Wooden Hat Block from Ebay

[Vintage Betty]

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.

Really interesting. I'd love to see a photo of his shop.

With that type of investment, what type of profit would a person make by creating one hat at a time? Or did he have staff?

Vintage Betty

 

[Vintage Betty]

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.

Actually, that's what I was thinking. Unless born or tutored in the business, I don't believe that most folks would consider an investment of the size of a standard hat shop to be worthwhile. Even for custom hats, the investment would take years to pay off. Or would it???

Vintage Betty

 

[carter]

7 1/2 Hat Block w/ 7 7/8" Flange

Here's the skinny on the hat block and flange.

It was listed, along with several others, on OFAS for $140.00 BIN or Best Offer. Even though I wanted a 7 5/8, I offered $100.00. It was accepted.

Do I feel bad about this? No. Anyone could have made an offer. I just happen to be the one who did.

Am I making my own hats? No, but I may be reblocking some old beaters and this was an opportunity to acquire a block and flange at a fair price.

Does the seller have more blocks and flanges for sale? She did as of this evening. How do I know? We have exchanged some messages and I told her that I really wanted a 7 5/8 block. She replied that she had one but no flange. However, a 7 7/8" flange will fit a 7 5/8 block. She sold me the block for $55.00 plus $9.00 for shipping.

Will I now stop buying Hat Blocks and Flanges? Not as long as it's a free country. And, if I want to use a hat block for a hat rest, that's my business. The reality is, I happen to admire and collect many vintage items. I see no reason to feel guilty about this or need to explain why I do so. I also buy and sell some vintage women's clothing but no one has ever inquired about my reasons for doing so.

But...if you are wondering, I do not wear any of those garments.

 

[Vintage Betty]

<snip>And, if I want to use a hat block for a hat rest, that's my business. The reality is, I happen to admire and collect many vintage items. I see no reason to feel guilty about this or need to explain why I do so.<snip>

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[indycop]

Here's the skinny on the hat block and flange.

It was listed, along with several others, on OFAS for $140.00 BIN or Best Offer. Even though I wanted a 7 5/8, I offered $100.00. It was accepted.

Do I feel bad about this? No. Anyone could have made an offer. I just happen to be the one who did.

Am I making my own hats? No, but I may be reblocking some old beaters and this was an opportunity to acquire a block and flange at a fair price.

Does the seller have more blocks and flanges for sale? She did as of this evening. How do I know? We have exchanged some messages and I told her that I really wanted a 7 5/8 block. She replied that she had one but no flange. However, a 7 7/8" flange will fit a 7 5/8 block. She sold me the block for $55.00 plus $9.00 for shipping.

Will I now stop buying Hat Blocks and Flanges? Not as long as it's a free country. And, if I want to use a hat block for a hat rest, that's my business. The reality is, I happen to admire and collect many vintage items. I see no reason to feel guilty about this or need to explain why I do so. I also buy and sell some vintage women's clothing but no one has ever inquired about my reasons for doing so.

But...if you are wondering, I do not wear any of those garments.

Carter if you wear a 7 5/8 how will a 7 1/2 block work for you? Won't you still have to stretch it ?[huh]

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Here's the skinny on the hat block and flange.

It was listed, along with several others, on OFAS for $140.00 BIN or Best Offer. Even though I wanted a 7 5/8, I offered $100.00. It was accepted.

Do I feel bad about this? No. Anyone could have made an offer. I just happen to be the one who did.

Exactly...if a hatmaker had wanted it...it was there for -them- to bid on...fair and square.

It was not a trade-only store and you -cheated- to get in...it was on -ebay-...where anyone can buy anything...Its something like asking you all to stop buying hats at one hat because you cant -use- them all and someone else can.....

And ponder this...if we all -left- things like hat blocks alone and didnt bid on them....whats to say that after the auctions ended with no bids....that the seller would keep them forever...in all honesty...eventually they would be tossed in a junk pile or trash bin somewhere, forever lost.

If someday a custom hatmaker really needs Carter's new block...Carter can sell it. That can't happen if its in the county dump due to lack of an ebay sale.

:eusa_clap

 

[RBH]

I thought some of them were already doing that.

I guess they are.

 

[carter]

Carter if you wear a 7 5/8 how will a 7 1/2 block work for you? Won't you still have to stretch it ?[huh]

Depending on the length of my hair, sometimes a 7 1/2 fits. It may be a tad snug but it goes on my noggin.

I bought the 7 1/2 because there was no 7 5/8 offered. Only later did I inquire and find that a 7 5/8 was available. It was not posted for sale. It came up in a series of email messages.

Here's what the seller had to say regarding these items.

