Breaking in a Forage Cap

[stx]

Hello,
I used the search feature but couldn't find anything in the same vain as my question. I recently got a forage cap. I normally wear a kepi and I had started to use a Hardee hat after being an extra in a movie about Johnny Clem, but found a forage cap to be more accurate to my impression, which I am slowly trying to improve (AOP). The forage cap is mainstream (I'm trying to move away from such items but money plays a problem), from Crescent City, and the problem I'm having is that when I wear it it sticks straight up so it looks like I'm wearing a top hat, contrary to the many period pictures of forage caps I've seen. I've been trying to break it in by just wearing it but I've got a reenactment in 5 days that I want to wear it to. Any suggestions on how to make my cap stay down. Thanks.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

Tim,
You issue is nothing with breaking it in, it has everything to do with the fact that the cap was more than likely incorrectly cut and the result is the issue you have. Rather than buying something quick, you would have been better off saving up the extra $40-$50 and picking up something good rather than tossing money away.

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

Besides the obvious, "throw it away and buy a correctly made version," how about, get it soaking wet and put some weight on it until it dries. Then, throw it away and buy a correct version. Because the cap is most likely not properly constructed, you may be stuck in the er... erect position, for lack of better terms.

Learn from this. Being patient and saving some money in order to buy the correct item will, in the long run save you headaches and from that "bucket head," look.

;)

[paulcalloway]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

Tim -
There some things dirt and wear can cover up ... unfortunately in this case, and as others have noted, a bad hat isn't one of them.

I suggest putting that hat up for sale here and buying yourself a used hat when one comes available in our own WTS folder or buying new from one of our Approved Vendors.

Good luck. I feel your pain. I've got a bad hat on my bookshelf that I bought in 1995 I haven't used since 1996. Paid $40 for this thing and it isn't worth $5.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

This, and some strike anywhere matches should fix that hat right up.

[unclefrank]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

Nothing dings an impression like a bad hat. You just have to bite the bullet and spend the bucks. I advise you not to play with fire in disposing of it. You could donate it to your nearest "homeless person." :tounge_sm

[stx]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

I guess it just proves you get what you pay for. It was there and was 25 bucks so I figured why not? I knew eventually I'd need a good cap but I just didn't feel like spending over $50 on it. Looking back it seems it would have been better to save that $25 and put it towards a good cap. Thanks for all of your help. I'll keep this in mind the next time think I buy something from sutler row. Thanks again.

[rkg]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

Tim, unless you are going to an event that has one of the approved vendors in attendance SAVE YOUR MONEY!

Robert Gobtop
Ol Sipley Mess
ONV

[Texyank]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

Tim,

http://www.stonybrookcompany.com/page5.html#ACCOUTREMENTS%20&%20EQUIPMENT

There is a used cap here. The price seems a bit high but if you keep looking on this page you are bound to find one that fits your budget and your head.
Chris is great to deal with also.

Yer pard,

also of the skinflint mess

[reddcorp]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

Nothing can be more embarassing than a priapic forage cap. But, for a short term fix until you can get yourself a proper cap, fold the cap over to a suitable position and make a tiny stitch to keep it in place. Then go to the event, pray the stitch holds, then come home and bury the cap or sell it.

Andy Redd

[TheRegularsDrummerCo.H]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

when I started reenacting I had a kepi from the 140 Gettysburg that still fit for my first event. I was a spectator in 2003. My second hat my dad bought which was a McDowell from Fall Creek and now my dad bought me a correct one from Dirty Billy's for my birthday.

Adam Ward

[DougCooper]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

Nick ************, Greg Starbuck, Paul Smith, Joe Covais, Joe Blunt, Brad Keune, Chris Semancik, Joel Bohy, Don Smith, Mike Anderson. Some still in the biz, some not, but all pass muster. Find a used or new one from these men and you are good to go. A lot of choices!

If I left somebody good out gang, please add.

[whitewashedreb]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

There was a nice Brad Keune cap on ebay just a couple of days ago. There was also a Rueh cap (yeah that is ancient, but good). They pop up once there once in a while.
Don Radamacher made them in the 80's also. They were nice.

[ley74]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

... you may be stuck in the er... erect position, for lack of better terms.
;)

This kinda thing happened to me more frequently when I was a young buck. Oh, you are talking about the cap.

Pardon me Mr. Mod.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Breaking in a Forage Cap

"...when I was a young buck."

Ley, the Ancient Rome forum is just down the hall. :p

Time to move this thread to that hallowed sub-forum known as The Sinks.