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[M Hatman]

UPDATE: When I got home this morning I dumped a layer of baby powder on the spotty area and gave it long firm stroked brushing. The spot disappeared. It looks brand new again!

Baking Soda works well too!!!!! It is my "go to" for oil spots......
Grease is altogether different, you will need a solvent.
M

 

[Jhoff_1979]

Baking Soda works well too!!!!! It is my "go to" for oil spots......
M

I will keep this in mind in the future. All of my Silverbelly brims are my favorites and of course they are the easiest to get dirty.

 

[M Hatman]

Yes, Baking Soda works great and is quite an absorbent. Works very well on wet stains as well (when they are still wet) and you will actually see the soda change color as it absorbs the stain. Is absolutely fantastic on carpet for those fresh pet stains!!!!!
M

 

[Juhani]

Christy's or Akubra: an update to opinions presented here a decade ago?

I’m about to buy an open crown fur felt fedora hat. It’s something I haven’t have ever before. I started googling, and I found that eight or nine years ago there were interesting discussions about felts provided by Akubra and Christy’s.

Back then, almost a decade ago, some people said, Christy’s open crowns tended to taper if they got wet. Akubras, on the contrary, had an extremely good reputation as hats that never shrink.

Now after googling for a few days for hats, it seems that Akubras are still very popular.

My question is, if there has been any positive improvement in Christy’s felts, and if Akubra is still one of the leading manufacturers.

Having only one low crown wool felt fedora, I have no real experience on felt hats, so I’ll be thankful for your responses. In my country, Finland, this summer was the hottest one for a century, but I guess in few days the panama hat season will be over, and it’s about a time to get a felt hat..

Best Regards,
Juhani

 

[belfastboy]

For what this is worth....I have never purchased a Christies hat as the price point was always much higher than the Akubra. To the touch Christy's felt has a nicer hand but I could never justify the price....upwards of 3 times the price of an Akubra here in Canada at my local hat shop.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Christy's or Akubra: an update to opinions presented here a decade ago?

I’m about to buy an open crown fur felt fedora hat. It’s something I haven’t have ever before. I started googling, and I found that eight or nine years ago there were interesting discussions about felts provided by Akubra and Christy’s.

Back then, almost a decade ago, some people said, Christy’s open crowns tended to taper if they got wet. Akubras, on the contrary, had an extremely good reputation as hats that never shrink.

Now after googling for a few days for hats, it seems that Akubras are still very popular.

My question is, if there has been any positive improvement in Christy’s felts, and if Akubra is still one of the leading manufacturers.

Having only one low crown wool felt fedora, I have no real experience on felt hats, so I’ll be thankful for your responses. In my country, Finland, this summer was the hottest one for a century, but I guess in few days the panama hat season will be over, and it’s about a time to get a felt hat..

Best Regards,
Juhani

The only Christys’ I own is a foldaway hat; not a good ambassador for the brand. You rarely see Christys’ in threads here so make of that what you will.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jlee562]

It's not that Akubras 'never' shrink. On the contrary, they are infamous for their shrinking sweatbands. They are, on balance, more resilient to weather than other brands, especially at their given price point. However, we have also recently seen a fairly tapered Fed IV posted to the lounge, so it does happen.

I happen to think that Christy's dyes are better and the feel of their felt is MILES ahead of Akubra. I've never gotten mine wet, so I can't vouch for durability, but it still looks good and I must have had it about 8-9 years now. If you're wanting an Indy hat, I also happen to think the Christy's block looks better than the Fed.

 

[RJR]

It's not that Akubras 'never' shrink. On the contrary, they are infamous for their shrinking sweatbands. They are, on balance, more resilient to weather than other brands, especially at their given price point. However, we have also recently seen a fairly tapered Fed IV posted to the lounge, so it does happen.

I happen to think that Christy's dyes are better and the feel of their felt is MILES ahead of Akubra. I've never gotten mine wet, so I can't vouch for durability, but it still looks good and I must have had it about 8-9 years now. If you're wanting an Indy hat, I also happen to think the Christy's block looks better than the Fed.

I can't argue with Jlee's opinion,here's a Christy's that's several years old but like his hasn't been soaking wet.

 

[jlee562]

So I pulled mine out, still looks good! The felt is super soft and supple now that it's "aged" a bit. Tacking stitches are a bit obvious, but marginally nicer than Hatco ( no poly thread for one). I again, can't vouch for durability, only that if you treat it like a nice dress hat, it stays a nice dress hat. A quick perusal of the current reviews on the Christy's site seem to suggest that you still probably want to avoid rain, but steam should be fine.





