Sit On The Hat Blues

swansong · Post by **swansong** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:46 pm

so i got an akubra 3 that i thought needed some more wear and tear. i think i may have given it too much wear and tear for after sitting on it for the 3rd time ive got some nasty wrinkles thatve decided to move in. any suggestions on how to remedy this?

Tron7960 · Post by **Tron7960** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:51 pm

Let's see pictures. They might not be as bad as you think. I've got a few of these "permanent" creases on my HJ and after failing to remove them, I've grown to appreciate them as they add unique character.

gabrielle · Post by **gabrielle** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:03 pm

I had the same on my Keppler because I didn't knead it first. So I just started kneading it afterwards and pressing on the wrinkles with my hands until the hat looked like I wanted. Most of the wrinkles I kneaded out by smoothing those areas. Watch Lee Keppler's video on how to soften a hat then work it with your hands until you get the right look you want...

Link:

http://www.adventure-supply.com/fedora.htm

Click on the link bottom of page

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:05 pm

Sit on the hat, 'Blues?!? Why don't you go sit on YOUR hat??? :evil:
'Blues

swansong · Post by **swansong** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:08 pm

they look pretty bad to me, but if its fixable ill take it. it looks like a combo of jed clampette and a pile of veins.

edit: sorry, been listening to a lotta bb king recently ><

Vegeta · Post by **Vegeta** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:37 pm

Steam it really good.

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:44 pm

Agreed. Put a pot of water on the stove and allow to come to steam.

Hold your hat over the vapor, and it will activate the stiffiner in the felt. Push out the wrinkles as the felt softens and warms. Once you get it where you want the shape, allow the hat to cool, then brush the nap on the crown and top of the brim counterclockwise, and under the brim clockwise.

You should be back in business.

Regards! Michaelson

swansong · Post by **swansong** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:47 pm

Michaelson wrote:Agreed. Put a pot of water on the stove and allow to come to steam.

Hold your hat over the vapor, and it will activate the stiffiner in the felt. Push out the wrinkles as the felt softens and warms. Once you get it where you want the shape, allow the hat to cool, then brush the nap on the crown and top of the brim counterclockwise, and under the brim clockwise.

You should be back in business.

Regards! Michaelson

thanks, but whats a nap?

Long John Tinfoil · Post by **Long John Tinfoil** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:50 pm

That's what most of us need after a couple of adventures.

swansong · Post by **swansong** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:52 pm

Long John Tinfoil wrote:That's what most of us need after a couple of adventures.

xD

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:08 pm

careful on the steam....fed 3's will shrink if you over expose.

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:12 pm

Sell it to Ed Norton, he'd love it. Seriously, if you are hesitant about using steam as many of us are, try this first: just playing around with the felt as others have suggested should help smooth it out while retaining enough of the wrinkling to give it the distressed look you wanted. For tough areas, wet them and, using a flat hard surface placed inside the hat, press firmly and repeatedly on the wrinkles from the outside until they smooth out.

If that doesn't work, it's time to get out the tea kettle or send the hat away for a reblock.

Jack

BazzanoJones · Post by **BazzanoJones** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:23 pm

gabrielle wrote:I had the same on my Keppler because I didn't knead it first...etc. Watch Lee Keppler's video on how to soften a hat then work it with your hands until you get the right look you want...etc.

Sorry for one little half-off-topic question: it is useful or raccomanded to use the Keppler's method to soften my new fur felt Fed IV and prevent future wrinkles? This soften method it's valid for all hat brands?

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:32 pm

Indiana G wrote:careful on the steam....fed 3's will shrink if you over expose.

ANY hat will.

The 'nap' is the surface of the felt.

Yes, the 'Keppler' technique will work on all fur felt hats that have to much stiffner applied. All you're doing is working the stiffner loose in the felt.

Regards! Michaelson

WeeMadHamish · Post by **WeeMadHamish** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:21 pm

I find that if you want to sit on the hat to give it some character, you REALLY need to work it over with your hands some first to break up the stiffener. Otherwise, yeah... you end up with some really nasty wrinkle. You might try just working the wrinkles out with your fingers before applying the steam... the less steam, the better.

swansong · Post by **swansong** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:47 pm

wow, thanks guys! i dont think im gonna regret coming here!

Bowie · Post by **Bowie** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:08 pm

swansong wrote:wow, thanks guys! i dont think im gonna regret coming here!

Probably not, but your wallet sure will

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:43 pm

swansong wrote:wow, thanks guys! i dont think im gonna regret coming here!

Yeah, don't make that leap of faith with this crew!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

swansong · Post by **swansong** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:39 pm

Bowie wrote:
swansong wrote:wow, thanks guys! i dont think im gonna regret coming here!

Probably not, but your wallet sure will

thats not far from the truth, ive already thrown the idea of a keppler or a '57.