How to bash an Australian slouch hat

[@davidmoore6197]

About 30 years ago, my boss brought his slouch hat into work to show me. He was in the Royal Corps of Signals in Burma during WW2 (British army’s) It was a beautiful hat with a locally made regimental puggaree, formation and cap badge. The interesting thing was that his had been bashed into what he called the “pork pie”. shape. He explained that different units (often unofficially) distinguished themselves by the crown shape, puggaree style and position of badges. He said that his hat style changed several times as he went from unit to unit. This practice is also supported in photographic evidence, for example I have found pictures of our local regiment the 2nd Royal Norfolk’s, wearing different crown styles at different periods of the war.

[@Ashapplications]

Great info David. Very interesting. Thanks for viewing and sharing. Regards Ash.

[@kevinlutz2679]

I got my first authentic Australian Slouch hat 2 weeks ago. Wanted one since I was a kid. Best looking hat ever!

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Kevin, good to hear. They are certainly an Australian icon. I like the aspect that they be photographically traced through our history and you can say I've got one of those. Regards Ash.

[@Tr3yH17]

Good vid mate, thanks for the tips, helped me just in time for Anzac Day 👍

[@Ashapplications]

No worries Ditch. Glad you found the vid useful. Hope you have a great day catching up with mates and remembering our fallen.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Your technique is good. I used to bash slouch-hats in the Army, starting in 1969.

[@Ashapplications]

Thank you so much for viewing and taking the time to comment. Regards Ash

[@danmorts8355]

Thanks for that! My new hat looked so awkward, the crown of the hat was huge. However... I was able to get a good bash from following your video, and I rather like the pinch at the ends too. Two thumbs up!

[@Ashapplications]

G'day DanMorts, glad the vid was useful. Some of the hats do look awkward. It is very satisfying to to fix the appearance using this simple technique. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated. Regards Ash

[@andrewparrott7260]

I've only ever bashed my hat using my hands and a few clothes pegs. I know many years ago there were several wooden hat blocks being passed around to bash one's hat, just wondering if they've still survived and still in use as a cheats way of bashing very quickly. 🤔😖😝😝

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Y'all, Another couple of vids for all you Slouch Hat afficionados. I use some slightly different techniques in the slouch refurbishment vid. The more detailed version of it will be published soon. Thanks for all the comments. Much appreciated. Regards Ash. Drilling holes in a Pugaree. Does it work? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnqsfmxsq6iIe9k Slouch Hat Refurbishment: Condensed Version kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHWUmnaLq9iBopI

[@richard6771]

If the brim of my hat keeps like "popping up" and not staying flat how do I fix this? I've ironed it, put books on it. Idk what to do

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Richard, Iron the brim, place some starch on it and iron again. This will activate the starch. As an added measure spray with metho and then place weights/books on the brim whenever not in use. I keep mine in a slouch hat press which I hand make and now offer for sale. Link below if interested: www.ebay.com.au/itm/202847770107 I also have a KZbin vid for ironing the brim: How to Iron (and stiffen the brim) of the slouch hat kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpaWe2Sfo7qpntE Hope this helps. Regards Ash

[@richard6771]

@@Ashapplications Thanks so much!

[@jaxsenmooney3658]

Hey Ash, great video like always and it definitely worked for me. However, after finishing the bash and letting it dry there is a clear line between the part of the slouch hat that was affected by water and part where the puggaree sits that haven’t been affected by water. Anyway to fix this? Thanks!

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Jaxsen, thanks for the feedback. The line should disappear after a week or so as the hat fully dries. If not and the line is still noticeable. Try the following: Take off the puggaree and wet all of the crown to a point where it is lower than where the puggaree would sit. and/or try the same this time with metho. In most cases the line will diminish over a week or so after being bashed/crafted. Please keep me updated on how you fare. Regards Ash

[@jaxsenmooney3658]

@@Ashapplications Just tried this method out, definitely helped so much now there is no line (and I managed to reform my bash) thank you for the help!

