Blocking just the crown? Hat Trees??

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:56 am

What would happen if I made a half-block just to sit in the top of the crown, soaked the top of the hat and let it dry on the 'top block' naturally?

I'm thinking maybe the top 4" of the hat above the ribbon, avoiding having to remove the swaetband and ribbon.

Has anyone tried something like this before? Is it possible?

The reason I ask is, I've been considering this as an idea to remove the creeping taper on my HJ - The brim is great so I don't want to mess with that.

Plus I was wondering, if I could make such a 'top-block' it could be supported on a stand with a round base and maybe 1.5" round upright which the block would sit on. This would also make a great hatstand to put my lid on at the end of each day, and no matter rain or shine, the 'top-block' or 'half-block' would avoid the resultant taper.

I'm seriously considering trying to make this, what do you folks think of the idea? Maybe I'm missing some elemental flaw?

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 10:07 am

Not an expert, but I believe a 'top-block' would leave marks on the crown. When the hat dries on the block, some warping of the 'non-blocked' part of the crown could also occur.

I was thinking about this some time ago - theoretically, it should be possible to soak the crown only and then yank the hat on to the block. It takes some effort to get the hat on the block though, and the brim is very much used for leverage - it wouldn't stay totally 'undisturbed'...

I believe a complete reblock is the way to go, alas.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:23 pm

to remove the creeping taper on my HJ

I'm sorry, I don't have an answer for you, but is this a new HJ?

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:41 pm

Yup. Got caught in a few heavy downpours recently and a slight taper has begun to creep in. You ever see the old Hammer movie 'The creeping Flesh'? It's just like that...except taper, not flesh...obviously.

The block the hat came with was very good, very stovepipe, but it didn't last long unfortunately.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:45 pm

ob1al
That's a problem. I'm really sorry to hear that. I hope you can fix it. Of course, you know, you could always send it out.

Flattery · Post by **Flattery** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:51 pm

Truly unfortunate. I hope it's corrected without any further problems.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 1:57 pm

Yeah, I was considering doing just that and I may yet have to, but that's what really spurred on my post. If I can 'invent' a contraption (ala Carracatus Potts) or find something which reduces the liklihood of taper setting in after a downpour that would be useful.

It's not a huge problem at the moment, it still looks OK but I just don't want it to get any worse.

If you consider the sides of the crown, they came looking like this: II and are now just slightly favouring this: / \. It's not that pronounced, of course.

So what prompted me to wonder was, rather than sending the lid for a full reblock so soon, whether I could figure out a way to gently stretch out the top of the crown which would regain that slightly 'mushroom' stovepipe look again.

Steam just won't cut it - the problem is, the felt atually needs to 'stretch' out again there as the rain etc. has made it contract slightly - that's just my laymans opinion of course.

I'll continue to ponder, but chance may have it that a reblock is indeed the way to go, should no 'home remedy' be found.

Al

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:08 pm

I see what you're saying, Al. You're looking for the hat-equivalent of shoe-trees!

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:18 pm

Or 'Hat Trees', as it were.

Does such a thing exist?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:19 pm

I think I remember Ren saying that he puts his hat in a plant stand after it gets soaked and lets it hang up-side-down until it dries. This has helped to retain his hat shape and fight taper. You'd probably need a metal plant stand designed to hold a flower pot or something. Am I correct in recalling something like this?

bink

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:23 pm

Yeah, I remember Ren mentioning that too, but what I'm thinking is more like something which will actually sit INSIDE the top of the hat, gently pushing on the sides of the crown to prevent any contraction, or taper.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:33 pm

Ummm... maybe you could stand on your head while wearing it in the plant stand, then?

bink

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:34 pm

Say, that's a...bad idea. I'd get root rot.

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:36 pm

Hat trees. Al, I think you've coined a new phrase. You had best rush down to the International Patent Office.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:47 pm

Now, that's not a bad ide.....::Whoosh!::

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 4:33 pm

I rested my fedora on the top of the shelf with the Idol pushing up on the far back and has reversed the taper. Now... what if you did the same thing by resting it on a block that was half an oval?

I think it would work, but you would have to rest it there EVERY day.

I'm working on a sketch that I'll be posting shortly. Sorry I've been so busy with this new website of mine.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 4:37 pm

Hemingway Jones wrote:Hat trees. Al, I think you've coined a new phrase. You had best rush down to the International Patent Office.

Well... I think the term "hat tree" has been around for a while. I know I've used that term for ages myeslf, but if there's money to be had in actually patenting the phrase, then count me in for my share!

bink

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 4:40 pm

bink,
For the record, I think what you said was, "Hey, hats don't just grow on trees you know?"
I think that's hardly the same thing.

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:02 pm

It's not?! Well, shoot!

bink

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 4:49 am

Sorry Bink, beat you to the punch and now the patent is signed, sealed and delivered... to me....MWAHAHAHAHA

Whilst I was there, I also patented the words 'Fedora', 'Taper', 'Jacket' and 'And' so from now on, everytime these words are used I'm owed 20 cents a pop.

Ren, lookin' forward to seeing those sketches! Will you post them here on on the new site?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 9:15 am

That's fine, but I own the rights to the hat you're wearing in your current avitar, and there's a hat tax of 1000 pounds for even looking at it. Oh, plus the extra 1000 for trying it on.

bink

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 9:19 am

So, you reckon I owe you £2000, I know you owe me at least 40 cents...

We'll just call it even eh?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 9:22 am

I think we can come up with a fair trade, mate. Tell you what, let's brood over a couple of pints and figure a way we can combine our assets for the betterment of... well, us!

bink

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 1:21 pm

What a wonderful idea sir. We shall ruminate over a beverage or three and no doubt arrive at a very satisfactory, albeit inebriated conclusion.

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 5:15 pm

ob1al wrote: Ren, lookin' forward to seeing those sketches! Will you post them here on on the new site?

You bet I'll post it here.