Again, JMHO, the blocking and flanging on the Adventurer are better for the Indy look if that's what you want (that seems to be the case for most looking at those two specific brands). If I didn't have my Fortune and Glory, I'd probably be saving money for one of the new Herbert Johnsons. But my Indy hat itch is pretty well scratched. The flanging on the Fed is almost non existent (i.e. very flat brim) which is one of the things I dislike about the Fed. YMMV.

 

[Zombie_61]

...Again, JMHO, the blocking and flanging on the Adventurer are better for the Indy look if that's what you want (that seems to be the case for most looking at those two specific brands)...The flanging on the Fed is almost non existent (i.e. very flat brim) which is one of the things I dislike about the Fed. YMMV.

I have to admit I really didn't like the shallow brim flange on the Fed IV at first because I prefer curvy brims. But over the first month or so the brims on all of my Fed IVs developed slightly deeper flanging on their own with no help from me, and I grew to like the look. Also, despite the disclaimers on Hats Direct's website, we all know the first three incarnations of the Federation were based on the "Raiders" hats, and the brims on those were nearly flat as well:

Reportedly it was Ford himself who gave those hats the upturned edges on the sides and back of the brims.

And I acknowledge the fact that the Fed IV is based on the Crystal Skull hats, which had a more "traditional" fedora crease and a slightly deeper flange:

Why Akubra didn't duplicate that on the Fed IV, I don't know.

I also don't know anything about Christys' hats. I do know you can spend a little more (or a lot more) for one and get a closer representation of the Indiana Jones hat if that's what you want; they look like really nice hats. I also know the Fed IV is a good hat for the price, and you won't have to worry about it getting wet.

 

[Juhani]

Thanks a lot! I'm not looking especially for an Indy looks, just a tall crown, as I think that was the pre and post WW 2 fashion. To my eyes, it looks like fedoras they sell in the name of Bogart actually do not represent the height of the crown Bogart had in his movies. Naturally, I might be wrong about this.

Today, Christy’s open crown costs just few bucks more than Fed IV Deluxe. (Didn’t checked the shipment costs, though.) The colors of Christy’s look just beautiful, but my main concern is how much the felt can take rain. From autumn to springs, it rains in Finland as much as it rains in the UK, where they make Christy’s. They have more than a thousand years of experience of rain there, so i figured, they take this into consideraton when it comes to manufacturing felts.

At this point, my consideration is based on emotions and not facts. I’m open-minded for other brands too, but these two seem to be the most popular in search results.

Another option for me could be Akubra Squatter, but then I would have to be sure the crown keeps the center crease I desire. Usually, when googling for Squatter, I see just flat telescopes etc.

BTW, when I was a kid, I thought this was the way to wear a felt, no matter how much it looks like funeral wreaths:
http://79hbm1979mg58bnh1fp50y1bry.w...016/02/15-hat-and-scarf-portrait-664x1024.jpg

Juhani

 

[Zombie_61]

...Another option for me could be Akubra Squatter, but then I would have to be sure the crown keeps the center crease I desire. Usually, when googling for Squatter, I see just flat telescopes etc...

You can order the Squatter from Everything Australian with an open crown and crease it yourself. Don't let the "Crown height: 10.5 cm (4.12")" comment turn you away--that's the "as creased" height, and I'd guess the open crown height is in the neighborhood of 5-1/4" to 5-1/2" (13.3 to 13.9 cm).

 

[Juhani]

You can order the Squatter from Everything Australian with an open crown and crease it yourself. Don't let the "Crown height: 10.5 cm (4.12")" comment turn you away--that's the "as creased" height, and I'd guess the open crown height is in the neighborhood of 5-1/4" to 5-1/2" (13.3 to 13.9 cm).

Just received an answer from Hattery, and according to them, the measurements are the following:
Squatter = 14.5cm crown with brim 76 x 73mm vs. Federation IV = 14cm crown with brim 70 x 63.

So, Squatter is even higher, and the decorated brim edge looks really beautiful. However, as I know so little about felts, what concerns me is that if Squatter doesn't keep center crease so well.

 

[avedwards]

I’ve worn Akubras a lot over the years and handled Christys (though never worn them). I’ve also worn hats that I believe to come from the same factory as Christys. I would definitely recommend an Akubra. The felt on Akubras doesn’t feel as smooth and luxurious but they are much more durable and the sweat bands are more comfortable. So an Akubra will suit your needs better.

I would also suggest you consider the Campdraft. The crown is higher than the Fed IV and the brim is bound and has more of a shape. If you don’t like the thin ribbon you can replace it for a thicker ribbon. I think that if you ask, Hats Direct will supply you with ribbon.

