Western, anyone?

[Michael R.]

The Wrangler Monte Cristo by Miller Bros. has been atop my head for most of the day.
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Man Greg ! Thats a great looking Hat !

 

[Yahoody]

Working on feet today... 100% beaver, 3.75" brim x 6" modified Trooper crown, self banded. One of my favorite hats for close in ground work. Its 6 years old.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

New to me American Hat Co. 3X

I’m torn between leaving it as is or trimming 1/2” off the brim.


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[deadlyhandsome]

For now I’m not making any irreversible changes. I’ve ironed the brim and then gave the bumpers just a little curl. I’m still not convinced I can pull off this type of a hat.

Next up: another attempt at a kettle curl.


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[Joao Encarnado]

New to me American Hat Co. 3X

I’m torn between leaving it as is or trimming 1/2” off the brim.

Most of you (if not all) would not expect for me to say this and will probably have a heart attack but...

TRIM IT.

If you are not secure you can pull it off, you'll end with a hat you will not wear. Don't be afraid of "destroying" something that there are plenty of it. If 1/2" is still too much, trim it more. If it is too heavy, pounce it.
At least you will be relieved about it once you do it.

 

[suitedcboy]

Who are you that has taken over Joao's account and what have you done with him?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Most of you (if not all) would not expect for me to say this and will probably have a heart attack but...

TRIM IT.

If you are not secure you can pull it off, you'll end with a hat you will not wear. Don't be afraid of "destroying" something that there are plenty of it. If 1/2" is still too much, trim it more. If it is too heavy, pounce it.
At least you will be relieved about it once you do it.

Joao, I’m not surprised at your advice. You’ve never been out to convert the world to big brims and your counsel is sound. I’ll give a a bit and then probably trim it down.
Thanks, Brent

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Who are you that has taken over Joao's account and what have you done with him?

No one.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Joao, I’m not surprised at your advice. You’ve never been out to convert the world to big brims and your counsel is sound. I’ll give a a bit and then probably trim it down.
Thanks, Brent

I see why... every one knows I've been trying to find every ones thoughts and ways about wearing big brims. It was a long time ago. If you dig deep on the conversion corral thread... but it's better not to, don't bring those memories back please, but as you can see, no so much effect (if any) so I stopped.

 

[Bamaboots]

Most of you (if not all) would not expect for me to say this and will probably have a heart attack but...

TRIM IT.

If you are not secure you can pull it off, you'll end with a hat you will not wear. Don't be afraid of "destroying" something that there are plenty of it. If 1/2" is still too much, trim it more. If it is too heavy, pounce it.
At least you will be relieved about it once you do it.

DAMN!

Who are you that has taken over Joao's account and what have you done with him?

No kidding.

 

[M Hatman]

I see why... every one knows I've been trying to find every ones thoughts and ways about wearing big brims. It was a long time ago. If you dig deep on the conversion corral thread... but it's better not to, don't bring those memories back please, but as you can see, no so much effect (if any) so I stopped.

Who Dat???

Who are you that has taken over Joao's account and what have you done with him?

YES, WHO.....has taken over Joao's account is right!

Well, it really WAS sound advice.....who ever it was that used that account....
M

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Kettle Curl...a big one
B
Use a garden hose...prob work

 

[Joao Encarnado]

DAMN!
No kidding.

Who Dat???
YES, WHO.....has taken over Joao's account is right!

Well, it really WAS sound advice.....who ever it was that used that account....
M

No fear it's still me. I grew tired of reasoning for big brims. Do whatever you want.
I'll not trim mine. My hats are safe from brim trimming as long they remain mine.

 

[Yahoody]

I've never trimmed a hat I didn't regret later. I've often wished for a bigger brim, never for a shorter one. Best to have short and long brimmed hats in the closet. That way when the urge strikes to have a shorter brim you simply go get one instead of the rounding jack. Wear a Fedora if it suits you better. But not every hats needs to be or should a Fedora.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I've never trimmed a hat I didn't regret later. I've often wished for a bigger brim, never for a shorter one. Best to have short and long brimmed hats in the closet. That way when the urge strikes to have a shorter brim you simply go get one instead of the rounding jack. Wear a Fedora if it suits you better. But not every hats needs to be or should a Fedora.

