Akubra Hats Archives - David Morgan

Sydney and Hampton Now on Sale

May 8, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Akubra’s manufacturing in Australia. In order to ensure a successful path forward once this challenge has passed, Akubra is reducing the number of styles offered until further notice. Our lead time in obtaining Akubras is around five to six months, and these changes will affect our fall and winter hat selection.

Two of the styles we are unlikely to be able to stock fully for our fall and winter season are the Sydney and the Hampton. We are offering our remaining stock of these two styles at a great price.

The Sydney is the first Akubra city hat we offered. This open crown hat is made from a slightly softer felt than our other Akubras, and is easily shaped. The most common bash for this style is a Fedora bash. If you’ve been contemplating buying an open crown hat, now is an excellent opportunity to do so. We provide instructions on bashing your open crown hat in our hat manual (included with each Akubra) and online. For those who desire more help, we do offer a Custom Bash service.

Sydney Hat by Akubra, Fedora Bash

The Hampton is another city hat, pre-creased with a center dent. This hat is the narrowest brim Akubra we offer, measuring just 1-3/4 inches, and is an easy choice for people who like to wear a hat in and out of a car. Both the Sydney and Hampton are fully lined.

Hampton Hat

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Sydney Hats

Hampton Hats

The Mule Kick

March 6, 2020

One of our customers stopped by the store and posed for a picture. He’s wearing the Adventurer, but decided to have it bashed like the gunsmith Mike Brooks.

Mike Brooks was featured on the season of American Craftsman.

Our Indy Bash

August 7, 2019

When you look carefully at the stills of different Indiana Jones movies, you’ll see that Indy’s iconic hat looks a bit different in each movie. The crown might be slightly higher in one, or the brim a tiny bit narrower. Sometimes the felt is thicker, and sometimes it’s a different shade of brown.

In fact, these details are important enough to warrant an entire page to the iconic Indy Hat. Visit IndyGear to get all of the details.

When we first began to sell the Adventurer, we needed to come up with a style for our Indy Bash. Most people want the look from the original “Raiders” movie, so that is what we chose. The front pinch is very tight and extends down the length of the crown. The top has a steep center crease and the brim is slightly curved on the side.

We offer the Indy Bash for an additional $20.00 with the purchase of the hat.

Here are a few pics to show the detail.

Adventurer with Indy Bash, Front View

Adventurer with Indy Bash, Back View

Adventurer with Indy Bash, Side View

Adventurer with Indy Bash, Top Front View

Adventurer with Indy Bash, Top Back View

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

The Adventurer

Farewell, Byrnie Utz

June 21, 2019

After selling hats in downtown Seattle for 84 years, the Byrnie Utz store closed its doors in September, 2018. For anyone interested in the details, The Seattle Times ran a story last year. Link here.

They were a wonderful company that sold Akubra hats along with many other brands.

Recently we obtained some of their remaining stock. We’re able to offer these hats at sale prices. They are limited to stock on hand. Browse the hats to see if you can find one that fits.

We also received some very interesting antique items that reveal the world of hatselling.

A Hat Stretcher

The hat stretcher will stretch a hat about a half of a size. Any more than that and you will damage the hat.

Old Stetson Boxes

Gold Embossing Tool

The gold embossing tool was used to print the name of the hat wearer. Since hats were worn by nearly everyone prior to the 1960s, it was easy to get yours lost among the others, especially in a restaurant or any place with a coat check.

Closeup of the embossing tool

A closeup of the embossing tool reveals the name: The Name-o-Gramer.

We’ll miss Byrnie and the part of Seattle that has been rapidly disappearing for the past ten years.

There’s Still Plenty of Time for Hiking

August 24, 2018

With the dog days of summer nearly over, a day hike isn’t looking as formidable as it was just a week ago. Spending a day in the sun can actually be enjoyable. rather then a throat-parching, sweat-drenched experience. With pleasant weather ahead (sorry Texas) go ahead and spend the day outdoors. We have a few items that you may find useful for your venture outdoors.

