Taper tutorial for AB owners.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:15 pm

My pal Hemingway sent me his AB back for a reblock as he was seeing some taper. Here she is:http://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/hemingways_ab.html

Forgive me for using your hat as an example Hemingway.

Ok, so I pop out the top crease and here is what she looked like. http://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/hem ... wn_ab.html

So, I take my hand steamer and steam just the top of the crown since I know this is where the taper came from. I then work out the crown with my hand after steaming, and let it dry. Here she is:

http://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/hs_ ... crown.html

Looks better already! I then dry crease the top back in, to avoid the original crease from re-appearing. The top crease in the hat was the culprit from the get-go. Here is the final look with no reblock. http://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/hs_ ... rease.html

And for those who ask, "what about a side view", check it out. http://public.fotki.com/Fedora/hats/hs_ ... _shot.html

I have noticed some of the ABs with taper appearing and this method should give you more life between reblocks. Anyone can do it. Trust me.

Fedora

Erri · Post by **Erri** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:32 pm

Fedora, do you think my hat need a reblocking or a threatment like this?

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:40 pm

Steve,

For my personal education, what do you mean that the top crease was the culprit? What in the top crease was wrong? How exactly did you recrease it that was different?
Thanks.

Also, for the record, I didn't send it back because of a taper issue. I sent it back as part of routine maintenance and cleaning, and because I know that you now keep them on the block much longer than you did when your earliest hats were done.

Thanks a lot. It looks great.

indy81 · Post by **indy81** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:48 pm

Hemingway Jones wrote:Steve,

For my personal education, what do you mean that the top crease was the culprit? What in the top crease was wrong? How exactly did you recrease it that was different?
Thanks.

I think it might mean that he let the crown dry open before putting the crease back in so that it wouldn't dry and taper back to the original state.

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:18 pm

think it might mean that he let the crown dry open before putting the crease back in so that it wouldn't dry and taper back to the original state.

Exactly!! Sometimes felt hats will **** in at the top and that will become sorta of permanent, unless you get rid of it. That is all that I did to my pal's hat.

With that said, I feel Hemingway's hat was due a reblock as it had some taper in it, which would have gotten worse with time. Beaver normally shrinks at a slow rate unlike rabbit.

Plus, I certainly do not want anyone to think that I do not want ABs sent back for reblocks and refurbishments.

I was just using his hat as an example to illustrate how to get a little more wear out of the hat. Helps the wallet, and I am all about that.

Once I snapped those pics, I stripped the hat down and pulled it over the block-wet. You will even like it better this go around Hemingway.

This felt gets better with age, that is, if you are after the Raiders look. I think around the 4th reblock, this felt comes into its own.

Fedora

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:54 pm

Steve, what hand steamer do you use? I thought useing steam was a no-no????

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:08 pm

I thought useing steam was a no-no????

It is not for amateurs!!

Fedora

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:17 pm

Fedora wrote:You will even like it better this go around Hemingway. This felt gets better with age, that is, if you are after the Raiders look. I think around the 4th reblock, this felt comes into its own. Fedora

I cannot wait! Just seeing it in the shop has me excited.

That is a great hat. I had no idea how much I was going to miss it while it is away, and I even have my other AB to fall back on!

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 5:37 pm

Fedora, do you think my hat need a reblocking or a threatment like this

Well, that beaver one from Pagey does need it, and badly. From the looks of it, only a reblock will bring it back to life. Fedora

indy81 · Post by **indy81** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:09 pm

Hemingway Jones wrote:
Fedora wrote:You will even like it better this go around Hemingway. This felt gets better with age, that is, if you are after the Raiders look. I think around the 4th reblock, this felt comes into its own. Fedora
I cannot wait! Just seeing it in the shop has me excited.

That is a great hat. I had no idea how much I was going to miss it while it is away, and I even have my other AB to fall back on!

AB's are great hats, and I certainly missed mine while it was gone. Unfortunately I didn't have any spares. It was worth the wait Steve, just glad you're alright.

I'm thankful for the info on prolonging the life of a hat in between reblocks. Until I can afford to buy a hat block myself, this method will be used plenty I'm sure.