The new BROWN Fed Deluxe!

[citRon]

Behold...the Brown Federation Deluxe! If you recall the weird, taupe-ish one I had previously, this is much, much better in color. It's actually brown! I emailed Ron at Hats Direct, and he asked me to send it back so he could take a look at it. When he got it, he agreed it wasn't right, and said it never should have been sold. He even said he would refund my return shipping cost. -Can't beat that for customer service!
Here's a pic:

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You can't tell in the pic, but when they say "snap brim", they mean it! This suckers brim is cupped like you wouldn't believe. The last 1/4 inch curls back almost onto itself. The felt is super dense. Bashing is going slow. It laughed at me attempting to dry-shape it. Steam? Ha! Hardly any effect. So, to the faucet. I have ran it under cold water, got it good and soaking wet, and began to mold. I got a good shape out of it, and have set it aside to dry.
Any other tips on un-snapping a brim?

 

[Kaosharper1]

This is the NEW 5 1/2" crown version?

 

[AlanC]

Congrats on getting the right color. It's always nice to hear about good customer service stories.

 

[RBH]

CitTracy I say you have a winner there!!!
Lets see some photos of work in progress!

 

[David Conwill]

That's gorgeous. I think when the time comes for me to get a brown fedora, if I don't stumble across something vintage, it will be an Akubra Federation or Deluxe Federation. That is, unless someone tells me the Stetson "Nostalgia" is worth it.

-Dave

 

[Spellflower]

Looks good! I'm glad it worked out for you in the end.

BTW, I'd recommend sticking with good ol' H20 in its liquid state for bashing Akubras. I'm not positive, but I strongly suspect that repeated steamings led to premature taper in my Fed.

 

[Colby Jack]

Maybe a vice?[huh] ...Hammer and anvil...?

 

[indycop]

Where ya been! Looks great, is it the "new" federation?

 

[citRon]

No, this is the 'old' style Fed Deluxe. This sucker is as stiff as a board, too! I've got a so-so shape to it right now, I'll take some pictures later.