Biltmore Western, now Fedora conversion

[great white]

On a whim, I dropped into the second hand store today. Up on the rack was a couple "cowboy hats". It amongst the rabble was a Biltmore. It was 7 5/8, just my size. I half-heartedly asked how much (since western hats don't interest me much), they said 5 bucks and I was walking out the door with it a few minutes later.

So, now I've got a hat that I know nothing about, in a style I don't particularly like. But I can't help wondering the story on it. Here's some pics:

And that's it. No more identifying marks anywhere. I even checked under the sweatband and under the liner where I could lift it.

3 1/2" brim, 6" rise at the "bash".

It's not in bad shape, the pics above haven't been cleaned nor have I even tried to blow it off. There's a few moth nibbles in the brim, or it could even be where something was set down on it.

No idea if it's fur or wool. No idea how to tell either.

No idea how old it is either. Modern or vintage, haven't got a clue.

I figured for 5 bucks in my size, I couldn't loose. If nothing else, it will make a nice hat to practice steaming, brim cutting and reshaping or for a nice conversion project to something more to my tastes.

Anyone know anything about this hat?

Apologies if this should be inserted into another thread instead of being it's own. Please move if needed.

 

[great white]

So, couldn't wait for long to tear into it.

First step was to try my hand at steaming and shaping:

Please be gentle, this is the very first hat I've laid a hand on to alter in any way shape or form.

For a first ever try, I think it came out reasonably well.

I steamed the brim flat and then steamed it back to an open crown. From there I steamed it warm again and put the basic "fedora" shape in it.

A trip to a mirror with it on my head lead to further refinement and some time holding it in place to set it a bit.

Now that I've got the basic shape, I'll let it cool and dry overnight. I'll see what I'm left with in the morning.

It will likely return a bit to it's original brim curl and some lines may reveal themselves in the crown as it dries overnight.

I plan to refine it more tomorrow anyways, so I can steam and shape it out if it reverts any.

Later on, I'll consider cutting the brim down a bit. I'll have to build my rounding jack before that happens though.

If I get it nice enough, a bit of wide ribbon and I should have a reasonable daily use fedora.

This is kind of fun!

I may have to keep my eyes open for a few more old hats.....

One thing that did become obvious when steaming: this hat came from a smokers house. It had a sniff about it before, now it's obvious. Once I get it steamed into a shape I like, I'll try the tie it up in a bag of crumpled newspaper to see if the smoke smell can be eliminated.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

If it were my size, I would pay you $50 for it just to save it from being cut.

 

[great white]

If it were my size, I would pay you $50 for it just to save it from being cut.

And for that I'd sell it for sure.



But, that being said, it's coming down from a 3 1/2 brim to a 2 1/2 any moment now.....might go 3 first just to be sure.

The knife hangs over it like the sword of Damocles....

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Also because I think I never saw a Biltmore Western...

 

[great white]

The deed is done:

Came out pretty good.

The edge looks rougher in the pictures than it does in real life for some reason.

I scribed a 2 1/2" line around the brim, then put the blade through to the wood. Then, I spun the hat around the blade and it cut clean and smooth.

I'll touch it up slightly with a bit or 180 grit to get the spot here and there where there's the tiniest of moves off the scribe line.

Test fit on my noodle has it looking much better than it was before. I might even have a touch too much brim. Have to shape it some more and see where it goes before I do any more cutting.

as a side bonus, most of the moth nibbling came off with the cut.

Now, back to the steamer and time to start looking for an appropriate band.....

 

[great white]

Ah, the voyage continues.

I started working then brim and it's not really going where I want.

A quick Google reveals the brim needs to be "flanged" to go the way I want. For this I need a specific form to shape it to.

i'll have to think about this one for a while,,,,,,

 

[gtdean48]

Western brims are not going to have the cupping in them a fedora brim is flanged to have.
Once trimmed, they are going to be very straight & you can get a front swoop but that is about it.
Using a steam iron on the edge of a ironing board is a good trick but you have to break down the brim shellac some.
Good learning experience...

 

[DOGMAN]

Ah, the voyage continues.

I started working then brim and it's not really going where I want.

A quick Google reveals the brim needs to be "flanged" to go the way I want. For this I need a specific form to shape it to.

i'll have to think about this one for a while,,,,,,

I have a couple of rubber hoses I taped in a circle.I wet the brim with distilled water.Then I set the hat on top of the hose,With a book on top of the hat.I then steam iron the brim. It works for me,I have done 15 conversions so far.

 

[great white]

I have a couple of rubber hoses I taped in a circle.I wet the brim with distilled water.Then I set the hat on top of the hose,With a book on top of the hat.I then steam iron the brim. It works for me,I have done 15 conversions so far.

Thats an interesting idea. I may borrow it. So I understand: the brinm I'd own and the hoses form the brim up right? The crown isn't down and through a hole is it? A pic if available would be a big help...

I was planning to head out to the wood shop an make a form to do the job. I might still do that just for fun.

Gt: you are quite correct. The brim is very flat and straight after the cut. However, it takes a curve very easily whe steamed. The problem I'm having is getting it even all around and holding it in place until it cools and sets. This is where the form comes in I guess. My "A-HA"" moment came when I realized I needed to form the entire bring into an "up" edge and then "snap" the front portion down.

Still new, still learning....

 

[DOGMAN]

Here is a pic.of the hat on the hose with a book on top.After I steam iron it I leave it sit and dry.

 

[ManofKent]

Neat solution :eusa_clap

 

[great white]

Here is a pic.of the hat on the hose with a book on top.After I steam iron it I leave it sit and dry.

Thank you.

That is very helpful.

 

[DOGMAN]

Your welcome.The other hose I have is on a board with nails around the edge.That holds the oval shape of the hat brim.