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[Bamaboots]

Thanks, guys. I was looking at the Super Blonde on Amazon, it does appear the lightest. Right now, I want to use it on a light tan Alexander, so I'm being cautious.

This is what I use and what it looks like mixed at about a 10/1, alcohol/shellac ratio. The color portrayed is fairly accurate. The felt I used it on was a SB with no discernible color change. I use a 2”, cheap as I can find brush.

 

[belfastboy]

Thanks, guys. I was looking at the Super Blonde on Amazon, it does appear the lightest. Right now, I want to use it on a light tan Alexander, so I'm being cautious.

The one thing I read (again cannot recall the source) said to be cautious if you buy a premixed shellac. Make sure it does not have added wax. My neighbour gave me a spray cannister of the Zinnser but I noticed it had wax added. That is why I bought the raw flakes and did my own mix. The grey felt I used it on was very very light in colour and the Super Blonde left no discernable trace. It was quite dilute and a very pale yellow and it stiffened enough for my taste.

 

[Frunobulax]

This is what I use and what it looks like mixed at about a 10/1, alcohol/shellac ratio. The color portrayed is fairly accurate. The felt I used it on was a SB with no discernible color change. I use a 2”, cheap as I can find brush.
View attachment 245065

Well, that's close to the color of the hat.

 

[Frunobulax]

The one thing I read (again cannot recall the source) said to be cautious if you buy a premixed shellac. Make sure it does not have added wax. My neighbour gave me a spray cannister of the Zinnser but I noticed it had wax added. That is why I bought the raw flakes and did my own mix. The grey felt I used it on was very very light in colour and the Super Blonde left no discernable trace. It was quite dilute and a very pale yellow and it stiffened enough for my taste.

Thanks, I'll double-check. I figured Mike Moore would give good advice.

 

[Yamahana]

How do you add an iPhone video to a post now? Evidently Tapatalk does not function anymore on the lounge.

 

[jonesy86]

The tropical island humidity has left my straw hats limp and lifeless, so I'm cooking up all my straws, toquilla and hemp alike using the recipe that @Bamaboot uses. Works pretty good.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

The tropical island humidity has left my straw hats limp and lifeless, so I'm cooking up all my straws, toquilla and hemp alike using the recipe that @Bamaboot uses. Works pretty good.
View attachment 245443

Does it impact the hat’s breathability?

 

[jonesy86]

Probably, but I’m m not sure to what extent. The brims are where I applied the most shellac, with only a light brushing on the crown.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Probably, but I’m m not sure to what extent. The brims are where I alllied the most shellac to, with only a light brushing on the crown.

Thanks, that makes sense.

 

[Patrick Burch]

This seems to work on other sites, so I figure that it deserves a shot here.

If you've got a quick hat question and don't see a thread for it, just post it here. Whether the question is about cleaning, anatomy of a hat, brands, etc., this is the place.

Here's one to break the ice.

I just found a 10x Stetson in a travel case. Take a look at the pics. 1.) any idea how old this is? 2.) does it look like this is the original hat that came with it (it is basically brand new) 3.) any idea what this is worth?

 

[Joseph Evans]

Hey everyone,
I'm sure this question has already been asked and answered, but I still fail to do successful searches even after reading the "Searching the Fedora Lounge" thread. So if you could direct me to the correct thread or answer, it would be much appreciated.

I'm trying to stretch two hats that are just a hair small. I wear them with some discomfort and occasional headaches. I stretched the first one, an Italian palm. It fits great, but I tore the leather sweat band.

Next I'd like to stretch a really nice french felt hat. It's probably 50-70 years old. The leather band is in slightly better condition, so I'm hopeful to not repeat my mistake. But perhaps I did it wrong. I'd appreciate some basic precautions or best practices.

I conditioned the leather with a nice natural product with beeswax and some oils. Installed the hat stretcher with little to no tension, sprayed it thoroughly with distilled water, but didn't spray the band specifically. Then stretched it a bit. I repeated the spraying and stretching about three times before the leather tore. I thought I was going slow, but it's hard to know because I don't really know how to measure as I'm going. Any insight to avoid this?

 

[Joseph Evans]

I just found a 10x Stetson in a travel case. Take a look at the pics. 1.) any idea how old this is? 2.) does it look like this is the original hat that came with it (it is basically brand new) 3.) any idea what this is worth? View attachment 245729 View attachment 245730 View attachment 245731 View attachment 245732 View attachment 245733 View attachment 245729 View attachment 245730 View attachment 245731 View attachment 245732 View attachment 245733 View attachment 245729 View attachment 245730 View attachment 245731 View attachment 245732 View attachment 245733 View attachment 245729 View attachment 245730 View attachment 245731 View attachment 245732 View attachment 245733 View attachment 245729 View attachment 245730 View attachment 245731 View attachment 245732 View attachment 245733 View attachment 245729 View attachment 245730 View attachment 245731 View attachment 245732 View attachment 245733

Great looking hat and awesome box. I don't know anything about it. But I live in Cheyenne where it was sold. I think that store changed name in 1987.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hey everyone,
I'm sure this question has already been asked and answered, but I still fail to do successful searches even after reading the "Searching the Fedora Lounge" thread. So if you could direct me to the correct thread or answer, it would be much appreciated.

