Kaplan's New Camptown 36

Kaplan · Post by **Kaplan** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:36 pm

I just got this baby in the mail on friday. I cut down the brim a bit, now I'm pretty happy with it. Let me know what you guys think.

Kaplan · Post by **Kaplan** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:47 pm

I almost forgot to give a review!

This hat ROCKS. It's nice and sturdy, but the much talked about stiffness goes away with a day. The felt is so plyable, that I can pretty much bend it any which way and it stays that way. I love this vented sweat band. It may be the most comfortable hat I have ever put on.

Thanks JJ for an outstanding product. I'm proud to have been a part of keeping a gent like you in business.

Thanks!
-Andy- (AKA Kaplan)

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:53 pm

I'd say it looks great!

The dimensions suit your face, well done on trimming the brim.

Al

Kaplan · Post by **Kaplan** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:05 pm

ob1al wrote:I'd say it looks great!

The dimensions suit your face, well done on trimming the brim.

Al

Thanks Al! When it arrived, I got so excited, I grabbed a pair of scissers and cut it frehand - Swales style down to 2 5/8 in (give or take) on the sides. I'm really surprised I didn't destroy it.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:15 pm

Picture #2 makes you look like you're Amish, Frodo. Compliments ya well in #3 though. I always wondered how do you folks trim it without it looking irregular?

Kaplan · Post by **Kaplan** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:20 pm

Castor Dioscuri wrote:Picture #2 makes you look like you're Amish, Frodo.

That's the kind of feedback I was looking for.

ydam · Post by **ydam** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:46 pm

Castor Dioscuri wrote:Picture #2 makes you look like you're Amish, Frodo.

Pic #1 he looks like an evil amish frodo

Hat really does look nice on ya though. Shape and colors are great!! Thanks for all the detailed pics...very kool hat indeed.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:11 pm

Castor Dioscuri wrote: I always wondered how do you folks trim it without it looking irregular?

I trim the brim very carefully using a sharp pair of scissors then sand the edges with a fine grade sandpaper to achieve a uniform finish.

Just did that to my AB deluxe a few days ago and it came out great.

Gotta be REALLY careful though and have a steady pair of hands or you could ruin a hat that way. If in doubt, send it to a professional.

Al

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:38 pm

Kaplan wrote: When it arrived, I got so excited, I grabbed a pair of scissers and cut it frehand - Swales style down to 5 6/8 in (give or take) on the sides.

Kaplan:

Nice cutting. I am not quite clear on the brim dimensions. Front/back? Sides? How did it take the bash, or was it "pre-bashed?" Whoever formed it, looks great.

Jersey is clearly delivering on his promise of a quality lid. My Fieldmaster is right around the corner.

Sincerely.

Kaplan · Post by **Kaplan** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:47 pm

Dr.Seuss wrote:
Kaplan wrote: When it arrived, I got so excited, I grabbed a pair of scissers and cut it frehand - Swales style down to 5 6/8 in (give or take) on the sides.
Kaplan:
Nice cutting. I am not quite clear on the brim dimensions. Front/back? Sides? How did it take the bash, or was it "pre-bashed?" Whoever formed it, looks great.
Jersey is clearly delivering on his promise of a quality lid. My Fieldmaster is right around the corner.
Sincerely.

Sorry, that's 2 5/8 on the sides and 2 7/8 front and back. I got it open crown and bashed it myself. Thanks! It was extremely easy to bash. i just did the ol' Lee Keppler softening method for 5 minutes, and there were no problems. It took the bash right away with a bit of cold water in strategic places and has held it perfectly. Be sure to show some pics of your camptown when it arrives.

fatwoul · Post by **fatwoul** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 9:26 pm

Castor Dioscuri wrote:Picture #2 makes you look like you're Amish, Frodo...

Aww don't listen to them English, Kaplan. They're just jealous of your simpler life. BTW, the lid looks great.

(see me, using words like "lid"? I'm no newbie

)

Castor Dioscuri wrote:...Compliments ya well in #3 though. I always wondered how do you folks trim it without it looking irregular?

I'm certainly no expert, but I used that tutorial based around an Akubra Bushman. I used a tailor's chalk to mark on the brim the shape I wanted, then I just followed that shape with the sharpest Stanley knife I could find. Then I did the sandpaper thing everyone talked about. Personally, I don't think I'd ever want to use scissors, partly because I don't have any really sharp scissors, and partly because I am just more comfortable using a blade. Whatever method suits you, I'd say; use a tool you're more familiar with.

Don't use a fork, though. That just won't work.

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 9:53 pm

fatwoul wrote:Don't use a fork, though. That just won't work.

So that's what I did wrong....

prairiejones · Post by **prairiejones** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:59 pm

That hat is awesome. You should be very proud!!

Kaplan · Post by **Kaplan** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:59 pm

fatwoul wrote:
Castor Dioscuri wrote:Picture #2 makes you look like you're Amish, Frodo...
Aww don't listen to them English, Kaplan. They're just jealous of your simpler life. BTW, the lid looks great.

(see me, using words like "lid"? I'm no newbie )

No worries Fatwoul... I have a rule: "Never listen to anyone whose name sounds like 'Castrated Dinosaur'".

Kaplan · Post by **Kaplan** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:03 pm

prairiejones wrote:That hat is awesome. You should be very proud!!

Thanks! I haven't taken it off all day.

Castor Dioscuri · Post by **Castor Dioscuri** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:13 pm

Kaplan wrote:I have a rule: "Never listen to anyone whose name sounds like 'Castrated Dinosaur'".

Touche!

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:54 pm

Nice fed, Kap! Love the color!

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 11:56 pm

very, very nice hat....i didn't think you could get that raiders look out of a camptown....thought these were more tod/lc shaped. regardless, thats a great job you did there