Is this possible...?

[bolthead]

Is it possible to turn/bash a Bowler into a Homburg?

 

[Anthony Jordan]

I've never tried but I would be very cautious regarding the risk that the felt would crack or tear in the process. I also wonder if the crown height would be sufficient.

 

[bolthead]

I've never tried but I would be very cautious regarding the risk that the felt would crack or tear in the process. I also wonder if the crown height would be sufficient.

.........crown height is about 5 1/2" I believe, don't you think the felt would be soft enough? I mean all you're doing is basically putting a center crease in it.....right?

 

[Samsa]

.........crown height is about 5 1/2" I believe, don't you think the felt would be soft enough? I mean all you're doing is basically putting a center crease in it.....right?

I think it would depend on how the bowler was made, and how much stiffener was still left. I have a bowler that is malleable enough to change into a homburg, but I believe there are several different ways bowlers have been constructed over the years. If you search the archives, there's a thread on this point which might give you some insight.

 

[Anthony Jordan]

I'm really thinking of at least one bowler which I have seen which showed clear cracks in the brim, which I assume resulted from someone forcing the stiff felt in a way it didn't want to go. This problem might be got over by use of steam, perhaps?

 

[Samsa]

Here's what Topper (our resident bowler expert) had to say in an earlier thread on bowlers:

Actually the oldest ones including the origonal made centuries ago are hard shell, bowlers - meaning that have a separate hard shell and covered by felt. So forget all you processes you have been discussing about felt stiffining sprays and steaming - it wont work as they were made a different way, more like Toppers

City bowlers, as they were called, were not used for riding, and were then made with just a felt crown that was stiffened, similar to felt fedoras, as did not have separate shells.

The modern bowler still being made in felt style and also in a 'off the shelf' hunting style, by Christys and Locks which include a luxary "Hunting Pad" style lining - whilst this is stronger than most, They are not official 'saftey hats' or approved as such for riding. I can still get a bolwer made in the old way with a hard shell covered by felt ( hard enough to stand on! but no official saftey approval) , also I am looking at a softer felt only to be release under my own brand.

If you had the first sort (with a hard shell) I'm guessing it would be darn near impossible to reshape it into a homburg. Someone else should be able to give input as to how stiffened felt would respond to being shaped...

 

[bolthead]

Thanks....

....for all the input guys.

 

[Topper]

Where you willl come unstuck is the brim. Homburgs have a brim that is usually uniform all around. Bowlers/Toppers have different curls, and more flattened brim edge, hence it no longer will be a bolwer or a Homburg.

I have made a Trilbowler (pronounced Tril-b-ola) which is ineffect a trilby crown from a bowler.... please see the next thread!

Hard stiffened felts are more difficult to conform but can be done.