Whippet...Into Shape!!!

[jimmy the lid]

Just got finished shaping my new Whippet. It was an open crown, and I started out by doing my usual teardrop bash, but decided a center dent would look better. So, this is my first attempt at doing a center dent bash. Don't know if the photos will convey the color of the hat, but it is actually a light blue -- really a beautiful color.

Cheers,
Jimmy

 

[WEEGEE]

Nice Job!!!

Jimmy the lid,


Marvelous color.

 

[Dinerman]

how are you bashing these? just popping it in with your fingers? using steam? some kind of block?

 

[Feraud]

That is a nice looking hat.
To center dent it, simulate a "karate chop" down the middle of the hat. There should not be a hump in the middle.

 

[Rick Blaine]

That hat gives me a very special feeling!

Absolutely magnificent!
Color, condition, clarity, brilliance ...and a hell of a nice bash, too!
Is this a hand crease job? It is truly accomplished! Hats off to you for both your taste & facility w/ shaping a hat (& d@mn you for having the same size head as mine as well as obviously being cursed with the same exquisite sophistication, refinement, style & class! ) All seriousness aside, a lovely acquisition, one of the nicest hats I have lately seen, wear it in good health! Oh yeah, & lets see a photo of it (them) on yer noggin sometime soon, eh?

 

[mingoslim]

This Bash is Obvious a Love Child . . .

This bash is obviously a love child of a center-dent and a teardrop . . .
Kind of an elongated teardrop . . .

Personally, I like it, and think that it looks swell on this hat . . . I am a "tear-drop" kind of guy myself. A few diamonds . . . a few telescopes in my collection, but I never wear center dents. But I might consider this look as a meeting of the two styles.

Nice job . . . great hat . . .

 

[jimmy the lid]

Thanks!!!

Wow, Rick, you sure know how to make a guy feel good about his new hat! Thanks to everyone else, too, for the kind words.

A few words on the bash. In my original post, I almost went with the description "modified center dent." For inspiration, I got out my Miller/Biltmore Trenton (a true center dent) and had it on the table in front of me as I formed the bash. I don't like the feeling of a hat liner sitting on top of my head, so I always elevate the top of the crown slightly so that there is a bit of room between the liner and the top of my head. When I got done with the center dent bash, it occurred to me that it might be interesting to elevate the top of the crown, like I do for my teardrop bashes. The objective was to keep the general shape and style of the center dent, but come up with an organic way to elevate the crown at the same time. I've never really seen this on any hat before, but I really like the look and feel!

And yes, Dinerman and Rick, it is a hand bash job. Steam, fingers, a tape measure close by to keep me on track, and lots of patience! I find the entire process very gratifying.

Cheers,
Jimmy

 

[jimmy the lid]

Exactly!!!

This bash is obviously a love child of a center-dent and a teardrop . . .
Kind of an elongated teardrop . . .

Mingoslim -- You are dead on! I just finished posting my previous reply and saw what you had posted in the meantime. As you can see, your description perfectly fits what I was up to. Really glad you like the look -- thanks!

Cheers,
Jimmy

 

[Razzman]

Sweet hat. Great color too! Good luck.

 

[RBH]

Another great job!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap
I, too find myself going for the teardrop[c-crown], The few vintage hats I have had that had the centerdent, I have since replaced with the c-crown.
My thin ribboned Marathon which I have worn today is a case in point. It just looks better with the c-crown.

 

[thunderw21]

Great color, love it.
Cheers!

 

[jimmy the lid]

Many thanks, guys -- appreciate it!

 

[jimmy the lid]

Re-bash

The more I thought about it, I was inclined to agree with fedoralover that the side dents might be a bit too extreme and contribute to a bit of a tapered look. So, I decided to experiment and decrease the length and depth of the side dents. Once I did that, though, a more traditional teardrop bash started to make more sense...So, here is the new look I'm trying out...

Before...

After...

Cheers,
Jimmy