Reblocking Hats DOWN Sizes?

[IndyRiv]

This may be around the forum somewhere but I'm sure I'm not the only one pondering this - is it possible to reblock hats DOWN sizes?

I just bought a really nice ABD from a member on here and while it may still work for me to put padding inside the sweat to make it fit, I would really like to have it reblocked (which it needs anyways) down to one of two sizes.

1.) The first size I was thinking of is HF's size. I've got another AB that also needs a reblock that fits PERFECTLY so am thinking of maybe using that one for my go to hat. Therefore, this hat would be in replacement of that one for my collection.

2.) The other size is, of course, my size. I am 22 1/8" but a size 7 1/8 would work just fine.

The hat is 63.5 cm circumference on the outside and 58.5 cm approx. on the inside. I don't know what that comes out to in inches but am wondering if, given all this, anyone can tell me what HF's size is and which of the following options above would work best to downsize to (if even possible).

Thanks!

[BendingOak]

You can down size hats with re-blocking depending on the felt used and how the felt was blocked originally. Of course what size the felt is and how far down you want to go. The felt that Mark uses is simple one of the best money can buy and he pre-ages/stables the felt. I think you are going to find that amount is just too much to shrink down. The other option is to use the felt as a raw body and try and block it where some of the crown becomes brim and you cut the rest off. I never tried that with a ABD or AB. A couple things come into play. Is there any signs off fading ( look under the ribbon to find out). To do it you will need to stretch the felt like you do a raw body and again the way Mark pre-ages/stable the felts he uses. I'm not sure it's going to happen. There is a risk involved and this is where someone pops in and tells me I'm wrong.

[ChrisMD]

Im confused now. Why would you want a hat in HF size if, if that is not your size?

[IndyRiv]

Im confused now. Why would you want a hat in HF size if, if that is not your size?

That seems to be the overall reaction on this forum. Why do you want something that's not your size? Yet whenever other people are looking for the same, no one chimes in with a "I'm confused" comment.

The reasons are simple:

A: I'd be putting this up as part of a costume I'm working on
B: My costume is based on HF sizing

I want to be able to show off the hat and if people wish to try it on, they'll get the added feel of realizing that the hat is the same size as HF's.

I've got a couple AB's, so if it's easier to get my size that I actually wear then I'd opt to using this one for everyday wear. Otherwise, if it's easier for it to go the HF size, then I'd use this one as a display piece and rotate out one of my other hats that would fit me better and use that one for everyday wear.

[jnicktem]

Where is the 63.5 cm measurement coming from?

[IndyRiv]

Where is the 63.5 cm measurement coming from?

Good question. I included the outside circumference along the brim break as it was easier to measure and I know that some people are able to determine the hat size from that. So I figured the more info I could give the better. By the way, the writing underneath the sweatband is gone so I don't have that info. Sorry.

[Banky]

You can down size hats with re-blocking depending on the felt used and how the felt was blocked originally. Of course what size the felt is and how far down you want to go. The felt that Mark uses is simple one of the best money can buy and he pre-ages/stables the felt. I think you are going to find that amount is just too much to shrink down. The other option is to use the felt as a raw body and try and block it where some of the crown becomes brim and you cut the rest off. I never tried that with a ABD or AB. A couple things come into play. Is there any signs off fading ( look under the ribbon to find out). To do it you will need to stretch the felt like you do a raw body and again the way Mark pre-ages/stable the felts he uses. I'm not sure it's going to happen. There is a risk involved and this is where someone pops in and tells me I'm wrong.

I'd be inclined to agree with Mr. Penman. In many cases is really not worth the effort. Risk/reward is really not there and as John said you risk destroying the hat.

[ChrisMD]

Im confused now. Why would you want a hat in HF size if, if that is not your size?

That seems to be the overall reaction on this forum. Why do you want something that's not your size? Yet whenever other people are looking for the same, no one chimes in with a "I'm confused" comment.

The reasons are simple:

A: I'd be putting this up as part of a costume I'm working on
B: My costume is based on HF sizing

I want to be able to show off the hat and if people wish to try it on, they'll get the added feel of realizing that the hat is the same size as HF's.

I've got a couple AB's, so if it's easier to get my size that I actually wear then I'd opt to using this one for everyday wear. Otherwise, if it's easier for it to go the HF size, then I'd use this one as a display piece and rotate out one of my other hats that would fit me better and use that one for everyday wear.

Well I chimed in because I was confused. Not singling you out, just didn't get it. I found it odd to get the size of an actor if it is not your size also. To each his own.

[Ridgerunner58]

Not intending to "re-rail" the discussion to address the second half of the question originally asked, but there is discussion on Ford's hat size in this thread.

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... ze#p801564" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The consensus seems to be an American size 7 1/4, or European 58, which is around 22 3/4". Some responses place the size at 22 15/16" which is about midway between 7 1/4 and 7 3/8. (Slightly closer to the smaller size.)

So at 58.5 cm. your ABD is probably the correct size already. Which makes the question about blocking it down a size moot. (Although helpful to know the answer.)

[Michaelson]

Well, in the 'take it for what it's worth' category, Steve Delk told me years ago that blocking for me was always fun, as he used 'MY' blocks to make Ford's hats for CS (specificially the travel hat), as Ford and I had exactly the same size head and shape. My head measures 23", long oval.

Just repeating what I was told.

Regards! Michaelson

[Ridgerunner58]

The man apparently has a variable head size. Mine is 22 11/16" regular oval and Steve told me the same thing.

(I took it with a grain of salt - Tony Nowak basically told me the same thing and there's no way my 5'8" frame wears the same size jacket as a guy who's probably 5" - 6" taller than me)

The above does lend credence to the reference to the correct size being a 22 15/16" long oval, though.

[Michaelson]

Well, I believed him because the travel hat block was the only one of that style/shape/size he had at the time he made the original for the film.

It's also the same block he's used for my hats since the mid 1990's, long before the AB hat company was even a glimmer of an idea. He was professional cabinent maker when we 'met'.

Regards! M

[Ridgerunner58]

I think what he told you is true. It makes sense given the other facts.

As for what I've been told - I've never begrudged anyone the right to a little "license" in their salesmanship. I just smile and nod . . .

[Michaelson]

Totally agree!

Regards! Michaelson

[BendingOak]

One block can yield more the one measurement. I have the CS block you speak of. It's sitting in my hat shop along with a few others.


I think part of the mix up is that there is a block size and a hat size that goes with that block but a custom hatter can get a couple hat measurements from that block.

7 3/8 block yields a 7 1/4 hat= 58cm = 22.82 inches. So all three of you gents can be made off of block but not have the exact measurements.


I really need to hire someone to make my posts for me or at least have someone proof read them.

[Michaelson]

Makes perfect sense. In essence, we're ALL correct making the claim due to that explaination.

Regards! Michaelson

[BendingOak]

Makes perfect sense. In essence, we're ALL correct making the claim due to that explaination.

Regards! Michaelson

yep

[Baldwyn]

Speaking of reblocking, are you open for reblocking services yet, John (Bending Oak)?

[BendingOak]

Yes, and have been for some time. Just very picky on which hats I now work on.

[IndyRiv]

Hi John,

I'm interested in having some work done on some hats.

Thanks!

[BendingOak]

please contact me via my email info@penmanhats.com