beret shaping! HELP

[Gringo]

I've been enrolled back into ACF for this Public Services course I'm doing at college. And I've got been issued my beret again. Now, I've shaped using the 'hot water cold water' method. But I'm not satified with the shape. The 'tip'(?) covers half my ear. And I'd prefer that the 'tip' be above my ear like in this photo.

http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/Gulf_War_2_British_Forces_Operation_Telic_Buildup_in_Kuwait/brm_training12.jpg

How can I do this? Get a beret of a smaller size? Get a different type of beret (if there is more then one company that makes them)? Or try shaping again?

Thanks in advance.

[supercontra]

If you can remove the liner you can go for a smalle size otherwise try a different model.

[marktigger]

some of the paras have been known to cut a wedge out of the side and sew it back to the head band. Try putting it in the washing machine.

[Royal]

Get a decent make - the issue ones tend to make you look like a Chassuer Alpin - big enough to bivvy under the side of...

[msilva111]

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/army/ht/beret.htm

Here you go, hope it helps.

[Gringo]

Get a decent make - the issue ones tend to make you look like a Chassuer Alpin - big enough to bivvy under the side of...

haha :lol:

what make do you suggest then? Are the issue berets made by Compton and Web? I've also seen a 'silk lined beret' in one of my surplus catalogues, ever heard of them?

[Uncle Sam]

I think you want to get a smaller size. What we used to do (U.S. Army 82nd Airborne) is cut out the liner, shave it with a bic razor or something like it (Be careful not to go throught the material), then wet it, and wear it until it dries.

[Gringo]

I think you want to get a smaller size. What we used to do (U.S. Army 82nd Airborne) is cut out the liner, shave it with a bic razor or something like it (Be careful not to go throught the material), then wet it, and wear it until it dries.

what material are the US berets made of?

[GrimReaper]

I think you want to get a smaller size. What we used to do (U.S. Army 82nd Airborne) is cut out the liner, shave it with a bic razor or something like it (Be careful not to go throught the material), then wet it, and wear it until it dries.
I can't belive it, beret improving is the same all over :D
We cut the liner, and either spray with a bit aftershave (somthing alchoholic) then burn it for a couple of seconds or shave every thing until it's very thin and no fuzz is felt (or do both). Then wet, fold and roll it how you want it and put it in a glass overnight while it dries to retain it's shape. Our biggest concern is how it looks on the shoulder because we mostly wear it only on parades and ceremonies.

[Gringo]

Wait, so what part do u burn/shave. The inside of the beret or the outside? or both?

[Uncle Sam]

Wait, so what part do u burn/shave. The inside of the beret or the outside? or both?

Both sides.


what material are the US berets made of?

Wool.

Here's (http://www.army-surplus.co.uk/Merchant2/4.13/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1&Category_Code=B1) a comapny that has some in the UK

[b.scheller]

I can't belive it, beret improving is the same all over :D
We cut the liner, and either spray with a bit aftershave (somthing alchoholic) then burn it for a couple of seconds or shave every thing until it's very thin and no fuzz is felt (or do both). Then wet, fold and roll it how you want it and put it in a glass overnight while it dries to retain it's shape. Our biggest concern is how it looks on the shoulder because we mostly wear it only on parades and ceremonies.

ahh i love the triangular shape of the IDF berets...

[GrimReaper]

ahh i love the triangular shape of the IDF berets...
Actualy those who wear it like that are doing it against the rules. The correct way is pulled down to the right.

[Flagg]

I think you want to get a smaller size. What we used to do (U.S. Army 82nd Airborne) is cut out the liner, shave it with a bic razor or something like it (Be careful not to go throught the material), then wet it, and wear it until it dries.

Same.....and repeat the wet/wear/form part until you get the desired look.

But for all the work, I hardly wear the thing.

[Gringo]

Well, before I do anything drastic, like burning the beret to ash. :|
I'd like to double check with a Brit' (no offence to non Brit's), but just to make sure.

