I got an Akubra Overlander for $30.00

[Wil Tam]

I already stripped it of the shiny leather ribbon treatment, I have a one inch slate color grosgrain ribbon for it, this hat is pristine & my first Akubra now I just need to borrow UWS Cowboys' scissors to convert it.

The brim is 3.25" .. open crown is 5.5", bashed to a 4.25 front & 3.5" back ... I'm going to cut the brim to 2.5" front & back, 2.25" on the side ... it's pretty much a flat trooper type brim right now.

Feedback anyone, before I make the cut?

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[gtdean48]

I'd do a 2 5/8 all around minimum. When I cut my western down, in Conversion Corral, I went to a 2 3/4 which I really like, sort of a mid range that will keep the Outback character of the hat. JMHO...

 

[handlebar bart]

Cut it...............:eusa_clap

 

[scottyrocks]

Sorry, I am against cutting hats. Brims can be shaped to either minimize or maximize their utility and looks.

I aint kiddin about not cuttin hats! =oO

 

[billyspew]

Cut it down gradually in increments and stop when you like it.

 

[Wil Tam]

Good advice fellas ... billy, read your ebay post you can find some nice grosgrain on ebay just do a search

Scotty .... umm I can't pull that look off & I like to be able to wear my self-refurbs out in public...
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[J.T.Marcus]

I would do 2 5/8" all the way around. Just make sure of your mark, first. Then cut slowly and evenly. I found that by going clockwise around the brim, and keeping the mark to the left of the blade, I ended up with no mark left on the hat brim. (For some reason, this seems opposite to what I learned in school, but it definitely works best.)

 

[JohnnyB53]

It's funny--before I even read the replies I was thinking 2-5/8" as well. If you want a dimensional brim, I suggest 2-5/8" x 2-3/4 or 2-7/8". You look better in broad brims than you give yourself credit for.

So how did you score a Heritage Akubra for $30?

 

[Wil Tam]

Ondabay

so the consensus is 2 5/8" .... I'm off to Sunday dinner so I'll do the work & photo document it tomorrow, please keep the suggestions coming fellas ... have a great evening!
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[jpbales]

sounds like a good plan

you know, every time I see your profile pic, it reminds me of the matrix [huh]

 

[Goose.]

...

Scotty .... umm I can't pull that look off & I like to be able to wear my self-refurbs out in public...
...

lol
Or, you could starch that puppy up and go surfing with it

 

[Wil Tam]

Making The Cut

Prepping for the cut, I needed to mark the path so I taped the underside of the brim along the edge & adjusted my compass to 2 5/8 inches

I scored the tape with the compass needle, keeping my hand in the same position while rotating the hat. I checked to make sure my path was the same measurement all the way around before I committed the slice, I didn't take pictures of that because I needed the cut to be continuous.

I used a Sally Hanson Pumice buffer to sand my edge

Checking the look of the hat on my noggin ... looks good to me, time to install the ribbon

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[Wil Tam]

The Finished Product

I decided to go with an one inch olive grosgrain ribbon treatment with a neat & simple single layer bow
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[Goose.]

Two thumbs up, or whatever geese have instead of thumbs

 

[gtdean48]

Looking good, just need to do a little brim shaping...JMHO

 

[Carlisle Blues]

Wil that is truly a beautiful job. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Two thumbs up, or whatever geese have instead of thumbs

:arated:

{Goose, you're winging it again...}

 

[UWS Cowboy]

Looks awesome, perfect brim size now.

 

[Wil Tam]

Thanks Fellas

I'm shaping up the brim of this one ... it needed to be dipped in hot water & I started working on it when my doorbell rang ... the postman arrived with my Fed D!! lol so I had to stop I'll continue later on

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