The Conversion Corral

[Joao Encarnado]

(Sorry Joao), A Stetson 100 conversion I'm almost done with. No good before photos, but it was a Rancher crease with a OR style ribbon, and about a 3 inch brim.

Did it had 3" brim or ended with 3" brim?
The ribbon color looks really nice.

 

[T Jones]

Did it had 3" brim or ended with 3" brim?
The ribbon color looks really nice.

From the sound of John's "before" description I don't think any 4" brims lost their lives in that conversion process. Although I would love to get my hands on your 7X CB Stetson that you posted in the WHAYWT thread. That would make a real nice conversion! How wide did you say the brim was on that one?

 

[DOGMAN]

I can't make up my mine about converting my 7X CB.It would make a awesome conversion.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

From the sound of John's "before" description I don't think any 4" brims lost their lives in that conversion process. Although I would love to get my hands on your 7X CB Stetson that you posted in the WHAYWT thread. That would make a real nice conversion! How wide did you say the brim was on that one?

I don't know if any 4" brim Stetson 100 have been trimmed. I don't even know if any was ever made with 4" brim.
My 7XCB have a 3 7/8" brim. No, you will not trim it because I'm not sending it back to USA.
But yes, if you find one with 3" brim or less, get it, it's a really wonderful felt.

I can't make up my mine about converting my 7X CB.It would make a awesome conversion.

I can't stop you from converting it, probably it would be a kind of a loss because many were converted.
I think I was extremely lucky in getting this one for the price I payed even if it was a renovation from shudde bros (both original liner/sweatband was replaced), I'm happy with it, probably would be happier if the original parts were not replaced, but can't have it all.

 

[John Galt]

Thanks guys. Not mine, customer's choice, but he has good taste. I may do something similar with one of my own beaver 100's someday.

The flange matches my OR brim, and the width is 2 3/8 (originally 2 3/4 or 3, I cannot recall). The crease also matches the C crown I put in my own black OR.

 

[NewJack]

DOGMAN! Outta sight!! Would love to convert my Blue Stagecaoch...(hint...hint)

 

[NewJack]

Beautiful!! Not too big light colored fedoras but this one I'd sport!!

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Thanks guys. Not mine, customer's choice, but he has good taste. I may do something similar with one of my own beaver 100's someday.

The flange matches my OR brim, and the width is 2 3/8 (originally 2 3/4 or 3, I cannot recall). The crease also matches the C crown I put in my own black OR.

So no need to say sorry to me. I would not want a 3" brim Stetson 100. I want more... Stetson 100.

DOGMAN! Outta sight!! Would love to convert my Blue Stagecaoch...(hint...hint)

I can't see why you say it is blue... it looks black in the pictures. And why convert it? Or it is just to tease me?

 

[T Jones]

Another OR conversion on this 4X. I reblocked this one to square up the crown to be more straight sided all around. I'm not sure about the ribbon choice and bow treatment though. I just have it tacked in place to see if I actually like it. This is a vintage faux six ply mid-ribbon, (my thanks to Ole). It's a little different take on the bow treatment, a square loop and half bow....hmmm...don't know.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Another OR conversion on this 4X. I reblocked this one to square up the crown to be more straight sided all around. I'm not sure about the ribbon choice and bow treatment though. I just have it tacked in place to see if I actually like it. This is a vintage faux six ply mid-ribbon, (my thanks to Ole). It's a little different take on the bow treatment, a square loop and half bow....hmmm...don't know.

The color looks nice but I think that "bow" needs a bit more work because it doesn't look a bow.

 

[T Jones]

The color looks nice but I think that "bow" needs a bit more work because it doesn't look a bow.

Yup. That's my thought too. I may either go with a traditional bow or just cut the tail off this one and have only a loop and no bow. I think the latter would give it a clean look. Or, I could shorten the tail and just extend it about a 1/2 inch to 1' past the loop. Something like a belt. If I don't like it I can always add the bow.

 

[TheDane]

Yup. That's my thought too. I may either go with a traditional bow or just cut the tail off this one and have only a loop and no bow. I think the latter would give it a clean look. Or, I could shorten the tail and just extend it about a 1/2 inch to 1' past the loop. Something like a belt. If I don't like it I can always add the bow.

You could also make a simple "knot-only" like on the Borsa I bought from Paddy - sporting the exact same ribbon:

 

[T Jones]

You could also make a simple "knot-only" like on the Borsa I bought from Paddy - sporting the exact same ribbon:

Yup...I like that. I was thinking of something along that line.

 

[Landman]

T Jones,

Great job on the crown of that Open Road! The straighter sides look very nice. How old was that hat? Was it an older one that was easier to recrease?

I prefer the simple and clean look of Ole's ribbon. I love those old multi-ply ribbons. I have just enough left of a vintage tan 3-ply ribbon roll to use on one hat. I can't decide what hat to use it on though. I might have a custom made just to match that old ribbon. I wish I could find some vintage black and silverbelly 3-ply ribbon to use on all my newer westerns.

 

[TheDane]

Mike : As a rule, hatters don't sell "loose" lengths of ribbon, but most of them will happily change your ribbon. I know for a fact, that Mike Moore (Buckaroo Hatters in Covington, TN) is "The Ply-Man of The South". He's got tons of different ply-ribbon in a multitude of colors (some extremely rare!) and widths. I believe, he bought most of it at the Langenberg/BB auction last summer. Give him a call - he's a great and super friendly guy

 

[DOGMAN]

T Jones,Really like the rake of your hat.The high front and low rear is just how I like them.I like your bow treatment,I have seen it on a hat somewhere.But I also like just the knot on the ribbon.

 

[T Jones]

Landman, Ole, DOGMAN, Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. I decided to shorten the tail and I cleaned it up a little bit.

Landman, This particular OR was a little more recent vintage. Probably 1980s. It was soft felt to start with so it was easy enough to shape and rehape. I think these more recent vintages were made at a time when Stetson was licensing other hat companies to make their ORs. They're nowhere near the quality of the older vintage ORs. I don't even think the same blocks were used as on the older ones. The sweat band was bonded leather, junk! I did change that out though to a better quality Roan leather sweat band. I did like that clean look on Ole's hat as well. I agree with you that on these ply ribbons simple and clean looks best.

DOGMAN, I've seen that ribbon treatment somewhere before too. I can't remember what it was on though. I'm with you about a tall crown at the pinch and lower in the back. That makes for a nice rake.

Anyway, here's the changes to the ribbon treatment. I shortened the ribbon length and hid the stitching behind the loop and tail. I'm still undecided whether or not I'm going to like it...

 

[hatsRme]

Don't overthink it, T... It's FANTASTIC. Good work!!

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Don't overthink it, T... It's FANTASTIC. Good work!!

+1 on that. I think Ole's option is a bit too simple and you made it a bit different.

 

[TheDane]

Don't overthink it, T... It's FANTASTIC. Good work!!

Absolutely, and may I add: We shouldn't eat just to empty our plates - and we shouldn't live just to die. I - for one - don't mess with my hats just to get them perfect. For me the keyword is "process" - not "goal". Try out new things, and return to old ideas. It's just hats, and they are darn fun to play with!

Remember Hank's old words: "No matter how I struggle and strive - I'll never get out of this world alive". We can just as well enjoy the journey and have a lot of fun, while it lasts