Oh no! Either a shrunken AB, or wrong size...

[NewJerseyRaider]

So I've had my AB Last Crusade fedora almost 2 years now. It's always been tight, leaving a red mark on my forehead after wearing it, but it was still wearable, but after it got a good soaking it shrunk even more. It's been sitting on a Penman Hat Jack, and when I take it off it's comfortable for awhile it goes back to it's smaller size.

I finally got around to measuring the inside, and it's 21 1/2 inches, while my head size is 22-22 1/8 inches.
I don't know if the fedora was a half inch smaller from the start, or if that's what it shrank?

Either way I don't know what to do, as I LOOOOOVE this lid! I get compliments EVERY TIME I wear this out, even to the local pizza joint?

Anyone have any suggestions??

Thank you so much!
-NJR

[Indiana Bugs]

Sounds like it needs a reblock.

[NewJerseyRaider]

It hasn't been worn alot, in fact it still looks brand new. With the exception of some water stain on the inside liner, you'd think it was straight outa the box.

[nicetrylaoche]

If you don't mind me asking, why are you just now waiting to ask this question, 2 years after you bought it? If it were me, I would've enquired about a reblock immediately I mean, it is a custom hat after all. Do you remember if you gave him the right size initially?
-Z

[Indiana Bugs]

Even if it's like-new, a reblock will bring it back to size. The hat will be stripped, wet, and put over the appropriately-sized block, dried, removed, and a sweatband sewed in with no stress to it as it is being sewn into the proper circumference. You won't get the same result with a stretcher as the leather will want to return to its original size.

[BendingOak]

Lets take this one step at a time. What does the inside of the sweatband state according to the measurements? Steve writes the size on them like I do.

[NewJerseyRaider]

nicetrylaoche- When I got it the fedora was a bit snug but still wearable. It used to leave the slightest of red marks on my forehead, but it was good in a sense as it kept it from blowing off in windy situations.

BendingOak- Thanks for the idea, I looked inside and Steve wrote 22" on the sweatband. I have your jack set to 22", and after I take it off it fits nice for awhile, but eventually goes back to the smaller size.
I noticed after it got wet and I brought it back home, it barely fit overtop of your jack. I measure the circumference of the jack and that was 21 3/4 inches, or close to that.

[BendingOak]

ok, try this. unfold the sweatband and wet the back of it very well but just the sweatband. put it on the jack and leave it for 24 hours. then repeat that a couple of times. treat with petards on the outside of the sweat when you are done with the stretching program.

[hulkamad]

am I to understand that a hat can be reblocked to the next bigger size? or slightly larger than originally blocked? Not trying to hijack thread, just curious.

[mcmanm]

No harm in asking Steve. Shoot him an email. You may just get what you are looking for.

Matt

[jlee562]

am I to understand that a hat can be reblocked to the next bigger size? or slightly larger than originally blocked? Not trying to hijack thread, just curious.

Usually, yes. Although there is a possibility you may lose some brim width.

[hulkamad]

am I to understand that a hat can be reblocked to the next bigger size? or slightly larger than originally blocked? Not trying to hijack thread, just curious.

Usually, yes. Although there is a possibility you may lose some brim width.

Thanks for the info! I'll leave the thread like it was now.

[BendingOak]

How are you getting the measurements of this hat?

[NewJerseyRaider]

BendingOak- Thanks bro that did the trick! I think there's different versions of Pecards, any specific one I should get?