Akubra Overload

[Firedanser]

You might have better luck with an even more confined space, like a box or other container. Also, since the objective is to allow the vinegar to absorb the smell, air movement is likely working against your goal.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

I think you're right. It's about to go out in the garage. The whole house stinks...

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[DRB]

Put it in a confined space with a bowl of vinegar.

Make sure you don't put the vinegar on the hat directly.

 

[Woodtroll]

I think you're right. It's about to go out in the garage. The whole house stinks...

Haha! But of vinegar or mothballs? I'm not making fun of you, honest. I once washed a wool Italian army surplus blanket, which brought out such a hideous chemical smell that it went outside on the clothesline for three days. Before that experience, I thought stale cigarette smoke was the hardest odor to remove. Don't worry, mothball smell will dissipate fairly quickly with fresh air. The vinegar and other methods will hasten the process.

Good luck!
Regan

 

[drmaxtejeda]

You might have better luck with an even more confined space, like a box or other container. Also, since the objective is to allow the vinegar to absorb the smell, air movement is likely working against your goal.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

Hey, Jim. Just sent you a PM

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[Rmccamey]

I often put a scented dryer sheet in the box and up in the crown. They absorb some smell and give off a light scented smell that irself goes away after a few minures out in the open air.

Thanks! I read on another post on TFL that is best to store fur felt with mothballs? I don't think I can deal with that. We've never had a problem with moths in our home. Any other storage tips? I wear my hats and usually wall mount them.

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[Rmccamey]

Does Akubra use quality ratings for their hats similar to Stetson's Deluxe, Royal Deluxe, and Excellent?

 

[Woodtroll]

Does Akubra use quality ratings for their hats similar to Stetson's Deluxe, Royal Deluxe, and Excellent?

This old thread might help:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/akubra-imperial-quality.69049/

The only grades I’ve seen that apply to current Akubra fedoras is Heritage (a better grade felt with a better sweatband) and Imperial (the standard grade with the sweatband that shrinks - maybe! ) . The Deluxe grade I’ve seen some vendors offer are also referenced as Heritage if you read the details of the offered hat.

Perhaps if you are able to track down some Akubra dealers on your trip down under, you may be able to tell us if that Superfine grade mentioned in that old thread is still available.

Good luck!
Regan

 

[Zombie_61]

Does Akubra use quality ratings for their hats similar to Stetson's Deluxe, Royal Deluxe, and Excellent?

My experience with Akubra's "quality" ratings has been the same as Regan's--the "standard/Imperial Quality" and the "deluxe/Heritage Quality" grades. Most of Akubra's hats are made with their Imperial Quality felt, but some models are available in the Heritage Quality felt which is allegedly denser and more stable, i.e., "less prone to shrinkage and distortions such as tapering of the crown."

I have one Heritage Quality Akubra, and compared to my Imperial Quality Akubras the felt does feel a bit more substantial. The sweatband on the Heritage also shrunk quite a bit less than on the Imperials, and is 1/8" wider. Otherwise, I don't detect much of a difference between the two. The hand is about the same--it might be a little better on the Heritage--but the ribbons and bows are tacked on exactly the same way on both grades. So unless you see the reference to "Heritage Quality" on the liner and sweatband, they're visually identical. All things being equal I'd guess the Heritage Quality felt would outlast the Imperial Quality felt, but my Akubras are holding up so well that I probably won't live long enough to find that out for myself.

 

[Beef]

