New in : Swiss + Tech multi utility tools

Better than a swiss army knife because they clip onto a keyring!

Swiss Tech Utili-Key® 6-In-1 Key Ring Tool £11.99

The smallest and most compact multi-use tool ever developed makes minor repairs, assemblies and hundreds of jobs an easy undertaking. The patented tool securely locks onto and releases from any standard key ring and easily fits into any pocket or bag. Tools vary by model and may include: Flat and Phillips screwdrivers, serrated and straight knife blades, bottle opener, nail file, nail cleaner and LED flashlight.

Swiss Tech Micro-Max® 19-in-1 £16.99

The new Micro-Max® 19-in-1 Series offers our most comprehensive and versatile set of tools to date. This solid stainless steel tool set, with its patented, quick-release and self-locking mechanism, folds out into 19 different professional-grade tools. Includes 2 hex wrenches, 6 screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutter, wire stripper, wire crimper, hand drill, file, bottle opener, 2 rulers (mm & inch), and 2 ruler extensions.

Caring for your leather bush hat

Hugh Jackmann and Nicole Kidman in the movie 'Australia'

Quality leather bush hats are a great all-weather hat. They will keep you comfortable come rain or shine and will stand up to any amount of abuse. However, here are a few tips to keep your leather bush hat looking as new as the day you bought it.

Take care how you put it on

Make sure you don’t squeeze the front of your hat when putting it on. This will push your hat out of shape, causing a sharp point in the leather and exposing it to damage. Tugging the brim to make sure your hat is secure will also change the distinct Aussie shaped style of the brim.

Take care how you store it

We recommend storing your hat on a peg or resting upside down on the crown to avoid it being pushed out of shape. Also, make sure that it is kept out of any direct sunlight. Just as overexposure to ultraviolet rays can be harmful to our skin, leather is also susceptible to damage. Extreme sunlight can cause the surface to become fragile and crack or the colour to fade. By all means, wear your hat in hot and sunny weather. That is after all what it was made for but do not leave it out on a sun lounger or on the dashboard of your car for example.

Keep your hat clean

Although your hat will have been treated, it may still stain if you are not careful and these stains can be quite difficult to remove. Try to keep your hat away from makeup food or any oil-based products. If you do accidentally spill something on your hat wipe it with a soft damp cloth. If a stain is particularly persistent you could try a leather cleanser. This is readily available from your local shoe shop or department store. After using a leather cleanser, we recommend replenishing your hat’s protective layer with an additional leather protector spray. This is also readily available from shoe shops and department stores. If your hat does become soaked through, leave it to dry naturally. If you use heat to dry it, the leather may shrink and the hat might not fit you anymore!

Repair any tears

Scratches are the most frequent kind of damage found on leather bush hats. You can cover them up with a leather dye if they are light. However, you might see these as a feature of the hat, adding a certain rustic worn-in edge. To repair any tears you will need a leather repair kit. These typically contain a liquid adhesive in several colours. Give your hat a through clean with a leather cleanser and allow it to dry. This is necessary because any dirt or oil on the surface may prevent the glue from sticking properly. Choose a glue in an appropriate colour and apply it to the area where the leather is torn. You may need someone to hold the leather taught while you apply the glue. When the glue has dried, take a piece of fine sandpaper and remove any excess glue. You will need to be very careful when doing this; otherwise you may scratch the leather. Clean the area again with a leather cleanser to ensure all excess glue has been removed then allow to dry.

For a selection of genuine leather bush hats by Barmah and Wombat Leather, please visit http://www.bobtailstradingcompany.co.uk/

Treat your dad to an Australian leather bush hat this Father's Day

Choosing the perfect present for dads can sometimes be really tricky. Whilst many men dream of receiving a sports car or a flashy widescreen TV, not all of us have such deep pockets and so end up giving our beloved fathers bog standard gifts like ties and socks that are often just shoved into a drawer and forgetten about. But if you want to give your dad something really special for Father’s Day this year, something that will he will actually enjoy and make good use of but that you can still afford, a leather bush hat is a great option.

Australian Leather bush hats are ideal for men who love the outdoors. Whether they enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, gardening or simply walking the dog, a leather bush hat will keep them comfortable come rain or shine. Leather bush hats are designed for extreme conditions such as the South African bush or Australian outback but are just as effective in changeable climes such as in the UK. The wide brim keeps the sun off the wearer’s face as well as rain in a downpour.