[@Ashapplications]

@@jaxsenmooney3658 Well done Jaxsen! Great application of skills. Really pleasing to hear😃😃👍👍. Regards Ash

[@sharkfinbite]

Fun fact: You can find cultures' military all over the world to have used a slouch hat with one side bent up in one or few periods in its past. They been around for eons. Why? Well... you could say fashion but also it is a specialized niche reason. Sometimes people encounter situations where they want a wide brim but need the brim out of the way of possible obstruction. One good example is those musketeer age of war. They wore big brims to keep their weapons and ammo dry but kept one side out of the way so the hammer can strike properly without the brim getting in the way. You see it is done as a reaction to something. That is why it is bent. Bent slouch hats have a mix opinions too in the grand scheme of things. You can find places in the U.S. during the beginning of the Civil War and they had a standard issue side bent slouch hat too with very bad but was met with a lot of negative reception. It was described as meant to only look pretty and not meant to handle and suited to endure the rigors of war. It is why forager hats became popular with a lot of soldiers as their combat hat, and why we always see them shown wearing them. The reason why you see the hats looking like they were crushed forward was because it kind of was. Soldiers immediately crushed them in the front for reasons unexplained, but I think it is typical reaction of an American being given a, "European French based military cap," design which I hear they were based on. They like to wear them stiff in the crown. Forager hats only decreasing in usage by men the further you head towards the western front where full brims were preferred. The irony is this hat was not initially intended as the designated combat hat. It was something else. I want to say something you wore on leisure duties, during chores, work, and heading out in town. It was preferred because it was compact, its brim didn't prove to be obstructive moneurvoring around branches, walls, or structures. It doesn't mean the U.S. tried a side bent hat once, and then stopped. You can find evidence of the concept still being used long before the war as uniforms and even later, like in the Spanish-American war. F.D.R. was seen wearing a bent sided hat, and also General Lee of the Civil War is said to have worn a slouch campaign hat. It may not have been bent to on one side but you get the idea. I think you can find more varieties of slouch hats being used during the war too It is very sporadic in world history with slouch hats and brims being turned up, and not everyone finds them that great. They look nice but it may not always be suited for you and people tend to flip back and forth between using them and then not in history.

[@Ashapplications]

Thanks for the comment. I appreciate the time take to post . The Australian Slouch hat was worn with the side up to accommodate the rifle drill at the time. It is a tradition carried on to this day. Regards Ash.

[@sharkfinbite]

@@Ashapplications You're welcome and that info is already known to me. I mention this info because in the past on another channel in the past, called townsends (U.S. pioneer and colonial era heritage education site) there was an Aussie to ask the question about why he saw some having a flip up brim like an ANZAC. I don't know what they teach in Australia but I could tell they taught the reason why it became a thing but didn't explain further beyond in the timeline. I could tell it was done because of time restraint and making priorities. People don't need to know when the concept began and all that super minutia. It is just a dang hat style. So I figured typing this info in the comment would help save some people time researching later, particularly the youth encountering a similar situation. Heck, I think the response from educator from that site for that question admitted he doesn't know the answer to it at the time, but suggested he will explain it in the next live stream after he done his research. Or he just said he didn't know and informed him his niche is focusing on his area and not the history or hat fashion. haha. It is literally a minor info that a lot of people don't bother investigating further and is often overlooked.

[@Ashapplications]

@@sharkfinbite thanks once again for the detailed response. Regards Ash.

[@Viney209]

Also it was the Cavalry that came up with the turned up left side, with their weapons being so long they slung them in a holster on that side of their horse, butt stock downward, so the barrel wouldn't hit the hat while riding. It also let them draw their weapon with their support gripped left handed onto the barrel/body, pull it up and out, grab the grip at "action" as they swing the butt stock into their right shoulder and take aim. Long barrel bolt actions used in those days only ejected spent cartridges out of the left of the rifle too, as their firing hand cocked and locked with his right hand between each round discharged.

[@phil6025]

Excellent.

[@Ashapplications]

Thanks Phil, appreciate the feedback. Regards Ash.

[@Viney209]

Nice hat press & carriers mate!, I might grab a couple one day soon, I was 2/14 Light Horse Mounted Infantry, Armoured Cav. So I have 2 ridgie ridge issued emu plumes as well as our green and white unit colours.

