Akubra Overload

[DamoLynch]

Sorry not the best pictures but here they are.
My BP in graphite:
View attachment 723697
My Fed IV Deluxe in dk brown:
View attachment 723698
Angler in Loden:
View attachment 723699

That's a fine photo of the graphite Banjo Paterson! I hope the one I ordered looks as good when I get my hands on it.

 

[wsmontana]

Here’s a Pilbara that I creased unlike the typical pinch front. Crown is 5 1/2” as creased and brim is 3 1/2”.

 

[Zeuloa]

Just went into the Akubra website and found an unfortunate hefty price increase on all the hats.

 

[rogueclimber]

Just went into the Akubra website and found an unfortunate hefty price increase on all the hats.

Seems time will tell as to how the new ownership treats the company.

More limited selling outside of Australia, and significant price increases are omens...

 

[Zeuloa]

Of my 6 Akubras I think my favorite is my BP followed by my Fed IV and my Angler.

I think the Heritage felts are just nicer, the preference mostly comes down to style though. I find the "outback" style of the BP super easy to wear and can be dressed up or down easily. I have the Graphite color.

Which is your favorite hat, regardless of brand?

I’m also eying a new OR 6x and a new Borsalino in Qualita Superiore.

Not sure about getting into vintage now with my limited knowledge, and additionally I might be a bit superstitious about wearing someone else’s hat lol.

 

[Zeuloa]

Seems time will tell as to how the new ownership treats the company.

More limited selling outside of Australia, and significant price increases are omens...

Looking at their new marketing, celebrity associations, and more western style hats, it seems to me they have their eye straight on Stetson.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

Looking at their new marketing, celebrity associations, and more western style hats, it seems to me they have their eye straight on Stetson.

Not sure what you mean. According to some figures, Akubra already outsells Stetson annually. Modern Akubras already have a reputation for greater durability than modern Stetsons. I personally own way more modern Akubras than I do modern Stetsons.

But in terms of legacy, Akubra cannot compete with Stetson. Stetson is so synonymous with full-brimmed hats that some people call any full-brimmed hat a Stetson. Like in the UK they call any vacuum cleaner a Hoover.

In the northern hemisphere, hardly anyone knows Akubra, whereas Stetson is also well-known down under.

Stetson definitely is not what it used to be, but nobody anywhere today is close to replicating their legacy.

 

[Ent]

Not sure what you mean. According to some figures, Akubra already outsells Stetson annually. Modern Akubras already have a reputation for greater durability than modern Stetsons. I personally own way more modern Akubras than I do modern Stetsons.

But in terms of legacy, Akubra cannot compete with Stetson. Stetson is so synonymous with full-brimmed hats that some people call any full-brimmed hat a Stetson. Like in the UK they call any vacuum cleaner a Hoover.

In the northern hemisphere, hardly anyone knows Akubra, whereas Stetson is also well-known down under.

Stetson definitely is not what it used to be, but nobody anywhere today is close to replicating their legacy.

I not so sure on Stetson being a well known brand down under by non hat people. Yes they have an online presence but I have only spotted one store selling the brand and the sales assistance was surprised I knew of it.

As for quality when talking felt hats I agree the Akubras are robust even their city models as my only Stetson do not enjoy rain while my Akubras have shown no ill effects.

But if you are looking at decades if not centuries of production I would imagine Stetson thanks to using beaver would standout for quality.

But I wonder if the best rabbit felt comes from wild rabbits. I would imagine nowadays rabbit felt comes from farmed animals so be young rabbits selected for meat rather than felt qualities.

Bit like the best down comes from older wild elder geese harvested from their nests while nowadays it comes from younger geese farmed for meat production generally in Japan with Chinese geese being a different species from warmer areas.

My custom hats have come from USA beaver with the homburg felt having a feel and depth of colour a modern Akubra does not have. My thirty year Akubra RM Williams is far deeper in colour with better feel than my recent “replacement”.

It might be the best felt is from older animals harvested in the wild and maybe that is what was used on a lot of older hats. Yet another reason look after and restore them.

Curious what other people’s knowledge is on felt and differences between wild older animals versus younger farmed animals.

 

[StoryPNW]

Which is your favorite hat, regardless of brand?

I’m also eying a new OR 6x and a new Borsalino in Qualita Superiore.

