets when it comes to production made hats. Period.

Regards! Michaelson

Reassuring to read!

Yeah, I agree - there are some truly fantastic hats out there, but the appeal and reputation of the Fed has not diminished.

I really regret selling my old standard Fed, wish I had hung on to that hat.

As an 'all-rounder' hat (looks, durability, price) its a great choice.

Cheers,

Al

I think a point that a LOT of folks are missing is that these Akubra's are being purchased from the top Akubra dealer IN AUSTRALIA. I captalize that, as if you purchased the exact, same hat here in the U.S., they will cost you as much as an AB. Don't believe me? Check out the Morgan website or catalog, who also sells them. They're all $200 and up. Seriously.

SO, you're not buying a cheaper heat....you're just getting it at almost wholesale cost compared to U.S. prices, and that's a GREAT deal, anyway you want to look at it.

Regards! Michaelson

I recieved this the other day, thought it might clear the air on this issue
Thanks to all for the help.

Hi George,

Your hat is on its way but I think the size 58 is going to be okay.

The leather band does shrink at least 0.5 cm. If you are exactly 57 cm then a 57 will eventually shrink to be too tight. I am also a 57 and I just tried a 57 on. It feels perfect but I know it will get too tight. I tried the 58 yesterday as I packed the hat, I could get a finger under the band which is my test for shrinkage allowance.

The hat may pull right down to your ears but this is because the style has a very straight side. We have included the fitting foam - instructions for putting it in are with the hat. Place it all around the hat before checking the final fit.

If you are still concerned we are happy to exchange the hat. Just let us know and we will email our exchange policy and instructions.

regards, Deb

Every Akubra I own has been loose in the beginning, so much so that I have used most, if not all the foam supplied, or my own foam Then, after a few weeks of wearing, I have removed and discarded the foam and the hats fit
perfectly. After they conform to the shape of your head, they are very
comfortable.

You forget it's on your head, until it's off, then you really miss it and your head feels wrong.

Deval wrote:You forget it's on your head, until it's off, then you really miss it and your head feels wrong.

This is true.