Block Shape Opinion

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:00 am

Some may recognize my PB Custom (sat upon).

After various "abuses," and a recent ironing fiasco, it shrank from a 6 inch crown to about 5 inches.

So, reshaping time.

Back to a 6 inch crown; but, I padded the block slightly.

New crown, new bash. Thoughts, comments?

Sincerely,

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:24 am

I think you did a great job. I really like the way you got the back of the brim to fold down. Any tips on how to do that?

I'm having a time trying to get mine to lay down. It keeps wanting to flip up at the end.

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:33 am

Fantastic job! I really like the looks of that one.

HIGH regards! Michaelson

Ripper · Post by **Ripper** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:35 am

Looks great !....I still think it looks like this hat, not that there is anything wrong with that !

The one on the left of course !

Indycop · Post by **Indycop** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:06 pm

Looks great! Your story makes me wonder, should I avoid anything rough in my PB?

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:34 pm

Vitoscarlatti wrote:Gasp! *.*.*, wouldn't know it was the same hat!

That, sums it up; perfectly. Amazing what soaking, stretching, drying and stiffener can do. I "felt" the hat was beyond my skills to repair. But, I am pleased.

Gentlemen, thanks for the "Atta-boys." I must thank Fedora, Richard Lamode, the reams of information in the COW threads and that "1919" Hat book, for the guidance and tools (and of course, the members of the Hat Academy).

It certainly seems all "generic" PBs share the same "tall crown/short brim," proportions. Indycop, I would not avoid anything. This hat has been soaked by rain and snow, steamed many times, bashed, rebashed, used to chase off several gaggle of geese, and then ironed. The ironing did it in. (Perhaps that's not surprising, considering Fedora's comments regarding my ironing question.) With the felt stretching back to the original size, using only water and a hand held Jiffy Steamer, I'm beginning to wonder if the hat is actually made of silly putty.

Sincerely,

Indycop · Post by **Indycop** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:42 pm

You inspired me to break out the distilled water again! When I I first got my PB there was no dip to the brim. I used the water on the very front and got the dip but, looking at vacation pictures I realized it was only at the very front causing me to wear the hat cocked back a little too much. So now its propped up on the dresser wet again.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:24 pm

Erin Jones wrote:I really like the way you got the back of the brim to fold down. Any tips on how to do that?

Erin:

As I recall, you did a great job on your Fed. The PB Custom's felt is substantially "heavier/thicker" than an Akruba. It was also loaded with a ton of stiffener. When the PB is wet, you know it is on your head; it really is a different feel, compared to an Akruba.

The back brim was simply shaped, downward, when the brim was wet. It took a few times, and a bit of bending, but it stayed down. It then took on various ripples and waves. The waves came out when I ironed the brim. (But then, that's another story.)

My advice, some light water, and gently shaping the back brim down. May even want to "press the brim down" by placing a book on it. (There was something in a thread, about doing that.) I would take ironing to be a serious technique.

Experimenting. That's half the fun. Right?

Sincerely,

fatwoul · Post by **fatwoul** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:57 pm

Dr.Seuss wrote:...Experimenting. That's half the fun. Right?...

Right. No question. I love the block shape you've got there. Sometimes I wish that we could just leave the crowns like that. I can understand why some people take a long time to get around to bashing (I'm talking to you, Chewy

).

I think I will one day have a hat the block shape of which is so nice I just can't bring myself to put any dents in it.

Indycop · Post by **Indycop** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:34 pm

Doc suess, the lamode raiders block you mentioned earlier, is that just for building/ rebuilding or other things such as shaping new open crown hats. I really don't know much about blocks, just assuming since its called the raiders block it must have some kinda shape to it.

Dr.Seuss · Post by **Dr.Seuss** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 9:48 am

Indycop wrote:Doc suess, the lamode raiders block you mentioned earlier, is that just for building/ rebuilding or other things such as shaping new open crown hats. I really don't know much about blocks, just assuming since its called the raiders block it must have some kinda shape to it.

Indycop:

A hat block, depending upon size, is used for either building/reblocking or shaping. Fedora's/Lamode "Raiders Block," does not create the final look or bash. The block creates the hat's basic shape/dimension; awaiting the bash.

I use my block to "shape." I would need a block, one size larger, if I intended to tear down my hat (i.e., remove the ribbon, sweat, etc.,), wash the felt bucket and "reblock."

Here are some of Fedora's comments regarding the difference.

Fedora wrote:Just a word regarding hat blocking. If you want to keep your hat looking untapered, that is, as a procedure you would do periodically, BEFORE, the hat actually tapered, then order the next smaller block size. If you wear a 7 1/4 hat, order the 7 1/8 block. You then just slide the block inside the hat with all parts still intact. If you are wanting to tear the hat down and reblock, then order your regular size block.

If you are using the smaller block to keep your hat straight sided, push the block in, as far as it will go, by working it down with your hands. Now, hit the top lightly with steam and tug it the rest of the way down til the felt is tight against the block. Steam again lightly and let it dry for an hour. Now, the steam has relaxed the felt, and it tightened up when the drying process took place, but it is not as tight as it could be. Now, lightly spray the hat with water, the complete crown, stopping at the ribbon. Rub it in lightly, and let this dry naturally overnight. This will help the felt to tighten up, internally even more, and that is a good thing. You do not want it to tighten up once it is off the block. Hope this makes sense. Fedora

And, a start:
viewtopic.php?t=14800&highlight=lamode

Sincerely,

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 9:53 am

Dr.Seuss wrote:The back brim was simply shaped, downward, when the brim was wet. It took a few times, and a bit of bending, but it stayed down. It then took on various ripples and waves. The waves came out when I ironed the brim. (But then, that's another story.)

My advice, some light water, and gently shaping the back brim down. May even want to "press the brim down" by placing a book on it. (There was something in a thread, about doing that.) I would take ironing to be a serious technique.

Experimenting. That's half the fun. Right?

Sincerely,

Thanks a lot for the advice Seuss, I'll try the book method this weekend then hopefully post the pics.