Akubra Bushman

Sam Craig said:

Wearing my Bushman with a shirt, tie and sportscoat for the first time today

Yes, I wore pants too!

Anyway, I really like the look with a jacket. ... Today I've got a brown leather sportscoat, cuz it's cool here for a change. But I think the Bushman will look great with tweed, too.

Sam

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When I got my first Bushman I was still showing Walkers and wore a tan gaberdine Saddle Suit and my Bushman with it for about 5 years. It looked GOOD ! Keep it up !
BTW, there MUST be OTHER Bushman ownrs besides Sam and me, let's see them

Sam Craig said:

The flat leather strap that goes behind your head seems to work best with a campaign hat. You can get one inexpensively from any law enforcement supply store. There are several on the net. They also have the cords n' nuts in various colors. Also not expensive.

Sam

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HI Sam

The behind the head deal won't work on my hat, a Jaxonbilt, because it's not a store-bought Stratton Police hat, it's a custom cowboy hat with a Montana Peak. Major Moore told me to either tie the cords n' nuts to the brim so that they don't bounce all day.

Later

1961MJS said:

HI Sam

The behind the head deal won't work on my hat, a Jaxonbilt, because it's not a store-bought Stratton Police hat, it's a custom cowboy hat with a Montana Peak. Major Moore told me to either tie the cords n' nuts to the brim so that they don't bounce all day.

Later

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Yeah, it might take more work, but you could still go with the strap if you have a wide grommet installed in the brim.

If you are out and about one day, I'd run by Baysingers on Central and see if they could do the grommets. Or a good shoe repair place might. I don't know if Jack would have them at WHW or not.

If you had the brim cuts put in, I'm sure Baysingers would have the strap ... that is, if you are trying to keep it looking like a campaign hat.

When I was doing living history at Fort Larned, we had a young park ranger who had a cowboy hat done up like a Span-Am era campaign hat ... he wore it off duty, of course, but it was really cool looking.

Sam

PS

I got off subject for a moment ... someone actually expected me to do some work this morning!

The nerve!

Anyway, as I'm sure you well know, one of the advantages of the back strap is that it goes over the campaign cord, helping to hold it in place.
When the whole thing is assembled, it's a lot snugger.

Just a thought ...

Sam

Sam Craig said:

Yeah, it might take more work, but you could still go with the strap if you have a wide grommet installed in the brim.

If you are out and about one day, I'd run by Baysingers on Central and see if they could do the grommets. Or a good shoe repair place might. I don't know if Jack would have them at WHW or not.

If you had the brim cuts put in, I'm sure Baysingers would have the strap ... that is, if you are trying to keep it looking like a campaign hat.

When I was doing living history at Fort Larned, we had a young park ranger who had a cowboy hat done up like a Span-Am era campaign hat ... he wore it off duty, of course, but it was really cool looking.

Sam

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Hi Sam

Major Moore built me a Spanish American war campaign hat in the wrong color (on purpose), and my Montana peak hat is more 1908 than 1940's era. My Span Am hat is Bone with a Carmel colored ribbon shaped and styled right out of The Roughrider movie. I'm using it as a Summer Felt hat.

This page has my Montana Peak Campaign hat on it. I don't have pix of Major Moore's yet, no home computer anymore.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?51684-JAXONBILT-Hats/page6

Mike

That is just about what the young ranger wore. The color and ribbon. His brim was just a little narrower, but it was the same idea.

Looking at that pick, I would certainly check on either a fine braided leather ... like what they use in an old-style bolo tie ... or a really nice horse hair.

I think Jack might have either, or even Sheplers...

Great looking hat!

Keep Wichita up and running. I'm brining Jack a couple more to fix up in the next few days...

Sam

Say guys, couls we stay "on topic" in this thread? I started it for discussion of Akubra Bushman's and we seem to have gotten way outside that with stampede strings, campaign hats and such. At least keep it in reference to the Bushman please

monbla256 said:

Say guys, couls we stay "on topic" in this thread? I started it for discussion of Akubra Bushman's and we seem to have gotten way outside that with stampede strings, campaign hats and such. At least keep it in reference to the Bushman please

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IM WEARING MY BUSHMAN TODAY WITHOUT A STAMPEDE STRING!!!!!!!

Sorry Monbla,

I really am wearing my Bushman today and it goes great with a sports coat and tie!

Tomorrow will be the gray Squatter ... if that's OK!