Thank you for this perspective. I consider myself a fedora guy, but my interest extend into other styles: homburgs, bowler/derby, Panamas, etc. My favorite hats to wear when I’m not dressing up are my conversions. They aren’t really converted into fedoras, but a hybrid hat with 3-3.25” brims. Stetson would call them “outdoors” hats. I probably have a dozen of these hats and I really like them and wear them a lot without worrying that I’ll damage them. I’ve tried 4” brim western hats, and while I like them on others they just aren’t for me. I bought my rounding jack here at the Lounge and so far I’ve never regretted trimming a hat. Different strokes I suppose. Your hats and your skill in making them are inspiring.

Brent

 

[Yahoody]

Thank you for this perspective. I consider myself a fedora guy, but my interest extend into other styles: homburgs, bowler/derby, Panamas, etc. My favorite hats to wear when I’m not dressing up are my conversions.
Brent

Trust me I get it. Frankly I get tired of big brimmed (5") hats. Happens if you wear them every day. We use them for a lot of things...tools for us as I said prior. If gives a horse a bigger target if he wants to do something or just forgets what he is doing. Big hats gives a chance for the horse to give you a bigger leeway. It is important safety equipment here. Take the photo of me working on my horse's feet. I want them to stay clear of my head (and make it a less definite target) but I also want to see Smaller brim helps you see. helps getting in and out of the truck too. Base ball hat would do all that but then not offer much protection from the horses. I stopped worrying about a hat as a fashion some time ago. Not because I am above the fray but because hats truly are a part of everyday life here. We put them on when headed to the barn. Just like on might put on fine Fedora for a trip to the office. I am liking my sub 4" brim this week. Been a few years since I've had one on. But just me, having made a few....I'd rather find or buy a small brim than cut any big brim, including the hats I make for my pards. Measure twice cut once......better yet just get a different hat. They are cheap and plentiful

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Notwithstanding the cogent arguments made against cutting the brim, I went ahead and did it. To me, 3/8” less makes all the difference. I don’t feel like I’m wearing a cowboy hat...not that there’s anything wrong with cowboy hats.

For me, it’s about sun protection and some style. The hat still has plenty of brim for sun protection. These minor conversions give me a hat that isn’t readily available since fedoras have smaller brims and I also want stiffer felt for these hats. A converted western is the cheapest, and often only, way to get the style of hat I’m after. I won’t cut up rare hats, but these plentiful common hats are fair game.

It still needs some shaping, but to me it’s a much easier hat to wear now...I might even take a bit more off. I’ll post photos when I’m done.

Brent




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[deadlyhandsome]

First things first: @desertdog met a man in black at the crossroads at midnight and somehow he’s able to get his stock pot kettle curls to turn out perfectly.

That out of the way, after trimming 3/8” from the brim I started in on the kettle curl. It’s slow going but after 40ish minutes it was coming along. For me, this is much more wearable than the 4” western it began life as. More work on the curl forthcoming.

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[Desert dog]

First things first: @desertdog met a man in black at the crossroads at midnight and somehow he’s able to get his stock pot kettle curls to turn out perfectly.

That out of the way, after trimming 3/8” from the brim I started in on the kettle curl. It’s slow going but after 40ish minutes it was coming along. For me, this is much more wearable than the 4” western it began life as. More work on the curl forthcoming.

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My hat's off to you! Your hat looks WAY better. Looks like you've got that curl down.

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[M Hatman]

First things first: @desertdog met a man in black at the crossroads at midnight and somehow he’s able to get his stock pot kettle curls to turn out perfectly.

That out of the way, after trimming 3/8” from the brim I started in on the kettle curl. It’s slow going but after 40ish minutes it was coming along. For me, this is much more wearable than the 4” western it began life as. More work on the curl forthcoming.

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Nice job Brent......nice job!
M