tortswon
Practically Family
- Messages
- 511
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA
The best of both worlds
CRH, I understand your conundrum (that reference is for you WineGuy). I suffer from it myself. But I have figured out a solution that works for me.
When I purchase an especially nice vintage hat on eBay, I send it to Art for a good once over. He inspects it, fixes what needs fixing, cleans, and blocks the hat. When you send back the conformer to Art, he maintains your specs and builds a wood model from the conformer measurements. When he works on my vintage hat, he uses that model to shape it before he returns it to me just as he would for a custom made hat. Naturally, some sacrifices are made since the hat is already built but I find that I get 99% of the custom fit with the vintage felt of an old hat.
It's not free but it sure adds to the wearing pleasure and the appearance of the hat. Art has done this for me on several hats, including a Stratoliner, and is currently working on a black Whippet. Talk to Art and see if it is worth it to you. Best, Sam
CRH, I understand your conundrum (that reference is for you WineGuy). I suffer from it myself. But I have figured out a solution that works for me.
When I purchase an especially nice vintage hat on eBay, I send it to Art for a good once over. He inspects it, fixes what needs fixing, cleans, and blocks the hat. When you send back the conformer to Art, he maintains your specs and builds a wood model from the conformer measurements. When he works on my vintage hat, he uses that model to shape it before he returns it to me just as he would for a custom made hat. Naturally, some sacrifices are made since the hat is already built but I find that I get 99% of the custom fit with the vintage felt of an old hat.
It's not free but it sure adds to the wearing pleasure and the appearance of the hat. Art has done this for me on several hats, including a Stratoliner, and is currently working on a black Whippet. Talk to Art and see if it is worth it to you. Best, Sam