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Sit On The Hat Blues

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:46 pm
by swansong
so i got an akubra 3 that i thought needed some more wear and tear. i think i may have given it too much wear and tear for after sitting on it for the 3rd time ive got some nasty wrinkles thatve decided to move in. any suggestions on how to remedy this?

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:51 pm
by Tron7960
Let's see pictures. They might not be as bad as you think. I've got a few of these "permanent" creases on my HJ and after failing to remove them, I've grown to appreciate them as they add unique character.

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:03 pm
by gabrielle
I had the same on my Keppler because I didn't knead it first. So I just started kneading it afterwards and pressing on the wrinkles with my hands until the hat looked like I wanted. Most of the wrinkles I kneaded out by smoothing those areas. Watch Lee Keppler's video on how to soften a hat then work it with your hands until you get the right look you want...

Link:

http://www.adventure-supply.com/fedora.htm

Click on the link bottom of page

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:05 pm
by IndyBlues
Sit on the hat, 'Blues?!? Why don't you go sit on YOUR hat??? :evil:
'Blues :wink:

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:08 pm
by swansong
they look pretty bad to me, but if its fixable ill take it. it looks like a combo of jed clampette and a pile of veins.

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edit: sorry, been listening to a lotta bb king recently ><

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:37 pm
by Vegeta
Steam it really good.

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:44 pm
by Michaelson
Agreed. Put a pot of water on the stove and allow to come to steam.

Hold your hat over the vapor, and it will activate the stiffiner in the felt. Push out the wrinkles as the felt softens and warms. Once you get it where you want the shape, allow the hat to cool, then brush the nap on the crown and top of the brim counterclockwise, and under the brim clockwise.

You should be back in business.

Regards! Michaelson

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:47 pm
by swansong
Michaelson wrote:Agreed. Put a pot of water on the stove and allow to come to steam.

Hold your hat over the vapor, and it will activate the stiffiner in the felt. Push out the wrinkles as the felt softens and warms. Once you get it where you want the shape, allow the hat to cool, then brush the nap on the crown and top of the brim counterclockwise, and under the brim clockwise.

You should be back in business.

Regards! Michaelson
thanks, but whats a nap?

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:50 pm
by Long John Tinfoil
That's what most of us need after a couple of adventures.

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:52 pm
by swansong
Long John Tinfoil wrote:That's what most of us need after a couple of adventures.
xD

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:08 pm
by Indiana G
careful on the steam....fed 3's will shrink if you over expose.

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 5:12 pm
by eazybox
Sell it to Ed Norton, he'd love it. Seriously, if you are hesitant about using steam as many of us are, try this first: just playing around with the felt as others have suggested should help smooth it out while retaining enough of the wrinkling to give it the distressed look you wanted. For tough areas, wet them and, using a flat hard surface placed inside the hat, press firmly and repeatedly on the wrinkles from the outside until they smooth out.

If that doesn't work, it's time to get out the tea kettle or send the hat away for a reblock.

Jack

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:23 pm
by BazzanoJones
gabrielle wrote:I had the same on my Keppler because I didn't knead it first...etc. Watch Lee Keppler's video on how to soften a hat then work it with your hands until you get the right look you want...etc.
Sorry for one little half-off-topic question: it is useful or raccomanded to use the Keppler's method to soften my new fur felt Fed IV and prevent future wrinkles? This soften method it's valid for all hat brands? :shock:

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:32 pm
by Michaelson
Indiana G wrote:careful on the steam....fed 3's will shrink if you over expose.
ANY hat will. :lol: :wink:

The 'nap' is the surface of the felt.

Yes, the 'Keppler' technique will work on all fur felt hats that have to much stiffner applied. All you're doing is working the stiffner loose in the felt.

Regards! Michaelson

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:21 pm
by WeeMadHamish
I find that if you want to sit on the hat to give it some character, you REALLY need to work it over with your hands some first to break up the stiffener. Otherwise, yeah... you end up with some really nasty wrinkle. You might try just working the wrinkles out with your fingers before applying the steam... the less steam, the better. ;)

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:47 pm
by swansong
wow, thanks guys! i dont think im gonna regret coming here!

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:08 pm
by Bowie
swansong wrote:wow, thanks guys! i dont think im gonna regret coming here!

Probably not, but your wallet sure will :wink: :lol:

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:43 pm
by Michaelson
swansong wrote:wow, thanks guys! i dont think im gonna regret coming here!
Yeah, don't make that leap of faith with this crew! :shock: :lol: :wink:

HIGH regards! Michaelson

Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:39 pm
by swansong
Bowie wrote:
swansong wrote:wow, thanks guys! i dont think im gonna regret coming here!

Probably not, but your wallet sure will :wink: :lol:
thats not far from the truth, ive already thrown the idea of a keppler or a '57.