Wavy brimmed Akubra

[razzouli]

This is my first post here and I hope someone can help. I recently acquired an older Akubra Pastoralist that doesn't appear to have ever been worn. I've always worn a 57 and this hat is no different. The hat fits great but is obviously built for a rounder head than mine so when I put it on the brim gets "wavy", especially along the sides. Is there a way to "relax" the brim so it looks right? Thanks.

 

[zetwal]

I will let the Akubra guys answer your question.

Meanwhile, welcome to the Lounge!

 

[monbla256]

This is my first post here and I hope someone can help. I recently acquired an older Akubra Pastoralist that doesn't appear to have ever been worn. I've always worn a 57 and this hat is no different. The hat fits great but is obviously built for a rounder head than mine so when I put it on the brim gets "wavy", especially along the sides. Is there a way to "relax" the brim so it looks right? Thanks.

You obviously have a Long Oval head and you have not said how you wear the brim, as a "snap brim" or down all around "Aussie " style as the Pastorilist is worn in OZ. Try some steam and shaping the brim as you want. Wearing it as a "snap brim" might take some of the "wavy" out of it. Good luck

 

[razzouli]

I want to wear it all down. Should I apply the steam then wear it while it cools/dries? Will the brim find it's "true"? I'm not sure how/where to apply the shaping to flatten/smooth the brim along the sides. Thanks.

 

[monbla256]

I noticed you live in Baltimore, Md. I did a google search for hatters in your town and fownd these folks who state they have been doing sales and hat cleaning and re-blocking since 1930, Hippodrome Hatters on Baltimore St. http://hiphats.com/. I'd give them a call and see if maybe they can help you.

 

[Sam Craig]

Either that or just spritz it with clean water and put the hat on ... shape the brim the way you like it and wear it until it's dry

Sam

 

[gtdean48]

You are torquing the brim by elongating the opening. I'd use a hat stretcher to elongate it to your shape then iron the brim while the stretcher is in there. Use a handkerchief between the felt & a regular steam iron, apply lots of steam. If that doesn't work, send it off to a hatter for re-blocking....

 

[Chuck Bobuck]

Believe it or not. I fought this same issue on a Squatter. I kept stretching by draping over my knee. A few years back and memory is fuzzy, but I discovered a thread sewn from the inner band to the side of the hat. I snipped the thread, stretched again and that made the difference. The Squatter also had a rounder profile.

 

[Sam Craig]

Chuck,

I love the Avatar

You look so natural

Is that the hat you were writing about?

Looks nice!

Sam

 

[Chuck Bobuck]

No Sam, this was the hat and I nipped it in the bud.

 

[Sam Craig]

No Sam, this was the hat and I nipped it in the bud.

Nip it, Chuck!

Since we are close to the season, here's another quote from the master: Do " murder" and "calm" go together? Calm and murder? Murder?

I am wearing my Gray Squatter today. I really like it a lot. I creased a slightly wider shape to the crown and it's fit like a glove!

What a terrific hat.

Sam

 

[razzouli]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've fooled with it a little but it may go to the Hatter.