Club Obi Wan

Just got off the phone with Mr. Lamode. I let him know that he might have a few guys wanting to buy the block that I use for my AB hats. Contact info is http://www.lamodewoodhatblocks.com/Basi ... ource1.htm regards Fedora

is it just me or the link doesnt work? Maybe the server is busy

Worked for me. Regards! Michaelson

Ow now i can see it.. so Steve, what's the crown model for your ABs? http://www.lamodewoodhatblocks.com/Crow ... ource1.htm

Steve, what's the crown model for your ABs?

I was wondering this too.

Hey Steve: Just wanted to let you know I made the call this mornin to Lamode . I had to leave a message but referred him to your conversation and just asked for details on cost, payment and shipping. I hope I'm doing this right

Thanks again my friend
Kilgour Trout

Kilgour Trout wrote:just asked for details on cost, payment and shipping. I hope I'm doing this right

Thanks again my friend
Kilgour Trout

I'm curious to hear his reply. Post it if you can thanks

The block is a special block, and not of his stock. I had him to custom make my blocks. He has my original specs, but to be safe I am sending him a block to copy so he has it 3 dimensional. He will keep this on file for you guys. regards, Fedora

Fedora wrote:The block is a special block, and not of his stock. I had him to custom make my blocks. He has my original specs, but to be safe I am sending him a block to copy so he has it 3 dimensional. He will keep this on file for you guys. regards, Fedora

So, when will "your" blocks be available?

I should have the block to him by late next week, and then he will be set to go. He is gonna clone my block, and then keep one on file as the master pattern. I thought he had done this when he made my first blocks, but apparently not. Fedora

Aren't you working with Marc on a slight modification to the block? Should we wait and get the best there is or wil the change be so subtle to be unnoticable?

Hey Rick! Good question, Did you see my post to Mark where I've offered him everything but endentured slavery to get the newer better block? Man!... if an offer of Pure Canadian Maple Syrup doesn't make him crack nothing will....

Warm Regards
Kilgour Trout

Aren't you working with Marc on a slight modification to the block? Should we wait and get the best there is or wil the change be so subtle to be unnoticable?

Yeah, it was finalized and Marc had the first one made to check and see what it yields. I think 99 per cent of the folks could not tell the difference in the shapes. They are practically identical. We thought the front and back transition point on my vintage Hj was perfect and a break point was moved downward. That is the basic difference. A nuance that only obsessive folks like Marc and I would even pay any attention to. This block shape is sorta complicated in that different felt reacts differently to the block shape. That is, you could take a thick, or stiffer felt and not get an accurate looking Indy fedora off of the perfect block. So, you basically have to adjust the block shape to the sort of felt you are using. Not many hatters even consider this important point when trying to achieve a certain look. If the felt is too thin or too floppy my blocks create too much reverse taper on the back, to the point that it is not accurate at all to the Indy fedora. So, the block shape must match the felt being used. It is a combination. regards, Fedora

What?!! You mean my hat that has the perfect shape for the perfect Raiders' look and has turned out absolutely perfect, isn't perfect???!!!! I want a full refund so that I can purchase one of those Dorfman's.

Well...I just got through talking to Richard at Lamode. What a nice guy! Seems very laid back and honest. He was just about to return my phone message when I caught him at the shop. It seems to be the more likely spot to catch him.
Anyway...The plan is that after he gets Fedora's block next week he is going to double check all the specs and get back to me with a price and discuss shipping. He asked me what size I was looking for and talked abit about Steve's conversation with him. He also, made sure he had all my contact numbers and He told me a little about his background with blocks which was fascinating (Father started making blocks 60 years ago in New York, He apprenticed and moved things out to Minnesota).

So.. all in all, a very good first impression.

I'm looking forward to doing business with him and working with the block once it comes. I've also put in a bid on a flange! So...hopefully before the new year, I'll be working on cleaning and reblocking. All I can say is "Finally!!"

Warm Regards
Kilgour Trout

Great, Kilgour! I'd like to know how things turn out and what the final pricing comes down to. How exciting!

bink

Let us know, Kilgour. I'm anxious to know more.

As part of the process I've gone out and scouted for a flange
and ended up bidding on and winning this.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... %3AIT&rd=1

It seems to be a 3" or 3 1/4" according to the seller and should do nicely wrapped around the Lamode crown block. There's still so much to know but at least I'm actually getting it together this time! This seller has some excellent flanges...

Warm Regards
Kilgout Trout

Nice win, Kilgour! Most of the flanges I've seen have gone for much more than that!

bink

Hmm.....I think my hat is due for a reblock....hmm...yes....

