Newbie and New Akubra Owner (well, almost)

Another newbie here. I initially posted in the appropriate Observation Bar newbie thread but thought I would pop in here as well.

I have been lurking here for a few months and have recently made the decision (after 52 years) to wear a hat for everyday purposes. And yes, I do still have a full head of hair, gray as it may be. Aside from my Tilley TW2 winter hat (which is great for the lake effect freezes we get here in NE Ohio), I usually only wear a hat while backpacking, kayaking, or cross-country skiing.

After reading reviews and various hatter websites, I keep coming back to Akubra. The specific hat that I keep coming back to is the Banjo Paterson. What a beautiful hat! It seems like a good "do it all" style that would work for me at this stage. I actually ordered and received a size 59 fawn color Banjo but sent it back in exchange for a size 60. My head measures about 59.3/59.4 and after reading so many comments about shrinkage I decided to go for the larger size. Didn't realize I had such a big head for 5'7" guy.

I am looking forward to receiving my new Banjo and who knows, perhaps a Stylemaster or Campdraft is in my future. If so, I can only hope to look as good as some of you in your hats.

I do have a confession to make. When I first found this site I thought the regulars were just a bunch of Indiana Jones wanna be's. After reading through many threads I realize that most of you have your own specific tastes and sense of style. I also found that there really are sites for the Indy imitators! Hmmm.

welcome!

good choice, when I got back into hat wearing, my first 3 purchases were akubras. since then I've migrated to vintage (average price I've paid is less that $25) and it's the thrill of the hunt. post some pics, I've heard lots of great things about the Banjo Pete.

I'll have to admit, I loved the 30's era, everyone dressed in the hats, then Indy came along and sealed the deal. but after a few years of "indy" hats, I'm moving back to snappy fedora.

have fun, and there are a lot of great people here.

I'm new to Akubras as well but have been wearing fedoras for quite a few years. Recently "graduated" to quality fur felt after I found a Fed III Deluxe on eBay. The seller was apparently an Indy wanna-be, based on the crease which I've since changed to my preferred C-crown. Already have a Stylemaster in carbon grey on its way and expect to be ordering a silverbelly Campdraft sometime soon.

The Banjo Paterson was my first new hat about 6 years ago. It looked like a hat I could use for just about anything and after 6 years of having it, I can confirm that it has served me well in many situations. It gets softer and starts to fit as if it were custom made after a while. Enjoy that BP! :eusa_clap

Bebop said:

The Banjo Paterson was my first new hat about 6 years ago. It looked like a hat I could use for just about anything and after 6 years of having it, I can confirm that it has served me well in many situations. It gets softer and starts to fit as if it were custom made after a while. Enjoy that BP! :eusa_clap

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Nice to see someone with a Buk' avatar.

davidraphael said:

Nice to see someone with a Buk' avatar.

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Nice to see that someone recognizes C.B. I think I have every single one of his books.

Gromulus,

I see you are another NE Ohio member. Welcome to the Lounge. You will find folks on this forum to enjoy all kinds of hats; caps, fedoras, cowboy hats,
even bowlers and top hats. As you look at some of the pictures posted, there are is some great style shown by many of the members, in both hats and clothing.

I do like Akubras, although I am partial to the Old fashioned look, so I prefer the Fed and Campdraft. Akubras are great for fashion and outdoor activities, and I think very much a bargain for the price.

Good Luck with you hat-hunting.

Thanks

Thank you for the warm welcome gentlemen.

I am sure other hats are in my future, once I find what works for me. I do like the Stylemaster (esp. in Moonstone) but I fear that with my height, complexion, and physique I may look like a gangster (at least that's what my wife thinks!). Although I like the style, "cowboy" hats just don't look great on me, perhaps because of my height. Guess I will take it one hat at a time and keep frequenting the forum to see what works for others and get some ideas.

hatophile, I see you are located in Canton. I am a bit northeast of you near Chardon.

Welcome, Gromulus.