Not sure about getting into vintage now with my limited knowledge, and additionally I might be a bit superstitious about wearing someone else’s hat lol.

That is a really difficult question. I have a few customs I like better, and my vintage hats are really my favorites. I have more new Akubras than any other brand though, but Stetson and Borsalino both put out some decent hats and some that I wouldn't buy. If I was buying a new hat that compares to the ones you mentioned it would probably be an Akubra Campdraft, although I'm kinda curious about the hats KTG Hats is putting out.

Get what ever speaks to you though, if you don't like it you won't wear it, doesn't matter which brand it is.

 

[Zeuloa]

That is a really difficult question. I have a few customs I like better, and my vintage hats are really my favorites. I have more new Akubras than any other brand though, but Stetson and Borsalino both put out some decent hats and some that I wouldn't buy. If I was buying a new hat that compares to the ones you mentioned it would probably be an Akubra Campdraft, although I'm kinda curious about the hats KTG Hats is putting out.

Get what ever speaks to you though, if you don't like it you won't wear it, doesn't matter which brand it is.

Thank you for the solid advice, it makes total sense, specially the las paragraph.
The only problem is that I really like about 4 now, and now you bring custom into the mix… another rabbit hole lol!

It all started when I saw a Cattleman online and really liked it… maybe I should circle around to that one.

 

[Zeuloa]

Not sure what you mean. According to some figures, Akubra already outsells Stetson annually. Modern Akubras already have a reputation for greater durability than modern Stetsons. I personally own way more modern Akubras than I do modern Stetsons.

But in terms of legacy, Akubra cannot compete with Stetson. Stetson is so synonymous with full-brimmed hats that some people call any full-brimmed hat a Stetson. Like in the UK they call any vacuum cleaner a Hoover.

In the northern hemisphere, hardly anyone knows Akubra, whereas Stetson is also well-known down under.

Stetson definitely is not what it used to be, but nobody anywhere today is close to replicating their legacy.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that outside of Australia and perhaps vicinity, Akubra might be better known to hat aficionados rather than your average person.

At least I’m very certain that in the americas Stetson is better known, perhaps in Europe as well?

On another note - do these brands publish their sales figures?

 

[Zeuloa]

Just went into the Akubra website and found an unfortunate hefty price increase on all the hats.

The news get worse...

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I not so sure on Stetson being a well known brand down under by non hat people. Yes they have an online presence but I have only spotted one store selling the brand and the sales assistance was surprised I knew of it.

As for quality when talking felt hats I agree the Akubras are robust even their city models as my only Stetson do not enjoy rain while my Akubras have shown no ill effects.

But if you are looking at decades if not centuries of production I would imagine Stetson thanks to using beaver would standout for quality.

But I wonder if the best rabbit felt comes from wild rabbits. I would imagine nowadays rabbit felt comes from farmed animals so be young rabbits selected for meat rather than felt qualities.

Bit like the best down comes from older wild elder geese harvested from their nests while nowadays it comes from younger geese farmed for meat production generally in Japan with Chinese geese being a different species from warmer areas.

My custom hats have come from USA beaver with the homburg felt having a feel and depth of colour a modern Akubra does not have. My thirty year Akubra RM Williams is far deeper in colour with better feel than my recent “replacement”.

It might be the best felt is from older animals harvested in the wild and maybe that is what was used on a lot of older hats. Yet another reason look after and restore them.

Curious what other people’s knowledge is on felt and differences between wild older animals versus younger farmed animals.

Almost all of my Akubras come from a time when Akubra was still regularly buying wild hare pelts from hunters and farmers. All of those hats are great for what they are (hearty and dependable) but can't hold a candle to vintage hats in terms of style, versatility, comfort and sheer craftsmanship. Akubra is (or at least was) a fine modern brand.... but that's not really saying much.

So while your question is interesting about whether wild animal fur makes better felt, I believe the felting process itself is much more important and unfortunately much of that craft is lost to time.

As an aside, Stetson was not renowned simply because they used beaver. Sure they had pure beaver hats on offer (but so did other makers), but even the hats without any beaver at all (which were by far the majority of them, eg the Royal line and the Royal Deluxe line, the Nutria lines, etc.) were just exceptionally well-made by tradesmen who seem to have taken pride in their work (if oral history is to be believed).