Well...My Flange is in hand! . It is really quite beautiful in smoothness and shape. It is chipped at the base a bit (which won't effect the brim) and it may need just a light sand but other than that it looks really good. It has a fairly flat 3" brim shape which curves up nice at about 2 inches. Now..it's just a matter of waiting on Richard Lamode to hear what he can do in terms of a block.

I haven't heard from him since I called over a week ago. I know he was doing some work for Fedora (Steve) so I'm hoping I'll be hearing from him soon.

Hey Steve have you talked to Richard recently?

Just updating
Warm Regards
Kilgour Trout

Great, Kilgour! I just got a block, too, so I'm about ready to start experimenting on some old beat up hats of mine.

Hey Bink! An actual center block? What did you get? Did you buy it off ebay? I've been looking at a few but have chosen the new route until I can see first hand what a straight untapered side looks like. I've seen the #52's and they almost seem tapered front and back. If there were more #60's out there I'd probabley take the plunge. It's just so hard to eyeball a block on the monitor.

There's one right now on ebay that looks very close but its just so hard to tell.

Did Steve aid in the choice at all?

So far I've ventured as far as washing a hat with very good results, but it is absolutely crazy looking without a block to straighten things up. After my wife stopped laughing at my harpo special, she said "Honey...maybe you should just buy new ones from Steve!

So I guess I'll be able to justify a Grey Indy fairly soon

Warm Regards
Kilgour Trout

My block isn't exactly a 60 or a 52. apart from the size measurements, it's marled 961. It has a little front and back taper to it, but I think it'll work great for a standard vintage C-dent fedora. I know what you mean about looking at blocks on screen, though! And yes, I asked Steve PLENTY of questions!

bink

Ok, Richard Lamode should have the block to copy by the end of this week. So, it will be there for the guys who want their own block. regards. Fedora

Sweet! Fedora, you really are to be applauded for this. How many vendors give away their "trade secrets?"

bink

Thanks, Fedora. It's amazing how far this has come along.

Just a word regarding hat blocking. If you want to keep your hat looking untapered, that is, as a procedure you would do periodically, BEFORE, the hat actually tapered, then order the next smaller block size. If you wear a 7 1/4 hat, order the 7 1/8 block. You then just slide the block inside the hat with all parts still intact. If you are wanting to tear the hat down and reblock, then order your regular size block.

If you are using the smaller block to keep your hat straight sided, push the block in, as far as it will go, by working it down with your hands. Now, hit the top lightly with steam and tug it the rest of the way down til the felt is tight against the block. Steam again lightly and let it dry for an hour. Now, the steam has relaxed the felt, and it tightened up when the drying process took place, but it is not as tight as it could be. Now, lightly spray the hat with water, the complete crown, stopping at the ribbon. Rub it in lightly, and let this dry naturally overnight. This will help the felt to tighten up, internally even more, and that is a good thing. You do not want it to tighten up once it is off the block. Hope this makes sense. Fedora

Whoa, that last post by Fedora is info that should be in the FAQ pages or on the Adventurebilt Hats page.

Hey Steve: Great news to say the least. I'll be giving Richard a shout on Monday to get my block ordered up. It makes for a rather weird Christmas present from my wife

I can hear friends asking as they come over to visit...So...Rob, What did you get for Christmas from your wife? Uh...that block of wood over there

Uhhh..really

We truely are mad aren't we?

Kilgour Trout

Just as long as you're not called a "blockhead" for giving it as a present!

Hey Folks...I do intend to get one of Richards blocks, though I might have to give him another call. He was going to give me a shout when Steve's block arrived and hasn't yet Has anyone heard?

But...in the meantime I thought I'd share the first block I've ever purchaced off ebay. It's not a Raiders 25, 52, or 60, though there are a couple of those up in different sizes on ebay...but it should make a really nice LC block.

take a look...I've got a few other shots to put up later.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 6232587004

Here's the others

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/K ... res004.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/K ... res003.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/K ... res002.jpg

With the flange I already have in hand I'll have a starter reblock set up for under $80.00 Canadian.

Not bad I guess.

Warm Regards
Kilgour Trout

Not bad at all. That's about the going price for one in our antique stores down here in Tennessee.

Regards! Michaelson

Hey Folks...I do intend to get one of Richards blocks, though I might have to give him another call. He was going to give me a shout when Steve's block arrived and hasn't yet Has anyone heard?

He has it, as I just got the original back in the mail today. Regards, Fedora

Thanks Steve: Gentlemen Start your Engines!

