I love the Fed IV!!

tropicalbob · Jul 24, 2017

Nathaniel Finley said:
Thank you, sir. I am blessed to be in an area of the world with a lot of interesting clothing choices. My biggest problem is dragging a wardrobe around Asia with me!

Welcome to the club. Now that you're properly addicted you can start scouting around this forum for your grail color and blowing unprecedented amounts of money with the custom folks. Enjoy yourself!

Zombie_61 · Jul 24, 2017

Nathaniel Finley said:
...There's no way to sort the color variation over the internet though, since there are way too many variables to try to control...When I made my Tawny Fawn purchase I knew from all the photos online it was a 50/50 chance I would get either a color I love or a color that bores me...

The true color of every hat I've purchased online has been somewhat of a surprise when I finally saw them in person, even though I had viewed any number of photos during my research phase. You're absolutely right--too many variables. After the first two or three I just got used to that being the way things are. And I like 'em anyway.

Nathaniel Finley · Jul 29, 2017

My FED's been evolving this last week. It settled into a Maltese Falcon bash and acquired matching feathers (the match isn't visible in the photo, unfortunately, but they are beautiful ground finds from two totally different areas: one is from south Thailand and the other is from Japan - both the same matching blue-black color and a patch of the same torquoise).

By the way, this hat has not seen a splash of water yet. I've worked only with the completely dry felt and I'm very, very happy with the results.

Gromulus · Jul 29, 2017

A great hat and you wear it well!

Bob Roberts · Jul 29, 2017

Good looking crown crease Nat.

Nathaniel Finley · Jul 29, 2017

Gromulus said:
A great hat and you wear it well!

Thank you, sir!

Nathaniel Finley · Jul 29, 2017

Bob Roberts said:
Good looking crown crease Nat.

Thanks for saying so, Bob! I really like how robust the dry creases feel. Maybe they would have come out similarly if I'd used water, but I suspect not.

Anyway, here's evidence of the suppleness of the Akubra felt - granted, it was quite a bit like origami but I took it slowly and just nudged the felt without any problems.

Bob Roberts · Jul 29, 2017

Nathaniel Finley said:
Thanks for saying so, Bob! I really like how robust the dry creases feel. Maybe they would have come out similarly if I'd used water, but I suspect not.

Anyway, here's evidence of the suppleness of the Akubra felt - granted, it was quite a bit like origami but I took it slowly and just nudged the felt without any problems.

Yer wlcm. All the more better for the dry crease with some distinctive lines. "If your happy and you know it..."
Some steam n heat will help set the creases.

Nathaniel Finley · Jul 30, 2017

Bob Roberts said:
Some steam n heat will help set the creases.

The crown and brim are actually solid without needing any water or steam. They are set - the hat knew exactly what to do

Bob Roberts · Jul 30, 2017

Nathaniel Finley said:
The crown and brim are actually solid without needing any water or steam. They are set - the hat knew exactly what to do

Like my Fed. Just pushed it around where it let me and then stayed right there.

Nathaniel Finley · Jul 30, 2017

Exactly the same. I reckon these hats know what to do. If I wanted to introduce something wild like a backwards inside out Gus crease with a right nipple or some such I might have to get it wet...

Zombie_61 · Jul 30, 2017

Nathaniel Finley said:
The crown and brim are actually solid without needing any water or steam. They are set - the hat knew exactly what to do

I wish I could say that. All of my Akubras took a dry crease easily, but started reverting to open crowns as soon as I stopped playing with them. A nice spray of distilled water solved that problem...or maybe they were just thirsty after their long journey from Australia.

Nathaniel Finley · Jul 30, 2017

Zombie_61 said:
...or maybe they were just thirsty after their long journey from Australia.

Lol. Mine only had to travel to SE Asia, so I suppose it didn't arrive in such great need!

Frunobulax · Jul 30, 2017

Nathaniel Finley said:
Exactly the same. I reckon these hats know what to do. If I wanted to introduce something wild like a backwards inside out Gus crease with a right nipple or some such I might have to get it wet...

Yeah, but I'd still like to see that crease.

scottyrocks · Jul 30, 2017

Nathaniel Finley said:
The crown and brim are actually solid without needing any water or steam. They are set - the hat knew exactly what to do

The hats are sold open blocked. They have no preset crease or memory in them. They will, however, push into a basic shape sans any moisture. The moisture, whether steam or a shpritz of water, makes it easier to move the felt and then have it remember the shape when it dries.

Nathaniel Finley · Jul 31, 2017

scottyrocks said:
They will, however, push into a basic shape sans any moisture. The moisture, whether steam or a shpritz of water, makes it easier to move the felt and then have it remember the shape when it dries.

I believe my crown dent - achieved without water or steam - is more than just "basic," and again, it is set. I was very pleased with what I could do with the felt without moisture.

In fact, I suspect that I could achieve most normal crown dents with my FED without using steam or water. However, the more creases I put in it the more raggedy the felt would look. In my experience with my new hat, the felt "folded" like origami. I could fold a piece of cardboard paper multiple ways but eventually the paper would be exhausted.

Steam or water would proabably help me make tighter lines, but I like the thicker character of my crease. It's got a robust feel to it that suits the big crown. But the dent is definitely set.

Nathaniel Finley · Sep 4, 2017

Finished the final changes on my FED IV for now, just in time for my trip to South Asia! Diamond crease extended up through the Dome and my version of a campaign cord made from wooden Buddha beads. A bit wonky but I'm a wonky guy

Not exactly where I want it but further modifications will come when I get to Australia at the end of the year. So far it's been a good journey with this one.

Cheers,
Nathan

KarlCrow · Sep 4, 2017

Nathaniel Finley said:
Finished the final changes on my FED IV for now, just in time for my trip to South Asia! Diamond crease extended up through the Dome and my version of a campaign cord made from wooden Buddha beads. A bit wonky but I'm a wonky guy

Not exactly where I want it but further modifications will come when I get to Australia at the end of the year. So far it's been a good journey with this one.

View attachment 84760

View attachment 84761

View attachment 84762

View attachment 84763

Cheers,
Nathan

looks great, unique.

RJR · Sep 4, 2017

Nathaniel Finley said:
Finished the final changes on my FED IV for now, just in time for my trip to South Asia! Diamond crease extended up through the Dome and my version of a campaign cord made from wooden Buddha beads. A bit wonky but I'm a wonky guy

Not exactly where I want it but further modifications will come when I get to Australia at the end of the year. So far it's been a good journey with this one.

View attachment 84760

View attachment 84761

View attachment 84762

View attachment 84763

Cheers,
Nathan

Interesting.

Nathaniel Finley · Sep 4, 2017

RJR said:
Interesting.

Lol, I admit, it's not for everybody.
Nor is this probably, but I don't often have my hair down...

I love the Fed IV!!

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