Thanks for the advice everyone. ;)

[digrar]

Shaving does just as good a job mate. Cut out the liner and shave both sides like the other blokes have said. Wet it, wear it and shape it, and a bit of range card behind the hat badge.

[ShadowNeo]

I usually shape my beret once every other week, just to help it retain its shape, I use the standard hot water cold water method.

I usually shape it, leave it on my head for say, an hour or so (go watch TV etc) after hour, take off, fold, and presto - shaped beret :).

I use the standard issue RAF blue one.

[Gringo]

I usually shape my beret once every other week, just to help it retain its shape, I use the standard hot water cold water method.

I usually shape it, leave it on my head for say, an hour or so (go watch TV etc) after hour, take off, fold, and presto - shaped beret :).

I use the standard issue RAF blue one.

I already knew that. Read my original post.

[ShadowNeo]

Well perhaps I should have said that by doing it this way I end up wtih the shape that you supposedly desire. Happy now? :)

[Gringo]

Well perhaps I should have said that by doing it this way I end up wtih the shape that you supposedly desire. Happy now? :)

yes I suppose. ;)

thanks anyway


From what I've done so far with my Beret is cut out the liner, and I'll be shaving it tommorow, then shaping it again.

[Royal]

Personally, I've not cut a liner out since I was a cadet and I've never shaved or burnt a beret in my life.

Hot and cold water and a decent beret (that fits) to start with. Compton Webb are fine.

NB don't go for the silk lined version unless you're some kind of beefer or a cavalry officer...

[Gringo]

Personally, I've not cut a liner out since I was a cadet and I've never shaved or burnt a beret in my life.

Hot and cold water and a decent beret (that fits) to start with. Compton Webb are fine.

NB don't go for the silk lined version unless you're some kind of beefer or a cavalry officer...

Erm.... Well, I've shaved it so it's a bit more smoother already. I don't suppose it matters now really.

[GrimReaper]

Personally, I've not cut a liner out since I was a cadet and I've never shaved or burnt a beret in my life.

Hot and cold water and a decent beret (that fits) to start with. Compton Webb are fine.

NB don't go for the silk lined version unless you're some kind of beefer or a cavalry officer...
Actually from a certain rank we stop doing it to, but you've got to remember most soldiers here a young conscripts who care about the "Look". Older officers and NCOs we'll never do that to a beret.

[FozzieBear]

hey i need tips on shaping my beret for cadets, i have no clue they said put boiling water in the sink up to a few inches drop the beret in leather ring up leave it for a bit take it out shake it and put it on your head, shape it and leave it to dry. anyone got any tips apart from that?

[Sabre]

That's pretty much it. Get it wet (hot water is best), put it on your head and shape it, then put it on an upturned bowl in the airing cupboard to keep its shape as it dries.

Due to the amount of water splaching about, it is best to do the whole process naked and stood on a towel.

[FozzieBear]

That's pretty much it. Get it wet (hot water is best), put it on your head and shape it, then put it on an upturned bowl in the airing cupboard to keep its shape as it dries.

Due to the amount of water splaching about, it is best to do the whole process naked and stood on a towel. rofl rofl speaking from experience sabre?

[Hadfield]

Get it damp. Shape it. Wrap it in paper towels. put it in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer for a few hours. It works.. Trust me.

[digrar]

Just wear it in the shower mate, get the shape right and then shave all the fuzz off, get the bulk out of the flap bit, so it doesn't look thick. I used to use one of those battery powered lint shavers, worked a treat.

[Sabre]

That's pretty much it. Get it wet (hot water is best), put it on your head and shape it, then put it on an upturned bowl in the airing cupboard to keep its shape as it dries.

Due to the amount of water splaching about, it is best to do the whole process naked and stood on a towel. rofl rofl speaking from experience sabre?

Nah, it's just a bit of a tradition to see if you can get the crows to shape it naked on a towel (the beret, that is).