[@Ashapplications]

Thanks Viney! All of our Hat Press and CArriers are listed in our ebay store or can be licked locally in Brisbane. Regards Ash

[@anawesomeguy6283]

Hello, I am a air force cadet and i have a fur felt hat that is all floppy and i want it stiffened i have starch but i dont know how to apply it and what steps to do to make it stiff, I was told to spray starch on it and put a damp towel over it than iron over it but i just wanted to see if that was right, so i want a professional opinion on the matter before i ruin my hat. If you would be able to give me advice that would be a life saver

[@Ashapplications]

G'day AAG, I can certainly help you out. Spray strach or metho onto the brim and allow to soak for a minute. Place a damp cloth over the brim and iron (on steam setting). Then place the hat on a flat surface with weights on the brim to enforce the brim to dry flat. I have placed links to my video tutorials on the subject below. How to Iron (and stiffen the brim) of the slouch hat kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpaWe2Sfo7qpntE Slouch Hat Refurbishment: Condensed Version kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHWUmnaLq9iBopI Detailed Version: Old Slouch Hat Refurbishment kzbin.info/www/bejne/fquld2iFeLRrsMU Water proofing spray as the last step also helps. Storing your hat flat with weights will maintain the shape. Our use a Slouch Hat Press and Carrier. Hope this helps. Regards Ash.

[@ncrranger34]

I am curious are these from statesman or akubra?

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Ncr Ranger. The hat I used to demonstrate how to bash, is an Akubra. The hat with the pugaree on I used as the comparison at the start of the vid is a Mountcastle. It is difficult to tell them apart just by looks. The brands are found on the leather sweat band. I have found that Akubras are generally softer and require the brims to be stiffened to hold their shape. Still hardy and sturdy hats though. Hope this helps. Regards Ash

[@andrewknox9360]

I was issued my slouch hat when i joined the RAN. Ten years in and i think i wore it once..

[@Ashapplications]

Yep, some things you are issued and never use. Was that a blue coloured slouch hat Andrew?

[@andrewknox9360]

@@Ashapplications No it was the regular colour, just with a navy blue puggaree and hat badge. I'm pretty sure it was a size too small when they issued it to me anyway haha.

[@Ashapplications]

@@andrewknox9360 LOL😀. Thanks for sharing 👍. Regards Ash.

[@andrewparrott7260]

Yeah, unfortunately the RAAF or the navy don't know how to wear the slouch hat very well hence the reason they're not issued it any more. The only true way to wear it is the army way.

[@Viney209]

Keep ya cute lil cup hats ya Navy poofter, us diggers had fun pouring beer into them on Anzac day hahahaha, ya'll got rid of slouch hats and started wearing cams... rightio, go cry into your bunk mates pillow, he won't be able to resist those blue and grey uniforms, gotta hide in the ocean somehow I guess.

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Y'all, we have a range of Slouch Hat Press and Carriers to Protect Your Icon. CHECK OUT the eBay link to the Ash Applications www.ebay.com.au/str/ashapplications Regards Ash

[@tarz96]

Would this work for in a world war one style bash into it

[@Ashapplications]

Yes, once the hat has been soaked in water it is malable and can be shaped in any way that you choose. As it dries keep the starch solution up to it so it maintains the shape. See my video on how to iron a slouch hat brim for more info. Regards Ash.

[@thomascruise1753]

I was taught bone and football for the shape and then was given freeish reign to bash my hat to my own personal liking. The CPL did say my hat was shit though.

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Thomas, nice analogy and anecdote 😂. Thanks for the comment; made me laugh 👍. Regards Ash

[@LeftySurvival]

Do you sell these?

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Peter, I don't actually sell the Slouch hats; however, I do sell the Slouch hat press and carriers. Link below to the vid, purchase through my eBay link. All-In-One Australian Slouch Hat Press and Carrier: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3yxaKZ-rLuomK8 www.ebay.com.au/itm/202828970923 or check out my website ashapplications.com.au

[@Ashapplications]

@Cloud Burst 117 Both hats are standard ARA issue. I don't know what your problem is. I encourage people to express methods they have gained in uniform preparation etc This channel is dedicated to support not to ridicule. Your unhelpful and spiteful comments from here and other videos on my channel have been reported. I have 30 years ARA service, been a recruit Instructor and Drill SGT at RMC. If you look closely enough in some of my videos you may even be able to work out my rank. Until you put your manners back in I suggest you troll someone else.

[@tarz96]

How come the original slouch hats didn't hat the sides pushed in

[@Ashapplications]

Another good question from the Bullfrog. You may a seen some early photos; Boer War, WW1 etc, with different constructs, shapes or bashes to the slouch hats. During the Boer War the different states within Australia sent their own contingents and indeed many individuals or small groups made their own way to South Africa. As there was no uniformity between state to state and groups this would account for the different styles of head wear. It was not until Australian Federation in 1901 that it was determined to bring uniformity into the services. Even so this would still take time The hat bash we see today is an evolution from the rounded Victorian style to a more practical "grip" style. When you are issued a slouch hat today the crown is rounded (from the manufacturing process) and you are required to bash your own, usually at recruit training.

