Wooden Hat Block from Ebay

[carter]

I made an offer on this size 7 1/2 block and it was accepted.

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

Have fun with it! I just got one a few months ago that I have been playing around with.

 

[thunderw21]

That' looks cool, I've been looking but can't find one for a reasonable price.

How exactly does a hat go on one of these?

 

[Rick Blaine]

Well done!

What is the #?

 

[majormoore]

Are you going to start blocking your own hats, we hatters are having a hard time getting blocks to use, or fill in gaps that are needed, the only source we have is when they show up on e-bay.

Major Moore

 

[Spats McGee]

I saw that and thought, "Gee, it's just about the right size." As I wouldn't have a clue how to block a hat, though, I couldn't see any reason to bid on it. Well done, carter.

 

[VetPsychWars]

Are you going to start blocking your own hats, we hatters are having a hard time getting blocks to use, or fill in gaps that are needed, the only source we have is when they show up on e-bay.

Major Moore

Why not get a pattern maker to turn you a new one? If you have an existing one, I'm sure it can be copied, especially with all of the CNC equipment around. Not exactly cheap, but they can be made to your specification.

Tom

 

[Vintage Betty]

Are you going to start blocking your own hats, we hatters are having a hard time getting blocks to use, or fill in gaps that are needed, the only source we have is when they show up on e-bay.

Major Moore

What about millinary supply catalogs? They have hat blocks for sale.

Vintage Betty

 

[majormoore]

To have a copy made it cost about $175.00 per block, also the wood used is much softer. "Millinery is ladies hats." Both were good thoughts.

If a person is needing something to rest or display a hat on, there are many nice hat stands on e-bay, these blocks and flanges are becoming very hard to find, there are still many in the 6 7/8" selling on e-bay, but the larger ones are getting much harder to find.

I don't think I bid on the one listed, I am only stating it is becoming hard for hatters to find blocks to add to his blocks.

Major Moore

 

[J.T.Marcus]

How exactly does a hat go on one of these?

Soak the hat (or use enough steam to keep it damp), then stretch it onto the larger piece. If the hat is already the same size as the block, you can leave the sweatband in the hat. If you are stretching the hat to fit the block, the sweat band will have to be removed, the ribbon, too. Let it dry for a couple of days, then remove and re-assemble, if necessary.

The ring is for the brim. If you turn it with the curve down (Touching the brim), you will get the proper curve for a "snap brim." You can also do a flat brim (if the hat will allow) by using the ring with the flat side down. (Leave it in place till the hat is dry, or nearly so.)

 

[indycop]

For folks that are just wanting a block for occassional use there is hatshapers.com. They are only about $30, and that would leave the heavy duty blocks out there for the professionals so they can continue with their awesome work!
Fatwoul has one and I think he is quite pleased with it.

 

[RBH]

For folks that are just wanting a block for occassional use there is hatshapers.com. They are only about $30, and that would leave the heavy duty blocks out there for the professionals so they can continue with their awesome work!
Fatwoul has one and I think he is quite pleased with it.

Well said Indy!!!

 

[majormoore]

I forgot about the hatshapers, thanks for the post, I have used one or two before, but for day in and day out use, its not what a hatter needs.

The inside is of a hatshaper is open, no way to put in a spinner or crown iron.But are good for someone that is just keeping the shape of a hat.





Major Moore

 

[Colby Jack]

What are these blocks running on ofas?...There's an antique mall near me that has probably a dozen or so. I could compare the price and see if they're any cheaper...[huh]

 

[RBH]

The other side of the coin is what if the hatters started buying up the vintage hats so they could reuse the old felt?

 

[VetPsychWars]

To have a copy made it cost about $175.00 per block, also the wood used is much softer. "Millinery is ladies hats." Both were good thoughts.

If a person is needing something to rest or display a hat on, there are many nice hat stands on e-bay, these blocks and flanges are becoming very hard to find, there are still many in the 6 7/8" selling on e-bay, but the larger ones are getting much harder to find.

I don't think I bid on the one listed, I am only stating it is becoming hard for hatters to find blocks to add to his blocks.

Major Moore

Forgive me if I'm appearing contentious, but what's your point?

If you need it to do your work, then buy it. Or make it.

Or is the market for custom hats that bad that you only get one per size per year? If you can lower your price such that you get enough volume, then maybe that's what you do. I understand the artisanal aspect of it nowadays, and wanting to maximize profits. But it seems to me from the outside that $200 for a device that will last you a decade is pretty cheap. Or do these things only last a year? If that's the case, then all of you custom hatters ought get together to lower the piece price, and sell the extras on ebay yourself.

Tom

edit: grammar

 

[indycop]

I don't think there are that many people making hat blocks nowadays was his point. And I am not a businessman but I can imagine $200 a pop for every size and needing those sizes in oval and long oval can be very expensive, plus the flanges and other pieces that go with them.

 

[J.T.Marcus]

The other side of the coin is what if the hatters started buying up the vintage hats so they could reuse the old felt?

I thought some of them were already doing that.

 

[ideaguy]

Have a master hatter friend (no longer making hats, alas.) who said that
he had over 6,000 blocks at one time. I've been in his place enough, and
seen just some of the stuff the man accumulated over many years, and
do believe him. Still-unbelievable. 6,000 blocks?? And he did make me a
fun Fedora by turning one inside out, then remaking it; came out looking
great, and the difference from the fading was amazing.

 

[J.T.Marcus]

And he did make me a fun Fedora by turning one inside out, then remaking it; came out looking great, and the difference from the fading was amazing.

WOW! And just when I was running out of ideas. Thanks!