Akubra Squatter

T Jones · Jan 5, 2013

I'm looking for an Indy style fedora...There's a few I'm considering, Akubra Adventurer, Akubra Federation IV, and Garrison's Raider Fedora...I'm also considering the Akubra Squatter...Does anyone know much about the Squatter, and would it make a decent looking Indy style fedora...The squatter has a 51/2 open crown and a 3 inch bound snap brim....Opinions much appreciated, thanks...

Blackthorn · Jan 5, 2013

I have one, and I like it, but the brim was too wide for my taste, so I had it trimmed back to 2 1/2 inches. It's a very Indy-like hat now. Here's a top-view of it after I had the brim trimmed:

It had a bound brim before trimming, very un-Indylike:

Blackthorn · Jan 5, 2013

T Jones said:
I'm looking for an Indy style fedora...There's a few I'm considering, Akubra Adventurer, Akubra Federation IV, and Garrison's Raider Fedora...I'm also considering the Akubra Squatter...Does anyone know much about the Squatter, and would it make a decent looking Indy style fedora...The squatter has a 51/2 open crown and a 3 inch bound snap brim....Opinions much appreciated, thanks...

From your avatar, it looks like you are already "going and doing" in a cool looking fedora. Is that Chichen Itza in the background?

T Jones · Jan 5, 2013

Very nice looking Squatter thanks for posting the pictures...I like the looks of that...did you do the trimming yourself, or did you have it done?...I can't seem to find any hat makers in my area where I could have the brim trimmed, or other alterations...any ideas on who else besides hatters could do those kinds of alterations?

Actually, that's just a $45 dollar crushable wool felt from DP...It's okay for a cheap kick around hat but nowhere as nice as a good fur felt like your Akubra Squatter....Lol, I think it maybe Chichen Itza in the backround, but actually it's the magic of GIMP photo editing.

jlee562 · Jan 5, 2013

Get the Garrison. If a custom hat is in your budget, go custom.

Blackthorn · Jan 5, 2013

T Jones said:
Very nice looking Squatter thanks for posting the pictures...I like the looks of that...did you do the trimming yourself, or did you have it done?...I can't seem to find any hat makers in my area where I could have the brim trimmed, or other alterations...any ideas on who else besides hatters could do those kinds of alterations?

I had that one trimmed by Paul's Hat Works in San Francisco, since it's only 50 miles away, but recently I sent one off to Optimo in Chicago and they did nice work, too. I think they only charged $25 plus shipping, if memory serves. Paul's does good work, but the ladies who own it are not long on social skills, so I have stopped going up there (except Abby...she's nice). I'm a bit eccentric...if I don't get a thank you for giving them a tip over and above the cost of a service, I don't go back.

Actually, that's just a $45 dollar crushable wool felt from DP...It's okay for a cheap kick around hat but nowhere as nice as a good fur felt like your Akubra Squatter....Lol, I think it maybe Chichen Itza in the backround, but actually it's the magic of GIMP photo editing.

Ah, well done! I like to travel, so was curious.

Blackthorn · Jan 5, 2013

Here's a picture of me picking up the hat, that day in San Fran:

Blackthorn · Jan 5, 2013

What size do you wear, T Jones? Mine is a size 60 and I have stopped wearing it, moved on to other hats.

T Jones · Jan 6, 2013

Thanks Blackthorn, the hat looks really nice on you...looks like they did a good job...I like the looks of it...I measure out at 22 1/2 inches...hats direct suggested that I get a size 59 cm...

Mulceber · Jan 6, 2013

jlee562 said:
Get the Garrison. If a custom hat is in your budget, go custom.

+1 Akubra makes a great hat, but there's no comparing with a custom hat. -M

Blackthorn · Jan 6, 2013

T Jones said:
Thanks Blackthorn, the hat looks really nice on you...looks like they did a good job...I like the looks of it...I measure out at 22 1/2 inches...hats direct suggested that I get a size 59 cm...

Yeah, this one is definitely too big for you.

Chuck Bobuck · Jan 6, 2013

The Squatter has a wide bound brim and the crown is shorter and rounder compared to a Fed IV.

