I Need Some Sound Advice....

[bolthead]

I have a hat I got a little while back that I wasn't very happy with as far as the way it looked on me. I got it on the bay, 1. because it was supposedly vintage and 2. the color was really caught my eye. Well, needless to say I was a bit disappointed when it arrived because the color didn't look like the photos, even though the seller assured me that it was an accurate picture....also it was pretty beat up, inside & out.

Anyway, the main reason I don't like the way it looks is because of the brim width, just short of 3". ( 2 7/8") to be exact. The felt is in great shape, very soft & pliable so I was able to rebash it no problems, but when I did, no matter what I came up with, I didn't like the brim width.

I seen here the thread about cutting the brim without any problems & I'm willing to give it a try, but I have a few questions for you guys first....

Obviously the welted brim will be no longer once I cut it & that's ok I guess, I realize I might have to sand the edge a bit afterwards.

Will it look ok with a raw edge in this style? If I keep this type of bash with it? I need to know this before I actually cut it.

The crown before was a tad over 4", right now it's 3". I wanna cut the brim down to 2", take the 7/8" right off. The ribbon is 1 5/8" wide. I'm just looking for some advice from you guys on what you think it would look like before I go ahead & do it? Either way I want to cut the brim down. Thanks in advance.

Here's a picture from the seller of what it looked like when posted.

Here's one after a good steam and rebash.....

 

[Tango Yankee]

Hey, Bolthead,

First thing I thought when I read you wanted to cut a 2 7/8" brim down to 2" was "Noooooooooo!" But that's because it seems to me that finding wide brims can be difficult and I hate to see one cut down because of that.

The next thing I did was a rapid sort through a couple of stacks of hats to see if I had anything in that color of the first photo in your size with a 2" brim (to preclude the brim cutting. ) But, no. Have one in a nice, rich dark brown with a 1 7/8" brim, but not that lighter color.

But you're right. The brim is too wide for that type of bash, especially snapped down all the way around. It just doesn't seem to work well together.

I'm not sure that it would look good with a raw edge, either, but here's what I suggest if you have a sewing machine handy. Cut it down, but not all the way to two inches-make it 2 1/4", or 2 3/16ths. Sand the edge, see how you like it with the raw edge. If you like it, cut it down the rest of the way. If not, then you might want to try folding it over and sewing it down with matching-color thread. It won't be as easy as it sounds, I know, and you're looking at time with an iron. But it might be worth a shot.

Please note that I haven't tried anything like this yet, it just is what came to mind while reading your post. Perhaps one of our resident hatters will chime in on whether or not it's a feasible idea.

Good luck!
Tom

P.S. Or, since the color wasn't quite what you expected, you could keep an eye out for another one with the smaller brim, rebash this one back into a regular fedora look, and sell it on.

 

[fatwoul]

Hey bolthead - did the crown shrink at all during the steaming, because the "after" pictures the crown looks a lot shorter than before. Or is this just because of the different bash you put it into it?

Nice colour, by the way.

 

[bolthead]

Hey bolthead - did the crown shrink at all during the steaming, because the "after" pictures the crown looks a lot shorter than before. Or is this just because of the different bash you put it into it?

Nice colour, by the way.

No, it didn't shrink....it's just the bash adjustment, about an inch shorter.

 

[bolthead]

Thanks Tom, much appreciated.

Hey JT, I know what you're thinking. No, I did this bash way before the Knox/Keaton experiment....lol. If you look at the original pic, it's almost the same really.

BTW, 103 views and 2 replies....

 

[Tango Yankee]

Heh... I was hoping you'd have received some actual sound advice by now, instead of just my ramblings! [huh]

Maybe I said what everyone else would have said... or maybe a post from me kills a thread. No one posted anything after my response to the Visible Sweatband thread, either.

Wonder if I have an old hat around here I can try that sewing idea on...

 

[J.T.Marcus]

bolthead, you can cut it, but if it were mine I would first try ironing the brim flat as a pancake. Then try it on and see how it looks. I have a cowboy hat with a 3 1/2'" brim done like that, and I love it. If you've never cut a brim, you wll eventually. There have been several threads on turning cowboy hats into fedoras. I do it by making a mark on a business card. Using this as a guide, I make a mark about 1/4" long, on the brim. Move the card and make another mark, connecting with the first. Do this all the way around. I use scissors, but several of the guys prefer an exacto knife. Just make sure to cut so all of the mark ends up on the scrap piece. Finish with sandpaper, if you like, but on your head few people will notice a slight irregularity. Have fun!

