Photos of hatters tools

[John Galt]

Wow... someone once said making hats isn't rocket science, but I knew they were wrong.

Well, not that kind of slide rule ;-)

 

[John Galt]

The Stetson/Biltmore ruler. I've got a couple - I had misremembered that they were distinct from each other.

 

[John Galt]

A stiff brush, with a hardwood scraper built into the handle.

 

[John Galt]

Finishing powder & flange spring:

 

[Landman]

This ruler and the other ruler that John posted show a size 7 1/2 to be 23 3/4". That seems very large to me. Hat companies today usually list a 7 1/2 to be 23 1/2". I know that sizes very slightly between manufacturers but 1/4" is a huge difference in a hat. I'm only referencing the measurement for a size 7 1/2 because that is what I normally wear or try to purchase in a vintage hat. I'm not as familiar with the other size measurements.

A couple of questions for the custom hatters here on the Lounge.

Do the other size measurements look larger too?

What measurement would you use for a size 7 1/2 today?

 

[tonyb]

My training has it that a hat size is the measurement of the wearer's head in inches divided by pi. So yeah, 23 1/2" is pretty darned close to a size 7 1/2. At least that's the way it works here in God's Country.

 

[bloc]

Here in the UK 7 1/2 is 23 7/8"

 

[alanfgag]

These rulers seem rounded to English hat sizes, though the 6 7/8 appears wrong.

 

[John Galt]

I have posted a table in this thread of various hat/head charts from various manufacturers' hat rulers. I have not updated it in a while, but many makers are represented.

The Stetson/Biltmore ruler is plainly of Canadian make, and may skew European.

 

[alanfgag]

Sizing matrix

 

[bendingoak]

Good question John!

I haven't done much research yet, but the address corresponds to the Pontiac Building, built in 1891. If the "5" in the address is the 5th floor of this old high rise as it appears to be, that would be the earliest possible date. I've come up empty on the phone number thus far, and haven't found operating years for the company yet.

The slide type hatter's rule I have is probably older.

I find it very odd that I have yet to see not any two hat size charts match up nor any to be accurate.

 

[theoldnorthwest]

Does anyone have any experience with these plastic hat forms? http://www.hatshapers.com/. I am having trouble finding another wood block in my size and though I would give one of these a try. Thanks.

 

[Honey Doll]

Does anyone have any experience with these plastic hat forms? http://www.hatshapers.com/. I am having trouble finding another wood block in my size and though I would give one of these a try. Thanks.

I have several. They work well and it's nice to have the option to buy something inexpensive and off the shelf. They obviously aren't pinable and don't have rope grooves so I've used a wide piece of flat elastic pinned tight to itself to tie off crowns and bags of rice to set in crown top details where necessary....with that bit of treatment they are a useable option for straw or felt bodies.

Hope that helps!

 

[RBH]

Does anyone have any experience with these plastic hat forms? http://www.hatshapers.com/. I am having trouble finding another wood block in my size and though I would give one of these a try. Thanks.

Here you go.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?73413-Plastic-Hat-Shapers-really-work!

 

[theoldnorthwest]

Thanks Honey Doll and RBH for the information. I also just found a company in the UK called Hat Blocks Direct, which has some reasonably priced wood blocks. Anyone have any experience with this company? I guess I am looking for a block similar to the classic # 52 block, Hat Blocks Direct has a couple of blocks HB003 and HB009 that look like they would be similar to the 52 block. Any information would be greatly appreciated, finding information about hat making and hatters tools is proving to be quite challenging.

 

[Honey Doll]

Thanks Honey Doll and RBH for the information. I also just found a company in the UK called Hat Blocks Direct, which has some reasonably priced wood blocks. Anyone have any experience with this company? I guess I am looking for a block similar to the classic # 52 block, Hat Blocks Direct has a couple of blocks HB003 and HB009 that look like they would be similar to the 52 block. Any information would be greatly appreciated, finding information about hat making and hatters tools is proving to be quite challenging.

. Hat block direct makes an excellent product.



You should look at a guy Morse's shop too...He replicates a 52.... Here...
http://www.hatblocks.co.uk/mensblocks/. Item no cb151

Also, you might give Darryll a try at ... http://www.hatblocksbydesign.com.au/crowns

He has an open crown block as well. I've worked with him on custom blocks and he is extremely accommodating and very skilled.

Feel free to pm me. At this point I think I've had blocks done by most every maker on the globe!

 

[theoldnorthwest]

Thanks for the information. I am going to order one from Hat Blocks Direct, but I am now wondering what size to order. I wear a size 7 1/2, should I order a 60cm or 23 1/2" block or should I get one slightly larger that way when the sweat band is installed the hat will fit, I am afraid if I get a block that is exactly the same size as the circumference of my head 23 1/2" when I put a sweat band in it will be too tight. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Honey Doll]

Thanks for the information. I am going to order one from Hat Blocks Direct, but I am now wondering what size to order. I wear a size 7 1/2, should I order a 60cm or 23 1/2" block or should I get one slightly larger that way when the sweat band is installed the hat will fit, I am afraid if I get a block that is exactly the same size as the circumference of my head 23 1/2" when I put a sweat band in it will be too tight. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

You need to go larger or it will fit too tight once the leather hand band is in. I just measured my vintage 7 1/2 block and it actually measures 23 3/4.

If you need a nice source for leather hat bands, JW Hats makes a beautiful quality one... I think he charges me about $4 for it.

 

[T Jones]

You need to go larger or it will fit too tight once the leather hand band is in. I just measured my vintage 7 1/2 block and it actually measures 23 3/4.

If you need a nice source for leather hat bands, JW Hats makes a beautiful quality one... I think he charges me about $4 for it.

I'm thinking of buying a plastic block from hat shapers. I wear a 7 1/8 Long Oval and my head size measures out at 22 5/8. I'll need a larger hat block to compensate for the sweat band. So what circumference block do I need if I order one from hat shapers?

The sweat bands from JW are really nice. John Galt sent me a few and I like them a lot. Those are the sweats John G uses too.

 

[Honey Doll]

I'm thinking of buying a plastic block from hat shapers. I wear a 7 1/8 Long Oval and my head size measures out at 22 5/8. I'll need a larger hat block to compensate for the sweat band. So what circumference block do I need if I order one from hat shapers?

The sweat bands from JW are really nice. John Galt sent me a few and I like them a lot. Those are the sweats John G uses too.

You might want to start first by communicating with Carol at hatshapers. To my understanding they make them on site and have ability to adjust. She may be persuaded to cast a LO for you. I know we talked at one point about creating a totally different block based on a request I was making, but at the time she was really busy with family events. It might be worth asking since having at actual LO will give you a much nicer fit than trying to put an oval head in a round hat. My husband is a LO too. I ultimately found some vintage LO blocks.