How to bash your hat, modify the brim and get it to fit just right.

[johnnycanuck]

Many times the question has been raised "How do I bash my hat" "Do I use steam or water?" "My hat is to big. How do I shrink it down?" Well how about giving the Monte Walsh method a try. It will help conform your hat to your heads shape and size, make the brim flexible and the crown pliable enough to shape it to your fancy. After purchasing your new hat from the general store, completely submerge it in the nearest rain barrel for a little dunk and start playing with it until it looks the way you want it to. Then put it on your head till dry. Remember if you are drying your hat, you are not supposed to use heat (hair dryer, camp fire, or other heat source) or it can cause your hat to shrink. Steam from a kettle is wet AND hot. So steam will most likely shrink the hat to some extent.

Sorry. The question has come up enough that when I saw Tom Selleck dunk his new hat in the move "Monte Walsh" I knew I had to let you guys know about it.

Johnny

 

[Michaelshane]

My dad used to dunk his new boots then wear them until dry.He was a cowboy like Monty.

 

[gtdean48]

I use a spray bottle from Ace hardware with distilled water, soak the hat really well, shape & put it on while I watch TV, surf the net, whatever...

 

[ideaguy]

I use a "Jiffy" steamer- try not to get the felt too hot, just damp enough to wrestle it into shape, and keep pulling on various parts to stretch them out(and flatten the brim, etc. reall a chore when the edge is bound, but can be done); have a table with a sheet of clear acrylic next to the steamer, along with a non-functioning heated metal hat shaper- put the lid on and give a tug here & there, I can end up with a really distinctive look by using the steam & some muscle, but my thumb joints are almost shot now- too many years of trying to bend steel with my hands..."ideaguy" doesn't mean good idea...[huh]