Club Obi Wan

Hi everyone,

Let me start off by saying that I've been looking around these forums (which are great by the way you guys have a wonderfull community) for a week or so trying to make up my mind on which hat to purchase but I just can't seem to make up my mind. I must appoligize to you all right now as I'm about to launch into a long story about what I would like in a fedora and if this is the wrong place for it I am sorry, but if you feel like helping me out it would be greatly appreciated. I have no idea what to look for in a fedora but I do know what I need and if some of you might share your wisdom with me that would be great.

Now to the specifics, I hope someone will be able to help me make the right choice by what I'm about to tell you all. First off I don't really care all that much about how "canon" the hat is, I don't really care if it's a Raiders, Temple, or Last Crusade style Fedora or even if its only Indiana-ish but what I do care about is how well it will hold up. I work outside alot and I'm generaly doing some fairly active things where the hat will most likely get abused and I need a hat that will hold up to it. I know that a Fedora is not exactly a hat for the rain but every now and then I get caught in it when working and can't run inside so if it could hold out decently in the rain that would be great as well. I also don't mind waiting a few weeks if some of you suggest a hat that is not off the shelf. As for price...well I don't want to spend an arm and leg but if a higher price is required to get what I need, so be it.

Thank you in advance for the help

first, welcome aboard timelapse

for best durability, best bang for the buck, and best delivery, you can't go wrong with an akubra federation.

if you don't mind the wait and the extra bucks, there are multiple hatters who will do custom jobs, AB, peter bros, baron hats, camptown, JP, art fawcett, wolf hatteries.....and so on and so on. the top of the list IMO is AB....best bang for the buck on a beaver hat bar none....you just have to wait a while.

Off the self, Akubra is a great hat for the price. It's made of Rabbit fur instead of Beaver. The Federation is a great hat.
http://www.hatsdirect.com/

I agree with the above. Based on your needs, including price, the Federation is the best way to go. It's a tough hat, and will do pretty well in the rain. Eventually, you may need a reblock. But as long as the felt holds up (which it should), it can be brought back to life easily.

Thanks for the welcome and the quick replys!

After taking a look at the Akubra Federation I just have two questions.

First: The website says the picture shown is a "styling suggestion." What exactly does this mean? (if you haven't guessed by now this is my absolute first serious hat so I know nothing about them!) I'm guessing that they mean the way the brim is shaped with the dip in the front and curve in the back right? This does not mean that I have to cut anything or pinch the crown myself, correct? Because I can tell you that I can see myself messing that up no matter how simple it is! Simply put "What does it look like out of the box?"

Second: What is the difference between the Federation and the Federation Deluxe. Obviously the Deluxe is more expensive and the color is darker than the standard Federation but is it made of a better quality material? I have to say though that as far as color goes I like the mid brown of the standard Federation better.

Once again,
Thank you

The Akubras were made to be worn in the Australian outback, so yes, they'll take the abuse. The Federation I had (and have since passed on) saw a LOT of abuse which made the hat all the better, in my opinion. It would suit your needs quite well. Another option in the near price range might be the Camptown, because it has a roaned sweatband, which means it's ventilated, making it more comfortable in hotter weather. It's a rabbit/beaver blend, if I recall correctly.

Oops! We were typing at the same time! The Federation and Federation Deluxe come open crowned, which means the hat comes completely UNstyled. It arrives looking like a derby, for a lack of better description. You have to but the creases and dents in yourself. But don't fret, it's not as difficult as you might think. The Fed Deluxe has their finest quality rabbit fur felt, but other than that, it's pretty much the same hat. I had the standard Federation and loved it.

This is an Akubra Bushman, but it shows what an open crowned (unstyled) hat looks like.

I bought a keppler back in 2006, and it is doing great. I would say it is a excellent hat for the money, wait time isn't bad, the bash is awesome and Lee is a great guy to work with.
I wore it to Nashville IN last month and I had two people want to buy it off the top of my head.
http://www.adventure-supply.com/fedora.htm

I'll post some more pics of it after a year here soon.

Well most of you seem to think that the Federation is the best one for me but I have to admit I’m still slightly apprehensive about the fact I have to shape it myself. Exactly how easy is it to shape the hat? What would I have to do to it?

TimeLapse wrote:Well most of you seem to think that the Federation is the best one for me but I have to admit I’m still slightly apprehensive about the fact I have to shape it myself. Exactly how easy is it to shape the hat? What would I have to do to it?

I was terrified when I bought my first Federation, but it's really easy. In fact, hatdirect has a tutorial... and there's a few posted here as well. (I'm sure somebody will share soon. They always do.)

Here's hatdirect;
http://www.hatsdirect.com/hat-info/shaping.html

Ok, well that does not seem too bad at all.

Tomarrow morning I do believe I will place an order for a Federation!

Thank you all for your help. It was very much appreciated.

By the way, out of curiosity, I was wondering what raitings you would give the three fedora versions up for sale at U.S. Wings? I was planing on ordering one of the Jackets from there since I've had good dealings with them in the past and I saw that they now sell fedoras too.

TimeLapse wrote:Ok, well that does not seem too bad at all.

Tomarrow morning I do believe I will place an order for a Federation!

Thank you all for your help. It was very much appreciated.

By the way, out of curiosity, I was wondering what raitings you would give the three fedora versions up for sale at U.S. Wings? I was planing on ordering one of the Jackets from there since I've had good dealings with them in the past and I saw that they now sell fedoras too.

I would rate all three in negative numbers. I think Todd has a good jacket at a good price.
viewtopic.php?t=24134

those are dorfman pacific fedoras. regardless if they are wool or felt, they are not that high of quality and are not very durable.

To be fair, the fur felt Dorfman isn't that bad. It's not as good or durable as the Fed, Camptown, and all that. I'd consider it the lowest acceptable quality, but considering the price compared to a Federation... I would never buy one at full price. Curator Rick has a Dorfman that he wears almost constantly, and it's doing quite well. He reshaped it a bit, and it has faded in the sun, stained with sweat. A hat with character. So don't over-do the Dorfman hating. If you can get a good deal on it, it's an OK hat.