I'm trying to stretch two hats that are just a hair small. I wear them with some discomfort and occasional headaches. I stretched the first one, an Italian palm. It fits great, but I tore the leather sweat band.

Next I'd like to stretch a really nice french felt hat. It's probably 50-70 years old. The leather band is in slightly better condition, so I'm hopeful to not repeat my mistake. But perhaps I did it wrong. I'd appreciate some basic precautions or best practices.

I conditioned the leather with a nice natural product with beeswax and some oils. Installed the hat stretcher with little to no tension, sprayed it thoroughly with distilled water, but didn't spray the band specifically. Then stretched it a bit. I repeated the spraying and stretching about three times before the leather tore. I thought I was going slow, but it's hard to know because I don't really know how to measure as I'm going. Any insight to avoid this?

I’ve ruined a few sweatbands myself. First, if I’m bumping it up a fraction of a size, say no more than 1/2 size, I’ve had decent luck, but you can still ruin a sweatband. You can also make the brim go wonky by stretching the hat and changing the tension.

Personally, I’ve had better luck using a tapered band block than I have with any of my hat stretchers. I have had hats sized a full size up, but I sent those out to an expert hatter to have done.

I think the best option is often to sell the hat and buy a replacement in your correct size. Good luck.

 

[georgie girl]

Is there any way to downsize a genuine milan (good maker, most probably 1960's), no more than 1 1/2 sizes. I don't plan on a diy, but was just curious. Thanks.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Is there any way to downsize a genuine milan (good maker, most probably 1960's), no more than 1 1/2 sizes. I don't plan on a diy, but was just curious. Thanks.

I don’t think so. The good news is they are not very rare.

 

[Blare]

Is there any way to downsize a genuine milan (good maker, most probably 1960's), no more than 1 1/2 sizes. I don't plan on a diy, but was just curious. Thanks.

I don’t know about proper methods... but for downsize.. self adhesive foam strips... like weather stripping on the sweatband. Or I cut up strips of felt and slide them in behind the sweat. At least I have used this method for felts... seems like it would work for straw

 

[belfastboy]

Is there any way to downsize a genuine milan (good maker, most probably 1960's), no more than 1 1/2 sizes. I don't plan on a diy, but was just curious. Thanks.

1 1/2 sizes is a fair bit to overcome. I am going through this process with a felt homburg I picked up for a buddy. He said he was a 58cm and it turns out he screwed up and is really just a 56.5cm. I removed the sweat band and cut a chunk about 6mm at the reed and then cut it back even more from the reed to create a radical belling of the sweat (this is from the Ettinger book from 1919). I am thinking I have reduced it by close to a full centimetre. I have now baste stitched the sweat back in pushing the read so it sits a bit more proud of the hat than usual thus bringing the 'belled' part of the sweat more into play. I am thinking some shims to reduce the hat that final 1/2 centimetre. I take the hat to my buddy next week to see how successful I have been before I do the final stitching.

 

[CCrafts]

Hi - I've been searching the web for more info on this hat that I scored at a local thrift store. I'm not able to find much, but stumbled across this site. Would anyone here happen to know more details about this hat? Type/style? Year? Any info would be much appreciated, thanks!

 

[georgie girl]

I don’t think so. The good news is they are not very rare.

I don’t know about proper methods... but for downsize.. self adhesive foam strips... like weather stripping on the sweatband. Or I cut up strips of felt and slide them in behind the sweat. At least I have used this method for felts... seems like it would work for straw

1 1/2 sizes is a fair bit to overcome. I am going through this process with a felt homburg I picked up for a buddy. He said he was a 58cm and it turns out he screwed up and is really just a 56.5cm. I removed the sweat band and cut a chunk about 6mm at the reed and then cut it back even more from the reed to create a radical belling of the sweat (this is from the Ettinger book from 1919). I am thinking I have reduced it by close to a full centimetre. I have now baste stitched the sweat back in pushing the read so it sits a bit more proud of the hat than usual thus bringing the 'belled' part of the sweat more into play. I am thinking some shims to reduce the hat that final 1/2 centimetre. I take the hat to my buddy next week to see how successful I have been before I do the final stitching.

Thanks for the answers, I did search but turned up nothing and I love that you guys share your knowledge so easily. The good news is it arrived a wee bit ago and I think that the weather stripping will work. Also other good news is that after I purchased another hat that I spoke of a couple of days ago I ended up with a supernatural milan that I liked but really didn't need, but the seller practically forced it on me

Cheers

 

[georgie girl]

Hi - I've been searching the web for more info on this hat that I scored at a local thrift store. I'm not able to find much, but stumbled across this site. Would anyone here happen to know more details about this hat? Type/style? Year? Any info would be much appreciated, thanks!

I know nothing about this type of hat, but Knox is a well respected hat company.