"... I'm sorry but I don't think I'll be having any more. We bought 75 of these when a very old dry cleaners went out of business probably 35 years ago. My husband used them in his art work and we have been selling them off for about the last 20 years. I have a couple 6 7/8 a 7 1/8 and a 7. One of the 6 7/8 is a shaped one the others are all just domes. [The others are]...listed in my store.
Thanks again..."

So these are of a certain indeterminate age and haven't been used by a hatter in at least 35 years. I hope they'll be happy in a new home.

 

[Brad Bowers]

Carter, that 7 1/2 block is exactly what you need if you want to block your 7 5/8 hats without removing the sweatband. Generally speaking, the block size is larger in circumference than the actual head size, so that when you install the sweatband, the hat will supposedly be the correct size.

The caveat is that not all blocks that purport to be the same size are actually the same size, as they varied by manufacturer. Additionally, old blocks might have shrunk over the years due to moisture loss.

I've read about those new machines that do a 3-D scan of an item and can mill a copy out of plastic, maybe even metal, in a matter of minutes or so. That would be the way to go, seems to me. As long as the material would work for hatting purposes, and was reasonable in price.

I understand Mike Moore's frustration, as I've spent two years trying to get a complete set of #52 blocks in just regular oval, and I still lack four of them. When you're working on a budget, these older blocks are the best thing going. I wish it was like the old days, with several supply houses and block manufacturers available, but it just isn't possible. Hat-making tools such and rounding jacks, tollikers, irons, and shackles are even more difficult to source, on go for big bucks at auction.

So, I see where Mike's coming from, but I wouldn't deny anyone their right to own one in a free marketplace. Enjoy your block! At least you're using it for hats. The ones that really get our goat are the people that use them for home decorating items!:rage:

Brad

 

[indycop]

Depending on the length of my hair, sometimes a 7 1/2 fits. It may be a tad snug but it goes on my noggin.

I bought the 7 1/2 because there was no 7 5/8 offered. Only later did I inquire and find that a 7 5/8 was available. It was not posted for sale. It came up in a series of email messages.

Here's what the seller had to say regarding these items.

"... I'm sorry but I don't think I'll be having any more. We bought 75 of these when a very old dry cleaners went out of business probably 35 years ago. My husband used them in his art work and we have been selling them off for about the last 20 years. I have a couple 6 7/8 a 7 1/8 and a 7. One of the 6 7/8 is a shaped one the others are all just domes. [The others are]...listed in my store.
Thanks again..."

So these are of a certain indeterminate age and haven't been used by a hatter in at least 35 years. I hope they'll be happy in a new home.

Strange that a dry cleaner would have them!lol

 

[Brad Bowers]

Strange that a dry cleaner would have them!lol

Not really all that strange. Back in the day, many dry cleaners offered hat cleaning and blocking services, particularly in small towns. Don't try it with dry cleaners today, though! I know there is a horror story or two around here on the Lounge about that.

Brad

 

[indycop]

Not really all that strange. Back in the day, many dry cleaners offered hat cleaning and blocking services, particularly in small towns. Don't try it with dry cleaners today, though! I know there is a horror story or two around here on the Lounge about that.

Brad

lol lol lol lol lol

 

[carter]

Cross My Heart!

Not really all that strange. Back in the day, many dry cleaners offered hat cleaning and blocking services, particularly in small towns. Don't try it with dry cleaners today, though! I know there is a horror story or two around here on the Lounge about that.
Brad

I promise not to clean and/or block any hats other than the ones I own.

Pinky promise.

 

[J.T.Marcus]

I was in high school, about 1963. While picking up the family's dry cleaning, I heard a loud hiss! Turning, I saw a fedora being blown up like a balloon. Then it relaxed. Then another hiss and it inflated again. Does anybody know anything about that machine?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

A synchronus question,...

I stopped in at a local antiques place I found recently today and on the floor under a chair I see this wooden hat block. It was flat on top and had the ring that fit around it so I assume it was complete? It was also marked 7-1/2 and the price was $35.00. Is this a good deal? Should I go back and snag it? [huh]

 

[majormoore]

I'll buy it from you for $50.00

If it is a flat top and a 7 1/2" , I need it.

Major Moore

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I'll buy it from you for $50.00

If it is a flat top and a 7 1/2" , I need it.

Major Moore

By the time I drive back, pay sales tax, and shipping,...it just wouldn't be worthwhile, sorry. If it's there whenever I get back to this shop I will grab it and put it up on ebay.

 

[majormoore]

I'll pay the sales tax on the $35.00 cost to you and I'll pay the shipping to me.

Major Moore

 

[jpdesign]

My problem is that I used to buy hat blocks for $5 to $25. Now the only way to get those prices is to buy in quantities from hatters who have extras. Some blocks I buy end uo costing upwards of $75 to $100 dollars.

Jimmy

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I'll pay the sales tax on the $35.00 cost to you and I'll pay the shipping to me.

Major Moore

Your mailbox is full Major, otherwise I'd message you concerning this.