Tips for rebashing?

[sulla]

I have a Brown Fed Deluxe IV brown currently bashed Indy Jones style with a center dent and a tight front pinch. It's been that way for going on 3 years now. I'd like to apply the JtL Teardrop to it since it turned out so well with my Moonstone.

I was wondering if I should do any prep work un-bashing it or should I just push it all out, and proceed to rebash?

 

[m0nk]

I suppose it depends on how tight the pinch is. I tried changing the pinch on mine a while back from a "Raiders" style to a "Last Crusade" style and it was noticeable where the pinch was. This was only using water and without a re-block. You might need to reblock it if the pinch is as tight as mine was, and it might even need some pouncing. You could always give it a try with a spray bottle of distilled or filtered water and see how it goes, but keep the reblock in mind.

 

[monbla256]

I have a Brown Fed Delux IV brown currently bashed Indy Jones style with a center dent and a tight front pinch. It's been that way for going on 3 years now. I'd like to apply the JtL Teardrop to it since it turned out so well with my Moonstone.

I was wondering if I should do any prep work un-bashing it or should I just push it all out, and proceed to rebash?

You'll get better results if you were to take it to a hatter and get it reblocked to open crown and cleaned first. After 3 years wear, you will see remnants of the previous crease in it without doing this. Then you can get it and re-crease it any way you want. You did a nice job on that teardrop crease BTW. BTW, don't ask them to "re-bash" it to open crown as they will look at you funny. We crease hats in the US, they bash 'em in OZ

 

[sulla]

Heh, thanks for the info guys. I was actually thinking of keeping the tight pinch mostly because I did foresee trouble getting it out. But even then going from the Indy to a lower crown of a teardrop 'crease' ( ) I fear top of the existing pinch showing through the ... what is it called? Top rim of the teardrop? Essentially the pinch traveling up over the top front of the new crown height.

 

[sulla]

Anyone know of a god hatter in the Indianapolis, IN area? I know of a pretty good hat shop, but they don't do shaping or maintenance. Strictly retail.

I know that Tonto Rim (about 45 minutes south of me) has a part time hatter they use to custom crease western hats. Maybe they could help me out? They tend to be expensive though...

 

[m0nk]

I have considered doing the same thing, converting my Indy Raiders pinch/crease into a teardrop or c-crown style but figured the same thing would happen considering I've put a lot of wear into mine... and it's the first hat I grab when the rain is coming.

As far as re-blocking, you can always send it out to one of the hatters that people here and at COW frequently work with. John Penman would have been my first suggestion, but he has had to put his re-blocking service on hold for the rest of the year (likely due to an increase in hat making business). Optimo does reblocking, though I don't know what that costs. And I've seen many people here talk about Art Fawcett, though I don't know if he has a reblocking service. You could also always try the Yellow Pages, I know there is a custom clothing place downtown in my area that advertises a hat reblock service.

Maybe others will chime in with other suggestions or more info. Hope that helps some!

 

[gtdean48]

Before I had a hatshaper, I used old mixing bowl. Use a steam iron with a handkerchief or thin rag between it & felt. Press out that pinch, then re-crease.

 

[sulla]

What about using a plastic block? Something like this in my size?

 

[gtdean48]

What about using a plastic block? Something like this in my size?

That is what I refered to earlier when I stated "Before I had a hatshaper..."...those are ideal for use with a steam iron.

 

[sulla]

Cool, thanks. I think I will go for that one. I appreciate all the help and advice! I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[m0nk]

I guess the real catch for this item is if the crown is high enough for the Fed IV. The crown height on this hat is 5 3/4, so as long as the entire crown can fit on the shaper, it could work. I haven't used a wood block yet myself, though I think one of the advantages of those is that there isn't a "brim" lip at the bottom so you can essentially fit the entire block in the crown of the hat a little easier. Of course, ideally, you would want a block that's higher than your crown.

