Introducing the reblocked 'Fellow Traveler'

[DanielJones]

Hey gang! As some of you know I've enjoyed my Camptown hats immensely, but the grey 1945 Metropolitan had some fit issues that were really no fault of Camptown Hats. So in order to get a better fit out of the lid I went to John at Penman Hats to get a reblock done. So, without further adieu, I ma happy to introduce my "Penman/Camptown 'Fellow Traveler'".

Here are some "before" shots:


And some "after" shots (shade & sunlight):




John did a fantastic job with this hat. I even had the sweatband replaced as the 'wire' reeding in the original one had gotten kinks in it from me trying to soften the hat using the smooshing in your hands method. The kinks didn't come out so it sort of un-belled the sweatband, flatening it against the forehead. So with that oops corrected it is fantastic to wear. Thank you John for a fantastic reblocking job!

Another note of what I like about the change is the color. It went from a bluish grey to a brownish grey in the process. I'm not sure how, but I like it just the same. Now I can see where the debate came from. Anyway, for those of you that are having a reblock done you won't be disappointed. One note though. Because of the varnish used in these hats originally, what ever softness/floppiness you had will have to be redone again. The water reblocking reactivates the stiffener, but it should be no big deal for those of us who are hands on with our hats.

John, if you could chime in on your thought on this project it would be greatly appreciated. Again, you did a fantastic job on this hat & I hope that it will give some hope tho others that may have been disappointed in their lids that this hat is a fantastic one, it just needed a little nudge in the right direction & John is just the person to nudge the hat out of the shadows.

Cheers!

Dan

[Ranger36]

Deleted by Ranger36

[BendingOak]

Thanks for the kind words my friend.
The stiffener and finished the factory that made this hat was re-activated ounce there is steam added. I gotta use steam in the process of re-blocking a hat so the stiffener got re-activated but like you stated it will work it's way out the more you handle and wear your hat. The reason the hat has a different under tone ( blue to brown) is because I re-pounced the hat and took off the top thin layer that had a finisher on it. You can tell in these photo's that the finish is different giving it a very warm look to it ( a brown under tone).

[maboot38]

That looks GREAT!

[DanielJones]

Thanks for the kind words my friend.
The stiffener and finished the factory that made this hat was re-activated ounce there is steam added. I gotta use steam in the process of re-blocking a hat so the stiffener got re-activated but like you stated it will work it's way out the more you handle and wear your hat. The reason the hat has a different under tone ( blue to brown) is because I re-pounced the hat and took off the top thin layer that had a finisher on it. You can tell in these photo's that the finish is different giving it a very warm look to it ( a brown under tone).

Thanks for chiming in John. Please feel free to use whichever image you want for the before & after for your site, You're most welcome to them.

Cheers!

Dan

[WhipDude]

What a difference! I don't care for the original look at all. I thought it was too blue in color and that it did not look good on you. The color and reblock now are excellent. It looks much better overall as well as on you.

[Indycrazy5187]

great hat!!!

[ichnob]

So it's a Campman? Maybe a Pentown?

[DanielJones]

Thanks gang! John deserves what ever credit is deserved here. He did a fantastic job of taking a good hat and making it excellent. I couldn't have asked for anything better. The new sweatband is super comfortable to boot and will most likely aid in the conforming of the lid to my noggin over time. This hat maker has staying power IMHO.

Cheers!

Dan

[Indiana Venkman]

Wow, that really does look beautiful. I rather like the darker gray colour, personally. John did a bang up job again. Even the front dents are better defined and have have more character. Very nice!

[DanielJones]

Thanks Venk, most appreciated. Now, for those others that also have sent their lid to Penman Hats for a reblock, please do share the results once you get yours back. We would love to see your before & after shots.

Cheers!

Dan