Return of the Son of the Homemade Safari Hat Threads

Several months ago I scored an inexpensive safari hat off eBay. The inner lining says "Dynafelt" but by the cooling holes on the side we had figured out from a thread here that it was probably made by Beaver Brand, and maybe for the old Banana Republic stores from the 1970's.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?73629-Banana-Republic-safari-hat-mystery-solved



To make a long story short, after getting that hat I was hooked. I used to have an Akubra Angler that I attached a puggaree to as sort of an impromptu safari hat, but I no longer own that one.

I started searching some older threads concerning how to make a safari hat from other hats.


http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?39238-Akubra-Riverina-Owners

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?28587-Aussie-Slouch-Hat-Query&highlight=SAFARI+HAT

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...tetson-with-Pugaree-Link&highlight=SAFARI+HAT

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...rfect-Safari-Hat-Part-II&highlight=SAFARI+HAT


http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ensive-Safari-Hat-Option&highlight=SAFARI+HAT

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?17338-Home-made-safari-hat&highlight=SAFARI+HAT

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?23079-Other-safari-hats&highlight=SAFARI+HAT

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?22953-Out-of-Africa&highlight=SAFARI+HAT



Although the information was valuable in a lot of cases, in others the links are old and/or broken.

I thought I'd start this thread to kind of keep the "homemade safari hat theme" up-to-date with more recent links and conversions.

So, have you recently converted a particular kind of hat to the quintessential greenish khaki "safari" hat?

If so, what hat did you use?
Where did you get it?
What items and/or processes did you use to make the conversion?
Please post here with pics, links, and relevant info.

To add to your thread list = http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...na-safari-ized&p=468364&viewfull=1#post468364

So, I think the quest for the "perfect" safari hat has ended.

I've tried many options, and none satisfy me quite like converting an Akubra military slouch hat to a dedicated "safari" hat. In fact, I've done some research and old photographic evidence from the late 19th-early 20th century suggests that the origin of the "classic" safari hat (olive green hat with puggaree) may in fact have originated with hunters in Africa wearing that version of the Australian slouch hat to begin with!

First, I carefully snipped the threads on the outside of the brass clip sewn to the hat's crown with the tiny scissors that come with a Swiss Army Knife. Once you snip the threads and remove the clip, it leaves just six tiny holes. On a new hat, a few drops of water on the holes causes the fur to "felt" a little, concealing the holes. I also did this to an older hat and the holes are just barely still visible. I'm hoping they will close over time.

Next, you have to get rid of the square loop on the brim. If you snip the threads here, it leaves holes in the brim. I opted instead to cut the brass loop itself with a sturdy pair of wire cutters (the parrot-beak type as opposed to the dyke or needle-nose type). I cut the loop on either side of the threads, then with a pair of needle-nosed pliers I pulled the remaining brass piece out of the threads on the brim. Yes, this leaves a lump of threads, but it's less conspicuous than holes would be. Since making the conversion, I've never had anyone ask me about the "extra" threads on the brim. You literally cannot tell that anything was ever attached to the crown, and the threads on the brim are inconspicuous enough that most people will never notice. The threads on the brim tend to snuggle down a bit after you remove the clip and become even less noticeable. (You can barely see them in the pic).

I then shaped the hat into a pinch front telescope bash, and shaped the brim to the classic Aussie style of drooping in the front and back, flared on the sides.

For the puggaree, I tried the original it came with (the green one apparently meant for the Haitian military), an original military pug from Lawrence Ordnance, and an old one salvaged from a Banana Republic hat I no longer own.

None of them quite looked right.

I settled on a khaki puggaree from Village Hat Shop. Even though it's described as "khaki" the color is closer to British Tan. I liked how this one looked next to the olive color of the hat, and I felt it gave it the "classic" safari hat look more than any other.

Looks great. I had a Akubra Military years ago and sold it to a friend. I couldn't get used to the cattleman crease and the pug moving all the time. If I had only swapped out the pug I may have just kept it for myself. Thinnest and lightest Akubra I ever owned.
Wear it in good health
Johnny

johnnycanuck said:

Looks great. I had a Akubra Military years ago and sold it to a friend. I couldn't get used to the cattleman crease and the pug moving all the time. If I had only swapped out the pug I may have just kept it for myself. Thinnest and lightest Akubra I ever owned.
Wear it in good health
Johnny

Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliments!

You can order the Akubra Territory in British Khaki (that olive green color) if you bypass David Morgan and order directly from an Australian vendor. The Territory is probably the closest you can come to the safari hat in either "Out of Africa" or "The Ghost and the Darkness" (if you add a puggaree--it doesn't come with one).

The reason I passed on the Territory is from reading complaints that:

1. It's heavy
2. The vent holes are so large that they let too much water in during a downpour
3. Looking at photos of well-worn Territory hats, it's apparent that over time the hat's huge brim makes it excessively floppy and gives it the look of a ladies' gardening hat or something.


The Slouch is a good, tough hat and the lack of a liner makes it even more attractive (you don't have to worry about messing up the liner reshaping the crown).

Doc Glockster said:

2. The vent holes are so large that they let too much water in during a downpour

Click to expand...

In case anybody is interested, David Morgan has a Territory for sale without vent holes, it's offered at a discount since it's technically a fault.

https://www.davidmorgan.com/shop/product/2206/the-territory-no-eyelets

So after all these months I got brave and removed the leftover threads from the brim. There are two tiny holes now, and with a little wetting they are closing up nicely. So I consider it safe to remove the threads without leaving gaping holes in the brim.

Doc Glockster said:

So after all these months I got brave and removed the leftover threads from the brim. There are two tiny holes now, and with a little wetting they are closing up nicely. So I consider it safe to remove the threads without leaving gaping holes in the brim.

Click to expand...

This is my first post, but, since I am so ecstatic with the results of my own slouch-turned-safari hat, I could not contain myself! You, sir, are a pioneer! Thank you for leading the way and inspiring me to create my own safari hat from an Akubra Slouch. I don’t think I would’ve been brave enough to permanently modify a $200 hat without your guidance. Taking your lead, I used the scissors from a Victorinox SAK to snip the threads away from the brass clip on the crown’s left side and loop on the brim. Running a steamer over both areas quickly closed up the tiny holes left by the removed threads. I ended up going with the open telescope bash and shaped the sides of the brim slightly upward. I’ll try to post a pic later.

I look forward to having this hat accompany me on my travels, hikes, and even neighborhood dog walks!

As promised, here are some pics of my safari slouch!