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Post by GoneSolo on Sept 27, 2006 21:14:02 GMT -5
I am aware that we all know what an Akubra Federation looks like but I just had to post mine (which I received today). Thanks gmann!   Looks a bit wide on my face though. Should I cut it down? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2006 21:38:12 GMT -5
Hey Solo, You see, I told you it would be there soon  IF you decide to cut the brim at all be VERY careful and get good intructions from Marc. If I were you I would gently start working the brim into an upward curl instead of cutting. Once you do it will seem to take out some of the width. This AB looked wide at first too.  Cheers, G-MANN |
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Post by GoneSolo on Sept 27, 2006 21:56:11 GMT -5
Great idea gmann. I am going to try this. In the end, I might regret cutting the brim. BTW-great looking gear!  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2006 22:01:57 GMT -5
Solo, Ask Tone about the Akubra, He is a Freakin Wizard with Akubra care. Here is one of his:  Cheers, G-MANN |
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Post by bendingoak on Sept 27, 2006 22:17:45 GMT -5
gonesolo, I wouldn't cut that brim either. I had the same problem with one of m hats. Giving it a little curl took out the width.
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Post by Ragingblues on Sept 27, 2006 22:25:09 GMT -5
Hey man, great to see you in photos around here, and glad to see you got a new hat! I agree, with some brim curling, softening, etc... that puppy will look mighty fine on you. Tone is definitely the guy to ask about getting the Raiders look from an Akubra. Congrats! Ken |
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Post by alden405 on Sept 27, 2006 22:29:33 GMT -5
curl it before you trim starts like this (before curl)  then looks like this  after curl |
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Post by pitfallharry on Sept 27, 2006 22:44:21 GMT -5
Wow! That's an amazing job Alden405. Not only did you get the curl but you changed the complete style of the hat. Who knew you could change a Sombrero into an Akubra!  ;D |
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Post by GoneSolo on Sept 27, 2006 22:47:04 GMT -5
Looks like I will be going to Tone for help . Its amazing what a little shaping can do to a fedora. |
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Post by alden405 on Sept 27, 2006 22:50:20 GMT -5
i also got a lot taller and a lot less Mexican policeman looking
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Post by Ragingblues on Sept 27, 2006 23:09:52 GMT -5
I agree... trimming made a huge difference on those photos Alden405! ;D
Ken
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Post by alden405 on Sept 28, 2006 1:10:39 GMT -5
yes trimming and lighting make all the differance
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Post by pitfallharry on Sept 28, 2006 1:17:00 GMT -5
That's odd that's the same thing my wife said....... |
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Post by indianatone on Sept 28, 2006 2:18:00 GMT -5
;D PH, my wife just lies to me. (It's her job. I think they teach them that in "If You're the Wife Don't Crush Him with Honesty" school.) ;D And so...........The Akubra, GoneSolo. Yes......it is the only hat you will ever need. It is the hat that will make you Indiana Jones. It has special powers! Once you place it upon your head you shall become........IMMORTAL!  The skies shall be filled with all winged creatures soaring high above to rain glory upon you........  in the form of precise and accurate marksmanship..... ;D Congrats on choosing an Akubra Federation, first of all! There's been some good advice here already. Curl the brim first and get used to how much of the brim actually disappears in the curl, first. I ended up trimming mine to a better length also, but not before I messed up my first Akubra. It's very easy to trim the brim too short without first seeing how much extra brim is needed to get the curl AND keep the brim from looking too short. (If you look at any pic of Indy's hat - forget the face - and just gauge the distance from the edge of the brim to his ear, you can see the brim really isn't as narrow as it might seem at a glance.) And remember, there's added curl in that distance, also. The biggest problem with the Akubras is the fact that the brim just does absolutely NOTHING out of the box and after the bash when it's brand new. It does have to be worked. But work it first as has been suggested. The brim is stubborn out of the box. Work it the way YOU want to see it; not the way it seems to want to go. Try cold water first to bend the brim around and give it some shape. If that doesn't work enough to get it to resemble what you're looking for; maybe try steaming the BRIM ONLY and bend it around once it starts to get soft. Don't overdo it, though. And yes, your Akubra is behaving normally in its current condition. The brim just has no life or personality out of the box. But hang in there. Don't cut it "just yet."  BTW, thanks guys, for the words of support. It's nice to read compliments on my Akubra skills. So thanks! |
