Akubra Overload

[deadlyhandsome]

No, I hadn't. Village Hat Shop says it's 3-3/8", JJ Hat Center says 3-1/4", hatWRKS says 3-1/4". Strangely, it isn't listed on Akubra's Australian website.

As long as it is a minimum of 3 1/4” I won’t complain. It should look good with a cattleman’s crease, right?

 

[Zombie_61]

...It should look good with a cattleman’s crease, right?

Oh, definitely. That's how I'd crease it.

 

[Boomerang]

Strangely, it isn't listed on Akubra's Australian website.

As the Fed IV is exclusive to The Hattery, the Bushman is exclusive to David Morgan. Any business selling the Bushman has to get it through DM, so that is why it isn't listed on the Akubra site.

 

[dkstott]

This morning's hike started out in a Misty rain. It quickly developed into a steady to heavy rain. I was soaked, but didn't melt.

My Akubra Banjo Patterson says "what else ya got?"

It got a quick wipe down when I got home with a towel to get rid of the excess water. It's sitting drying & it'll get a light brushing tonight. It'll be ready to whatever I do tomorrow

 

[DaveProc]

New to me Campdraft courtesy of @Hurricane Jack
This is my third Campdraft, one is an RM William the other is Bluegrass Green.
This one definitely has the densest felt.
I like it very much!

 

[new2hats]

Hey Dave, thanks for the photos. does the Heritage felt shape well? I am thinking of getting one, imperial vs Heritage felt, and i want to play around with shaping the crown without steam if possible.

 

[DaveProc]

Hey Dave, thanks for the photos. does the Heritage felt shape well? I am thinking of getting one, imperial vs Heritage felt, and i want to play around with shaping the crown without steam if possible.

I own 6 Akubras, I wouldn't recommend trying to shape them without steam. To be honest I did mine in the shower. I wouldn't recommend doing it with most other hats LOL. But Akubras are built like tanks. This one came already creased by the previous owner

 

[dkstott]

I used a spray bottle of water and teakettle steam on my Stylemaster. It took a little work, but I got it to shape to a nice diamond crease.

 

[Zombie_61]

Hey Dave, thanks for the photos. does the Heritage felt shape well? I am thinking of getting one, imperial vs Heritage felt, and i want to play around with shaping the crown without steam if possible.

I second what Dave wrote. Akubra's Heritage Grade felt is more substantial than their Imperial Grade felt without being thicker and, in my experience, is a bit more difficult to shape without heat and/or a good deal of moisture. Without steam or water it'll probably go into the shape you want, but it won't stay there.

 

[dkstott]

I forgot to mention that my Banjo Patterson is really soft and pliable after it got soaked in 2 rain storms during my morning hikes. ️

The crown seems willing to take on just about any shape now.

 

[Gobi]

The Heritage seems to surface wrinkle when dry creasing much more than imperial grade. It's not an issue when using steam. Other than that, the felt is quite a bit nicer, more dense and softer feel. The sweatband is of much nicer quality so it feels better on the head. I wish they offered the Bushman in heritage.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My Bushman in moonstone arrived from David Morgan. I put in a shallow center dent crease to keep the crown as tall as possible. At first I tried it as a “fedora“ with the front snapped down, but I really didn’t like the look. I left the brim up and while steaming it I held the front-center of the brim down. I’m generally pleased with how it turned out. The hat is comfortable and has a bit of extra size to accommodate slight shrinking. I can’t say I see any problem with the sweatband or its stitching and it sits easy on my head.

The discoloring on the crown is from the misting I gave it that hasn’t completely dried. Nice boxy crown, but I’d have loved another 1/2 to 1 inch of height.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Apparently Everything Australian isn’t shipping to the US right now.

 

[Yahoody]

I've used a Bushman in SE Alaska many times. Good felt for the rain.

 

[Zombie_61]

My Bushman in moonstone arrived from David Morgan. I put in a shallow center dent crease to keep the crown as tall as possible. At first I tried it as a “fedora“ with the front snapped down, but I really didn’t like the look. I left the brim up and while steaming it I held the front-center of the brim down. I’m generally pleased with how it turned out...

I like it! The brim shape isn't something I see a lot of, and I think the crown as it's currently creased is a good height for you. Nice!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I like it! The brim shape isn't something I see a lot of, and I think the crown as it's currently creased is a good height for you. Nice!

Thanks, Al. I really thought I was going to shape it more like a big fedora, but it just didn’t look right to me. I really like the shape it’s in now. I want an Akubra Sombrero next...and no toaster creases.

 

[Gobi]

I like the Bushman so considering the current state of things I figured I'd better get another just so I'd have an extra. I bought this one in size 62 since David Morgan seems to run small.

Sure enough, it's a 62 but fits like all the other 61's I have.
It'll shrink up to fit nicley.

I like them to start out big and shrink down. After steaming and shaping it shrank enough to fit but it's still pretty loose. After a few rains it should start to have a perfect fit.
Having a loose hat for a while is better than forever fighting it with a hat jack.

 

[Yahoody]

"I like them to start out big and shrink down"

 

[deadlyhandsome]

"I like them to start out big and shrink down"

Someone had to go there.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I like the Bushman so considering the current state of things I figured I'd better get another just so I'd have an extra. I bought this one in size 62 since David Morgan seems to run small.
View attachment 259673
View attachment 259674

Sure enough, it's a 62 but fits like all the other 61's I have.
It'll shrink up to fit nicley. View attachment 259677
I like them to start out big and shrink down. After steaming and shaping it shrank enough to fit but it's still pretty loose. After a few rains it should start to have a perfect fit.
Having a loose hat for a while is better than forever fighting it with a hat jack.

Let’s see it shaped! I’ve been thinking about a nullarbor tan Bushman too, but my next Akubra is going to be the Sombrero. I’m looking forward to seeing how you shape your Bushman...and I’m a size 62 too so if it doesn’t work for you....