Akubra Overload

Royce Bloom · Jul 22, 2020

tsores-

1. Both the Campdraft and Bushman have reeded roan leather sweatbands. As far as ripping the reed out and putting it on a stretcher at purchase - I wouldn’t presume to be knowledgeable enough about that kind of surgery.

It seems like if you have an Angler in 59 that fits, you should be good with the options you’re considering. The Angler’s from David Morgan, yes? David Morgan’s fit tighter than stuff you get from Australia from what I’ve read, which is reflected in their respective size charts (look it up - there’s a 1/4 inch difference which is very weird).

2. I have a heritage grade Campdraft that came with more flange in the brim than I wanted. I love the look of the Open Road, and it was too much and I tried taming it with steam to no avail.

Once I doused it with distilled water like Boomerang said and let it sit overnight with some heavy books strategically placed on the brim, it was good to go and has retained that shape.

dkstott · Jul 22, 2020

All the Akubra hat's have piano wire in the Reed.

My hunch is that it's there to help maintain shape. I've removed the wire from all of mine. It seems to help with the hat confirming to my head shape.

If you separate the leather in the band slightly near the back. You'll find a brass ferrule. It's used to connect the ends of the piano wire.

I grab it with needle nose pliers and one end of the wire comes loose. Then it's a simple matter of pulling the wire out of the Reed.

Seb Lucas · Jul 22, 2020

TheOldFashioned said:
Akubra Squatter Featherweight:
View attachment 244020 View attachment 244021 View attachment 244022
Specs:

3" x 2-7/8" Dimensional Brim
5-1/2" Crown (open)
1-1/8" Ribbon
1/4" Binding (symmetric)
122g Weight

A somewhat less common model being the unlined, Superfine Quality Australian version. I think the color may be bluegrass green, though some other threads mention it being offered in willow green at one time. I haven't been able to find a good picture to compare as many of the old links are broken. Should make for a good foul weather hat.

45 years ago this was still the classic Australian bush hat and sometime city hat and had been since the 1930's. The cowboy styles took off after the 1980's and I'm pretty sure most Akubra styles we know now (like the Snowy River or the Cattleman) were created in the last 40 years.

johnnycanuck · Jul 22, 2020

tsores said:
It is the middle of summer so, naturally, I am thinking about getting a new felt fedora for winter. The Akubra Bushman (first) or Camp Draft (second) are in my sights. Before I place that order I have some questions:

1. I am a size 59 LO. How will this work for a long oval? Is there a reed in either/both of these products? If so, should I expect to be removing it? I have a hat stretcher that worked well on my Akubra Angler. If the reed is removed, how does that impact how the hat fits and holds its shape?

2. How flexible is the brim? I prefer just a little curl in the brim. Will I be able to flatten the brim without destroying felt?

If this should be posted under another thread please let me know and I will be happy to do so.

so I am a 59 LO as well. I have bought two Akubras in 59 But it was a lot more uncomfortable breaking them in and required a stretcher regularly to keep it in size. So I usually buy a 60 and put weatherstripping pieces 1” wide under the sweatband Till it fits snug. As the leather shrinks I take the weatherstripping out until it’s not needed and the hat fits fine as it is. For me that usually takes two years of regular wear. I have removed the reed from my Federation because it snapped and kinked. It took over ten years before this happened. It did conform to my head better but it also needed a stretcher to keep it my size. I would not take it out, but some do.

Akubras will do anything you want them to within reason. Get them wet, mold them, let them dry. You should be able to flatten the brim just fine. Keep in mind with a LO head the hat will naturally want to dip down in the front more than someone without a LO head.
Hope that helps
Johnny

tsores · Jul 22, 2020

Do all Akubras have a wire under the sweatband, even my Angler?

dkstott · Jul 22, 2020

It's my understanding that all of them except for the "travel" or possibly the Straw / Hemp hats have them. But this doesn't include much older "vintage" Akubra's

Easy enough to figure out if it has the wire is to follow my previous post... gently separate the leather hat band at the back of the hat.. If you see a brass ferrule, it's got the piano wire.

I feel removing the piano wire allowed the hats (several Style masters, Banjo Patterson) to better conform to my head shape AND maintain that shape. When I stretched a hat to a long oval, the memory in the piano wire was always trying to bring it back to the original shape.

just my humble thought

Dave

Frunobulax · Jul 22, 2020

All reeded sweatbands contain something, most use a mono filament wire akin to fishing line. I haven't deconstructed an Akubra to determine what's in it, and I wouldn't think to.