 

[avedwards]

Question of my own:

I’m looking for a pork pie hat for my partner’s father. I’m considering an Akubra Rap because I have enough experience with Akubras that I know the quality will be good. I’m also considering getting a black vintage fedora and creasing the crown into a pork pie / telescope shape.


My question is, can a fedora be creased into a pork pie / telescope crown?

 

[Frunobulax]

Question of my own:

I’m looking for a pork pie hat for my partner’s father. I’m considering an Akubra Rap because I have enough experience with Akubras that I know the quality will be good. I’m also considering getting a black vintage fedora and creasing the crown into a pork pie / telescope shape.


My question is, can a fedora be creased into a pork pie / telescope crown?

Yes, if it started out open crown. If it has been factory creased, it will be more of a fight.

 

[scottyrocks]

I have to admit I really didn't like the shallow brim flange on the Fed IV at first because I prefer curvy brims. But over the first month or so the brims on all of my Fed IVs developed slightly deeper flanging on their own with no help from me, and I grew to like the look. Also, despite the disclaimers on Hats Direct's website, we all know the first three incarnations of the Federation were based on the "Raiders" hats, and the brims on those were nearly flat as well:

Reportedly it was Ford himself who gave those hats the upturned edges on the sides and back of the brims.

And I acknowledge the fact that the Fed IV is based on the Crystal Skull hats, which had a more "traditional" fedora crease and a slightly deeper flange:

Why Akubra didn't duplicate that on the Fed IV, I don't know.

I also don't know anything about Christys' hats. I do know you can spend a little more (or a lot more) for one and get a closer representation of the Indiana Jones hat if that's what you want; they look like really nice hats. I also know the Fed IV is a good hat for the price, and you won't have to worry about it getting wet.

Fed IVs are described on the their website as open canvases, if you will. They emphasize that the buyer/owner can shape them themselves. Open crown and relatively flat brim.

The CS hat, btw, is a completely different animal. The specs for that hat are way above what the Fed IV offers, and the price reflects that.

My 3 Fed IVs all look a bit different. But none of the brims have that sever curl or break from back to font. That's one of the things I like about them.

I have applied steam to them and run hands along the sides of the brim, pushing up as I move my hands front to back, and I get a very nice brim shape. Can't do that with my '50s Royal Stetson, for instance. These hats are very customizable.

 

[scottyrocks]

Thanks a lot! I'm not looking especially for an Indy looks, just a tall crown, as I think that was the pre and post WW 2 fashion. To my eyes, it looks like fedoras they sell in the name of Bogart actually do not represent the height of the crown Bogart had in his movies. Naturally, I might be wrong about this.

A bit of generalizing here. Bogart wore a number of different hats in his movies, and the dimensions, even if only slightly different, make the hats noticeably different, if only to folks like us who pick apart the details.

For example, when I recrease my hats, I see huge differences in every 1/8" of crown change.

Today, Christy’s open crown costs just few bucks more than Fed IV Deluxe. (Didn’t checked the shipment costs, though.) The colors of Christy’s look just beautiful, but my main concern is how much the felt can take rain. From autumn to springs, it rains in Finland as much as it rains in the UK, where they make Christy’s. They have more than a thousand years of experience of rain there, so i figured, they take this into consideraton when it comes to manufacturing felts.

If rain is significant factor in your (hat's) life, go with an Akubra.

At this point, my consideration is based on emotions and not facts. I’m open-minded for other brands too, but these two seem to be the most popular in search results.

For me, a hat is just as much an emotional purchase as it is a factual one.

Another option for me could be Akubra Squatter, but then I would have to be sure the crown keeps the center crease I desire. Usually, when googling for Squatter, I see just flat telescopes etc.

I just googled Akubra Squatter and saw plenty with a traditional pinch.

 

[avedwards]

Yes, if it started out open crown. If it has been factory creased, it will be more of a fight.

That’s what I thought. Since making my original post I’ve spotted a Royal Stetson on eBay in his size that looks early 1960s to me. It has a shallow centre dent and barely any front pinch so I think I should be able to work with it.

 

[jlee562]

If we are limiting the choices to Christy's or Akubra, in this instance, Akubra is your better bet. If low price is your concern, Akubra is your better bet.

If, on the other hand, your budget can stretch a bit higher, and high quality is your concern, I would highly suggest investing in a beaver felt and/or custom hat. Hufvud and Hornskov are two talented young hatters not awfully far from your corner of the globe, for instance. You will end up with a higher quality finished product.