Crown height ?

[belfastboy]

Agreed 100%. It feels like a nice middle ground. I'm fond of the deep creases but need a bit more cleanness/symmetry than the handmade look. On the other side of the spectrum are the perfect factory pressed hats, but they can feel a tad impersonal and samey (just in my personal view - there are loads of hats that are exceptions to these rules and look great).

That plan sounds lovely. Can't wait to see the finished product, or better yet the work in progress!

The hatter who's sprucing up my current hat said that reblocking it so that it has no taper would further reduce the crown height. This steers me further from wanting to find an old Borsalino- even if the starting OC height was tall, it would get reduced when blocking it to taper-free sides. Whereas I feel like this would be less the case with an converted western. Maybe I'm wrong, or it's wishful thinking (I kind of like the idea of thick felt, really.)



That is wise to keep those around! I have a great deal of admiration for such craftsmanship. This inspires me to want to keep trying (hats are just part of it; I want to get skilled in tailoring) - but ultimately I get overwhelmed and decide, at this stage, I'd be best off just making money at things I already know how to do and pay someone for the tailoring services. Who knows; like you say the winter months are approaching, and that's when our type gets bored and decide to get creative and experimental. Haha

A sincere thanks to -everyone- who was taken the time to reply. You're helping me slowly but surely zero in on exactly what I want.

For some of us, it is purchasing many hats and picking a favorite. For me, it's modifying a hat or two, getting ever closer to the ideal specs. Either way, it takes some time and expenses.

Yes, it is surprising how much either crown height or brim width is taken up when a tapered hat is blocked on a non tapered block.....it eats up felt rapidly.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Yes, it is surprising how much either crown height or brim width is taken up when a tapered hat is blocked on a non tapered block.....it eats up felt rapidly.

This I know only too well.

 

[T Jones]

Agreed 100%. It feels like a nice middle ground. I'm fond of the deep creases but need a bit more cleanness/symmetry than the handmade look. On the other side of the spectrum are the perfect factory pressed hats, but they can feel a tad impersonal and samey (just in my personal view - there are loads of hats that are exceptions to these rules and look great).

That plan sounds lovely. Can't wait to see the finished product, or better yet the work in progress!

The hatter who's sprucing up my current hat said that reblocking it so that it has no taper would further reduce the crown height. This steers me further from wanting to find an old Borsalino- even if the starting OC height was tall, it would get reduced when blocking it to taper-free sides. Whereas I feel like this would be less the case with an converted western. Maybe I'm wrong, or it's wishful thinking (I kind of like the idea of thick felt, really.)



That is wise to keep those around! I have a great deal of admiration for such craftsmanship. This inspires me to want to keep trying (hats are just part of it; I want to get skilled in tailoring) - but ultimately I get overwhelmed and decide, at this stage, I'd be best off just making money at things I already know how to do and pay someone for the tailoring services. Who knows; like you say the winter months are approaching, and that's when our type gets bored and decide to get creative and experimental. Haha

A sincere thanks to -everyone- who was taken the time to reply. You're helping me slowly but surely zero in on exactly what I want.

For some of us, it is purchasing many hats and picking a favorite. For me, it's modifying a hat or two, getting ever closer to the ideal specs. Either way, it takes some time and expenses.

Yup. You can definitely lose crown height when you block up in size and when you change out the original open crown shape for one that's straight sided. Converting Westerns, though, you start out with more hat, so you can afford to sacrifice some felt to get your crown height and brim width. On the other hand, I've had good luck sizing down larger fedoras and retaining crown height while getting a straight sided profile, as with this 7 5/8 Puerto Fino...

After: sized down to straight sided 7 1/4. I was able to reuse the hat's original ribbon and bow

 

[T Jones]

EDIT: Double Post

 

[belfastboy]

Yup. You can definitely lose crown height when you block up in size and when you change out the original open crown shape for one that's straight sided. Converting Westerns, though, you start out with more hat, so you can afford to sacrifice some felt to get your crown height and brim width. On the other hand, I've had good luck sizing down larger fedoras and retaining crown height while getting a straight sided profile, as with this 7 5/8 Puerto Fino...

