How to get a horsehair crest to stand up straight

[Vitruvius]

I"m probably going to spend time in re-enactor Purgatory for this suggestion, BUT......after you follow M. Brutus' suggestion, and the crest is straight, go out and buy a big can of Aquanet hairspray and spray the "Dickens" out of the crest. Based on My Spouse, Jaqui's experience, a crest so sprayed should be able to take gladius cuts and not show a dent...LOL Anyway, hopefully, that should help until , like Brian suggests, You get a new, quality crest.
Khaire,
Vitruvius....aka Larry Mager