 

[bolthead]

JT, if you notice....the brim is pretty much flat all the way around now. The felt is very soft, not stiff at all, even on the brim.

When I put it on, it looks like I should be wearing a Zoot Suit or something. It did even with the bash it came with and I tried others as well.

This is why I'm turning for advise about a shorter brim.

This hat has a 3" brim, but only a 4" crown (open). It would be different if it were a 5" crown, I think it would be more in proportion. [huh]

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Feraud]

If you are unhappy with the brim length, I would advise to sell it and buy another. It is a good looking hat as is and someone would be interested in it.

 

[bolthead]

If you are unhappy with the brim length, I would advise to sell it and buy another. It is a good looking hat as is and someone would be interested in it.

It's in pretty bad shape inside Feraud, the lining is actually falling out. How much woud you pay for a hat in such shape?
Me? I was totaly misled by the seller. Let's just say I wasn't a happy Camper.

Thanks for your rept though....

 

[J.T.Marcus]

bolthead, you said the lining is shot. What about the sweatband? If it's good, you have a good hat. Linings are easy to replace, and since we don't use 'Wildroot Cream Oil" or "Brylcream" these days, a lining is not a necessity. (I know, it just looks good, when you take the hat off and set it down on the table.) If you must have a lining, it is the easiest part of the hat to replace. They are glued in, and can be easily pulled out. Some older ones are sewn in, but only with a couple of stitches. When you replace the liner you don't have to glue or sew. The sweat band will actually hold it in place.

 

[Tango Yankee]

J.T.'s got a good point. If the lining is falling out and looks bad but is in good shape otherwise, wash it in Woolite or another gentle cleaner. You can put it back in place with a glue gun. As long as the felt is in good condition (and it looks like it is) then you've got a good hat! Everything else is fixable.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[BJBAmerica]

Bolthead, are you firm in your decision to go with that particular bash style? Looking at the pics you've posted, I think a traditional Center Dent bash with a pinched front might be better suited to that wide brim?

Looks to me like you need more crown height,that a center dent/pinched front bash might accomplish for you........[huh]

 

[bolthead]

Bolthead, are you firm in your decision to go with that particular bash style? Looking at the pics you've posted, I think a traditional Center Dent bash with a pinched front might be better suited to that wide brim?

Looks to me like you need more crown height,that a center dent/pinched front bash might accomplish for you........[huh]

Maybe you're right Barry. I'm not committed to this particular bash,persay. It's just that, the hat was very close to this type of bash when I got it. The crown is only 4" like I said....so I don't know what style of crown bash (4") would look good with a 3" brim, hence the advice and the dilema on the brim cutting.

Thanks.

 

[bolthead]

Bolthead, are you firm in your decision to go with that particular bash style? Looking at the pics you've posted, I think a traditional Center Dent bash with a pinched front might be better suited to that wide brim?

Looks to me like you need more crown height,that a center dent/pinched front bash might accomplish for you........[huh]

I took your advice.....
I got the tea kettle out & put some steam to this hat and started playing with it and this is what I came up with. What do you think? I know it's an improvement to the pork pie-ish bash that was on it before, but do you think the brim is still to wide for this style bash?

New dimensions are: Front Crown 4", Back Crown 3 1/4", Brim still the same @ 2 7/8"

I'm still contemplating taking a 1/2" or so off maybe? [huh]

Here's the original bash that came with the hat.....

 

[J.T.Marcus]

bolthead, You done good! Once again, the music has hit you.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[fatwoul]

Anybody else think this hat will now look great with a shirt and pair of zooty trousers?

 

[bolthead]

Anybody else think this hat will now look great with a shirt and pair of zooty trousers?

That's kind of what I'm afraid of fatwoul.
So you think maybe a little bit off the brim would look better?

 

[OldSkoolFrat]

"sound?"

Gotta say Sinatra sounds best outa my Boston Acoustics speakers

With or without the lid on my head

 

[fatwoul]

That's kind of what I'm afraid of fatwoul.
So you think maybe a little bit off the brim would look better?

It wasn't intended as an insult, bh - It was just a completely neutral observation about what style it seemed to conjur up.

Personally, I think the hat has a lot going for it as it is, and I'd definitely try it with different clothes and things before cutting the brim, because you can't undo that.

It might help to see the hat on you, too, to give everyone an idea of whether the brim fits your face.

Incidentally, I stole your other recent bash for my old hat today. It's nowhere near as nicely done as yours, but I'll post pics when I get a minute.