I have spent quite a lot of time in Melbourne and the Blue Mountains and many Aussies I have spoken to know Stetson. I'm not saying it's a household name down under, but many people do know it.

 

[Ent]

Hi @The Lost Cowboy I did a bit of research and Akubra was established in 1874 in my home state of Tassie then moved to the mainland. Tassie once had a history of weaving, boot-making and clothing manufacturing but sadly no longer though we still produce some the finest merino fleece. It has also to be a hardy rabbit to survive winter in the highlands. Also unlike the rest of Australia foxes never established so rabbits/hares were rather abundant.

As you write the general agreement is Akubra concentrated on robustness rather than refinement with the urban myth a hat has not been broken in until it has raised a litter of blue heeler pups.

Gradually expanding my collection but having a 62-63cm head size it is hard enough getting new hats let alone second hand ones. Hence heading down the custom approach instead using USA beaver felt which probably comes from artisan rather than large producers. Must check that out.

My understanding is there is no clear specs for felt so say something like 20x beaver can mean different things depending on felt and hat maker.

Also terms like Western can mean stiffness as well as GSM. In all tends to make a hat rather a unique beast.

I found my Akubra that dropped the size to the less precise S, M, L, XL. It was the Avalon not the Traveler.

As for the new ownership of effect on quality I have my concerns but time will tell.

 

[Frunobulax]

Almost all of my Akubras come from a time when Akubra was still regularly buying wild hare pelts from hunters and farmers. All of those hats are great for what they are (hearty and dependable) but can't hold a candle to vintage hats in terms of style, versatility, comfort and sheer craftsmanship. Akubra is (or at least was) a fine modern brand.... but that's not really saying much.

So while your question is interesting about whether wild animal fur makes better felt, I believe the felting process itself is much more important and unfortunately much of that craft is lost to time.

As an aside, Stetson was not renowned simply because they used beaver. Sure they had pure beaver hats on offer (but so did other makers), but even the hats without any beaver at all (which were by far the majority of them, eg the Royal line and the Royal Deluxe line, the Nutria lines, etc.) were just exceptionally well-made by tradesmen who seem to have taken pride in their work (if oral history is to be believed).

I have spent quite a lot of time in Melbourne and the Blue Mountains and many Aussies I have spoken to know Stetson. I'm not saying it's a household name down under, but many people do know it.

I'd weigh in with not just quality but marketing and culture. Stetson was a pioneer in marketing worldwide, including Australia. Add to that the mythology of the American west thanks to Hollywood and how the legend of Stetson intertwines with that and you have a perfect storm.

In our thread, "Songs About Hats," there are many that mention Stetson, and none that I know of that mention Akubra, Borsalino, or even Dobbs.

Of course, it would be a challenge to rhyme something with Borsalino.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

I'd weigh in with not just quality but marketing and culture. Stetson was a pioneer in marketing worldwide, including Australia. Add to that the mythology of the American west thanks to Hollywood and how the legend of Stetson intertwines with that and you have a perfect storm.

In our thread, "Songs About Hats," there are many that mention Stetson, and none that I know of that mention Akubra, Borsalino, or even Dobbs.

Of course, it would be a challenge to rhyme something with Borsalino.

You can rhyme it with tons of Italian words: Borsalino, Valentino, fettuccino, assassino.... heck I think I got a song right there!

 

[Frunobulax]

You can rhyme it with tons of Italian words: Borsalino, Valentino, fettuccino, assassino.... heck I think I got a song right there!

That's amore!

 

[Zeuloa]

Has anyone put a cattleman bash on a Fed IV? If so would you post a picture. Just received my Fed IV Deluxe and wrestling with which bash to use. Considering a modified cattleman. Any thoughts welcome.

I know this is an old post and you’ve probably made up your mind by now, but I screenshot this the other day as I had the same thoughts.

 

[RBH]

I'd weigh in with not just quality but marketing and culture. Stetson was a pioneer in marketing worldwide, including Australia. Add to that the mythology of the American west thanks to Hollywood and how the legend of Stetson intertwines with that and you have a perfect storm.

In our thread, "Songs About Hats," there are many that mention Stetson, and none that I know of that mention Akubra, Borsalino, or even Dobbs.

Of course, it would be a challenge to rhyme something with Borsalino.

 

[StoryPNW]

Wearing my Balmoral for weekend chores, mowing and bothering the horses.