Hi Everyone. I am new to the forum and new to owning Akubra hats (cattleman). They are the first felt hats I have ever owned, and I am already very fond of them. I ordered one in Fawn, and although it felt just a teeny bit tight, after a few days it really softened up and felt pretty good. I liked it so much, I ordered a second one in Sand, but it feels much tighter. I searched around the forum and the web to see if anyone had already addressed my question, but couldn't find anything. I must have measured my head incorrectly. I measured my head several times before ordering the hats and my head was a perfect 59. When I remeasured my head after the fact, it shows slightly over 59. Not sure what happened because I have not gained any weight and my hair is kept quite short. I have already tried steaming the Sand hat and wearing it until it cooled, and I also purchased a hat stretcher which works temporarily, but after a short while of wearing the hat, I get the big red ring on my forehead. So this is my question: Have any of you ever removed the leather sweatband from your Akubra and replaced it with a cotton or other cloth material or just left it out all together? What are your thoughts on doing that? Or would I be better off just selling the hat at a big loss and reordering it in a 60? It is way too late to return it now. Thanks for your help.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hi Everyone. I am new to the forum and new to owning Akubra hats (cattleman). They are the first felt hats I have ever owned, and I am already very fond of them. I ordered one in Fawn, and although it felt just a teeny bit tight, after a few days it really softened up and felt pretty good. I liked it so much, I ordered a second one in Sand, but it feels much tighter. I searched around the forum and the web to see if anyone had already addressed my question, but couldn't find anything. I must have measured my head incorrectly. I measured my head several times before ordering the hats and my head was a perfect 59. When I remeasured my head after the fact, it shows slightly over 59. Not sure what happened because I have not gained any weight and my hair is kept quite short. I have already tried steaming the Sand hat and wearing it until it cooled, and I also purchased a hat stretcher which works temporarily, but after a short while of wearing the hat, I get the big red ring on my forehead. So this is my question: Have any of you ever removed the leather sweatband from your Akubra and replaced it with a cotton or other cloth material or just left it out all together? What are your thoughts on doing that? Or would I be better off just selling the hat at a big loss and reordering it in a 60? It is way too late to return it now. Thanks for your help.

The leather sweatband serves a functional purpose and I think you will regret wearing the hat without it. I find cloth sweatbands to be uncomfortable and short lived. In my experience, if I leave the stretcher in the hat and give it a good steaming, wait a bit and steam it again, and then leave the stretcher in it for a few days the hat will retain the size. If you’re needing to do more than just bump up the hat by 1/4 to maybe 1/2 of a US size then I suggest you sell the hat and order a larger one.

And just because I’m that guy, I’ll suggest that you consider a true custom hat that will be built better, feel better, look better, and cost only marginally more.

Good luck


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[Fedster]

Hi Everyone. I am new to the forum and new to owning Akubra hats (cattleman). They are the first felt hats I have ever owned, and I am already very fond of them. I ordered one in Fawn, and although it felt just a teeny bit tight, after a few days it really softened up and felt pretty good. I liked it so much, I ordered a second one in Sand, but it feels much tighter. I searched around the forum and the web to see if anyone had already addressed my question, but couldn't find anything. I must have measured my head incorrectly. I measured my head several times before ordering the hats and my head was a perfect 59. When I remeasured my head after the fact, it shows slightly over 59. Not sure what happened because I have not gained any weight and my hair is kept quite short. I have already tried steaming the Sand hat and wearing it until it cooled, and I also purchased a hat stretcher which works temporarily, but after a short while of wearing the hat, I get the big red ring on my forehead. So this is my question: Have any of you ever removed the leather sweatband from your Akubra and replaced it with a cotton or other cloth material or just left it out all together? What are your thoughts on doing that? Or would I be better off just selling the hat at a big loss and reordering it in a 60? It is way too late to return it now. Thanks for your help.

Cut off the wire inside the leather headband. It does have a wire and if you cut it off the band will conform to your head better, and you should have more stretching play. I personally do it first thing, because I hate the damn wire. The wire is where the reed of the headband is, you can best cut it where the headband is sawn together. Once the wire is cut, pull it out.

 

[Jedi5150]

Cut off the wire inside the leather headband. It does have a wire and if you cut it off the band will conform to your head better, and you should have more stretching play. I personally do it first thing, because I hate the damn wire. The wire is where the reed of the headband is, you can best cut it where the headband is sawn together. Once the wire is cut, pull it out.

Wow! I had no idea there was a wire inside the head bands! Interesting! Thanks for the tip (although I like how my bands fit currently.

 

[Jedi5150]

I'm starting to get serious about having a couple vent grommets installed in an Akubra or two. It's not a task I want to take on myself, and I'm wondering if anyone here has suggestions of places to get it done. I already checked with both David Morgan and Akubra, and they won't. I tried to find threads on the subject here, and can't seem to find any info more recent than 2009, and that was primarily folks explaining how to DIY. Any help would be appreciated. I've read we have a couple custom hatters here on the forum, does anyone know if grommet installation is something they would take on?

