Another Raiders vintage block

[Fedora]

When LLS came over last year, he picked up this block, and said, "that'll make a decent Raiders fedora. I only owned one, in a size 55, or 6 7/8. A couple weeks ago I got in a couple samples of bodies, beaver blends, Portugal, and since they were small bodies, I killed two birds with one stone. I got to see what this felt will yield, as well as what this block looks like with a soft felt. Here she is. OH, it's for sale if you wear a 6 7/8. Check the classified.










This is the 3rd vintage block that I own what pulls off the look decently. I really like the side shots of this block. Fedora

[Fedora]

Oh, this block was bought at the same time that I bought the asymetrical English block, and this is another English block. But this one is symetrical. I have one other sample body, another small one, that I will again use this block on. This other body looks colorwise like the Raiders fedora as he is approaching the river, and walks into the sun. A lighter brown with yellow brass undertones. Both the above hat, and the body I have left are ligther in color than the standard AB.

The view of the hat from this block from the bow side looks very similiar to the SOC profile, the one where he is holding the gun, against the wall, waiting for the truck to come his way. And it achieves this look naturally. I gotta study this block some more. If the second hat comes off it well, when I can get time to do it, I may have a complete set of this block run for me. It's a toss up between this one, and the one that I use now. I just need to eyeball it for awhile. And, it is hard to tell, because this hat size is so small, and I had to scale down the dimensions to suit the hat size. The crown, creased is 4 3/4 inches tall at the sides, with the brim being 2 5/8 by 2 3/8. I may just get this block replicated in my own size, which is Ford's size so I can make the decision on whether I will spend the money on another set or Raiders blocks. I already own 3 sets!! All very similiar, but also different.

On the block the above hat came off of, there is no notation on the bottom at all. Nothing! I had to measure it to find out what size it was. Weird, as every other block I own, vintage and new, have imprints on the bottom. Wonder how they kept the sizing straight with no notations??? Fedora

[RaidersBash]

Okay Steve, I want that. I sent you an Email and a PM.

[jlee562]

Hmm...can I squeeze into a 55?

[BaptisteTheFool]

Shame I have such a big head...

Nice looking hat though.

[BendingOak]

Even in these photos you can see the years of experience of making
hats. That's a fantastic hat. Someone is going to get a great deal when they buy that hat. It's a great deal at that price. Way, way underpriced.

[Fedora]

Way, way underpriced

Yeah, it is worth more, but it's a test hat, and I like to pass on bargains when I can. Not like I could use it for an existing order, due to it being a blend, and way too small for my head. So, instead of just letting it hang in the shop, I thought someone with a small head might need a bargain. I could have asked more, but this is more along the line of HOW I used to be. Before the demand buried me and prices had to go up. F

Even in these photos you can see the years of experience of making
hats. That's a fantastic hat.

Thanks John. You are kind and generous. But, I guess one has to get better with as many hats that I have made. I figure now I must be well over the 2000 mark, as I was close to making number 1000 prior to Indy 4. I have made around 1800 hats since that time, many when I had help in the shop. I think by the time I get all existing orders made, I will be around the 4000 mark. That's alot of sewing! No wonder I have holes and callouses on my right sewing fingers.


That pic don't do it justice. Had to use the flash. Fedora

[Hollowpond]

Just...saw...price...Have...head...in...vise...to...make...smaller...


Travis
ps Anybody know that guy on Beetlejuice who shrunk his head? This vise ain't working.

[DR Ulloa]

What a beautiful hat! That block shape reminds me of that green Stetson of yours, Steve. It does make a mean Raiders hat. Wish I had a small head...Id take that off your hands in a second.

Dave

[RaidersBash]

Guess I'm out. Steve just told me his 6 7/8 measures 21 5/8, and not 22" like all my other 6 7/8's. (and this crying emoticon doesn't do how I feel justice)

[Fedora]

Guess I'm out. Steve just told me his 6 7/8 measures 21 5/8, and not 22" like all my other 6 7/8's. (and this crying emoticon doesn't do how I feel justice)

Yeah, on my sizing charts, a 6 7/8 is a 55cm, and one chart says it fits a 21 1/2 head and the other says a 6 7/8 fits a 21 5/8 head.

A 22 inch head generally is a size 7 or 56 cm. But one chart says it a 7 fits a 22 1/4. No consistency in charts. Head measurments is the only way to go when determining your actual size. That is why most custom hatters use head measurments. Fedora

[RaidersBash]

still a little heartbroken Steve. I went from one of the highest highs I've had in awhile, to a pretty nasty low, in a really short period of time....

and I'm not bi-polar....just really excited about that hat (especially when I read 6 7/8).

but it's all good, and you're still the man in my book!

[WyoWilliam]

Perhaps it's the way it's bashed, but for my money, Steve's hat in the thread "Addressing the back of the Raiders Fedora" is closer to the Raiders hat than this one. There's a fullness and roundness in the former that this one doesn't quite capture, in my opinion.
Still, a mighty fine looking hat, and the side views are spot-on!