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Michael R.

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,889
Location
West Tennessee USA
I need to find out my minimum brim width , ... question ...

I think its safe to say , while there are industry standards , there are differences in brand and manufactures sizes (some charts say I'm a 7 1/4 , others 7 3/8) . I wore a 7 1/4 all my life until I bought my first Resistol and it was a 7 3/8 , being between sizes (approx 58.5 cm) . Living in the sticks and not getting out much , with the invention of the computer (and finally learning how to use one , ... kind of) , I ordered a Stetson OR (for more dressy occasions) 7 3/8 , too big , but I kept it . Put sizing tape in , still too big . Sweatbands shrink , but ... . I bought an Akubra 7 3/8 it worked , a little loose , put some sizing tape in , later seemed to have tightened up , took it out , all is well .

Living close to a custom Hatter , and really wanting a custom (hesitating) ; I figure it might be a good excuse to take a few hats in for adjustments and look around , learn a few things . But I suppose the Hatter would be able to tell best : Would it possibly make sense to have the Hatter tighten up the original hat sweatband ? And heat it up , forming it to my noggin ? I've never had a low crown hat before , and I had to add cutter creases to the side dents , and with the tight center crease , even with the hat being too large after sizing tape , rides too high . I've always worn western hats , I like fedoras (WOW , Borsalino Alessandria rocks !). I guess it's what your used to , and comfortable with ; but I may need a different crown shape in that low crown OR Stetson . Just going would give me an excuse to look at brim sizes , and investigate a nice custom (maybe even a pure Beaver). Getting older ... a 4" brim , while I still like it okay , either needs a new curl shape , or I need to begin down sizing my brims .

All that said , and explained : Can a Hatter tighten up a sweatband enough during heat conforming to forgo the restitching the sweatband ? I would think it's possible , being that I've had hats shrink at least the amount I need to lose in storage without a retainer . But ... ?

Goofy question , I know and this might not be the place . I've thought about ordering an Akubra Campdraft , but I figure the brim height is at maximum the same as the Bushman . After testing several crown shapes , I steamed a Peak into the Bushman . (Always can change it , if need be)
 
Messages
19,413
Location
Funkytown, USA
I suppose it can be done. I had Gus Miller resize a 7 3/8 to a 7 1/4 several months ago, with much success. He wanted to replace the sweat, but I asked him to save it if could at all. He didn't need to put in the new sweat, and was able to save it; however, I don't know exactly what he did.
 

Michael R.

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,889
Location
West Tennessee USA
Thanks for the replies , I'm sure you understood when I said , brim height of the Campdraft , I meant crown . I need to proof read , but ... . I could give the sweat the water and heat treatment and see how it goes , but even if it's a success , I'd really like to check out Mike Moore's place and talk to him . Years ago I saw a local public broadcasting program featuring his shop and work , I always wanted to stop by , but not until recently did I check for his web site and then lurking around here spot all that he's been doing since . I wasn't sure he was open full time until checking on the web (I still forget and think of the internet last) . I watched Ritch Rand's vids , and he said , a Hatter can give better advice about what suits a person's face shape , height , and build , color , etc. than just picking something you like the looks of , plus make it fit perfectly , unlike ordering a factory hat that you may like the looks of , but never enjoy wearing , and feel comfortable in . What I like may not be what's right for me . Even colors . My brother lives close to Mike , in the same county . Crazy to have someone like that within 30 minutes of you and never stop by . ... I think most hat bodies come from Winchester TN , Winchester Hat Corp , USA made , anyway .

Thanks for the advice and help on sizing the sweat . I appreciate it !
 
Last edited:

Michael R.

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,889
Location
West Tennessee USA
That is crazy! I came all the way from Copenhagen Denmark and spent a day at the shop :D

He and Rocky makes a great, kind and hospitable pair of hatters. A visit is absolutely worth the trip ... I haven't paid my last for sure! ;)
Haha ! I thought I was Crazy ! Yeah ... , I hope you get them to keep a copy of your conformer shape for future reference while you're here . Great Pipe Makers in Denmark , by the way . Welcome to West Tennessee USA !!! Eat Pork Barbecue , pulled , chopped , and Ribs while you're here ! Too bad it's not Memphis in May , it's HUGE ! By chance are you doing the Blues Trail ?
 

TheDane

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,670
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
Well, I had my trip to the US in March 2014. One week of work (conference) in Vegas and little over a week in TN - mainly at an old Danish friend living in Nashville. Love barbecue pulled pork, fried chicken, soup beans and honey buttered cornbread. Tried to the best of my ability to embrace the grits - but never got around to taste them.

My youngest daughter and I have talked about a trip in February 2017 ... if life doesn't take one of it's weird turns :)

Here's a report from the visit: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...r-mike-moore-makes.34367/page-42#post-1785915
 
Last edited:

Michael R.

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,889
Location
West Tennessee USA
Well, I had my trip to the US in March 2014. One week of work (conference) in Vegas and little over a week in TN - mainly at an old Danish friend living in Nashville. Love barbecue pulled pork, fried chicken, soup beans and honey buttered cornbread. Tried to the best of my ability to embrace the grits - but never got around to taste them.

My youngest daughter and I have talked about a trip in February 2017 ... if life doesn't take one of it's weird turns :)

Here's a report from the visit: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...r-mike-moore-makes.34367/page-42#post-1785915

WOW ! Thanks Ole ! That was AWESOME ! GORGEOUS HAT !!! That was an INCREDIBLE TRIP ! You'll have to try Grits the next time , Cheese Grits are Great , Shrimp and Grits , it's All Good , if they fix them right . Really a Fabulous Hat , and you actually learned doing the whole process . Gotta try Fried Cat Fish , Hush Puppies , White Beans , French Fries , and Slaw . I hope you get to come back . Nashville has some nice spots , too , from there , through Jackson , Brownsville , Memphis , on down HWY 61 to Clarksdale MS , and Cleveland on the Blues Trail , people come from All over the world , the Rock N Roll Legends make the trip every year , or the ones still kicking . Memphis in May is the Largest Barbecue cooking Contest in the world , I guess . But that trip will be tough to Beat !
 

Michael R.

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,889
Location
West Tennessee USA
Seems to have a homburg style brim, but a gamblers crown.
Leonardo_DiCaprio-Django-Unchained.png

Yeah , some of them looked like that . But that doesn't look like a bowler , unless the crown was taken down .
 

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