There is a thread over on COW if you're interested (and a member) that shows you how to make a <$20 wood block out of a 2X8 sized plank of wood:

http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=20997

 

[1961MJS]

HI

I'd try the Western Store you mention. My hatter here sells 100% beaver hats that are substantially more than Art Fawcett etc. Getting an old hat redone is a LOT less expensive and is VERY well done.

Later

 

[monbla256]

I guess the real catch for this item is if the crown is high enough for the Fed IV. The crown height on this hat is 5 3/4, so as long as the entire crown can fit on the shaper, it could work. I haven't used a wood block yet myself, though I think one of the advantages of those is that there isn't a "brim" lip at the bottom so you can essentially fit the entire block in the crown of the hat a little easier. Of course, ideally, you would want a block that's higher than your crown.

There is a thread over on COW if you're interested (and a member) that shows you how to make a <$20 wood block out of a 2X8 sized plank of wood:

http://www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=20997

gtdean has done ALOT of reshaping his hats with this form and most have been hats with the same crown hght. as your Fed. If you look at his CD's he's done ( and it is the same hght as your Fed, almost the same block) they are works of art. As for making a wooden block yourself, it all depends on the level of woodworking skill you have as to the final results you will get. If you are still hesitant, put all this aside and find a hatter to reblock it for you, even if you have to send it off

 

[scottyrocks]

That's quite a project, making that hat block. When trees come down around here, lately from storms, I always look at trees for djembes. Now I will look at them for blocks, as well.

 

[sulla]

Thanks for the info on the wood block, but I have a bro-in-law that loves getting the obscure, gotta' have items for his family Christmas gifts, so I sent this one his way. I'll have to wait until the end of December, but what the heck. I can sport a tall center dent Last Crusade pinch until then.

I checked the crown height of my Fed and it's about 1/8" shorter than the plastic form I found, (the biggest and tallest size) so it should do well enough. I don't have to do any work to the brim after all. Though it could use a good cleaning and some stiffener...

 

[scottyrocks]

Stiffener? How do you know? What I was waiting for during break-in was the hat to loosen up. Now it's nice and soft, but still holds its shape. Does your hat hold its shape?

 

[monbla256]

Stiffener? How do you know? What I was waiting for during break-in was the hat to loosen up. Now it's nice and soft, but still holds its shape. Does your hat hold its shape?

Just about ALL hats have some stiffener in them. Fedora's and such do not have the same amount as full-on Western styles. Different markets for each style have different requirements and the hats are made to the markets. With time and wear, just about ALL hats get "softer" yet will still hold their basic blocking. ALL of my Akubra's have "held their shape" with modifications made as I wear and handle 'em. As ALL hats will do

 

[sulla]

My Fed Deluxe holds it's shape pretty well but the brim is just getting really floppy. I am hoping to keep the brim from getting so floppy it'd stop holding it's shape.

Maybe I am over reacting. The Deluxe was my first lid, I'll always love it for that. I don't want to wear it out too soon.

 

[monbla256]

My Fed Deluxe holds it's shape pretty well but the brim is just getting really floppy. I am hoping to keep the brim from getting so floppy it'd stop holding it's shape.

Maybe I am over reacting. The Deluxe was my first lid, I'll always love it for that. I don't want to wear it out too soon.

Jut what do you consider "worn out" ? I've got an Akubra Bushman that's over 30 yo now and though it's softer all around, brim and crown wise, it still holds a crease and the brim still stays as i put it albiet mabe a bit more dropped than when brand new. But then I like the loks of a well worn weathered hat, so mabe I'm not as picky. If you are so worried about it, send it off to be cleaned and reblocked and they will put some stiffener back in so that it has that "crisp, out of the box" look, just like Indy's

 

[gtdean48]

My Fed Deluxe holds it's shape pretty well but the brim is just getting really floppy...

Have you steamed or pressed the brim with a steam iron lately? Wear & the elements, mainly moisture, breakdown shellac over time but steam seems to revitalize it.
When warm, the felt is shapeable but as it cools the stiffener "wakes" up & holds the shape. Even if I use a spray bottle to shape a crease or brim, I hit it with steam to set the shape.