Fed IV is kinda' stiff. How do soften?

jkdbuck76 · Post by **jkdbuck76** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:22 am

Ok.

So I posted in the Fed IV Display page. The Fed IV Deluxe is very very stiff.

Please help a brother out on how to soften it up. Or will it just do so over time?

basilbakerst · Post by **basilbakerst** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:40 am

jkdbuck76

I got my Fed IV Deluxe for Christmas, and I've worn it just about everyday at some point in the day since then. In my opinion, it has lost some of its stiffness since then just from wearing it and handling it. Of course, your opinion of stiff may be different than mine. The only comparison I have is to a Dorfman Pacific, which is a wool felt, and that hat is virtually made out of cardboard. This forum has helped me a lot to realize what a mistake it was to buy a hat before really understanding what makes one good versus another. Anyway, I think you should give it a bit of time, and you'll start to feel it loosen up a bit. I was too gentle with my fedora at first, but now I manhandle the thing. It can put up with a lot of abuse. Cheers.

basilbakerst

BazzanoJones · Post by **BazzanoJones** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:47 am

To soften the a bit for bashing it without problems use a little amount of steam (form a pot with water over fire, a steam iron, ecc.).

But remember that the hat will tend to soften wearing it. So, don't worry about it's stiffness by now. ;-)

Russian Raider · Post by **Russian Raider** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:55 am

First try to bash without steam, use a little force, and wear it constantly, it will soften in time. Or you can try to catch some rain, helped me to bash mine with no problems.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:16 am

To soften up a stiff crown, beat it with a brim brush handle, or other suitable object. Or, just work the felt like dough, with your hands. The shellac in the felt is fused together, and what you want to do is to break up this fusion. Once you soften the crown up, just put your creases back in.

Steam or heat actually activates the shellac, so it you steam after the beating, the hat will regain stiffness. Fedora

jkdbuck76 · Post by **jkdbuck76** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:31 am

Thanks, fellas.

Question: by kneeding it like dough, will I crease it and leave lines in it?

Russian Raider · Post by **Russian Raider** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:37 am

No, just do not leave it in the same position by fixing somethin.

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:50 am

Man, it's nice to have so many sources of information available.

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:34 pm

Wear it in the rain. That'll soften 'er up! ;-)

WeeMadHamish · Post by **WeeMadHamish** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:38 pm

Sit on it!

...Seriously.

scot2525 · Post by **scot2525** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:53 pm

Punch it a few times and knead it in your hands like dough.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:19 pm

Maybe the instruction sheet maboot got with his hat will help.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:57 am

Question: by kneeding it like dough, will I crease it and leave lines in it?

Not if the felt is good felt. I would not suggest doing this to a really stiff hat though, like a hat that is as stiff as a cowboy's hat brim. But for the Federation, no problem with doing this to the crown. Fedora

lazarus_arkane · Post by **lazarus_arkane** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:53 pm

well, i do believe i've found a new way to soften up a fed 4. although i can take no credit for it. yesterday my hat fell from the coat rack and my dogs decide to play with it while i was taking a nap. from what i can tell there isn't any damage to the hat, but boy is it soft.