Toppers Unite

[Koechinggendoet]

Great found steve!i have an insticts that thoose cases have gone used quite a lot!maybe to ascot and bussines or even a goverment works,sometimes a butler also wear a topper!

 

[Steve1857]

Indeed. They were also used for travelling far and wide. I have a Top Hat and leather case from round about WWI that sailed with its owner to America and back.

Great found steve!i have an insticts that thoose cases have gone used quite a lot!maybe to ascot and bussines or even a goverment works,sometimes a butler also wear a topper!

 

[Steve1857]

I've never been able to find out who produced this brand, but something tells me it wasn't an English company. Nevertheless, it's a well made Top Hat though not of the best.
A box of one kind or another is a must, and it's always an extra plus when a Topper comes along with its velvet cushion.

 

[Koechinggendoet]

Great find steve!yep,it certainly wasnt looking like a english top hat,or it was rebranded from the hat maker

 

[steur]

I've never been able to find out who produced this brand, but something tells me it wasn't an English company. Nevertheless, it's a well made Top Hat though not of the best.
A box of one kind or another is a must, and it's always an extra plus when a Topper comes along with its velvet cushion.
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Very nice, Steve. The collection of toppers is growing slowly but surely.

 

[Steve1857]

Thanks Stefan. Two more are on the way. Both somewhat more interesting than the last two toppers.

Stay tuned

Very nice, Steve. The collection of toppers is growing slowly but surely.

 

[Idaho Santa]

Good evening gentlemen. I am new here but have always loved a good hat. I'm getting married in August to my love in a morning suite. The bride's aren't the only ones that can shine. I've been on the lookout for a top my size to wear. I found the perfect addition that I can keep the rest of my life. I purchased my size but when it arrived, it fit high on my head. From reading posts here, it can be an issue with the shape. I purchased a hat stretcher. I want to get this to fit. Please advise how to get there without causing damage. I would love to get any history on this top as well. Thank you gentlemen for your time and help.

 

[Koechinggendoet]

If the size is right but not the right oval of your forehead,the fixing problem is using a formillion block to reshaped the body,if you try to reshaping it yourself you can get the topper break,because topper are made out of hard body from a calico soaked in ammonia so it becomes like a thin plywoods,btw nice find,my topper hasnt arrived yet,the dhl hasnt contacted me and so is the selller wont replying to me,ebay will step up at 9th of april

 

[Steve1857]

@Idaho Santa, you have found yourself a really nice, high quality Knox top hat. The hat box itself attests to the workmanship that went into the making of it.

Stiff felt hats like Bowlers and Top hats are "almost" impossible to stretch, so I wouldn't recommend you try. They do, however, tend to sit high on the head. So, if it doesn't sit so high that it looks like a New Year's Eve hat, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Idaho Santa]

@Idaho Santa, you have found yourself a really nice, high quality Knox top hat. The hat box itself attests to the workmanship that went into the making of it.

Stiff felt hats like Bowlers and Top hats are "almost" impossible to stretch, so I wouldn't recommend you try. They do, however, tend to sit high on the head. So, if it doesn't sit so high that it looks like a New Year's Eve hat, I wouldn't worry about it.

Steve1857, thank you for the kind comment. I was very excited about this find.
I'm worried that it is too small for me then if I can't stretch it. It breaks my heart. I do wear a 7 3/8 hat usually and this is what is labeled inside. Not sure why I ran into an issue with the fit.

 

[Idaho Santa]

If the size is right but not the right oval of your forehead,the fixing problem is using a formillion block to reshaped the body,if you try to reshaping it yourself you can get the topper break,because topper are made out of hard body from a calico soaked in ammonia so it becomes like a thin plywoods,btw nice find,my topper hasnt arrived yet,the dhl hasnt contacted me and so is the selller wont replying to me,ebay will step up at 9th of april

I'm sad that it can't be sized. I wish you the best on getting everything worked out with your topper. I can only imagine the frustration in dealing with that.

 

[Steve1857]

You're welcome @Idaho Santa. It's a great Knox!

A Top Hat is not like a felt Fedora which can stand stretching, to certain degrees.
Post photos of you wearing your Knox, if you feel okay doing so, would help to see if it's too small.

Steve1857, thank you for the kind comment. I was very excited about this find.
I'm worried that it is too small for me then if I can't stretch it. It breaks my heart. I do wear a 7 3/8 hat usually and this is what is labeled inside. Not sure why I ran into an issue with the fit.

 

[Koechinggendoet]

Yes,if your head feels good wearing them then thats ok!but if your head feels a little or a lot of pushing into the forehead,then it not fits you,you can get an red ring around it and sometimes some zits,i dont know a hatter that know how to properly using a formillion and a confromateur in the state,in britain theres lot of em

 

[Just Daniel]

I showed my girlfriend these pics and told her, “These guys have a hat problem.” She just laughed at me

 

[mayserwegener]

The problem is if it was rounded. You can car

If the size is right but not the right oval of your forehead,the fixing problem is using a formillion block to reshaped the body,if you try to reshaping it yourself you can get the topper break,because topper are made out of hard body from a calico soaked in ammonia so it becomes like a thin plywoods,btw nice find,my topper hasnt arrived yet,the dhl hasnt contacted me and so is the selller wont replying to me,ebay will step up at 9th of april

A Fomillion will change the shape so it stretches. You can tweak the shape of a Silk Top Hat but if you go to far it will crack. Also there will be some brim distortion. If you have the proper tools and know how you can fix the brim distortion. A slow + small incremental stretch to make it slightly more oval should be ok. The problem is if it was made round by manual or self conforming.

 

[Koechinggendoet]

Well that was a good news,but i more rather will not risking it,better giving it to someone knowledgeable,and btw mayserwegener,do you have a pinch knowing about the carl sick of bremen hatters?

 

[mayserwegener]

Well that was a good news,but i more rather will not risking it,better giving it to someone knowledgeable,and btw mayserwegener,do you have a pinch knowing about the carl sick of bremen hatters?

I am saying a tiny front to back stretch that would not cause noticeable brim distortion (you can apply dry lower temp heat at band but be very careful). The above Knox is later so has more of a Self Conforming Sweatband so not as problematic. Most Silk Top Hats were conformed by wearing or by Formillion (or by some other means of stretching). As I mentioned if it's rounded too much that cannot be fixed (or extremely difficult to fix). A slight space at the sides is ok as long as the front to back is comfortable. Too much stretching will definitely distort the brim so know how + special tools would be required to fix a distorted brim. If you have access to someone that can conform a Silk Top Hat definitely go for it but a small amount of self tweaking is possible (just have to be careful).

I will check about Carl Sick of Bremen Hatters. Do you have photos of the Silk Top Hat? I would like to see the Carl Sick Logo / Crest.

 

[Steve1857]

"... a small amount of self tweaking is possible (just have to be careful)."
Wise words from Steve @mayserwegener

 

[mayserwegener]

"... a small amount of self tweaking is possible (just have to be careful)."
Wise words from Steve @mayserwegener

Steve, Personally I would just keep it as is. Most are not going to fit perfectly and are seldom if ever worn. Stiff Felts are different because I wear them and they often need a small amount of adjustment.

 

[Koechinggendoet]

I will check about Carl Sick of Bremen Hatters. Do you have photos of the Silk Top Hat? I would like to see the Carl Sick Logo / Crest.[/QUOTE]






Those are the photos,my package was stil delivered by my nation postal courier