Warmest Regards
Kilgour Trout

Kilgour Trout wrote:We truely are mad aren't we?

For some of us ... I mean 'you', it started long before Indygear.

OK, OK! I admit lunacy runs in the family! But unlike some who inheret it genetically, my clan get's it by choice eh!

Man...Jess..we must be linked, I Just "this second pm'd you! "
It then begs the question...what year were you born in?
You weren't pre-disposed to wearing flannel shirts, swinging axes
eating maple syrup and singing lumber jack songs????

Hmmm.....
Kilgour

Kilgour Trout wrote:It then begs the question...what year were you born in?

What year was I born in? I have no idea yet, I'm still waiting to hear the results of the carbon14 dating. They were going to cut me in half and count the rings, but I wasn't too keen on the idea.

Kilgour Trout wrote:You weren't pre-disposed to wearing flannel shirts, swinging axes eating maple syrup and singing lumber jack songs????

Actually I just finished doing that in an engineering meeting. I also handed out pressed wild flowers, but that's something complete different.

Just like your dear papa, eh, Jess?

That's a nice looking block, Kilgour, even if it is more of a LC shape. I've had an old hat stretched over a block for a good while now, I'm just waiting for a flange to show up, too, so I can clean up the brim!

bink

I know its quite a bump, but at this very moment I am looking at
the most incredible block I've ever seen!!!

After only a few weeks, Richard from Lamode has delivered into my hands an absolutely perfect Raiders Block. It is the answer to all my dreams for working on hats. It is so unique in shape, front and back height and crown that it could have been almost impossible to find anything close on ebay.

I want to personally express my tremendous thanks to Steve Delk for helping us "Padiwan" learners gain access to years of work in trial and error. I also have to give great thanks to Richard for being such a super guy. He was laid back and welcoming in every way. I'd highly, highly recommend spending the extra $'s to get a new block.

My only question now Steve....is if there is enough room in your backyard trailer for me and Bink to come down to Mississippi? But seriously...One day one day perhaps. Does this make us Hat making Groupies??? Eeeek..Sorry Steve, there just ain't no justice eh! .

Just As soon as my Digital batteries recharge, I'll have a pic up to show just how great this block is.

Talk soon
Kilgour Trout

How much for the Adventurebilt raiders block? i forgot

If this is the same block we're talking about, I think around $135. See thread where Fedora introduced this idea:
viewtopic.php?t=13714

Hey Erri: It actually worked out to a total of $158.00 US buckaroo's. This included the shipping. In your case..I guess the only problem might be getting the thing to Ole Italia for a decent price. This could be a point for negotiating with Mark for a similar European arrangement.

I'd still look into it one way or another, as it just makes sense.

Warm Regards
Kilgour

Hey Jerry..Yup. Steve went way beyond the call to help.
And...I can't say enough about Richard and the Block itself.

Rechargables are only an Hour from using, or maybe..hmmm, I'll try.

Hey Folks: Here's a few shots of this block.

It is absolutely great

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/K ... 001660.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/K ... 001659.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/K ... 001657.jpg

It's probably hard to tell all by these shots but the sides are so straight
with the front being just a bit higher.

Kilgour

Wow, looks great! If i will ever have more than 2 hats... i might think of buying one myself

Wow! Not some plastic mockup...you have your very own block! Pretty cool, Kilgour!

That's awesome, Kilgour!! I believe that you are the first to get one of these blocks. Thanks for posting the pics and price. Great information!!!
Thanks for taking the leap on this one.

Bump! I thought with some recent threads that popped up, this might be relevant and helpful.

Shane

You know, this makes me wonder if it might be possible to get a block, and sand/saw it down so that it can double as a hat-stand? Basically, modify the block so that it will fit inside the fedora like a glove, so that everytime you take off your fedora and plop it on this "hat stand", it'll be undergoing a mini-reblock. Would be a solution to taper!

Um, if you get the block one size smaller, it will fit snug with the sweatband in the hat. No need to sand the block down, either! If it's like the classic hat blocks, it will have a hole underneath for a block stand, anyhow. No modifications needed!

If you read what Fedora said above, he answers this already:

Just a word regarding hat blocking. If you want to keep your hat looking untapered, that is, as a procedure you would do periodically, BEFORE, the hat actually tapered, then order the next smaller block size. If you wear a 7 1/4 hat, order the 7 1/8 block. You then just slide the block inside the hat with all parts still intact. If you are wanting to tear the hat down and reblock, then order your regular size block.