Cut'n'Shut Akubra Snowy River?

[Victor]

I actually did exactly that for my son. I bought a Snowy River on ebay for a low price and modified it. I cut the brim down to 2 1/2 inches and reshaped the crown. Then I dyed it dark brown with leather dye.He likes it alot but honestly I wasn't that impressed with the result. I think my main probem was first off with the dye job. Since this hat started out very light it just sucked up the dye over and over and ended up with a spotty color. So don't dye yours, thats my first suggestion. The crown height wasn't a problem. It is very easy to shape with a little steam. Extremely easy. This is a very basic rabbit fur felt. Its a sort of a less refined (less dense) felt and shapes in a simple manner compared to my Adventurebilt beaver for example which can take on subtle nuance. So basically the Snowy river can be easily shaped to your taste and is a fine beginners Fedora as long as you don't dye it, but I would not call it a fine quality hat by any stretch of the word.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Fedora

I made a nice fedora out of the squatter model

 

[BellyTank]

Yes, the Squatter is basically an open-crown Fedora to begin with, or at least an ideal 'blank' as far as crown and brim are concerned. I'd rather start with one of those or a Federation- the Snowy was just an idea- don't think I'll be doing it.

BT.

 

[Molorom]

Yes!
Easily!
Tank, Ive got a akubra snowy river that i bought off ebay, and sent to Steve delk to get blocked, and its Very Classy now! There are black snowy rivers which would make great dress hats. Also, using leather dye is a very bad idea. If you want to change the color of the fawn hat, you need a hat block. Strip the hat of all its parts, and soak it in rit dye, and after that is done, reblock the hat on your hat block, put the trimmings back on, and boom! a very classy black hat for 35$! The snowy river is incredibly hard wearing, ive thrown it in mud, dirt, its gotten frozen solid 3 times, and ive even worn(wear it) it during a hurricane and while im kayaking(ive flipped over with it on) . Its held up fantasticly, and shows no sign of stopping. Ive got no idea of how old it is, since i bought it off of rick thrieault who bought it off of ebay before hand. It could be 4 years old, though ive only had it for 2 years, and worn it every day since.
Adam

 

[scotrace]

Great Minds

Just found this thread. I'm planning the same trick, BT. Get a Snowy River and maybe even leave the brim wide, just stop that cowpoke roll on the sides - make it more flat, maybe a little snapped. The c-crown can be left alone. Maybe replace the band with a ribbon, though maybe it would be good to try and get it close to Eastwood's hat in "The Unforgiven," in which case it would just get a small 1/2" plain tied ribbon, like an Open Road.
Great summer hat.
We'll see if someone snipes me in the next hour...

 

[BellyTank]

Beam me up Scottie!
Someone said that they're not that nice a felt though, but.
B
T

 

[scotrace]

Yes, but, they go with a high waiste

And for a faux cowboy hat, but, the felt can be faux good.

 

[BellyTank]

Hey , but, Scott-
you got a speach indemic or what.
Say it ivn't faux...
V
T

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Get the Akubra Bogart

 

[Havana]

I've made two fedoras from Snowy Rivers that I picked up off Ebay for less than $20 a piece. These make great field hats or all around hats. I've worn mine for several years and really love them. Mine were really easy to shape and they hold their shapes nicely. I left the crown shape alone but pinched the fronts and deepened the dents slightly. I cut the brims to 2.5" and 2.75." The only real restriction with these hats is the fairly low crown height. You might try one of the large crown hats. I also made a nice tall dark brown fedora from an Akubra Bobby cowboy hat that really looks uptown with the 1.75" ribbon I put on it. The results of shaping your own hats may not be as polished as a new Optimo but it's fun and gives the hats great character.

 

[scotrace]

Won it

I Won the Snowy River I was bidding on (for under $30US). So we'll see how this goes. Probably leave the ribbon alone, given that my attempt to replace the ribbon on my Panama came out looking like a flamboyant meat platter.

 

[HamletJSD]

I wanted to bring this thread back up because I also just received one from an ebay seller, also for about $20, and also for the purpose of fooling with (never intended to leave it "cowboy" and for $20 bucks I don't mind screwing something up as long as I learn a lesson).

How did all of these turn out? Any pics? Suggestions on how to work it? Is it possible to make to make the brim snap? Procedures?

 

[scotrace]

Turned out badly and I gave up. The felt is just way too stiff to change much.

 

[Colby Jack]

Dang!

What a horrible end to a fun thread! I was hoping to see pictures or sum-thin!
I have a snowy myself...and have asked this same question....but I've kinds grown accustomed to my first Akubra...and may wait till I come across a "sale Akubra" of some sort to try rebashing....but I'd still love to see some pics!

 

[fatwoul]

Turned out badly and I gave up. The felt is just way too stiff to change much.

Can't you steam/work the stiffener out? Be a shame to right it off.

 

[J.T.Marcus]

scotrace, Did you try soaking it in cold water? It's a lot easier to shape that way than with steam. There is usually no shrinkage, and whatever shape you let it dry in, it will hold.

 

[scotrace]

The Snowy River is like a helmet. Thick and like cardboard. Honestly, really not worth screwing with. So it's now my cowboy hat.

And this is the one I followed Hats Direct's advice on for long-ovalizing - ripped the stitching right out.

 

[HamletJSD]

Well, I got antsy and gave it a shot before returning to heed your warnings, Scotrace.

I was able to iron the brim flat, trim it down to 2 /34 (from about 3 3/8), and give it something of a nicer curve, though there are some rough aspects I still would wish to work on. I may try soaking, J.T., as everything I did was with steam.

Scot, it may just be the my eBay find was older and more worn than yours ... it isn't exactly soft, but it's workable.

I tried to post Pics one day and could not manage it (frustrating since I consider myself very computer literate), but when I finish I will try again.

Thanks for the tips, all, and I will let you know the results!

 

[Duck]

Can't wait to see the pics, HamletJSD. The cold water has worked well for me on some of the stiffer cowboy hats. Good luck with your project. They are fun to do!!!!!

 

[carter]

Originally posted by Duck
The cold water has worked well for me on some of the stiffer cowboy hats.

Duck, Have you ever done this with a Resistol? I have one that I like the crown on but that flipped-up roll on the sides of the brim is crazy. Should I soak the brim, let it dry, then iron and trim it? What are the right steps in doing this?
I think this might make a nice fodora if I don't make a mess of it.