Akubra Cattleman

[Ben Lee]

I just bought my first Akubra....a Cattleman in fawn. I wanted something semi-casual that will be great in our Mississippi heat and would hold up to my outdoor activities. I'm in between a 7 1/4 and a 7 3/8. I ordered a 59. I hope I ordered the right size.

 

[RedPop4]

Good on yer, mate. Hope you get it soon and can begin enjoying it.

 

[Ben Lee]

I'm impatient as hell so if it got here tomorrow, that wasn't fast enough! lol

 

[spiridon]

Cool Beans Ben! Be sure to post some pics when it arrives, I'll be anxious to see.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Good Day Ben Lee
Congratulations on buying a fine Hat. I have had my Snowy River for HD for five years now and it is still one of my favourite hats. Looking good and holding strong. My head size is between 7 3/8 to 7 1/2 I usually go for a 60 and size down with foam inserts. You will not be disappointed. You will have to post pictures when it gets here.
Johnny.

 

[Ben Lee]

I will take pics when it comes in. I want to make sure I have it for my mini-honeymoon. I get married June 10th. A Snowy River is on my short list along with a Patterson, Bogart (in black) and Traveler.

 

[RedPop4]

And you're quickly infecting me with Akubritis.:rage: :rage: lol

 

[Ben Lee]

I've got it full bore.

 

[feltfan]

You guys are gonna love this!

I sure did.

I was wondering what the Akubra Cattleman looks like.
So I dropped it in Google image search. Among many
others, this site came up:

http://www4.ncsu.edu/~grhess/photo/AkubraHatFactory/AkubraHatFactory.html

Nice photos of the entire process of creating an Akubra
Cattleman, from raw pelt to finished hat. If you were wondering
if that hat is a rabbit pelt hat, it is. Very cool photos. Enjoy.

 

[RedPop4]

Sweet, thanks!

 

[dr greg]

jacked rabbit

Unbelievable to see that they have to import rabbit skins now, it means that the virus they released some years back must really be working. the rabbit was our biggest agricultural pest and billions of them devastated large tracts of the country and turned it into near-desert.Good for farmers, but I wonder if the price of Akubras has gone up in response.
BTW I was out in the country recently and found an old menswear store where the shelves were covered in old Akubra boxes, but the old guy was barking crazy and refused to sell anything..which makes me wonder why he was open..oh that's right..he's not all there.

 

[Bargepole]

... the shelves were covered in old Akubra boxes, but the old guy was barking crazy and refused to sell anything...

I had a similar - but different - experience in.. well, let's just say
somewhere hovering between the edge of the bush and the edge of reason.

ME: Morning.
SHOPKEEPER: What of it?
ME: I'd like a pair of moleskins.
[LONG PAUSE]
SHOPKEEPER: What for?
ME: Er... to wear.
[LONG PAUSE]
SHOPKEEPER: Nothing wrong with the ones you're wearing.
ME: Yes, but I'd like a spare pair.
SHOPKEEPER: Waste of money. [PAUSE] Tell you what.
[LONG PAUSE]
ME: What?
SHOPKEEPER: (Gesturing towards entire wall of Akubras) Sell you a hat, though.
ME: (Gesturing towards own Akubra, on head) I've already got a hat.
SHOPKEEPER: D'you not want a spare?
ME: No.
SHOPKEEPER: So you want a spare pair of daks but you DON'T want a spare hat?
ME: Yup.
SHOPKEEPER: Well that's not very bloody LOGICAL, is it?
[I TURN TO LEAVE]
SHOPKEEPER: I'll sell you a pair of moleskins if you chuck those ones away.
ME: Why?
SHOPKEEPER: They're R M Williams. You want Euroa.
ME: But then I'll still only have one pair of--
SHOPKEEPER: For God's sake. Get TWO pairs of Euroa. You can afford it. I'll throw in a hat.
ME: Free?
SHOPKEEPER: No. Usual price...

Guess what? I ended up buying two pairs of Euroa moleskins and an Akubra Territory. The guy was mad, but he sure as heck could sell.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Ok Ben Lee
You have mentioned this short list a few times already. What is on this short list? I know most of us here have “wish lists” we have been making. Dreaming about the next hat to purchase or find on e-bay.
Myself I just purchased a Pith helmet that’s in the mail. Beyond that it’s a toss up between a Grey Akubra Squatter, Fawn Akubra Cattleman, or an Akubra Territory colour undecided. So what on your list?
Johnny.

 

[Ben Lee]

Well so far a black Bogart, a Stylemaster (don't know color yet), Paterson in Heritage Fawn, Angler in Loden or Stag Brown, Traveler, Coolabah in Bran, Snowy River in Santone Fawn, Territory in either Sand or Khaki...for starters.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Diagnosis: Akubritis

I've been looking into getting a Federation Deluxe.... it'd actually be my first new, non vintage hat. Just trying to convince myself to spend that kind of dough on a hat first. I mean, I know i'll do it, it's not a waste of money by any means. I'm just... well.. poor. lol

 

[johnnycanuck]

Good day Mr. Misanthropy
The first “real” hat I bought was an Akubra Federation. Last year I picked up a Federation Deluxe. Trust me they are well worth the money.
Johnny.

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Well I guess that settles it, I'll have to get one. I wish they didn't all come open crowned. Check the "Borsalino, Before and After" thread to see the horrible outcome when I try to shape a hat myself. I'll definitely be going for an "Indy" block though, which seems fairly simple.. but.. I think I'll still leave it up to the pros.

 

[RedPop4]

Right there with you on the "I'm poor" part, Mr. Mis. Got other important things to to with my money, and spending too much on hats will lead to expensive bills, either medical or legal.

Guys, I IM with Ben Lee during the day, he's absolutely stuck in. You like how his short list isn't so short? He's already prepared to order another one before he gets put on the shelf permanently next month. He's to be wed, and she's going to harm him badly over the Cattleman. Wait until he orders the Bogart. :rage: :rage: :rage: lol lol lol lol lol

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

I'm sure glad I don't have a misses breathing down my neck about hat purchases. The bank on the other hand..

 

[TommySalieri]

Hey. Does the hat come with a ball and chain, as well?

Hope to see some pics soon.