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[zetwal]

I'm new at hats and working with them so...are you thinking that water might activate a stiffener already in the hat which steam didn't activate? I had heard that you needed steam but as I said, there's a lot that I don't know yet.

I have had good results with water. Try it and see if it works for you in this instance. I have never had to apply any chemicals. For me, that would be a last resort.

 

[BowlofRice]

Does this hat look very 1930's-40's?
http://www.zootsuitstore.com/Shopping/Catalog/product_detail.asp?ProductCode=HB3482

 

[zetwal]

Does this hat look very 1930's-40's?
http://www.zootsuitstore.com/Shopping/Catalog/product_detail.asp?ProductCode=HB3482

In a general sort of way, the style resembles that of some of the hats of the period.

 

[BowlofRice]

Ok, thanks. I'm considering buying it now. Sorry, I'm no professional on fedoras.

 

[gtdean48]

I'm new at hats and working with them so...are you thinking that water might activate a stiffener already in the hat which steam didn't activate? I had heard that you needed steam but as I said, there's a lot that I don't know yet.

Water does not activate the stiffener. The heat of the steam does as the felt cools. Water will make the felt pliable to get a crease in & the heat will help set it when it dries & cools.
Borso's of the 70's were during the factory move & not of the soft & shape-able ones before that. I have one of the mid-80's that took quite a bit of steaming to hold a crease.
You may try wetting it with distilled water, shaping in your crease then hitting it with steam. YRMV....

 

[Aureliano]

You may try wetting it with distilled water, shaping in your crease then hitting it with steam.

May I ask why distilled water? I've never used it and are interested in knowing the benefits. When I visited the Cervo Factory years ago before I knew the lounge, I saw them use water from the Cervo river nearby to clean and soften the felt, figured if that didn't ruin them, NYC water won't either.

 

[Van De Laak]

Hi all,

After my good experience with my Bailey Willis (wide brimmed pork pie), I would like to get another Bailey. This time perhaps the Bailey Jamison. (brown) I think is a smart looking hat. Has anyone any experience/thoughts regarding this hat? I noticed that the brim can be worn down as well. Thank you for any advise.

Here is a link with a few zoomable pics.

With brim down:

http://www.butterystore.co.uk/stock/item/bailey-jamison-cordova

I took the plunge and ordered the hat. I'll try to snap some pics after I received it, for those who might be interested and post them here.

 

[gtdean48]

May I ask why distilled water? I've never used it and are interested in knowing the benefits. When I visited the Cervo Factory years ago before I knew the lounge, I saw them use water from the Cervo river nearby to clean and soften the felt, figured if that didn't ruin them, NYC water won't either.

My last house was on a well with copper pipes throughout the house & my current house is on county water which has fluorine & other additives. In a tea pot, tap water is fine but to spray directly on a hat, especially lite colored ones, I don't want to take chance.

 

[Aureliano]

My last house was on a well with copper pipes throughout the house & my current house is on county water which has fluorine & other additives. In a tea pot, tap water is fine but to spray directly on a hat, especially lite colored ones, I don't want to take chance.

I see what you're saying. It makes sense. NYC water... I'm telling you, Tom, haven't stained a hat yet and I spray em'!

 

[bowlerman]

Ever have a couple hats that you just don't think you could pull off in public, and all of a sudden a bit of insomnia coaxes out a new affinity for them? Yeah, me neither...

I don't know, I'm kinda beginning to warm back up to these two: Stetson 3X Eddie Bauer and a stingy brimmed Wormser.

 

[randooch]

B-Man, you wear 'em both with panache, even in the wee hours.

______________

Question: Can one remove dents from bowlers?

 

[bowlerman]

I think "one" can, but it might be best done with a block, steam, and an iron, or else sent to a pro. I've had some success with minor offenses, and recently reblocked my mallory torino. It still isn't perfect, but I think it's better than the job the guy at the local western store did. (only problem is I left it over the kettle to run and tend to my son for probably one minute, and came back to find the sweatband had shrunk about four sizes. Thankfully a quick fetch of the hat jack remedied that problem, though the sweatband is no longer in its pristine and seemingly untouched state.)

 

[scooter]

Hey B-man, for what it's worth, I really like the Eddie Bauer on you. Funny how we establish a notion in our minds as to what we can "pull off" and what we can't.

 

[randooch]

I think "one" can, but it might be best done with a block, steam, and an iron, or else sent to a pro. I've had some success with minor offenses, and recently reblocked my mallory torino. It still isn't perfect, but I think it's better than the job the guy at the local western store did. (only problem is I left it over the kettle to run and tend to my son for probably one minute, and came back to find the sweatband had shrunk about four sizes. Thankfully a quick fetch of the hat jack remedied that problem, though the sweatband is no longer in its pristine and seemingly untouched state.)

Thanks. I just wanted to know whether to pursue derbies with dents or let 'em pass. Your experience makes "one" hopeful. (What, you no likey my vintage lingo?)

 

[Brad Bowers]

Smaller dents can usually be worked out of the crown with a generous application of steam to the outside of the hat. You can use your fingers to help smooth them out to a certain degree. If the dents are too large you might still end up with some waviness on top, but I've learned to live with that, too. Most people don't even notice it. If the felt has any kind of a sharp crease, though, you're out of luck without a complete reblock and ironing. It's usually more trouble than it's worth with old Derbies.

Brad

 

[bowlerman]

I likey, I likey!

Brad makes good points, too.

On the other hand, every so often a derby comes up on Ebay that has such a perfect dent, scratch, or any other sort of blemish, that I end up kicking myself for passing it up!

 

[randooch]

Thanks to both of you.

Next Question: How do you post pictures only from ebay listings here on the FL, rather than a link to the entire auction page?

 

[zetwal]

Thanks to both of you.

Next Question: How do you post pictures only from ebay listings here on the FL, rather than a link to the entire auction page?

Copy and paste.

 

[randooch]

I'm missing something simple, I guess. Select picture, Control C, Control V, I get nothing.

 

[zetwal]

I'm missing something simple, I guess. Select picture, Control C, Control V, I get nothing.

Open and enlarge the eBay picture and right click on it, select copy. Then paste with control v into your post. Does that do anything for you?