Not heard the freezer method.

digrar's right about the fuzz and the bulk. Make sure you stretch the floppy bit so it's tight against your head and is a bit thinner. It needs to be tamed, otherwise it'll end up sticking out at an angle. Just keep pulling at it in the shower (again, the beret).

[abncougar]

Just wear it in the shower mate, get the shape right and then shave all the fuzz off, get the bulk out of the flap bit, so it doesn't look thick. I used to use one of those battery powered lint shavers, worked a treat.

MP.net's newest moderator?? or am i just slow??

[digrar]

I think I'm the slow one, I zigged when I should of zagged and they got me.

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

Congratulations mate. :D

[digrar]

Cheers bro ;)

[Creeper]

After soaking in water then shaping into form I would shave the fuzz off with a single edged razor,
Gives it the "slick" and "smooth" appearence, chicks dig that shyte, ya' know.
Combined with the sharp and squared away image also impresses ur TL/PL/XO/CO even ur Probation Officer because comon ya' know who you are ! :backhand:

[FozzieBear]

also any tips for bulling my boots? i need a GLASS shine man.... im in a gaurds unit.

[digrar]

Don't drink coke while spit polishing your boots.
Parade gloss shoe polish, soft cloth, spit and finger, hook in.
If you know it's going to be dry we used to use one go floor polish as a finish, but it goes cloudy if it gets wet so you need to be carefull.

[FozzieBear]

Don't drink coke while spit polishing your boots.
Parade gloss shoe polish, soft cloth, spit and finger, hook in.
If you know it's going to be dry we used to use one go floor polish as a finish, but it goes cloudy if it gets wet so you need to be carefull.i already know the cloth polish and spit technique ;) i was wondering if anyone had and cheats apart from instant shine (they can spot it a mile off)

[rangerone]

Apply polish to your boots and then use a heat gun. Be sure to cover every part of your boots that you want shined and do it twice to them. Then, shine the **** out of them. If you do it right, you'll have that glass effect!

[FozzieBear]

Apply polish to your boots and then use a heat gun. Be sure to cover every part of your boots that you want shined and do it twice to them. Then, shine the **** out of them. If you do it right, you'll have that glass effect!i dont have a heat gun.

[digrar]

Got a hair dryer or a small blow heater?

[Apogee]

Apply polish to your boots and then use a heat gun. Be sure to cover every part of your boots that you want shined and do it twice to them. Then, shine the **** out of them. If you do it right, you'll have that glass effect!i dont have a heat gun.

Put on a heavy coat of Kiwi, then use a lighter to melt (not burn) it. THen use warm water and a soft clean cloth.

As for shaping, shave the hell out of the beret, get it wet, shape it as it drys on your head.

[FozzieBear]

Apply polish to your boots and then use a heat gun. Be sure to cover every part of your boots that you want shined and do it twice to them. Then, shine the **** out of them. If you do it right, you'll have that glass effect!i dont have a heat gun.

Put on a heavy coat of Kiwi, then use a lighter to melt (not burn) it. THen use warm water and a soft clean cloth.

As for shaping, shave the hell out of the beret, get it wet, shape it as it drys on your head.thanks a lot, does it work with gaurdsman polish aswell as kiwi?

[digrar]

I don't know what the difference is but we used kiwi parade gloss black polish instead of the normal black kiwi polish. It came up a lot better.

[RGRBOX]

Shave it... get it in some hot water wring it out and shape in on your head.... once you shape it take it off easy and put it on something so it can dry naturel... the next day wear it and continue shaping it as you wear it.... we used to shave them inside and out side.... I still have my last 2-505th PIR Maroon beret 10 years after using it and it's still in good condition....

Airborne!!!

[PrincessRAR]

Cheers bro ;)

stepping up on another forum hey ;) the amount of moderating you do you couldnt afford to be active haha!

congrats mate - just think your like an NCO now

[WARPIG]

Always use very cold water to polish boots.

Using one of those little trophy basketballs, the half sized ones, and that roll of duck tape you have laying around will work to let your beret dry on after you shape it. I used safety pins to get that "dog-ear" to stay down while it dried. I figured out how to put safety pins on the inside of the beret to keep the flap down even if you havent had the beret very long.

