Fedoras in the Evening Sun

[Mountaineer]

I'm one of those customers that had a re-block on order with Penman Hats just before Bending Oak closed that option to off-brands, so I had some interest in seeing how that particular hat would look on my noggin before and after it went through his hands.

I was about to send him my 2008 Keppler-purchased Beaver Brand "Legacy" that I had tried to re-block myself. Last year I wanted to give re-blocking a shot, not to fight any real taper, just because I thought it might improve the hat's look. I was never satisfied with it after that.
(That thread is here: http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... er#p646322)

I went out to get some shots in the late day sun and after seeing the shots of the Beaver Brand, I wanted to get a few with my vintage HJ as well. The HJ was one that Fedora converted from a homburg sometime in the past and I purchased it from him about a year ago from the Bazaar.

The Keppler has become a very soft felt, maybe the result of my toying around re-blocking it. It had seen lots of wear with nary a hiccup, until I tried to "fix" it's look. The HJ is a stouter hat, pretty much one that I really don't worry about wearing in the rain, snow, sun, whatever.

In the interest of showing differences, both in brands and the before and after shots of at least one craftsman's work, here's the link to the flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28642132@N ... 4985/show/

Comments, as always, are welcome.

Beaver Brand:


Vintage HJ:

[BendingOak]

Anyone who had a order before I closed the door Im honoring. I wouldn't take a order and then tell that person I changed my mind. Im a man of my word.

[Mountaineer]

Yes, just to be clear, BendingOak is still going to work on my hat. I actually sent the thing away last Wednesday.

These were shots I took before boxing it up and sending it off.

Sorry if my wording made it seem otherwise.

[BendingOak]

No worries my friend. I just didn't want people thinking I wasn't keeping my word.

[DarenHenryW]

Vintage HJ:
[/quote]


In my opinion, THIS hat, does not need to be reblocked. I think it looks great!

DHW

[Pitfall Harry]

That Vintage HJ looks like it was pulled right of the Raiders set.

[Indiana Bugs]

The HJ looks perfect to me, at least from that angle.

[Mountaineer]

Thanks guys. That HJ is my favorite, and that's how it came out of the box. I don't plan on messing about with it at all.

Finding it in the Bazaar and having fit like it did was like my winning the lottery.

I believe Fedora has commented about how this was one of his teething hats, where he was trying to get the shape of his block down and he used old hats to experiment.

The fact that it started out as a homburg amazes me. You can see some of the stitch lines, where the brim edge was bound, but only if you look hard and in person.

To me it adds to the character of the hat; it was one thing and now looks this darn good as a fedora. Thanks again Fedora.

(BendingOak, no pressure my friend, LOL. Seriously though, any assistance you provide after what I did to my Keppler will be greatly appreciated. I wouldn't have inquired if I wasn't sure you could make something pretty good out of my mess.)

[Mitch LaRue]

I think it looks great!

Ditto!

That Vintage HJ looks like it was pulled right of the Raiders set.

The HJ looks perfect to me, at least from that angle.

Yep
Yep
Yeppity
Yep.
Couldn't agree more with what these fellas are saying... that's a fine looking HJ Raiders!


But I just want to make sure I'm clearly understanding you, Mountaineer:
You're not sending the HJ to John for a re-block as well are you?
It's just the 2008 Keppler-purchased Beaver Brand "Legacy"... right?

[Mountaineer]

Thanks Mitch.

You are correct, the HJ is NOT going in for work.

I thought I had good light and since I needed a new FB profile pic, I took shots of the HJ as well.

[Mitch LaRue]

Thanks for confirming.


It'll be pretty cool to see what John does with the Beaver Brand "Legacy"...
You're lucky, too... you might be one of John's last "off-brand" re-blocks... for a while, anyways...

Cheers,
Mitch

[Bemo]

Beautiful color on that HJ! But is that a Sub on a g10 or is that a tudor? Ooops, wrong forum, getting hard to keep my illnesses contained to their respective forums!

[Mountaineer]

Beautiful color on that HJ! But is that a Sub on a g10 or is that a tudor? Ooops, wrong forum, getting hard to keep my illnesses contained to their respective forums!

El cheapo Armitron on a G10.

Right there with you partner...