Help with a bash

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 4:55 am

After about 2 years, Herbert Johnson finally got a new stock of Poets in last week, so I nabbed one up. Naturally it came with a rubbish bash, so I'm trying to fix mine. Did the gentle steam thing one evening this week to try shape it up, I'm not sure I'm there yet. Any help in what I should do next greatly appreciated.

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 8:42 am

The crown is tapering inward but it's tough to tell why from those two photos. It is possible the front and back creases are not down far enough. It may be the side dents go too far back.

Generally the front pinch should not be sharp all the way to the ribbon.

And the brim is not curled up on the sides and the rear.

A rear photo, one from each side and maybe one from the top would help.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 9:15 am

A few things, you have a hat that due to the way it was blocked, is taper prone. Next is the rear dent. Fix the bashed height. It is bashed too high in front for one. Try for 4 1/2". It could be that the back dent is bashed too far down, as it can cause that taper, (if the back dent is bashed further down than the front) especially if it is taper prone. I still believe that that the best crown height for a Raiders hat is 5 1/4" unbashed, for say (58. 59 cm and less), because the further down the dent, the more it is prone to taper. If you begin with a high crown height, it is more difficult to arrive at 4 1/2" or so, bashed without it tapering, if the block job that was put into the hat was not the best, then it is prone to taper. I know people tend to refer to felt as "tough" or not tough, but I'd find someone to give you a gentle reblock, and give you a better, more stable crown shape, better bow work and a better sweatband. A few have said before that these hats are dry blocked at the factory, and maybe so.

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 10:31 am

Yes, there is taper going on, I've tried to get rid of it but decided that it was beyond anything I can control. I'm in the UK, so dont know where to send it for a rebash. If the only places are in the US, the postage along makes it not worthwhile unfortunately. The height of the bash at the front from bottom of ribbon to top of crease is exactly 4.5" already though.

baddates1 · Post by **baddates1** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 2:25 pm

Well, you could send it to Marc Kitter in Germany of the Adventurebilt Hat company. I think he should be able to pull something off for ya.

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 3:45 pm

look in the phone book surely there is a custom hatter around London?

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:18 pm

I was under the impression I'd need someone with a Raiders block ? I don't understand.

Anyway, I've had another go and I think it's looking better now. Will post more pics, although will have to delete the previous ones to keep my photo posts < 6

tedquinton · Post by **tedquinton** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 6:40 pm

Texan Scott wrote:look in the phone book surely there is a custom hatter around London?

No, I don't think there is. A real shame, but there we are.
Maybe try Advintage in Germany.

CRB · Post by **CRB** » Sun Aug 17, 2014 7:12 am

Some updated photos. Have dropped the front bash (is that the right term?) to 4.25" and it looks better proportioned now. It also helps a lot with the tapering but it still remains slightly. Really dont think theres anything I can do to have no taper, it probably needs a full reblock.

Ridgerunner58 · Post by **Ridgerunner58** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 3:07 pm

CRB wrote:Some updated photos. Have dropped the front bash (is that the right term?) to 4.25" and it looks better proportioned now. It also helps a lot with the tapering but it still remains slightly. Really dont think theres anything I can do to have no taper, it probably needs a full reblock.

The back should be noticeably (at least 0.25") lower than the front and the side dents need to come back further.

Unfortunately the crown is doing pretty much what the crown on the first Poet I ever bought did, i.e. shrinking and tapering to the point there is no way to get the sides straight. A reblock would help, but there's no guarantee the hat would survive being stretched over a block to the extent needed. I asked John Penman to consider doing mine once and he advised against it.

Still, if the hat fits otherwise you lose nothing by trying to get someone to straighten it up for you.

baddates1 · Post by **baddates1** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 4:05 pm

Yeah. I am with you on the re blocking there C. There isn't really any way to get rid of the taper without a full reblock. Good call!

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