Hi, my name is Dave and I love being in New Zealand's awesome outdoors. I learn and share whatever is practical for enhancing my outdoors experience and enabling me to be self-reliant and prepared for any situation I may come up against. Bushcraft or survival? If it works, why not just use it? Day walks or camping or wilderness outings? If it's what we want to do, why not just do it? Thanks for your views, input and interest. Dave
As far as possum goes, you have no idea what youre talking about. I can know that you haven't actually climed the trees and actually looked at what the possum leaves behind in it's passing.
Had my Red/Black "pregnant whale suit" since '91. One tiny hole, I've never bothered darning, about an inch from the hem. Have slept under a tree, in the drizzle, all night. Idk what the new ones are like but that kiwi original is still doing duty despite being 33 years old. Heirloom piece.
Yea, the old Made In NZ swanndri's were great. The old one in this video would be the same quality as yours I would think. I have found the new Made In China Originals and Mosgiels to be a softer wool. I am guessing they are not as robust as the old ones but still ok for the price. Thanks for viewing and commenting.
@@southernlandsolo7839 I did meet a younger female - but I don't remember if it was Tess - could have well been. All i know it did have great customer service she was very helpful. Got the Banjo Patterson akubra.
Some businesses will trim. I went with Brisbane Hatters because they offer that service. The felt holds together after trimming and does not come apart. There was no cost on the trimming. Thanks for watching.
@@southernlandsolo7839 yea I checked out there range , and I’ve got to say I was impressed with how many different variety’s of Akubras they have in stock . Thanks for sharing Bro !
Thanks for watching and commenting Ian. I am ex-NZ Army. I like to change around my kit and how I carry it. I am now experimenting carrying my kit in a knapsack plus haversack. I will try it out for awhile to learn how they can work together.
@@iantooke3549 Ex-infantry. I was RF then TF also for a little while. You said a lot of Ex-NZ Army out your way in Perth? Does that mean a lot of pubs also Ian? lol.
I have not tried dunking this felt hat but I have done it many times with a cotton J-hat (boonie hat). The felt on these Akubra Riverina's is thick and robust, I think it would hold up well. This same hat has handled many rainy days with no problem. It is possible the leather headband could potentially shrink but I think it would be fine.
I have an idea for notching..... make either a hole or a wedge and cut a reasonable thick stick and jam it in there maybe baton it into a hand drilled hole like how bush crafter makes three legged chair, I made a trail recently I don't want to be found so the first 50 meters is still dense ,...secret trail to a secret clearing on an island in the middle of a saltwater river ,, made it for me and my son to camp and bushcraft ....its only possible in winter as it is blanketed in mosquitos and sand flies in summer .
Interesting idea, thanks Charlie. A marked trail but with a stealth element to it, difficult for unwanted eyes to see the markers. Did it take much more time to mark the trees in that way?
Hi ther 🤗 the leaves can be used for weaving, so you yanking on them lol get the kniFe oUt 😁 helpful note : saying YA! YA! YAa! When swinging and choppN makes it fun ,, eating the flowers when they hard berries, is like eating handful of nutts ,makes a salad go next level 😋 1 leaf is all ya need to make puti puti's 😎
I get my Akubra's from Brisbane Hatters. They ship internationally. The brim on these Riverina's is wider so I ask Tess to trim it to 65mm before sending it to me. They do a great job.
Good review mate. I just bought one of these Riverina Hats. I live in Sedona, Arizona, US and decided it was time to cover the neck and shoulders more, so I'll see how I like the larger brim. But it is good to know it can be cut down and look so good. I have an Akubra "lightning ridge" that I bought around 20 years ago (I don't think they even make it now) with a brim about the size of yours. It has been the only hat I wear between October and April and it still looks and fits fine; totally indestructible. I sort of feel like I was cheating on it by buying another Akubra. One kind of grows attached to these things.
Both your videos on these have been the most helpful I've found for making an informed choice on which one to choose. I have a 1980s Swanndri coming that has a button front all the way up, two top flap buttoned pockets and two slash pockets near the waist. It will probably not come too far past the waist. It also has an extra layer of wool like a yoke that covers the shoulders front and back. Still, after what I've seen in your videos, I will be looking for one of these other ones. Cost will help decide between them somewhat. I don't buy synthetics much at all preferring wool and sleep under an old US Army wool blanket during cold months. If I need windproofness for the Swanndris, I'll use a Pertex windshirt. Thanks
Thank very much for viewing and adding your comments. I have seen a similar Swanndri to the one you mentioned for sale on line. The wool yoke over the shoulders also acted as the pocket flaps for the top pockets. I think it was for urban use but is a similar robust wool to the Mosgiel. It may work well out in the bush.