Sam

Sam Craig said:

IM WEARING MY BUSHMAN TODAY WITHOUT A STAMPEDE STRING!!!!!!!

Sorry Monbla,

I really am wearing my Bushman today and it goes great with a sports coat and tie!

Tomorrow will be the gray Squatter ... if that's OK!

Sam

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Of coarse I just want to get more feedback and knowledge of this model and maybe be able to sing it's prayses (not sure about this words spelling !) for those "new to Akubra" folks out there I like Squatters also, I have 4 of 'em

You ARE the Squatter king, sir!

I actually wore my black Squatter earlier this week with a dressy Hawaiian shirt. Looked great

Sam

It's tomorrow and I'm Squattin' with the Squatter because I need to drive down to Wichita today to take in some hats for repairs.

I also need to take one back that I bought an am unhappy with and I want to use my Squatter as an example of what a decent dress hat OUGHT to look like. Hopefully I can get some alterations done that will fix the matter.

One thing I really like the more I wear these Akubras is that you just grab it off the hat tree and go. This new one I bought ... I'm not going to name names, but it came from Canada ... is one of those wavy brim hats and you never know from one wearing to the next whether it's going to look dressy or not.

I hope that having the brim trimmed and ribbon bound will solve that ... though you might imagine that having to spend MORE money on a new hat is not exactly making me happy.

Sam

Tone said:

They're chinstrap grommets for riders not ventilation grommets as are placed on the middle of the crowns on Akubra's other models. Still, a nice hat. Was disappointed when the Akubra Federation IV had been improved back in 2008 from the original Akubra Federation III's Campdraft block to the better proportioned DM Bushman block, only to find that the decided brim specs chosen to be used on the FED IV weren't very well thought out in consideration for the Bushman's crown.

The authentic DM Bushman is a great-looking hat but it really DOES need some more color choices for those who like the specs of the original Bushman, though. Beautiful hat; just not enough color choices. If Akubra ever went the route of offering the Bushman in a variety of colors (okay, sure, without the grommet, too) there'd be A LOT of happy hat owners out there!

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This is interesting that the Bushman is made on the same block as the Fed IV. Based on all the recommendations for the Bushman, I've been considering this for my next Akubra.

So far the hats I own have 4" crowns front/back and 4.5" on the side. Just today I showed my wife a hat with a crown a bit above 5" front/back (Strat clone). She thought it too much hat for my 5'6" 150lb frame. Sounds like the Bushman crown would be at least this tall.

So, my question: with a fairly tall crown and large brim, does the Bushman wear big? I'd like to try something diffferent, but I don't want to look like the hat's wearing me.

Orangegrad said:

This is interesting that the Bushman is made on the same block as the Fed IV. Based on all the recommendations for the Bushman, I've been considering this for my next Akubra.

So far the hats I own have 4" crowns front/back and 4.5" on the side. Just today I showed my wife a hat with a crown a bit above 5" front/back (Strat clone). She thought it too much hat for my 5'6" 150lb frame. Sounds like the Bushman crown would be at least this tall.

So, my question: with a fairly tall crown and large brim, does the Bushman wear big? I'd like to try something diffferent, but I don't want to look like the hat's wearing me.

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The Bushman is a big hat especially with it's 3 1/4" wide bound brim and it's taller straight crown (as opposed to the shorter, more tapered crown of your Stylemaster) but it is a style of Aussie hat that goes back to the last century in Australia. I'm 6'-1" around 235#s and have a square full face so it suites me fine IMHO Here's a pic I've posted before of it on my head for you to consider. As much as I LOVE my Bushman it's brim might be a bit wide for your head shape, but a Squatter with it's shorter brim (3") but same crown hieght might be a better choice. JMHO

monbla256 said:

The Bushman is a big hat especially with it's 3 1/4" wide bound brim and it's taller straight crown (as opposed to the shorter, more tapered crown of your Stylemaster) but it is a style of Aussie hat that goes back to the last century in Australia. I'm 6'-1" around 235#s and have a square full face so it suites me fine IMHO Here's a pic I've posted before of it on my head for you to consider. As much as I LOVE my Bushman it's brim might be a bit wide for your head shape, but a Squatter with it's shorter brim (3") but same crown hieght might be a better choice. JMHO

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I'm thinking you're right that the Bushman might just be too much hat for me. And the larger ribbon on the Squatter might be better for my long, slender face.