After: sized down to straight sided 7 1/4. I was able to reuse the hat's original ribbon and bow

Yes, my only issue with sizing down is that if the gap is large I always end up with puckering felt to deal with. Lots of steam and a good iron usually takes care of it....eventually!

 

[Deeeluxe Definitely]

Glad to be in the company of conversion wizards! I don't think I will muster the courage to attempt it myself, but at least I am figuring out what to start with and what to ask for.

Those photos reinforce to me how much I prefer as little taper as possible.

Well, knowing from handling 2 vintage hats and my more modern one, I know I prefer the thicker felt. But I like the notion of vintage (for the quality and giving the fur a second life), so this all is pointing me in the direction of finding a good vintage western of generous proportions. I would be hard pressed to find a vintage fedora with a tall enough crown in black and my size (and sizing down a larger vintage fedora would be fairly implausible, seeing as they're hard to find in larger sizes- in your case, T Jones, you did great work).

I guess the next step is to find a vintage western. Any ideas as to which brands and models would work best?

P.S. - Do let me know if you ever break into doing commissions. I couldn't help but notice just now you're in my state! (Northeast, here) Shipping would probably be reasonable, haha. Reiterating that there are no expectations as such

 

[T Jones]

Glad to be in the company of conversion wizards! I don't think I will muster the courage to attempt it myself, but at least I am figuring out what to start with and what to ask for.

Those photos reinforce to me how much I prefer as little taper as possible.

Well, knowing from handling 2 vintage hats and my more modern one, I know I prefer the thicker felt. But I like the notion of vintage (for the quality and giving the fur a second life), so this all is pointing me in the direction of finding a good vintage western of generous proportions. I would be hard pressed to find a vintage fedora with a tall enough crown in black and my size (and sizing down a larger vintage fedora would be fairly implausible, seeing as they're hard to find in larger sizes- in your case, T Jones, you did great work).

I guess the next step is to find a vintage western. Any ideas as to which brands and models would work best?

Thank you Deeeluxe. As far as which Westerns to convert, Resistol Stagecoaches have always been my personal favorite. They have pretty tall crowns to work with. But just to add, for my own personal preference, anything with a 4inch brim and above I like to keep Western, although I do like some simple Western styles with 3 inch brims.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Glad to be in the company of conversion wizards! I don't think I will muster the courage to attempt it myself, but at least I am figuring out what to start with and what to ask for.

Those photos reinforce to me how much I prefer as little taper as possible.

Well, knowing from handling 2 vintage hats and my more modern one, I know I prefer the thicker felt. But I like the notion of vintage (for the quality and giving the fur a second life), so this all is pointing me in the direction of finding a good vintage western of generous proportions. I would be hard pressed to find a vintage fedora with a tall enough crown in black and my size (and sizing down a larger vintage fedora would be fairly implausible, seeing as they're hard to find in larger sizes- in your case, T Jones, you did great work).

I guess the next step is to find a vintage western. Any ideas as to which brands and models would work best?

P.S. - Do let me know if you ever break into doing commissions. I couldn't help but notice just now you're in my state! (Northeast, here) Shipping would probably be reasonable, haha. Reiterating that there are no expectations as such

You might consider asking @belfastboy what vintage westerns he has on hand. You could have him make you a hat and save on the shipping. I know he has some vintage westerns in stock and his conversion work is great.

 

[Deeeluxe Definitely]

You might consider asking @belfastboy what vintage westerns he has on hand. You could have him make you a hat and save on the shipping. I know he has some vintage westerns in stock and his conversion work is great.

I have been considering shooting a PM his way, just to get an idea what a custom from scratch would cost, versus a conversion. Good suggestion.

If shipping weren't an issue, it would be cool to send my hat so that the proportions could be duplicated. I'm very happy with the post-bash crown (other than the look of the excess material), and it seems like it would be easier to replicate with a model (bashed crown dimensions are difficult to get across verbally).

If only there were hat places you could feasibly drive to if you're not in a major city.

I guess the rarity of quality hats (relative to mid-century days) makes them more special.