The Diamond Authority

[RBH]

I like it! Somewhat like the diamond I have in my Campdraft.

 

[Boris K]

.

Nice diamond, pgoat! Looking good

 

[alphy27]

Diamond Panama

One of my favorite summer hats. The "Gillespie" by Bailey

Regards,
alphy27

 

[RJCNTX]

Here is my first diamond attempt. It is from a Bailey cowboy hat I recently converted. Not the best picture...the back pinch is lost in the picture.

 

[RBH]

Whats the brim width on that one alphy27?

RJCNTX, I like what you did with that conversion.

 

[alphy27]

brim width

Whats the brim width on that one alphy27?

Brim width is 2 1/4". It's a little stingier than I usually wear but it's a terrific hat. Looks a little Bing Crosby don't you think?

 

[RBH]

Brim width is 2 1/4". It's a little stingier than I usually wear but it's a terrific hat. Looks a little Bing Crosby don't you think?

Yeah.. I like them wider myself, but it is a very good looking hat.
That hat and the 25 degrees outside makes me wish for summer.

 

[Fatdutchman]

RJCNTX, that looks good. You'll like that Bailey hat. Their western hats seem to be real good quality (and nice and thick and stiff like I like 'em!). My brown one is shown earlier in this thread, and is now my favorite everyday hat.

 

[KY Gentleman]

amazing hats - great thread!

The diamond is 'shaping up' to be my favorite bash.

Here's my first attempt at a diamond bash on an Akubra Federation. What do you think?

 

[RBH]

Here's my first attempt at a diamond bash on an Akubra Federation. What do you think?

FANTASTIC!!!!!
I have my Federation in a kind of Young Indiana Jones crease and style, I think the Federation takes the diamond well.
Welcome to the Club!!! :eusa_clap

 

[kiltie]

HELP!!!

This seems like the best place to put this question without starting a new thread - and I know if anyone can help me, it's J.T., judging from his posts ( that Adventurer wouldn'ta panned out without your brief tutorial...thanks!!!). However, help/advice from anyone would be appreciated. I'm looking to get an OPEN ROAD and put a diamond in it. It seems I'm never flush when a vintage avails itself, so I'm almost certainly going to end up with a new one. That said, the things are stiff as a mortician's slab. Can you wash that stuff out? What? It's not the brim so much I'm concerned about, and guys at the western stores seem a little skittish about the very idea of it. It haven't yet asked a bonafide hatter yet. Can I do this? Do I need professional help ( not that kind! )? Thanks in advance for anything...

 

[RBH]

This seems like the best place to put this question without starting a new thread - and I know if anyone can help me, it's J.T., judging from his posts ( that Adventurer wouldn'ta panned out without your brief tutorial...thanks!!!). However, help/advice from anyone would be appreciated. I'm looking to get an OPEN ROAD and put a diamond in it. It seems I'm never flush when a vintage avails itself, so I'm almost certainly going to end up with a new one. That said, the things are stiff as a mortician's slab. Can you wash that stuff out? What? It's not the brim so much I'm concerned about, and guys at the western stores seem a little skittish about the very idea of it. It haven't yet asked a bonafide hatter yet. Can I do this? Do I need professional help ( not that kind! )? Thanks in advance for anything...

Your best bet would be an Akubra Campdraft.
I dont think you would ever get the stiffner out of a new Open Road.

 

[kiltie]

re:HELP!

As a matter of fact, I picked up a Squatter for that very reason, bit it don't like the diamond so much. Not sure why... Maybe I need to give it another whirl. Currently, my Stetson Firenze is sporting a diamond, but I'm really smitten with Douglas' enviable collection and the rest of the ORs. I'll look at the Campdraft just the same. Thanks.

 

[KY Gentleman]

As a matter of fact, I picked up a Squatter for that very reason, bit it don't like the diamond so much.

I have a Squatter and I don't think the crown is tall enough for a diamond crease. I have the Federation (see above, before) and I've got a western Resistol with a 6" crown that I put a DEEP teardrop in. I think you're going to find a diamond requires a tall crown and STEAM. I've never seen a Campdraft but RBH's old avatar has me sold. It looks like a super lid indeed.

 

[RBH]

...... I think you're going to find a diamond requires a tall crown and STEAM. I've never seen a Campdraft but RBH's old avatar has me sold. It looks like a super lid indeed.

Thank you KY Gentleman! Is this the photo you speak of?
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/9858/hpim2094hi6.jpg" border="0" alt="campdraft"/></a>
As to shaping my Campdraft all I used was a little water and worked the felt into shape.

 

[KY Gentleman]

Thats the one! Great looking hat, sir...

 

[J.T.Marcus]

This seems like the best place to put this question without starting a new thread - and I know if anyone can help me, it's J.T., judging from his posts ( that Adventurer wouldn'ta panned out without your brief tutorial...thanks!!!). However, help/advice from anyone would be appreciated. I'm looking to get an OPEN ROAD and put a diamond in it. It seems I'm never flush when a vintage avails itself, so I'm almost certainly going to end up with a new one. That said, the things are stiff as a mortician's slab. Can you wash that stuff out? What? It's not the brim so much I'm concerned about, and guys at the western stores seem a little skittish about the very idea of it. It haven't yet asked a bonafide hatter yet. Can I do this? Do I need professional help ( not that kind! )? Thanks in advance for anything...

Frankly, I don't know. I've gotten so many good buys on used Open Roads, I just haven't been motivated to buy a new one (not even at the Outlet Store, where it would be about $64). If you haven't bought the hat, yet, these guys have some great suggestions for softer ones. If cost is no object, you might even consider the current Borsalino or a "custom."

 

[airforceindy]

Here's my application: Beaver AB, originally Temple of Doom style.

Regards, Andy

 

[RBH]

:eusa_clap Theres nothing doomed about that crease! I love it !
Welcome to the AUTHORITY ! :eusa_clap

 

[thunderw21]

The diamond bash has always been my favorite since it suits my tall head better than other bashes.

Which is why so many of my hats have the diamond.


1960s Churchill, original bash

Royal Stetson

Stetson Open Road

1940s Dobbs