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Post by kalkamel on Sept 28, 2006 4:17:51 GMT -5
Tone, you're too modest! ;D GoneSolo, just to demonstrate the night and day difference between a quick bash of the Akubra out of the box and after letting it go through the steps in Tone's excellent tutorial: Before  After   I've had it for almost 4 months now and still no side taper!!  |
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Post by pitfallharry on Sept 28, 2006 9:32:04 GMT -5
Tone, Not to change the subject but I saw this pic and it reminded me of the Hulk. You would make a great Bruce Banner. I also wanted to say your shirt looks great. I take it that's the NH Indy shirt, correct? Man, I've got to get one of these for Christmas or something. As far as the Akubra goes I know my Fed. Deluxe is as stubborn as a mule and it's taken a long time to get it close to where I want it. Tone helped me with mine but I think I may have over steamed it one time. I also had to change the bash once because I didn't have it turned far enough to get the look I wanted. Now that I've had experience doing this I'll be able to get the look I wanted the first time around and won't have to mess with the bash. I personally don't think I would ever trim the brim on mine because I know I'd mess it up. ;D |
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Post by Havana on Sept 28, 2006 9:38:36 GMT -5
Gonesolo, great looking hat! Tone, that pic is really creeping me out. Has anyone ever tried a fed in the tawny beige color? I'd love to see some good pics of that one.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2006 10:07:20 GMT -5
Don't Get Tone Mad, you won't like him when he's mad ;D
Cheers,
G-MANN
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Post by indianatone on Sept 28, 2006 16:27:12 GMT -5
Heh. Thanks, guys. Havana, that pic is a bit disturbing, isn't it?  I've never tried any other color than the brown. I did see one of the grays and one of the blacks in person. The gray is just a bit too blue for my taste. Though, it still looks good with a suit. The black looks great, though. I just don't have much call for a black hat. For some reason I'd rather have a nice "charcoal" type gray for a suit. I've been interested in those Gray Camptowns that Jersey Jones is offering, but it seems to be taking such a dreadfully long time to get those on the market, I've kind of given up on those. Too bad. The colors looked promising. GoneSolo, how's your Akubra coming along after that first day of getting used to it? Anything about it that you keep having to convince yourself to like? |
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Post by GoneSolo on Sept 28, 2006 16:40:39 GMT -5
The fed is great! I just have to keep playing with it to get it just right (have not been able to follow your instructions yet). What I do have to get used to is actually wearing it. After all, it isn't 1930. I got over any insecurities with the bag and now its time that I do the same with my fedora. Besides, fedoras are classy. When was the last time that you heard a ballcap was?
Great looking fed Kalkamel!
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Post by GoneSolo on Sept 28, 2006 20:54:43 GMT -5
I find that it is very tough to achieve the "camel humps." I have tried to do it by hand but I think I may have to add water. Also, is it necessary to "turn" the hat? And if so, do I have to take the bash out and start over?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2006 21:30:58 GMT -5
Solo,
First off, if you want the turn, yes pop the bash back out.
Now, that Akubra has a LOT of stiffener in the felt so it is going to take a while to get the bash the way you want it and keep it that way. Only hats with little or no stiffener will give you very fast and permanent results. You will need to work on it a bit at a time. Using water helps but can help lead to taper in the crown.
I would suggest using a little mist on it if you want to use water. Also be careful not to use too much pressure when you work with the brim because felt that stiff can actually break.
Patience is the best word I can use here.
Tone, If you can add anything here please do so as our Resident Akubra Specialist.
Cheers,
G-MANN
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Post by indianatone on Sept 28, 2006 23:30:20 GMT -5
Nothing to add here, G-Mann. Just sittin' back and reading your good advice. |
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Post by kalkamel on Sept 28, 2006 23:59:28 GMT -5
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Post by indianatone on Sept 29, 2006 0:16:04 GMT -5
 I forgot where that went. Thanks, Kalkamel. (Or should we say Darth Kalkamel?) Yes, if you want to steam the brim, just hold it over a pot o' steamin' water. Not for the crown though. Only the brim. |
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