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boze

One of the Regulars
Messages
193
Location
Washington, DC
If you were gonna get a Bushman, a Stylemaster, or an Adventurer which Akubra would you choose and why?

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boze

One of the Regulars
Messages
193
Location
Washington, DC
The low tapered crown of the Stylemaster rules that out for me; I need taller and square to accommodate my enormous head. And I don't particularly care for the wide brim of the Bushman. So I'd probably get another Fed IV. :D
Yeah, I wish there were options for the standard and fancy Fed IV apart from the au shipping from Hats Direct. While we're on the subject, do you think the Heritage is worth the cost over the standard Imperial grade? I've read folks who prefer each and some who claim the cheap felt is actually nicer (I swear somebody on FL said that somewhere).
 

RJR

Messages
10,620
Location
Iowa
Yeah, I wish there were options for the standard and fancy Fed IV apart from the au shipping from Hats Direct. While we're on the subject, do you think the Heritage is worth the cost over the standard Imperial grade? I've read folks who prefer each and some who claim the cheap felt is actually nicer (I swear somebody on FL said that somewhere).
IMO,the Heritage sweat may be marginally nicer but I have found very little to choose between them.
 

boze

One of the Regulars
Messages
193
Location
Washington, DC
Okay, here's perhaps a more interesting question: how shall I best study up as a novice for ribbon/bow replacement? Moehawk was gracious enough to send me a yard of beige grosgrain for that old western I'm fixing up and I'd imagine a 7/8" ribbon is still wide enough that it should have a bow.

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Messages
11,176
Location
Alabama
Messages
19,141
Location
Funkytown, USA
Thanks Bama!

Also, search Youtube for how to curl a ribbon. This you need to do or the ribbon may look loose on the hat - especially with wider ribbons. The video shows a woman curling the ribbon, and you get the idea, but it took me a few ribbons to get it right, ironing one way and pulling the ribbon through. Less of an issue with thin ribbons, though.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 

boze

One of the Regulars
Messages
193
Location
Washington, DC
Also, search Youtube for how to curl a ribbon. This you need to do or the ribbon may look loose on the hat - especially with wider ribbons. The video shows a woman curling the ribbon, and you get the idea, but it took me a few ribbons to get it right, ironing one way and pulling the ribbon through. Less of an issue with thin ribbons, though.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.
Yeah thanks again. The ribbon curling graphic was one of the few images to survive on that thread and the newer thread linked from it. Most of the step by step images are broken now, as are the Dropbox links for a pdf someone kindly put together some years back.

I should maybe bump one of these old threads. I'm wearing out the Ask A Question crew today.
 
Messages
19,141
Location
Funkytown, USA
Yeah thanks again. The ribbon curling graphic was one of the few images to survive on that thread and the newer thread linked from it. Most of the step by step images are broken now, as are the Dropbox links for a pdf someone kindly put together some years back.

I should maybe bump one of these old threads. I'm wearing out the Ask A Question crew today.

That's what it's here for.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.
 
Messages
11,914
Location
Southern California
IMO,the Heritage sweat may be marginally nicer but I have found very little to choose between them.
I'd have to agree with Bob, though I'd like to add the Deluxe/Heritage Quality felt does feel more substantial without being thicker and, all things being equal, would probably last at least a bit longer than a Regular/Imperial Quality hat. Otherwise, there's little difference between the two. Whether that's worth the extra $35 (currently) is up to the buyer.
 

Bob Roberts

I'll Lock Up
Messages
11,201
Location
milford ct
Seems like we've had this discussion before but it's always fun to do it again. My Imperial Fed is alot stiffer/firm then my Deluxe Fed and stiffer still then both my Imperial grade Camp Drafts. The Deluxe Fed seems to be pounced a little finer and the sweat doesn't feel much different to me.
 
Messages
19,141
Location
Funkytown, USA
What makes a snap brim snap? I have a couple of hats that are supposed to be snap brims but the brims have zero snap.

It likely needs to be properly reflanged. Sometime steaming alone will give it some life. There is, I believe, some stiffener in the brim, wchich the steam can reactivate. And if you don't have a flange to avail yourself of, it would need to be done by a hatter.


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Messages
10,411
Location
vancouver, canada
I’m thinking my next custom may be a natural. At least I’m in need of a natural. Who do you suggest?

Just a thought on something that concerns me about some custom hatters. I’ve seen hats for sell by private individuals stating this fedora was made by “XXX”. But the liner is plain and there is no lettering on the sweatband. I know liners and sweatbands can be replaced. But when a hat is made with no markings at all there is no real way to prove the origins of the hat. Unless maybe you know the original buyer.

Am I missing something?
I have hats from 8 diff custom hatters. The only unmarked is an early Alley cat hat.
 
Messages
10,411
Location
vancouver, canada
I’m thinking my next custom may be a natural. At least I’m in need of a natural. Who do you suggest?

Just a thought on something that concerns me about some custom hatters. I’ve seen hats for sell by private individuals stating this fedora was made by “XXX”. But the liner is plain and there is no lettering on the sweatband. I know liners and sweatbands can be replaced. But when a hat is made with no markings at all there is no real way to prove the origins of the hat. Unless maybe you know the original buyer.

Am I missing something?
Okay just to confuse things....Art at VS has a felt called Limestone....similar to Natural that is brilliant. A shade r two darker than the Natural.
 

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