Stiffening a soft hat's brim?

[Slim Portly]

I recently purchased a few Broner "crushable" wool fedoras. The fabric is extremely soft and comfortable, which I greatly appreciate. However, I would like to know if there is a way to treat the brim to stiffen it so that I am not constantly snapping it down when I don one. Of course it's not that big of a deal. I'm just curious about this.

 

[MAB1]

Spray starch.

You'll probably need to dampen the whole hat, shape it and spray the starch on evenly, to keep the color even.

 

[RBH]

Try Scouts Felt hat stiffner

You can get it at most western stores and from most vendors here.

 

[Slim Portly]

Excellent suggestions, thank you. There are a few Western shops here in town so I'll see if they carry that or a similar product.

 

[RBH]

Excellent suggestions, thank you. There are a few Western shops here in town so I'll see if they carry that or a similar product.

While you are at it... get a can of Scouts Rain and Stain Protector.
I use it on all my hats [straws included] , vintage and new.

 

[MAB1]

Hey RBH:

Is that stiffener any different than plain old starch?

Just askin.

 

[John in Covina]

Cowboy hats use a form of shellac as the stiffener.

 

[MAB1]

Cowboy hats use a form of shellac as the stiffener.

Sounds like a sticky situation.

 

[Nigel]

Excellent suggestions, thank you. There are a few Western shops here in town so I'll see if they carry that or a similar product.

Sheplers over at E Tropicana near the Wal Mart has all the Scout products in stock, or at least they had last time I was there.

 

[Slim Portly]

Sheplers over at E Tropicana...

Just the place of was thinking of checking. So far I've had no reason to venture in, as I've done well in resisting the urge to ever poke a cow.

 

[Lon Goval]

Sugar Water?

I recently read about Buster Keaton using sugar water to stiffen the felt. Of course back in his day they probably didn't have Scouts. And sugar was readily available. Has anyone tried it?

Ralph

 

[Nigel]

Just the place of was thinking of checking. So far I've had no reason to venture in, as I've done well in resisting the urge to ever poke a cow.

I only ever ventured in once, came out $400 lighter:eusa_doh: but I love the place we don't have anything like it over this side of the pond.

 

[indycop]

So far I've had no reason to venture in, as I've done well in resisting the urge to ever poke a cow.

I LIKE SHEPLERS!!!

 

[John in Covina]

Out our way we have a chain called "The Boot Barn" and they have in the past carried hat cleaners and sponges, but they weren't always in stock so it is best to ask.

"Why did the cowboy get a Dachshund?"
"Don't know, Why?"
"Because they told him to git a long, little doggie!"