The purpose of the reed is to add structure to the construction of hat. In many older hats you will get unreeded, or cloth-reeded sweatbands, which provide lass structure and are often found in lightweight hats.

Royce Bloom · Jul 22, 2020

I appreciate that I can chime in as an amateur trying to help and then read 5 replies that are very educational. You all are good people.

tropicalbob · Jul 22, 2020

Seb Lucas said:
45 years ago this was still the classic Australian bush hat and sometime city hat and had been since the 1930's. The cowboy styles took off after the 1980's and I'm pretty sure most Akubra styles we know now (like the Snowy River or the Cattleman) were created in the last 40 years.

I really like the style. Akubra should reissue it and play up its pedigree.

Gobi · Aug 4, 2020

Hey everyone. I had to start a new account since I couldn't remember my info, I used to be a regular but haven't been on in probably 5 years or so.
I've been having cravings for a CD deluxe version in silverbelly. I see the Akubra factory is shut down but Hats Direct still shows hats in stock. Does anyone know if this is true? I'd hate to order not knowing if I'll ever get it. I can't seem to find any contact info for them.
Thanks!

Blackthorn · Aug 4, 2020

Gobi said:
Hey everyone. I had to start a new account since I couldn't remember my info, I used to be a regular but haven't been on in probably 5 years or so.
I've been having cravings for a CD deluxe version in silverbelly. I see the Akubra factory is shut down but Hats Direct still shows hats in stock. Does anyone know if this is true? I'd hate to order not knowing if I'll ever get it. I can't seem to find any contact info for them.
Thanks!

Just email them and ask.

Boomerang · Aug 5, 2020

Gobi said:
Hey everyone. I had to start a new account since I couldn't remember my info, I used to be a regular but haven't been on in probably 5 years or so.
I've been having cravings for a CD deluxe version in silverbelly. I see the Akubra factory is shut down but Hats Direct still shows hats in stock. Does anyone know if this is true? I'd hate to order not knowing if I'll ever get it. I can't seem to find any contact info for them.
Thanks!

Go to the Hats Direct website and click on the envelope icon in the black bar at the top of the page. I'm always specific in my emails in regard to the model, size, and color of hat that I'm seeking. I receive a reply in a day or less.

Gobi · Aug 5, 2020

Thank you, it must look different on the mobile site, I had to click the three lines on the top left and the envelope was down at the bottom. Didnt see it earlier. Thanks again.

Gobi · Aug 5, 2020

Order placed. Incoming Campdraft Deluxe in Silverbelly.
I have quite a few Akubras, I'll have to get them together for a family photo once this one arrives.

johnnycanuck · Aug 5, 2020

Gobi said:
Order placed. Incoming Campdraft Deluxe in Silverbelly.
I have quite a few Akubras, I'll have to get them together for a family photo once this one arrives.

Sounds great. Fantastic how everything worked out. Looking forward to seeing the photos.
Johnny

johnnycanuck · Aug 5, 2020

Thought I would post here. I have been wearing my cattleman almost exclusively this summer so far. With time on my hands I have been trying to rescue domesticated birds that have gotten out in the wild. In doing so I have come across some fantastic feathers I have started to collect on my hat. I am thinking I need to pump the brakes a bit before it gets too much.

Have a great day everyone
Johnny

Boomerang · Aug 5, 2020

Gobi said:
Order placed. Incoming Campdraft Deluxe in Silverbelly.
I have quite a few Akubras, I'll have to get them together for a family photo once this one arrives.

I'm looking forward to that.

Boomerang · Aug 8, 2020

My favorite kind of box arrived today. Within is my Cedar Brown Campdraft. 5 days shipping from Australia to the Pacific NW.

Included were the usual nice touches: hat-shaping instructions, foam strips for sizing, and the hand-written note from the amazing hat ladies. (They're right about the color.)

Love the consistently well-done packing...

And the hat itself... so dark is the color that my setup struggles to capture it. But I'm trying, folks.

And a quick first bash...

Gobi · Aug 8, 2020

My beloved Akubra Boss of the Plains. My favorite hat. I rarely wear it because I cant replace it. If I could go back in time to 2012 I'd buy 10 of these easy. They stopped making them and I about cried. These were great hats. Nice thin felt that isn't stiff and they even came with an open crown. I bought this and a Silver Spur which is almost the same hat. I wore the Silver Spur daily for years and kept this hat nice.

Gobi · Aug 8, 2020

This is that Silver Spur that I wore for years. It needs a new sweatband. If I can find a nice thin sweatband I might just have to give it one and keep it going.

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