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[Neophyte]

As I understand it, that was started by John Stetson to pay homage to earlier hatters who suffered from mercury poisoning.

 

[jimmy the lid]

I have performed a couple of searches and come up empty. My query is: what is the little bow usually seen at the rear of the sweatband for?

I could understand if there was a cord that wound around the inside of the sweatband that would be used to tighten a sweatband, but that's not the case. I can't see the usefulness, other than perhaps looks.

Cliff

The 1953 Hat Life Yearbook notes that the bow in the back of the hat serves two primary functions: First, to provide a quick way to identify the back of the hat (so that the hat is put on correctly), and second, to identify the center of the hat to provide a reference point for creasing.

 

[rlk]

It is a traditional vestige of when sweatbands had lacing for adjustment and tied in a bow. Jimmy highlights how it remains functional as well as traditional/symbolic.

 

[Bernie Zack]

Thanks, all, the reply on my post. I'll give these suggestions a try. I really like the hat, so I'll give it a try.

 

[jimmy the lid]

As I understand it, that was started by John Stetson to pay homage to earlier hatters who suffered from mercury poisoning.

Missed this before. That's pretty darn funny, Neo. lol

 

[Mr E Train]

I'm sure this is the effect you're talking about, Bernie.

The Winner's a fairly stiff, heavy Milan braid and there's a good amount of curl to the brim, so when you turn the brim down, the curl reflects itself in what you refer to as a "bubble" (I call it the "beak" because it looks like a bird's beak when viewed from the side). I've come to expect this of hats of this type, and it doesn't bother me. Lighter, softer weaves are of course less likely to have the "bubble." You could always try to flatten it out by applying water or steam. I'm anxious to see pics of what the hat looks like now. I'll probably think it looks fine the way it is.

 

[scooter]

All right, I'll venture a question. I've often seen the word "taper' used here, as in the "dreaded taper", but I'm not sure I understand what it means. In my mind, it could be one of a few things. It could mean the crown of a hat tapers from bottom to top (narrower at the top than the bottom), or that a hat crown tapers from front to back as seen from front or back, or that a hat crown tapers from front to back as seen from the side (higher in front than back). I assume it to be the first example. Can someone clear this up for me?

 

[scottyrocks]

Sure.

Same hat, most taper:

Less taper:

Less taper, still:

I altered the amount of taper, in the bottom picture, by changing the top crease, and in the first picture, by lengthening the side dents. I wear this hat as it appears in the middle picture.

 

[scooter]

Ahhhhhhhhh! Now I get it, so my second assumption was correct. Interesting that one would need to reblock a hat to correct this problem. My campdraft suffers from the same syndrome (or worse) as your last picture. My OR is much more sleek looking, front to back, whereas my campdraft has a much blockier almost stovepipe appearance. I have tried redoing the top crease and the side dents, but they don't want to hold beyond a certain point. Thanks for the response, I appreciate the input.

 

[Cliffnopus]

Thanks for the replies, I thought it might be something like that.

Cliff

 

[Chinaski]

Ahhhhhhhhh! Now I get it, so my second assumption was correct. Interesting that one would need to reblock a hat to correct this problem. My campdraft suffers from the same syndrome (or worse) as your last picture. My OR is much more sleek looking, front to back, whereas my campdraft has a much blockier almost stovepipe appearance. I have tried redoing the top crease and the side dents, but they don't want to hold beyond a certain point. Thanks for the response, I appreciate the input.

Taper isn't really a "problem" per se. Many here prefer hats with less taper, i.e., more straight up and down like a stovepipe, as you mentioned. But with that said, it really is a preference, and some prefer more taper. Also, different amounts of taper look better or worse depending on the shape of your head and face. You will sort of start to see what looks right on you and on others. A few people can get away with about any look, but not many.

 

[scooter]

Okay, the last question worked well, so I'll pose another. At only a dozen or so hats, my wife is tired of hatboxes taking up space. How do you gents store your hats, in order to keep them clean and orderly?

 

[Lefty]

Boxes. Sell other stuff to make room.

Check out this thread for some images of the way guys with large collections attempt to manage the beast.

 

[Bernie Zack]

I'm sure this is the effect you're talking about, Bernie.

The Winner's a fairly stiff, heavy Milan braid and there's a good amount of curl to the brim, so when you turn the brim down, the curl reflects itself in what you refer to as a "bubble" (I call it the "beak" because it looks like a bird's beak when viewed from the side). I've come to expect this of hats of this type, and it doesn't bother me. Lighter, softer weaves are of course less likely to have the "bubble." You could always try to flatten it out by applying water or steam. I'm anxious to see pics of what the hat looks like now. I'll probably think it looks fine the way it is.

Yes, exactly. Since I'm not real bothered by it, I'll live with it. I love the hat; Can't wait for my new pugs. I received an e-mail that they were shipped today. Thanks again.

 

[scottyrocks]

Blockier hats can be made to shrink into a shape with more taper by wearing in precipitation a few times. This is quite variable, though, based on the quality and age of the hat. The typical equation is something like age+quality=least tapering. It has to to do with the initial felting, the material used (beaver, hare or rabbit, wool), the way the hat was originally shaped, and, re age, the time the hat has had for the felt to 'die' and stabilize.

 

[gtdean48]

Okay, the last question worked well, so I'll pose another. At only a dozen or so hats, my wife is tired of hatboxes taking up space. How do you gents store your hats, in order to keep them clean and orderly?

Current rotation on 2 hat/coat racks, 1 in bedroom & 1 in den, rest in boxes on shelves in closet. Keepsakes from gifts or travels on hall tree in foyer. Beater & culls in the attic...

 

[job]

posting pics

Can someone please explain what you do to convert jpeg photos so I can post photos on this site. I am clueless.

 

[Rodkins]

Can someone please explain what you do to convert jpeg photos so I can post photos on this site. I am clueless.

I use photobucket. I upload the photos to photobucket and copy the image url link into my post. There are several photo hosting sites out there that work.
Mike

 

[job]

Thanks for the reply. I don"t think (through my wife) I am a member of any photo hosting site. I will have to look into it.

 

[Rodkins]

Thanks for the reply. I don"t think (through my wife) I am a member of any photo hosting site. I will have to look into it.

The one I use is a free service.