@southernlandsolo7839 The shirt is 100 % wool, made in New Zealand, and in good shape. I hope it's built like bush ones and not for urban use. It is a good bit like a Woolrich made in the USA jacket I have with very thick wool and the yoke front and back making up part of the pocket flaps. I'll be testing it in the rain out on a wooded creek. I'm very thankful for New Zealand and other farmers, who continue to raise sheep and harvest wool, and makers such as Swanndri.
@@Dydeeo The Made In NZ are the older Swanndri's. Since about 2005 they have been producing in China, but they tell us it is still NZ wool. The quality is still good. There is a big used Swanndri market on TradeMe in New Zealand, you can get some great vintage deals there.
Very helpful video. I also use vintage wool clothing like old USA made Woorich. I don't yet have a Swanndri. I've been looking, and don't find any shorter shirt-jac type garments. Have they made these in the past of New Zealand origin and with a double layer of wool on the shoulders and buttons all up the front? Thanks
Thanks for watching. The shirt/jacket you are describing sounds similar to a Swanndri garment that I think they stopped making last season (Kiaraki Shacket). There are still some available on line but possibly not many left. I have put the link below. Hope this helps. Dave www.swanndri.co.nz/kiaraki-v3-wool-shacket-glacier-check.html
Looked actually quite good, i used to think the bush was devoid of food, i would never of guessed that with that plant, very versatile with the other uses to. Good stuff Dave, Cheers Chris
I really love these videos Dave, the experimentation, the afterthoughts, the humour, that backdrop of cicadas and NZ pigeon flying past. You seemed to enjoy that meal at the start lol, it did sound tasty, bloody awesome stuff, Cheers bud. P.S i still have in mind to send something over mate, i get distracted and forget, a little more time sir, Cheers Chris
I think the “widow maker plant” is either a Astelia or Kahakaha plant which has deep red edible berries? Look similar and typically grow in tree forks.
Very good review. I'm in the USA. I have 4 Akubras...2 Federation IV Deluxe, 1 Campdraft and 1 very old Ringer. All are lined. The Ringer is so old (I'm guessing 20-30 years old) that it had the macrame hat band around the outside of the crown. It was a $20 beat up, smelly, smoky, beat up pile of junk when I got it off of ebay. I cleaned it up, treated it with ozone about 15 times to get rid of the cigarette smoke odor, and steamed it into shape. It looks great now, tall crown and 83mm bound edge brim. It is shaped very similar to your Riverina. I am amazed at how stiff the Imperial grade rabbit fur felt became after steaming. I haven't added any stiffener at all. It is my daily driver. I wear it every day when walking my border collies. Rain and snow just roll off that felt. Frankly, I prefer my Akubras to my Stetsons and Borsalino fedoras. Thanks for this video!!
Thanks for watching and commenting. I have not heard of the the Ringer but sounds like you did a great job on it. I recently found an Akubra Cattleman in a thrift store for $6. I worked on it including stiffening with hair spray. It came up great. You can't beat an Akubra I reckon.
@@southernlandsolo7839 The Ringer is so old, Akubra no longer had records on it when I contacted them. A great YT hat channel to watch and learn about hat shaping/steaming/care is "Hats and Guitars". Kevin has over 30 years in the business. Cheers!
I was shocked at first at noticing that you trimmed the brim, and believe me I noticed but by the end of the video I was quite liking that it was,does seem more practical
Thanks for commenting. It has been doing a great job. It was a six-hat journey of testing and learning before finalising my ideas for my ultimate bush/work hat. In the end the Riverina ticked most of the boxes for what I needed. Trimming the brim was the final touch. Are you an Akubra owner?
@@southernlandsolo7839 many actually, a restless hat owner I reckon, several coober pedy, a Riverina it was beaut but just too big for the airline , just today I got a cattleman, need an everyday that I won’t worry about getting trashed. It’ll get awesome after some weather and vehicle trips lol
I subscribed to your interesting channel. Thank you for the content. I live in Finland. Yesterday, after looking at your review of the hat, I ordered myself a Riverina hat. Can you tell me please what boots you wear in such hot and humid weather?
Thanks for viewing and subscribing Rus. The Riverina should do you well mate, they are tough as nails. My boots are awesome, I am very pleased with their performance. They are made by Red Wing, USA. They are Irish Setter Trailblazers 878. I have been wearing them for a couple years and no problems. They are heavier construction than modern boots but have good ankle support, are not hot in summer, can handle any terrain I choose. Hope this helps. Thanks Rus
There were a lot of different variations in how the pack was secured. Used from 1908 till the late 1950s. Size of the pack changed in a couple places in India and south Africa most other places like Australia kept the old version. There's a old photo of two tenth battalion soldiers from Australia in ww1 after Gallipoli one has the 1908 gear while the other bloke has 1871 Martini webbing gear. There was a really wide mix of what was used up till the end of ww2.