Maybe I need a new hat for parents' weekend at our daughter's college? Of course my wife might say my Stylemaster would do just fine.

Orangegrad said:

I'm thinking you're right that the Bushman might just be too much hat for me. And the larger ribbon on the Squatter might be better for my long, slender face.

Maybe I need a new hat for parents' weekend at our daughter's college? Of course my wife might say my Stylemaster would do just fine.

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Your wife's probably right, but a nice Mid-Fawn Squatter would probably work better I'm sure

The crown can be tamed by a deep diamond or teardrop but the brim is another matter. Most think a Campdraft is a lot of brim & the Bushman goes past it a good bit.

I blocked my CD and Bushman just the same and I like the looks of them both.
I will admit, you gotta swallow when you first step out in a Bushman, because it IS a lot of hat and people are going to notice, but every notice I've had has been positive.

And believe me, when I hear something positive, it's because of the hat.

I just got my fawn Squatter and I creased the crown with as wide a "c" as it would take without dipping the back too much, and it is great looking. You'll enjoy it.

Nevertheless ... I, personally, get a real kick out of the look of the Bushman with a bush jacket or a sports coat.
Later this week, if the weatherman is right, I'll be wearing it with a Hawaiian shirt, too.

Sam

PS ... Went to Wichita Friday, wore the gray Squatter and the lady who does hat work used it as the guide for how she's going to restyle the one I had purchased from them. She was duly impressed.

It's a great store and they have terrific service, so I'm sure it will turn out great, once it gets a little more Squatter-ized!

I got my first ever compliment about a hat I was wearing yesterday in the parking lot of my local grocery store . I was wearing my Bushman and a man parked next to me looked at me and said ".... nice hat! You don't see many real hats these days 'cept cowboy hats. Everything is all that little short brim stuff and wierd colors. That's a real hat, nice " So if anyone is looking for a "...real hat" get yourself a Bushman It also RAINED last night and I was getting home when it started and I got out of the car and just stood in it and got me and my Bushman soaked thru. Boy did that feel good ! We have'nt had rain since around the first of May down here and then only about .5" ! Were near 20" down for yearly average down here. It's been REAL DRY It all made my day !

Rain?

Ra-in?

Wait a minute .... I know I've heard of it.

Grandpa used to talk about that stuff!

By the way, MB, there's a clerk at McDonalds ... you know, the great rural fashion arbitors, who usually comments on by Bushman and my Squatters ... wanting to know where to get them, you know .... I always tell him AUSTRALIA!

Sam

The Bushman is a great hat that can be bashed many ways. I intentionally don't steam my bashes in or make too sharp a crease so that I can change it up depending on my mood. It's like having ten hats in one!

I love the Nullarbor tan color, quite rich, and goes with just about anything.

As previously mentioned, you can easily adjust crown height by putting in a telescope crown and then "ooch" it up or down to your liking. "Ooch," that's a technical term for you newbies.

Though you can change it's look considerably, with a 3 and 1/4 brim and thin hatband, the Bushman is fundamentally a casual hat. You can go from shirtless to a tweed sport coat, but you'd be pushing it with a blue blazer, and pairing with any kind of suit is out. Not nearly as dressy as a Stylemaster can be.

As for the chin strap issue, personally, I have a problem punching a hole in any kind of fur felt hat, and somehow cotter pins, being metal and somewhat sharp, rub me the wrong way, too. The chin strap hooks David Morgan puts on many of its Akubras work great so long as the chin strap is made for that kind of attachment. The problem, as Frank pointed out, is that from the exterior they appear to be grommets--ventilation holes--if the hat band is not wide enough to cover them. That's the case with the Bushman.

But you can attach a David Morgan style stampede string another way that is much less obvious. Simply sew shirt buttons inside the crown and then loop the end of the chin strap over them. If you use thread the same color as the felt, it's hardly noticeable.

I just made a chin strap the other day from what was designed to be an eye glass strap. It is a very thin round cord of leather with, guess what? a slide made out of a piece of silver in the shape of a hat. The ends made to cinch up around the ear pieces are made out of a very stretchy but strong rubber. Tiny coils of metal slip up to make them tight. I like this very thin cord leather because it necessitates only the tiniest cut through the stitching that attaches the headband to the crown. You thread the ends up through this cut and then attach them to the shirt buttons.

Hope this helps or gives you some ideas.