Can I over crease my hat?

[IndianaJustin]

I have been scanning for this and perhaps missed it. I’d like to crease the front of my fedora to something resembling the idol grab scene but I’m worried I might do lasting harm. Is there a way to do this safely? What might be potential hazards? It’s a Raiders in beaver.
Thanks for any help or direction.
IJ

[Chewbacca Jones]

The big issue with the sharp Raiders crease is that it can never be fully un-done. Yes, it will weaken the felt, but as long as you don't constant pinch or play with it, it shouldn't make a big difference in the life of the hat. Plenty of us have done it, including hatters.
My advice would be;
1. Be sure you want the crease forever.
2. Be sure about where you put it.
3. Work slowly and in stages. Start off with a gentle crease. Check the look. Then gradually tighten it, checking it in the mirror between each adjustment, until you are satisfied with it.
4. Don't grab the crease to take the hat off or put it on, like in the movies. That applies to any fedora.

[Indiana Jeff]

I agree with Chewie, go slow. The mistake most people make is trying to get that razor sharp crease in five minutes.

It will take time for the felt to break in and eventually the crease to get tighter to a ROLA look. Especially for a beaver felt hat, the fibers are denser and so resist that sharp crease. Rushing it can damage the felt and lead to a tear or hole.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[IndianaJustin]

Thanks for the advice so far.
I probably fiddle with it too much plus I was worried about changing the felt color by creasing it sharply. I'll go slow and steady. Good reminder to not grab it by the crease also, been trying to train myself to remember that.
Heard about people using steam and such so I just wanted to be sure I'm not missing anything.
Thanks

[WConly]

Thanks for the advice so far.
I probably fiddle with it too much plus I was worried about changing the felt color by creasing it sharply. I'll go slow and steady. Good reminder to not grab it by the crease also, been trying to train myself to remember that.
Heard about people using steam and such so I just wanted to be sure I'm not missing anything.
Thanks

Just from the FWI'a worth dept., I would suggest wearing gloves while performing any 'pinch' attempts, either leather or even rubber, that way you are not adding skin oil to the felt. I've found this makes one heck of a difference, in how the look turns out on the hat! Just my two cents (or gloves, if you will) ! W>

[IndianaJustin]

Thanks for the advice so far.
I probably fiddle with it too much plus I was worried about changing the felt color by creasing it sharply. I'll go slow and steady. Good reminder to not grab it by the crease also, been trying to train myself to remember that.
Heard about people using steam and such so I just wanted to be sure I'm not missing anything.
Thanks

Just from the FWI'a worth dept., I would suggest wearing gloves while performing any 'pinch' attempts, either leather or even rubber, that way you are not adding skin oil to the felt. I've found this makes one heck of a difference, in how the look turns out on the hat! Just my two cents (or gloves, if you will) ! W>

Excellent idea, will do that too. Thx

[michael]

Just want to echo: patience.

The way a hat behaves and evolves over time in real life is so different than the fairly static impression we’re given from watching a movie, especially before you’ve owned a “real” hat.

Lots of good advice in here!

[Jeremiah]

if its a Penman or AB, pinch the heck outta that thing. They can handle it and a reblock makes them good as new for a new look. At least on mine that is.

[IndianaJustin]

if its a Penman or AB, pinch the heck outta that thing. They can handle it and a reblock makes them good as new for a new look. At least on mine that is.

Have you noticed any color changes at the pinch?

[Jeremiah]

I had an AB made by Steve Delk. I had it relocked by John Penman. prior to the reblock I had a really tight pinch and after reblock I rotated it a bit differently and there is nothing to show where the old pinch was. Again, other hats by other vendors may differ and even perhaps a different felt body by the same maker could vary, so take this with a grain of salt. That said, I abuse my hats. I don't treat them with gloved hands like some here may do.

Nothing wrong if you do though.

[IndianaJustin]

Sounds good. Thanks

[Michaelson]

I own several Delk made AB's and have for decades. I will NEVER pinch them as advised by my friend Jeremiah.

I also USE my hats, and have advised using them for what they were designed to be used for......tools.....head protection.

As he sagely says, take the advice with a 'grain of salt', as most all the bodies (including Delk AND Penman) are sourced either from Portugal, or Winchester hats.

It's a matter of how much of a 'crush' the fibers of a felt cone will take, regardless of what the felt is. You can coax them into place, but never pinch them, regardless of who made the hat.

Proceed with caution, as you can never undo the damage once you've cracked/broken those fibers at the pinch, as has already been said above by several folks.

We've read too many horror stories by folks who have taken this too far (along with those who love to faux distress jackets). Take it slow, and stop if you see any signs of distressing.

Trust us.

Regards! Michaelson

[IndianaJustin]

I have appreciated everyone’s help and I do trust taking it slow. When I look at my hat I always see room for improvement, never perfect. But i am getting better about not babying the thing, it’s hard because i naturally would protect the most expensive single wardrobe piece i own.
The felt of my hat seems durable and resilient, qualities I prize, which is why I chose this hat. Maybe i can’t get the razor crease i want, but I’ll keep at it. Again thanks for all the info.