Interesting, thanks for sharing. The mix of pre-century and post-century webbing does not surprise me. NZ and Australia army's both suffered from "this is what you got, just make it work" syndrome well into the 1980's lol.
Thank you for a very good review. I am Living in Denmark. Stayed in NZ back in 98 and bought 2ranger shirts and still using Them. But i have regretted ever sinde that i did not by a Bush shirt also. Therefore i am up to bying one from UK (the nearest webshop😊). My question is, how tall are you? Just to get a little bit nearer my size choice. Greetings Bo
Thanks for commenting. I am just under 1.7mtr tall, about 84kg. The Large size fits me well with plenty of room to layer underneath. I find it a little long and had the hem raised about 2cm. But it was still ok to leave it original.
When I heard about the trimming and reshape of your hat, I thought that it sounded like something Tess would do and surprise, she did it 😂. Now, I’ll take mine and ask Tess to reshape the crown as I played with it and looks weird.
Have just raided my neighbours flax seed pods. Took out the black seed, pods are still greenish and wet. Roasted to seeds. Almost burnt them. Ground the up and made a hot drink. Im really impressed, I will wait until the pods dry and then collect the seeds. As we don’t like coffee, flax seed brew will make a change from always drinking tea. 😊
Great experiment. Thanks for sharing Mark. I have not tried it out myself so it is great to get some feedback on the coffee. I have friends who have jars of the collected seeds. They use it dried and raw on salads.
Marvellous review, lots of useful information, well explained: much thanks! I often say I 'acquired' my Akubra 'The Boss' in an accidental battle of wits with a blues-man. It was just shy of ten years ago and I've worn it nearly every day since. Acquired? battle of wits? I was playing fiddle for a burlesque show, and during rehearsals the bandleader had 3 of us each pick a hat from his collection of over a dozen different splendidly customised Akubras. Most hats don't fit me, but by luck he was also a size 62 (borderline freakishly big, and nowadays mostly only by special order) and from the moment 'The Boss' met my noggin it just felt and looked right. After the first 'dress rehearsal' we went out, and I literally forgot I was still wearing it until someone complimented me on my fine hat. I kept being reminded, and honestly forgetting, to leave it backstage after the show- it just felt more and more 'right', and even though I'd never really worn a hat before, I started feeling a bit naked without it. Long story short, by the end of the first run of gigs the hat was so 'me' that the boss said "It obviously wants to live on your head, so I guess it's your hat now", and I've worn it ever since! After nearly a decade of everyday, touring and stage wear, it's still looking great (I've learnt how to care for it, mostly with respect, steam and a brush) but it has collected a few 'battle scars' (including a small hole where it had been brought to too sharp an angle when he had it shaped) so earlier this year I went about finding another 'The Boss' in size 62. Turns out neither the model or size are 'standard issue' anymore, but I was delighted to discover that everythingaustralian dot com dot au could have one custom-made by Akubra for a great price, albeit with a 3 month wait. It arrived a month ago and is a thing of rare beauty. I'm still deciding how much to 'shape' it (turns out my 'original' has the crown lowered nearly an inch as well as the teardrop shaping that eventually caused the small hole) because it looks so damn good straight out of the box! Decisions, decisions!
Viewers have commented that Tutu can be used for medicine. Makes sense about the safety aspect. Kids, in the past, have been know to eat the berries/petals but not realising the poisonous seed was in it.
Thanks for commenting. Akubra's are a great choice. I have settled on a modified Akubra Riverina as my bush/work hat. After use I found this Hills Hat did not hold up to what I needed out of it.
I've got probably 10 or so Akubras. Been wearing a Bushman for about 4 years now as my main hat. It's got some character now but fantastic hat. Nice and light. Cool in the summer, nice shade, takes rain well. I bought two at the time so still have one that's brand new.
Not sure why they sent you the piece of the brim they trimmed off. Was there some allegation at some point that they were selling brim trimmings on the black market? It's such a goofy thing to include. It's not as though you might change your mind and decide to glue it back onto the hat.
Great Hats, I have the Cattleman by Akubra and love it! You're absolutely correct about the brims in the forest, keeps the nasties out of the collar! Great presentation, Thank You!!
Thanks for viewing and sharing your experience bro. I recently found a Cattleman at a thrift store for $6. I couldn't believe it lol. I cleaned it up, stiffened the felt and a little mink oil on the head band and hat band. It has a whole new lease of life. Trouble is, it is too small for my head, but I couldn't pass it up lol.
