Beating the stiffener out of a vintage lid. Bad?

[Jerekson]

As you all know, my dearly beloved Akubra has been everywhere with me. It's been crumpled, rolled, even ran over by a car. At this point it has literally no stiffener anywhere within it.

When I first got it, it was very stiff - and since this was going to be my everything hat, this would not do. I started to get the stiffener out by massaging the crown and rolling the brim. After a while of doing this, enough of the stiffener was out that I was able to crumple it without any bad creasing.

Here's my question: would it be a bad idea to work the stiffener out of, and eventually trample up a vintage lid? (Obviously I won't be running it over with a car. But moreso sitting on it and stuff). I've got a new 50's fedora coming in, and I would really like it to have the same feel as my Akubra. Nice and floppy, comfortable, easy to throw around without worrying about it.

My other vintage hats have most of the original stiffener, and I have not done anything to change that. But with this one, I'd like to try it.

Older hats are built differently than an Akubra Federation. Do you think this is a good idea, or will I completely ruin the hat?

 

[SonOfaPreacher]

Do as you wish I say!

Some may say 'it's sacralige to mess with a vintage hat, but I say, hey it's your hat mess away! You can always re-stiffen later on, if it doen't suit you. As for ruining it nah, just consider it just more history you added to it.
Cheers!
SoaP

 

[KY Gentleman]

I agree with the "its your hat, treat it however you like" sentiment.

 

[bolthead]

Jerekson....just get yourself a "Vintage" Borso and be done with it. You won,t have to beat it up or anything....it,ll be exactly the way you,re expecting it to be.....trust me.

 

[Stoney]

Jerekson....just get yourself a "Vintage" Borso and be done with it. You won,t have to beat it up or anything....it,ll be exactly the way you,re expecting it to be.....trust me.

Bolthead is correct. Vintage Borsalino felt fees like hit has virtually no stiffner, yet holds it's bash well.

As for wringing the stiffener loose on the one your getting.. Sure go for it.
It's easy to soften up a fedora, just was d it up a little bit and work the felt with your hands.

One thing to remember is that the stiffener is still in there, just loosened up. Heat will reactivate it just like it was before, just block the hat and steam it if you want it stiff again.