 

[Beef]

Cut off the wire inside the leather headband. It does have a wire and if you cut it off the band will conform to your head better, and you should have more stretching play. I personally do it first thing, because I hate the damn wire. The wire is where the reed of the headband is, you can best cut it where the headband is sawn together. Once the wire is cut, pull it out.

Pardon my ignorance, but could you explain what the "read of the headband" is? I tried a quick google search for an explanation but couldn't find anything. Also, in order to cut out the wire, do you need to remove the headband completely? Thanks!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Pardon my ignorance, but could you explain what the "read of the headband" is? I tried a quick google search for an explanation but couldn't find anything. Also, in order to cut out the wire, do you need to remove the headband completely? Thanks!

It’s reed not read. Sweatbands come either reeded or un-reeded.

Read this:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/reeded-vs-unreeded-sweatband.44588/

I would think hard before permanently altering the hat.


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[Frunobulax]

It’s reed not read. Sweatbands come either reeded or un-reeded.

Read this:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/reeded-vs-unreeded-sweatband.44588/

I would think hard before permanently altering the hat.


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Agreed. The reed serves a structural purpose in keeping the hat's shape. Frankly, I don't see where the reed would cause any concern.

Also, I know I've seen a thread around here somewhere about grommet installation.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Fedster]

Agreed. The reed serves a structural purpose in keeping the hat's shape. Frankly, I don't see where the reed would cause any concern.

Also, I know I've seen a thread around here somewhere about grommet installation.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

I wear a hat for practical purposes, and the problem Beef has is a hat that is slightly too small. For the life of me I cannot see why Akubra puts a wire as a reed, as it has 0 elasticity (metal is elastic, but my head does not exert sufficient force for that) and it is damn uncomfortable (and makes the hat less able to conform to one's actual head shape).

If comfort or increasing the chances the hat will fit are the main concerns, take the damn wire out. If having a picture perfect hat is the goal keep the wire in. I know what I want and what I do. The wire comes off 10 minutes after I get an Akubra.

 

[Frunobulax]

Perhaps you could write Akubra and inquire as to why they don't construct hats in a way you think best and find uncomfortable, but buy anyway.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Frunobulax]

Hi Everyone. I am new to the forum and new to owning Akubra hats (cattleman). They are the first felt hats I have ever owned, and I am already very fond of them. I ordered one in Fawn, and although it felt just a teeny bit tight, after a few days it really softened up and felt pretty good. I liked it so much, I ordered a second one in Sand, but it feels much tighter. I searched around the forum and the web to see if anyone had already addressed my question, but couldn't find anything. I must have measured my head incorrectly. I measured my head several times before ordering the hats and my head was a perfect 59. When I remeasured my head after the fact, it shows slightly over 59. Not sure what happened because I have not gained any weight and my hair is kept quite short. I have already tried steaming the Sand hat and wearing it until it cooled, and I also purchased a hat stretcher which works temporarily, but after a short while of wearing the hat, I get the big red ring on my forehead. So this is my question: Have any of you ever removed the leather sweatband from your Akubra and replaced it with a cotton or other cloth material or just left it out all together? What are your thoughts on doing that? Or would I be better off just selling the hat at a big loss and reordering it in a 60? It is way too late to return it now. Thanks for your help.

Akubra is pretty well known for their inconsistent sizing. I have 58s that fit tight, and ones that are a little more roomy. I view them as a lot like getting a pair of Levi's. If you are having trouble getting it stretched back out to where you find it comfortable, and don't have a sized band block to keep it on between wearings, you may have to live with it (or take Fedster's advice and see if removing the reed works).

One thing to understand with Akubras, the hats don't shrink, the sweatbands do. A properly fitted hat will sit comfortably on your head and allow the leather sweatband to conform, or grip, your head. When purchasing a new Akubra (at least from Everything Australian or Hats Direct), they will work with you on the sizing, and go through their stock to find you a "big" or "small" 59. It is doubtful your head has gotten larger. More likely it's Akubra's inconsistent sizing.

Akubra makes a great hat for the money, but you have to put up with their idiosyncrasies if you can't buy one in the flesh.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Fedster]

Perhaps you could write Akubra and inquire as to why they don't construct hats in a way you think best and find uncomfortable, but buy anyway.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

Well, let's do some accounting:

Assets: high quality for price point, multiple styles and colours to choose from, affordable, durable
Liabilities: wire reed I find uncomfortable and I need to take out

I rest my case.