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moehawk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,841
Location
Northern California
Hey everyone!

A couple of months ago I decided that I needed a real wooden hat block. Being always short on money but having plenty of time on my hands, I chose to make one instead of buying one from ebay or having one custom made. So, after sculpting a few different shapes from expanding gap-sealing foam, I got my stepdad's help (he has a workshop and, unlike me, good vision to use power tools) and cut out a whole lot of pine ovals. Why pine? He had a big pine board already in his shop, and I didn't have to buy him a new one as it was an extra left over from his last project. After much glue, clamping, shaping and sanding, I now have a block.
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The two bottom ovals are loose for height extention. I also have two ovals of 1/4" cork for fine tuning crown height. It is 4 1/2" high without extenders, can go up to 6" (or higher if I make more ovals). I applied a little stain for eye appeal, as plain pine is boring looking, and 3 coats of poly to seal it.
I ordered two cheap fur felt hoods (100% rabbit) from Manny's Millinery Supply online, and some reeded leather sweatbands and another fur felt blank from Leko's (I got felt from Leko even though it was twice the price to see if it was better than the stuff from Manny's...it was the same stuff) and proceeded to stretch me some felt. This is what I ended up with.
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This was my first attempt ever at creating a liner, so that needs improvement, and my sweatband stitching needs some more practice, but overall I am rather proud of my first all handmade hat. It has a 5 1/2" crown (open) and a 2" brim that I made as close to a snap brim as I could without a proper flange. The ribbon is 1 1/4" cotton/rayon and I styled it after the band on my Borsalino. I wore it today and got compliments on it from people that didn't even know me!
Next, I think I'll try to make one like Reddington wears on The Blacklist... I love James Spader's hats.
 
Messages
10,584
Location
Boston area
Absolutely SCRAMPOPULOUS hats here in the last few days!!

Steve your new addition looks like it just left the store. Incredible!

Moehawk you are to be congratulated on a terrific job crafting that block AND hat!

Dave the sleeping hatter inside you is awakening!! To mold straw without the benefit of a block is tough, but yours is just perfect, man. KUDOS!!
 

Daniele Tanto

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,247
Location
Verona - Italia
Many new hats or olds that are very well aged :eek:
This is an english Dunn made by Tonak.
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It is a little bit scruffy and NOT my size as I believed from the paper label.
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It is a beautiful piece of velour with all the shades of deep brown.
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I have to decide what to do with it!
 
Messages
17,515
Location
Maryland
"Lollar" No Company Mark, size 58cm, Wool, 6 inch Open Crown, 2 1/2 inch Overwelt Brim, Back Bow, small hole at front crease, probably WWII era. The Wool felt is very soft / pliable and light weight. Unfortunately it has a small hole at the front crease (not that noticeable if creased down) but other than that it's in very good condition. The paper label doesn't have any company mark but does have a model name "Lollar" which is a German town. I paid about $20.00 for this hat including shipping and it wears great too!

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Messages
10,584
Location
Boston area
A twenty Dollar Lollar?!! HOW on earth do you do it, Steve!? You must have been beyond delighted to open that one...

I share your sizing sadness, Daniele... A DELICIOUS-looking Tonak!
 
Messages
10,584
Location
Boston area
TY hatsRme! And, is it just me, or does LOLLAR sound like something them kids type on the internet or what?

:laugh:
I knew it sounded familiar! So, as we oldsters would say, 10-4, good buddy!

Steve, you're killin' me, sir! Is the "Gloria" the hat shown at the bottom (above)? That lid is BEYOND spectacular.
 
Last edited:

bowlerman

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,294
Location
South Dakota
Daniele, Steve, holy cow. All of those are stunning.

I'm still seRching for the perfect hat [emoji6]. And on the way came across these two beauties. A dobbs rainbow fished out of the bay,and straight from the antique shop to my head, this brown Portis thin ribbon with an unreeded sweatband in pristine condition:

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