Good decision; the Banjo Paterson is a great hat. The 2 3/4-inch brim, moderate crown height and taper, and basic bash--center crease with a pair of front dents--make it extremely versatile, and heritage fawn coordinates with virtually any color of clothing. The BP is just as appropriate with jeans and a pair of hiking boots as it is with business casual attire. I predict the Tilley will spend a lot more time on the shelf after it arrives.

All Akubras are terrific hats, but the Heritage grade ones like the Banjo are truly superb. Not only do they have thicker and denser felt, but they also come with a softer, wider sweatband. I've found that the Heritage felt Akubras shrink very little, if at all. While it's always better to get a hat a bit too big rather than one a tad small, you'll probably need to shim it up with a strip or two of felt beneath the sweat to make it fit.

Where did you purchase yours? David Morgan, a member here, provides such felt strips at no charge with all its Akubras. Other vendors, if they furnish anything at all, usually toss in an adhesive-backed foam strip, but felt is far better. Inexpensive, it's available at most any fabric store, such as the Hancock chain.

Your Banjo will be stiff as coardboard at first. While it will eventually soften, accelerate the process by aggressively punching the crown with your fist and plying the brim back and forth with your hands. It's counter-intuitive to do such a thing with anything nice and new, but such treatment will not hurt an Akubra in the least, and you'll be glad to enjoy right away the broken-in feel of the felt that would otherwise take years.

The Banjo will be only the first of your Akubras, unquestionably the best fur felt value in new hats.

Welcome Gromulus

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap Glad to have you on the lounge. I can say from experience with them, you'll love your Akubras. My first was a Campdraft, that led to a Fed IV, then to a Cattleman, and on to a Coober Pedy. Love em all! You'll find this bunch of guys a great gang to get to know, lot's of experience and knowledge here, and they're always ready to advise and guide. They've been a great help to me. Welcome! Enjoy yourself!

God Bless
Preacher Man

Gromulus,

I know your area, nice up there. We got a very nice rescue dog from your local animal shelter.

Hi AlterEgo,

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I purchased my Banjo from NogginTops. The had a sale a week or so ago and the Banjo was marked down 20% for a couple days. The size 59 fit well out of the box, but I feared some shrinkage over time. They also supplied two felt shims but there was no way even one would fit. I hope the 60 is a good fit down the road. Sometimes I really hate buying clothing without trying on beforehand.

I still may defer to the Tilley when the extreme lake effect weather hits here in winter, especially when snowblowing or snowshoeing. My ears and forehead appreciate the extra warmth and protection!

Gromulus said:

They had a sale a week or so ago and the Banjo was marked down 20% for a couple days.

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Someone should have alerted the Lounge lol. There are a lot of TFL'ers out there who are interested in the BP as well.

Well I received my replacement hat today from Noggintops. The size 60 fits me better (with one felt "shim") and the Fawn color is correct. Unfortunately they sent me a Lightning Ridge instead of the Banjo Paterson that I ordered and exchanged for size.

Both hats are of the Heritage Collection and very nice. The LR actually retails for $15 more than the BP. Style is very similar but I like the smaller 2 3/4" brim of the BP vs. the 3 1/8" of the LR. Having seen both leather hatbands I rather prefer the Barramundi on the BP (although both are nice). Not crazy about the little opal on the LR hatband either.

I would take a photo but I do not want to take any chance on soiling a hat that I am returning.

Oh well, back it goes - again.

I never imagined buying a hat was so hard!

Sorry for your mix-up in your orders, but as far as an Akubra and when and where ...

.... to wear it, why EVERYWHERE at ANYTIME I have a 30 yo Bushman i STILL wear and three newer Akubra's ( another Bushman, my fave Akubra) and have worn it in ALL kinds of weather, rain, sleet, snow, sun cold & hot. It is dirty, sweated thru and the sweat has finally rotted out and it keeps on taking the proverbial lickin' as they say. As for below freezing precipitice weather, a cashmere Balaklava and a down filled hood are really the ONLY correct protection for the head, NOT a felt hat