[Apogee]

With shining boots, I think there are about a million and one ways to make them shiney as ****. And then there are about 2 trillion ways to totally **** it up.

[David]

get your beret and don't shave it, don't shape it, and when you put it on make sure you look like chef boyardee. be sure to wear paratrooper class A jump boots everday and have just the toes and heels highly shined and your on your way to being a superb pog. HOOAH.

[Roy Batty]

I use Kiwi Parade Gloss and I soak my Kiwiw cloth in freezing cold water and then wring it out as much as I possibly can and then just go to work making smaller and smaller swirls on the boot. After awhile you rarely need polish anymore, they can just be buffed up. As for the beret I just wear a new one in the shower, form it and then place it carefully on a shelf overnight.

Cheers

[RFSU]

Do what dig says and then use some hair spray, works a treat!

As far as boots go just coat them in Parade Gloss, go over with a lighter, let them cool down or better yet put them in a freezer for an hour or two and then buff the hell out of them with a chicks stocking

[paratroopers_all_da_way]

does any one know how to shape a beret like da paras me and my friends have always wanted to know

[ABNredleg]

hey i need tips on shaping my beret for cadets, i have no clue they said put boiling water in the sink up to a few inches drop the beret in leather ring up leave it for a bit take it out shake it and put it on your head, shape it and leave it to dry. anyone got any tips apart from that?

What everyone else said, plus it really helps if you remove the beret liner.

[Hydro]

does any one know how to shape a beret like da paras me and my friends have always wanted to know




Shape it normally then wear it like a farmers cap with the cap badge over the left eye, hey presto, para beret "oooh arr, oi've got a brand new combine harvester"...



/tongue in cheek...

[DeltaWhisky58]

does any one know how to shape a beret like da paras me and my friends have always wanted to know

I take it you mean The Paras? This is an English language forum!

[paratroopers_all_da_way]

I take it you mean The Paras? This is an English language forum!
sorry rong thing lol

[kayaker]

IS you racist because me is wite para? ;)

Anyway back on topic:
Beret, use cold water then hot if beret is on the small size, re start the proces but always finish with hot. Opposite for large size... My guards Beret is toight, like mens anus! (think mix between Dutchy from Austin Powers Gold member and Borat from Kazagstan)

Boots: great tip, you'll thank me for this: where the shine on the boot is supposed to finish, tape it! You'll end up with a real tioght line! Like a tioght dutch man's body!

BTW is the Swindon paper factory still open para? ;) (nothing will change by staying the same!)

[Luno]

Shaping the beret where fun :) i did put mine in boiling water and after that I put it on my head (still wet) and Shaped it with my hands it took me about 4hr to get it right :)


<------- look not that bad p-)

[dave81]

Alternate method: Stick your head in the boiling water while wearing the beret.

Anybody else notice this thread is over a year old?

[Bzzliteyr]

One thing you should NEVER do is put the beret in the dryer if it's wet. It will shrink to the size of a GIJoe toy!!

[welshmann]

One thing you should NEVER do is put the beret in the dryer if it's wet. It will shrink to the size of a GIJoe toy!!

yeah thats what u got to rember..they are pure wool.

[SOF]

Shaping the beret is a serious job. You have to put it into the boiling water, then boil it , roast it and finally smoke it. If it does not have correct shape at that time try to eat it.p-)
P.S. You may try to cut out the inner of the baret, it will be easyer to shape it.

[CieńPolski]

I used to cut the inside out! I still looked like chef boyardee!:oops:

[SOF]

I used to cut the inside out! I still looked like chef boyardee!:oops:

I used to wear canadian beret some years ogo, it was realy good. I still have it on my desk in front of me p-)

[loganinkosovo]

Put the berets on their heads and take them on a 40 mile road march in the rain.....if rain not available have them double time in place in the sprinklers. :)

We never did any of that hot water business. Just put it on your head, pull it down to the right, pull the flash out and down over your left eye and presto!

of course, we were just cavalry and used the damn things to clean vision blocks and wipe off dipsticks.

