For serious non tapered hat wearers only.........

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:51 am

For those fans who want to take their hobby to the next level, may I suggest something that will save you mucho money in the future? Buy you own Raiders hat block! That way, you will never be irked at the inevitable taper. Once a week, pull your hat over the block to get rid of the gradual taper that happens over time. I will be more than happy to give all the contact info for my blockmaker, and will even set up with him so he will have the correct block shape on file for you guys. They would only cost you 135.00, and this is money well spent. What you would do, is order the next smaller size, that is, if you wore a 7 1/4, get a 7 1/8. Then the hat would just slide down over the block, although tightly. All you would have to do is remove the bow on the sweat, temporarily. Now, I would not give this block shape to just anyone, so you have to be a COW member to qualify. If you ordered a long oval from me, you can specify a long oval block to match your hat.

This would be an investment that would pay for itself as that AB is gonna last you for years and years. You could even buy a cheaper hat and use the block to get a better shape. Let me know and I will set all of this up through Richard Lamode, as a favor for guys and gals. Fedora

VP · Post by VP » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:01 am

BTW, how do I know if I am a long oval? How much would the head width-lenght ratio be?

Feraud · Post by **Feraud** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:07 am

What a great idea!

Thank you for the generous offer.

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:08 am

steve you are just amazing. I just sent you a pm.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:10 am

The differential on a regular oval hat is 1 3/8, I think. It has been so long since I had to learn this stuff that I may be wrong on that one. The differential for a long oval is, 1 3/4, I think. Ok, let me go and measure my blocks to make sure. The differential is the difference between the front to back measure versus the side to side. Stay tuned. Fedora

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:18 am

$\:D/$ Fantastic! Thanks for offering this, Steve!

VP · Post by VP » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:19 am

I read somewhere that you know that you're a long oval wearing a regular oval if you can fit your index finger between the sweatband and the side of your head. Is that true or do I misrecall it?

jbbowers · Post by **jbbowers** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:21 am

Forgive my ignorance, but why get the next smaller size block?

Thanks,

Brad

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:24 am

I read somewhere that you know that you're a long oval wearing a regular oval if you can fit your index finger between the sweatband and the side of your head. Is that true or do I misrecall it?

Could be, but don't quote me on that. On a soft hat, normally the hat would conform to your head regardless. A stiff hat, no.

Forgive my ignorance, but why get the next smaller size block?

So you could slip the block in the hat wihout removing all the parts, like the sweatband and ribbon. Fedora

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:49 am

Gee... now I'm gonna have to save up for one of those, too!

bink

jbbowers · Post by **jbbowers** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:14 pm

Fedora wrote:So you could slip the block in the hat wihout removing all the parts, like the sweatband and ribbon. Fedora

Thanks, Fedora.

I had forgotten that hat blocks are larger than actual hat sizes to accomodate all that stuff. I must need more coffee this morning.

Brad

Indyjim · Post by **Indyjim** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 1:54 pm

I'm interested! I don't have an AB....yet, but I do have 2 Akubras, one of which could stand a reblock.

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:02 pm

Steve, what would keep someone from putting the fedora on the block once a day, like at night?

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:31 pm

Steve, what would keep someone from putting the fedora on the block once a day, like at night?

That would be a great idea. Then, your AB would always be untapered. Since you would have the same block as I use, there would be no problems of it not fitting the original shape, and the memory in the felt would help out too. Like I said, if you were really anal about that taper(put me firmly in that camp), this would save you mucho time and heartache. You could age and distress that hat naturally and still have a pristine block shape. Best of both worlds. To me, my hats look better, that is more Raideresque, once they get some wear and tear on them. Thing is, right when you are really satisfied with the looks of the felt, the hat needs a complete reblock. Then, you get back a new looking hat, and you start all over again!! With your own personal block, you could have a hat that feltwise looked like it has been through hades, but the sides would be perfect. I think I am repeating myself!! Fedora

jbbowers · Post by **jbbowers** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:37 pm

Renderking Fisk wrote:Steve, what would keep someone from putting the fedora on the block once a day, like at night?

I think it would be hard on the bash, as you'd have to rebash it every morning, wouldn't you?

Brad

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:47 pm

think it would be hard on the bash, as you'd have to rebash it every morning, wouldn't you?

No more than what most folks normally do to their hats anyways. I am always monkeying with my creases, as most of us do, I think.

The felt sorta remembers the original creases so the creases should just fall back into place. You would not hurt the hat in anyway with this insurance. Fedora

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:29 pm

Fedora thanks for offering this, actually i'm withouth a pence. How long they will be available?

Could i see a pic of a hat block? I think i never saw any.

THank you again, it's a good news (although the price is a wee high).
Is it possible to find hat blocks somewhere else in Europe? Taxes are too high from USA to Europe

indybill · Post by **indybill** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:18 pm

That's a great idea and a truely generous offer. I've been thinking about the same thing, but didn't know where to even get a hat block let alone THE hat block. I'm figuring how to work in an AB purchase here soon, so I'll just plan on ordering a block with the hat now. Thank you Fedora, you truely are a rare gentleman indeed!

Highest Regards,
Indybill

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:20 pm

Ok. What I will have to do is send Richard one of my Raiders blocks. I will talk to him and tell him to keep the profile on file so he can make anyone that orders, one just like mine. Now, someone asked me privately what my cut was on this deal.

Absolutely nothing. I am doing this for you guys as a fellow fan. That is Richards normal price, and exactly what I paid for mine. I think I will be able to talk him into doing this from here on out as it would be good for his business too. Fedora

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:11 pm

Fedora:
Wonderful idea and very generous of you!
Thank you for your time and effort,

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:02 pm

Steve, you are one amazing person. I wish I could sit down with you and chat over a couple cigars.