I had a diamond bash in both the Fed and Squatter in this shot, but you can see the crown comparison. They both have
a center dent now. The Squatter doesn't take a diamond bash very well due to the lower crown.

Here's the Squatter with a centerdent, allows for a little higher crown to offset the wide brim.
If you want Indy, I'd take the Fed IV over the Squatter.

TomS · Jan 6, 2013

I have a Squatter. It's my go to hat.

Landman · Jan 6, 2013

I have both a Squatter and a Fed IV. Both are nice hats but I like the Fed IV better. I prefer the straight sided crowns on them.

Below is a link to a brim trimmer. They come in a 1/2" and 1/8". Get the 1/8" and you can take off as much as you want 1/8" at a time. One of the best hat tool investments I've made. I use it all the time, especially on western hats. Most western hats come with a 4" brim and I prefer just a tad shorter at 3 3/4". Two times around the brim and it is perfect for me!

http://php2.secure-shopping.com/hawkeyetack/catalog/MF-Brim-Cutter-1002-p-2657.html

TomS · Jan 6, 2013

Landman said:
I have both a Squatter and a Fed IV. Both are nice hats but I like the Fed IV better. I prefer the straight sided crowns on them.

Below is a link to a brim trimmer. They come in a 1/2" and 1/8". Get the 1/8" and you can take off as much as you want 1/8" at a time. One of the best hat tool investments I've made. I use it all the time, especially on western hats. Most western hats come with a 4" brim and I prefer just a tad shorter at 3 3/4". Two times around the brim and it is perfect for me!

http://php2.secure-shopping.com/hawkeyetack/catalog/MF-Brim-Cutter-1002-p-2657.html

Mike, how do you use the thing?

TomS · Jan 6, 2013

Is there a difference in the felt quality between a Fed and the Squat?

gtdean48 · Jan 6, 2013

TomS said:
Mike, how do you use the thing?

Tom, you slide bottom slot over the brim. Top lever drops a razor blade down into the brim felt. As you slide it along the edge of the brim the blade cuts a set distance into the brim.

gtdean48 · Jan 6, 2013

TomS said:
Is there a difference in the felt quality between a Fed and the Squat?

Fed comes in heritage & imperial. Squat comes in supreme & imperial. DM squat is imperial.

T Jones · Jan 6, 2013

Thanks for the pictures Chuck...pretty informative...I see the differences in the Squatter and Fed IV, but yet with the center dent you put in the squatter, (and with a tight pinch), I believe it makes a pretty decent depiction, (definitely not as well as the Fed IV as you pointed out), of an Indy hat...The reason I'm considering either the Akubra Adventurer or the Squatter, is because I found a site that sells them at a pretty reasonable cost, cheaper than David Morgan, and my funds are limited at present and the shipping time would be quicker...
http://www.wrangleroutpost.com/akubra_hatindex.html
Other than that, I would definitely prefer either a FedIV or a Garrison....@ Tom, I believe both the Squatter and the Fed IV "regular" are made with Akubra's Imperial Quality Fur felt...the more expensive Fed IV Deluxe is made with a higher grade felt and a higher grade leather sweat band...after shipping costs, the Fed IV regular would be around $160 and the Fed IV Deluxe, a little over $200,...http://hatsdirect.com/federation/specifications.html...just to mention, the Garrison rabbit fur felt would be $190 total, including the shipping cost within the U.S.

Landman · Jan 6, 2013

TomS said:
Mike, how do you use the thing?

Tom,

It fits over the edge of the brim, then you push down a small lever that deploys a razor blade. You just hold it up against the edge of the brim and go all the way around. If you go slowly and maintain a constant pressure when it gets back to the starting point the excess brim will just fall off and leave a perfect cut. The secret is to maintain a firm, constant pressure. The first time I tried it I didn't apply the same pressure all the way around the end cut was a little off. No big deal though because you can even it up with sand paper. It is very easy after trying it once. I found it is best to just hold the hat in my lap rather than place it on a flat surface. That way I have a better feel for the pressure I'm applying. One last thing, since it follows the brim edge it won't round off a dimensional brim hat. If you want to do that I guess you would need a brim cutter that follows the crown and not the brim edge.

Akubra Squatter

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

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I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

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Practically Family

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Practically Family

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