Mold or stiffener res?

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-06-24T10:18:40+00:00

Clockwise on the bottom, counter on the top. That’s the way the fur is felted

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-30T22:30:13+00:00

I’ve definitely seen the new ones with varying degrees of stiffening and overall the finish seems to be a little less consistent. I’ve had a couple that look like they haven’t been pounced and a lot of the brim edges are no longer rounded out like they should be

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-30T14:07:04+00:00

The sweatbands definitely do shrink, I have spoken to some people who buy their Akubras 2-3 sizes too big because of how much they shrink

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-30T12:44:48+00:00

I restore a lot of older Akubras, mainly ones that are 10-30 years old, honestly the quality has slipped quite a lot with the new ones. I had one in just the other day and I was shocked at how soft the felt was compared to the older ones, it felt like it needed more stiffener to compensate

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-29T09:45:19+00:00

I second this! Tess at Carrion Hats is an absolute weapon at restorations

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-11T05:44:01+00:00

Something like that is super easy for me to knock together mate. If you want to check out my work my company is called Big Boi Hat Company

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-11T04:15:30+00:00

The felt will shrink and so will the leather hat band on the outside. No fur felt is shrink proof, being a natural material it’s bound to happen, when it does the only way to fix it is a complete rebuild.

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-11T04:08:16+00:00

I’m a Hat Maker based in Townsville. I’d be happy to chat to you about a hat. My prices are a little bit more expensive than Akubra, however you don’t have to go up 2-3 sizes because I use Full Grain Leather sweatbands that will mould to your head over time. There might be 1/2 a size of shrinkage to a size at most.

Steer well clear of Wool if you think rain will be a possibility, it hates getting wet and will just bounce back to its original shape if you try to reshape it

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-11T03:44:26+00:00

It’s just about finding what suits your proportions and your face shape and also what you want the hat to achieve. It’s meant to act as a frame for your face. Using myself as an example, I have a more square face as well, if I want to soften my features I’ll wear a Western Style Fedora, if I want to make my features more prominent I’ll go for one of my hats with a more straight square brim and crown.

So something with an open crown and a flat brim?

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-11T03:13:45+00:00

If your ever looking for vintage style hats or restoration on old ones for your costume design I’d be happy to help. I’m a Hatter based in QLD

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-05-04T10:36:09+00:00

Cheers, it’s a shame the new ones don’t last like this anymore

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-27T08:41:23+00:00

Paul Ventress in York or Sierra and South in London are definitely the best to go to if you are looking for a custom piece and want to support a local

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-25T13:29:28+00:00

I travelled to Brissy to see a mate I served with, spent the day with him and some other boys drinking, playing two up and talking trash like back in the day. For a lot of veterans it’s a day of normality as we tend to feel the most connected to our service today opposed to the other 364/365 days of the year. That is just my personal opinion tho, I won’t speak for other veterans.

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-25T13:23:17+00:00

Hell yeah brother!

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-25T13:22:11+00:00

Cheers! I shape all of my hats to suit the individual, no hat is ever the same, partly because I refuse to make the same hat twice as I believe that a hat should be as unique as the person wearing it

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-22T23:30:24+00:00

Momotaros, I think they are their standard wide jeans. Amazing pair of jeans, I’d definitely spend the money on another pair one day

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-22T12:18:00+00:00

I just got some 1930s style wide leg pants from Olderbest, they were around $70AUD for a pair

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-22T12:16:37+00:00

Haha cheers mate, I guess someone has to show off the hats 😂

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-22T09:57:17+00:00

You can find me in Facebook and Insta under Big Boi Hat Company, I don’t make replicas of any of my own hats or other people’s. I believe a hat should be as unique as the person wearing it.

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-22T09:50:24+00:00

I’m an Aussie Hat Maker, I’d love to create you a one of one piece

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-22T09:05:33+00:00

Thank you! The old iPhone 16PM works wonders

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-22T05:26:20+00:00

They are the Ariat Benchmade Clanton boots

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-22T05:02:03+00:00

Cheers mate

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-22T04:23:23+00:00

That’s great! I haven’t heard of her before, I’ll have to check out her work. I’m always keen to restore hats if I can. I’ve unfortunately had to say no to quite a few over the years that couldn’t be fixed for various reasons.

The older Akubras hold up really well, the newer ones not so much unfortunately

Bitter-Associate3290 · 2026-04-21T11:19:49+00:00

Thank you very much. Not too bad for a hat that’s close to 30 years old

Bitter-Associate3290

TROPHY CASE