Bashing a Dorfman

ztmario · Post by **ztmario** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:51 pm

ok, so I got the wool dorfman because I didnt know any better, and when I opened the box, I was instantly let down. the hat looks like a costume piece, and nothing like an indy hat at all. I've even had people that know NOTHING about "gear" tell me it looks nothing like an indy hat. soooo.. I decided to get an akubra fed, but first I have to get the rest of the gear orders in before oct 31st rolls around.

in the meantime, I decided to try rebashing the dorfman.. and from just looking at it while it's drying, I think I did a pretty good job. in fact, it looks like a completely different hat, maybe even worth keeping. my question is this:
I want to trim the brim (which I think is way too big) but it has that finished/double stitched edge. so the felt is wrapped around the edge of the brim from the top and stitched off on the bottom. if I cut this finished edge off, what will happen to the hat? because I think it will do wonders for the look, and make it seem a lot less "thick" in the material. anyone know if it'll destroy it?

Dostacos · Post by **Dostacos** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:24 am

first time I got to use this ;0

as for cutting the brim, my dorfmans don't have a sewn brim, but I suspect you could cut it off and not have a problem

Dan

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:17 am

Trimming it off shouldn't destroy the hat, but you'll be amazed at how much shorter the brim will look if you even trim 1/16" off around it. If you plan to trim the brim, I recommend getting a VERY sharp pair of fabric scissors for the job and taking your sweet time trimming. No need to rush it, because one you make a cut, there's no going back. If you're using the stitiches as your cut mark, cut on the inside of those stitiches. You can also make your marks with a tailors chalk. It can be done, but if you've never cut a brim before, go slow and deliberate. Good luck!

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:50 pm

DP brims are wide? I always thought they were too small. Post some pics!

ztmario · Post by **ztmario** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:22 pm

to me, it's not that the brim is so much wide, but it looks "thick" for some reason I guess because of the double stitching.

anyway, originally I gave the hat much larger side dents and they looked awesome, but crappy when I actually wore it, so I sized the dents down to what they are here. I'm probably going to just have to steam the hat and do it over since the part of the hat where my old dents were didn't come out as smooth as I'd like after the second bash.

McFly · Post by **McFly** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:08 pm

I don't think I'd change it much more, if I were you. Looks pretty decent there for a DP. Good job rebashing! I tried to rebash my DP (and changed the ribbon) and the bash didn't come as nice as yours.

Shane

Dostacos · Post by **Dostacos** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:42 pm

I like the look of your hat as is. well maybe going with a darker ribbon

ztmario · Post by **ztmario** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:19 pm

thanks for the compliments, everyone. just a side note: the discoloration on the hat and ribbon is from the water.. I'm kind of surprised, but don't really mind since it gives it a more weathered look. I need to tinker with it at least a bit more so there's less of a slope when I wear it, but in the end I'll probably still end up getting an akubra.

as of now, with the order I just placed for a belt and holster, I've gotten pretty much everything I need. close-enough boots I've had, whip I've had, hat and pants just arrived, shirt, bag, jacket, holster, and belts are on the way. I'm probably going to replace my whip though because the rest of the gear puts it to shame, and as I said, I'll probably replace the hat. I also think I'll order gloves and a bag strap from todd, but we'll see.

I can't believe how much I've spent on a halloween costume in just two weeks!

WeeMadHamish · Post by **WeeMadHamish** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:46 am

Funny, that DP looks a lot like a non-Indy Dorfman I had for ten years or so -- mine just had a woven/leather hatband instead of the ribbon. Right down to the color of brown. Of course, after ten years it shrunk to about three sizes too small and had a nice cone-shape to it. Doesn't even look a thing like the Disney DP I picked up in '94 (I actually liked that hat...)

I guess DP really is content just taking any old brown fedora in their stock and sticking a Indy logo pin on it, and calling it an Indy hat.

Nice job on the bash, BTW. I tried the same with the aforementioned hat. Pity it was too small, I got a lot of wear out of it!

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:11 am

Dostacos wrote:I like the look of your hat as is. well maybe going with a darker ribbon

You could remove the ribbon's tacks that hold it on, and either dye it black with Rit dye or I think a member here even used a black permanent marker on one. Then reattach it. If the fedora not your "forever" fedora, I'd just darken the existing ribbon instead of replacing it.