Possum Trekking Socks

The possum trekking socks are designed for hiking. The sole is cushioned with a terry knit. Possum fiber and merino wool make for a very comfortable fit. Just enough nylon to keep the shape.

Urban Field Bag

Our urban field bag works great outdoors, too. The waxed cotton is extremely tough and can withstand anything you throw at it. It’s just large enough to carry the essentials.

Coober Pedy: Oregon State Parks Badge

With a 3-1/4 inch brim, turned down in the Aussie style, the Coober Pedy will give plenty of sun and rain protection. They are worn by the Oregon State Park Service. What better endorsement is that? By the way, the folks at South Beach State Park are the best.

Akubra’s Handcrafted History

November 17, 2017

Akubra’s Handcrafted History

Akubra’s new book, “Akubra’s Handcrafted History” is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in Akubra’s 100 year history. This richly illustrated book covers Akubra’s history as Australia’s premier hat maker. It includes interviews with family, friends, Akubra staff and retailers. It goes into the steps in making a hat. Akubra’s long history is also covered in detail using the company’s archival records. Photos from the past 100 years are amply featured on nearly every page. A cardboard sleeve protects this 202 page book.

You can get the book here.

Two New Hats by Akubra

October 28, 2016

We are pleased to offer two additional hats from Akubra: The Mansfield High Country and the Kentucky Rancher.

Mansfield High Country

The Mansfield High Country takes its name from the Victorian Alps region of Australia. It is the only area of Australia where deep snow falls annually. The raw edge curled brim is 4 inches wide, making it, along with the Territory, our widest brimmed hat. Comes with a braided hat band with horsehair tassels.

Kentucky Rancher

The Kentucky Rancher adds a Southern flair to the Akubra line. The pre-creased crown has a center crease with two side dents, known in the American West as a cattleman’s crease. The raw edge, rolled brim is 3-1/2 inches in the front and back and 3-1/4 inches on the sides. The braided cloth hat band has horsehair tassels.

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Akubra Hats

David Morgan Through the Years

September 18, 2015

With David’s passing, it has given us pause to look back at our company throughout the years. David Morgan began as Austral Enterprises in 1962. Many items that found their way into the catalog began as unique items that David and Dorothy found in Wales. (David spent much time there over the years and could speak Welsh. He was a staunch advocate for Welsh independence.)

The photos below were taken from a catalog in 1980. The models are usually family and friends. Enjoy this blast from the past.

Welsh Fisherman’s Smock

Hickory Shirt (not the same maker of our current Hickory Shirt)

Medical Sheepskin

The Slouch (we still carry the Slouch, and nothing has changed on this Classic.)

And nothing has changed on caring for your Akubra!

Packing Marks in a Hat

July 3, 2014

We prepare our hats so that they are protected during shipping, but sometimes the parcel can be improperly handled. When this occurs, our felt hats may receive packing marks. These will appear as white marks on the brim, next to the crown. It is very easy to fix this problem. Often a brush will remove the marks. If not, the next alternative is to use a light dusting of steam.

When steaming a hat, it’s best to use a tea kettle. The spout at the top of the kettle makes a perfect channel for the steam. In fact, most hat steamers are just glorified tea kettles. If you don’t have a tea kettle, a pot of boiling water will also work. Just make sure that you keep your hands clear of the hot steam!

Follow the simple instructions below, and you’ll have your hat free of packing marks in less than 30 seconds.

There is also a video on YouTube that you can watch

Packing marks (over exaggerated

A steamer. But a tea kettle works just as well

Applying steam. Note the distance. Do not put the steam directly on the hat. 6-8 inches is a good distance

The finished product. Total time, 15 seconds.

An Akubra Visits Machu Picchu

May 22, 2014

Akubra is made for rugged terrain. It’s no surprise that we’ve received pictures of happy customers wearing their hats from all over the world. This is our first from Peru. Our Kiandra made it all the way to Machu Picchu.

We’d love to receive more photos of you with your Akubra. Or, if you’re a little shy, just send one of the hat, as in these photographs. We’ll post it here!