The beret is the most useless piece of headgear ever designed for military use. It doesn't keep the sun out of your eyes and doesn't keep the rain off your face. It ranks up with the C*nt cap on the useless scale.

[CieńPolski]

Put the berets on their heads and take them on a 40 mile road march in the rain.....if rain not available have them double time in place in the sprinklers. :)

We never did any of that hot water business. Just put it on your head, pull it down to the right, pull the flash out and down over your left eye and presto!

of course, we were just cavalry and used the damn things to clean vision blocks and wipe off dipsticks.

The beret is the most useless piece of headgear ever designed for military use. It doesn't keep the sun out of your eyes and doesn't keep the rain off your face. It ranks up with the C*nt cap on the useless scale.

I agree..:)

[Erik2a4]

Put the berets on their heads and take them on a 40 mile road march in the rain.....if rain not available have them double time in place in the sprinklers. :)

We never did any of that hot water business. Just put it on your head, pull it down to the right, pull the flash out and down over your left eye and presto!

of course, we were just cavalry and used the damn things to clean vision blocks and wipe off dipsticks.

The beret is the most useless piece of headgear ever designed for military use. It doesn't keep the sun out of your eyes and doesn't keep the rain off your face. It ranks up with the C*nt cap on the useless scale.

Yup.

Completely worthless in the field; I don't understand why you Euros have put up with it for so long. And now you've gone and corrupted the US Army. :lol:

As a caveat, however, it does look good with the service uniforms. And it's good for the CDI factor.

Remember, always look good.

[spectre17]

never cut the lining out !!! Some thing about damaging the queens property or something like that. just use water, shape it good, and let it dry on your head or carefully on something head shaped - a balloon is good.

[loganinkosovo]

Yup.

And now you've gone and corrupted the US Army. :lol:



Thats because most of the Janies couldn't get into an I-lete enough unit to wear one so....presto! the playing field is lowered. :)

[Boina verde]

I only did that 2 times, but the results were god. First I whet my hands on warm water and start to shape the beret the way I wanted. After some 30 minutes, you have a god idea wow the beret is going to stay, then you shaved really god. After that, you used your whet hands (in warm water) to shape the beret another 30 minutes. After that you use the beret a full day, after that the beret is going to stay cool no matter what you do.

[GETSOME]

I think you want to get a smaller size. What we used to do (U.S. Army 82nd Airborne) is cut out the liner, shave it with a bic razor or something like it (Be careful not to go throught the material), then wet it, and wear it until it dries.
How much smaller than your regular size?

[DeltaWhisky58]

For crying out loud - having the ancient posts pointed out to you didn't mean you had to resurrect them!

Situational awareness

Yes [ ]
No [x]

[bluffcove]

shave the outside, shave the inside of the flap,
get the steam setting on the iron and fill the inside with steam until the material is soaking wet, Put it on your head, shape it, the water evaporates, the beret is dry in about ten minutes and youve got a decent beret that will shrink on your head to shape, without any of the creases in the wool you get from wringing it out.

No I dont like sentences Im aware that Ive only used commas furgit!

[zonk]

i usually cut off the card board on either side of the flash, then i start shaving it, once i get it shaved right then i dunk it in hot water for a minute then i fit it on my head and walk around with it on for half an hour. then i take it off and leave it on something that wont wrinkle it so it keeps it shape.

remember to shave the inside and the outside a thick beret is aggravating and a plain sign that there is a leg amongst us..

[Hollis]

So what do you guys do with the propeller?


http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k226/Hollis6475/beanie.gif

[zonk]

i use it for propulsion when i parachute

[digrar]

So what do you guys do with the propeller?


http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k226/Hollis6475/beanie.gif


Give it a spin, run around with my arms extended, making vroom vroom noises, doesn't everybody? :oops: