Wher to get my hat worked on...

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:39 am

Maybe I'd find this searching, maybe not.

Anyway, I have a (what I think is) nice rabbit fur Christie's adventurer, and I am quite happy with it.

Except for a bit of taper from the last rain exposure (which was a pretty good soaking). I think I may soak it rerally well again, but then I'd like to have it reblocked, re-ribboned (I never liked the Christie's ribbon) and (if needed/there is enough material left) have the brim trimmed to Raider's specs. A nice Raider's re-bash would be nice, but I am somewhat fond of my 'generic' raiders bash I now have, so the bash is the least of my concerns...

So, who is willing and able to do this work for me, and what should I expect to pay for it? The hat did not taper a lot; however it did taper somewhat. I am hoping a re-block will pull some felt back up into the crown and allow it to finally 'stabilize' so the shrinkage is greatly diminished in the rain moving forward. I realize it may require a few re-blockings to get it 'perfect' but that is OK with me. I'd reaslly like the hat to protect my head from rain as well as sun, but I cannot afford to get a proper 100% beaver hat that is the right 'tool for the job' so to speak.

Any direction is appreciated, and PM's are fine as well if you prefer.

Thanks to everyone!

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:00 pm

the thing about the Christy's that it has a lot of air in the felt and prone to tapper.I agree that the ribbon and the bow work is the uglyest thing ever. Reblock will fix all that you want but with this felt you will be back at this point again soon. The other thing is the felt with the machine stitching will make the hat at a risk of ripping apart.

You say you don't have the funds for a pure beaver hat but with the amount of money you will spend over the next couple of re-blocks you could have gotten a new beaver hat.

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:25 pm

I wouldn't reblock the Christy's. I have one and luckily, even with a couple light showers, it hasn't tapered at all. The best solution might tbe the hat shaper that has been used a couple times here. Like Oak suggested, save the money from numerous reblocks and buy yourself a beaver hat when you can.

Dave

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:31 pm

Yeah, J!m, I really would save up for a beaver hat - just way more bang for your buck. Try Penman Hat Co. You could get an Indy hat from them for only about 3x what your Christies cost. I'd give it some serious thought. -M

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:33 pm

Jim and I got our Christy's at the same time and I think we both paid $100 plus $40 shipping. $110 more and you can have yourself a Penman!

Dave

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:34 pm

Ooh, good point. So it's not even twice as much. I'd really go for it, J!m. -M

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:39 pm

Well, I don't think he can right now, Mulceber. But Jim, I'd save the cash you'd be spending on all those reblocks and put that towards a Penman.

Dave

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:31 pm

J!m, I hate to say it, but a reblock is probably as unadvisable as the others are saying. Average reblock costs $30 to $40, plus shipping (anywhere from $8 to $25 each way, depending on where to and by what method). Heck, two reblocks would have you in a better rabbit fur hat, like an Akubra.

Simple fact is, a reblock will not fix your troubles for long. It won't "stabilize the felt" as you say. The tapering will just happen again.

My advice; put a diamond crown bash in the crown to hide some of the taper and save up for at least a Federation. Meanwhile, if the hat get wet again, pop out the bash and stuff it full of rags and socks until it dries. And keep it far away from any heat sources.

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:09 pm

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I may very well buy an Akruba; however it will not be a brown fedora if I do.

This is my brown fedora, and that's about it for that.

The taper is not horrible, but it is there, and it does bother me slightly.

This hat shaper that was mentioned above- is this a low-cost home shape restoration device? I know nothing replaces a proper re-block, but if I could simply 'whip it into shape' a bit, or at least be able to if it happens to taper any more, I'd be happier.

Oh, and the 'new' hat will liely be more like 'secret of the Incas' than Dr. Jones' headgear...

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:15 am

I believe I read somone say that the hatshaper was $30. Thats around what you'd be paying for a reblock minus shipping and you can do it yourself anytime the aht conks out on you.

Dave

BendingOak · Post by **BendingOak** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 7:22 am

Can you post a pic of the hat?

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:01 am

I already posted pictures a while ago in another thread, but I did not receive any replies that were particularly useful.

I also PM'd a few people and did not receive replies either.

So, I creatd this thread. Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. It is appreciated.

Now, where do I get this $30.00 hat shaper?

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:06 am

http://www.hatshapers.com/Product%20Pag ... d_Dome.htm

Dave

JimL · Post by **JimL** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:42 am

Cool!

I guess I know what I'm getting for Christmas... ;-)