[@tarz96]

@@Ashapplications thanks for that and would you happen to know if there's some special way to dip the front of a slouch hat or do you just bend it back because I've tried to bending it back and it always end up looking like slim Dusty's hat and I don't think it's supposed to be like that I've got a friend at cadets who I don't know how he does it but he's managed to perfectly a dip the front down I think that might be because his father was a colonel or something in the air force I can't exactly remember his rank it was some fancy title but any help would be appreciated

[@Ashapplications]

The best method of obtaining a slight bend in the brim is to always have the brim of the hat under weight when you are not wearing it. Akubra hats in particular are quite soft and will readily bend. If you spray your hat with starch and let it soak whilst having some sort of weight on the brim it will eventually stiffen to a straight, flat brim. It is then quite normal for the brim to slightly bend when you are wearing it over the course of the day/night. I always place my hat on a flat surface or within a slouch hat press to maintain the shape. As an option check out my link to my eBay items to see the slouch hat press and make an offer if you like. www.ebay.com.au/itm/202680638989

[@tarz96]

@@Ashapplications thanks for that would the same work for a mountcastle slouch hat

[@Ashapplications]

@@tarz96 Certainly. I have a couple of Mountcastles. They are a stiffer hat than the Akubra and take well to the technique. described above.

[@andrewparrott7260]

And I really don't believe ironing your brim to starch it, it really needs that natural curvature from the middle to the front and rear. Now it's a completely different thing to your grade one parade hat, that needs to be smik.

[@daphnebasset940]

How can I send a hat to you for a bash like this?

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Daphne, I can certainly have a bash completed for you. If you go to my website ash applications.com.au and click on the contact us through this email button. Send me an email and we will get the ball rolling.👍 Regards Ash

[@Ashapplications]

G'Day Daphne, would you be able to send an email through to us at [e-mail] to arrange for the bash. Thanks for your time. Regards Ash

[@armstrongfamilymikekathiet6358]

How do you a broken chin strap

[@Ashapplications]

Hi, good question. It depends on where the chin strap is broken. If it broken somewhere towards the middle, then you will need to buy a new chin strap. If the chinstrap is broken towards either end or simply become unhitched/unhooked from the mounting clips inside the hat then it can be fixed. The chin strap can be reattached to the clips or even stapled, using a normal, every day staple gun. Staple the chin strap to the leather sweat band using three or four staples to ensure a firm fit. I may even produce a vid on the subject. Hope this helps. Regards Ash.

[@Cpt_Wyatt]

Does the hat have to be wet?

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Yanoa, yes, the hat needs to be wet as it softens the hat to a point where you can easily shape it. Another method is to use steam; not many people have a steamer lying around😁 Hope this helps. Regards Ash

[@Cpt_Wyatt]

@@Ashapplications thanks and after I've done this can I just let it dry out because I don't have these sprays in the Netherlands 🤠

[@Ashapplications]

@@Cpt_Wyatt G'day Yanoa, yes let it dry out on a flat surface so the brim dries flat as well. Other methods of stiffening the hat are demonstrated in the link below. Hope this helps. Regards Ash How to Iron (and stiffen the brim) of the slouch hat kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpaWe2Sfo7qpntE

[@Cpt_Wyatt]

@@Ashapplications alright thanks for the help mate🤠👍

[@anthonyburke5656]

It’s easy, boiling water and a “Bash Block”

[@Ashapplications]

G'day Y'all I am please to inform you my eBay store is now open. Supporting your application to maintain immaculate appearance. CHECK OUT the eBay link to the Ash Applications www.ebay.com.au/str/ashapplications Products for sale include: 1. Ultimate Black Shoe Cleaning Kit: Perfect shoe care and polish for a very high Gloss shine! 2. The All-In-One Australian Slouch Hat Press and Carrier. Designed to store, press, protect and carry your Slouch Hat. Protect your Icon! Thanks for your time. Regards Ash

[@danieldelaney1377]

I got real angry reading that title

[@lachlanho9038]

Prussian Boi why?

[@Viney209]

Harden up princess... It's the term we used in the Army, we ain't gung ho, full of piss and vinegar like you yanks are... I pick you are because of George Washington in your avatar.