Whatever your dad's personal style, we'll have something for him. At Bobtails Trading Company we stock a range of aussie leather bush hats by both Barmah and Wombat Leather in many different styles and leathers. Choose from cowboy or classic shaped brims and light and dark full grain and suede leathers.

To view our full ranges, visit us online at Bobtails Trading Company today or come and see us at one of our game fairs or steam rallies up and down the country. Details can be found on the events page of our website or on Twitter.

Kate and Pippa Middleton's aussie bush hats

In the months before the Royal Wedding the media spotlight shone brightly on bride-to-be Kate Middleton but since the big day, interest has shifted and a new star has emerged in the form of her younger sister, Pippa. With the jacket and bag she wore the day after the event selling like hot cakes women all over the world are clamouring to copy her glamorous but low-maintenance style. But whether you’re team Kate or team Pippa, a sure way of grabbing a slice of Middleton style is to wear a leather bush hat. Worn by both sisters on several occasions the leather bush hat is a casual must-have for any well-to-do young lady. Protecting you from all-weather conditions, the leather bush hat is ideal for attending hunts, horse trials, music festivals or simply going for a country walk.

Both sisters wear the classic flat-brimmed australian style but while Kate prefers a  dark brown full-grain leather, younger sister Pippa favours a lighter suede.

The Kate:

Foldaway broncho full grain bush hat by Barmah £45.99

The Pippa:

Foldaway squashy suede hat in hickory by Barmah £45.99

For our full range of hats, head on over to our website http://www.bobtailstradingcompany.co.uk/

Leather Bush Hats - The Ideal Festival Hat

With weather like ours, planning what to wear to a music festival can prove extremely difficult indeed. One minute it can be sunny and the next, tipping it down with rain. Combine that with the joys of camping where space is limited, you'll need to take items that are practical and versatile and won't be spoiled by a bit of mud.

When out in the sun all day you'll definitely need to wear a hat to keep the sun off your face and avoid the dreaded sunstroke but the right hat can also be an advantage in the rain too. Leather bush hats are the ideal all-weather hat. Designed to be worn in extreme weather conditions, the wide brim will keep you shaded and protected up to50 UV (not that we'll be expecting that from a British summer!) but will also keep the wind and rain off, allowing you to stay comfortable. What's more, these hats are made to last. They'll take no end of battering and they'll still look as good as the day you bought them. In fact, any little scratches will only add to that rugged look!

Visit our website now to browse leather bush hats by Barmah and Wombat Leather.

How to fit your leather bush hat

 

 

You might not think you need to be told how to put on a bush hat and which size is right for you. These are things you should know instinctively, right? However, after years of experience, Aussie cattle drovers have developed a certain knack, which ensures that the hat stays firmly on and suffers minimal wear and tear.

When trying on a leather bush hat, you may occasionally find that one size is too small but the next size up is too large. We recommend you take the smaller size. Leather is a natural material that will breathe and change shape over time. You might like to give it a head start by pulling it over your knee to stretch it. Soon your bush hat will mould to the shape of your head for ultimate comfort.

To put your hat on, smooth any hair away from your forehead and place the front of the hat on your head. The ribbon always goes at the back. Then, using the palm of your hand, push the hat down from the back of the crown. You can wear your hat with the brim level with your eyes or you can wear it pushed back in the typical laid-back Aussie style.

Take care not to pinch the front of your hat when putting it on your head. This will cause a sharp point which will be likely to wear. Tugging the brim to ensure the hat is on properly can also cause damage. By putting it on this way, your bush hat should stay firmly on your head, even on the windiest of days and you can maintain the iconic Australian shape of your hat and avoid any unnecessary wear and tear. When not being worn, we recommend that you rest the hat upside down on the crown or hang it from a peg.

 

Please visit http://www.bobtailstradingcompany.co.uk/ for a selection of genuine leather bush hats by Barmah and Wombat.

Where to get Pippa Middleton’s australian leather bush hat

It’s generally well known that Kate Middleton is a fan of the leather bush hat but did you know that Pippa Middleton is too? The younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, famed for her perfectly-formed bottom, is seen here with a group of friends, also partial to an aussie bush hat, presumably out on a hunt.

Pippa’s hat is a Barmah squashy suede hat in hickory and is available to buy online for £45.99 at Bobtails Trading Company.

Image source:  pippa-middleton.co.uk