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[Doomstein]

I can't answer unfortunately, but it does bring a thought to mind. With CAD and 3d printing, it should be super easy to replicate old blocks if only the right people could be connected.

You caught me, I'm actually doing one up in CAD right now to send off to a local woodworker.

 

[jlee562]

You caught me, I'm actually doing one up in CAD right now to send off to a local woodworker.

Ill take one in 6 7/8ths! ;-)

 

[scooter]

I'm hoping maybe someone can answer this for me. The Borso I bought today, upon further inspection, has a ribbed piece inserted (sewn) between the felt and the sweat. It appears to almost corrugated and is only approximately half the width of the sweat itself. I can only assume it is a spacer of some sort installed by the original owner to make the hat fit better. I've never seen one like it. Has anyone else, perhaps one of the hatmakers/refurbishers?

here's a pic, and if you look closely, you can see it only extends across the forehead basically.

 

[Dinerman]

The majority of Borsalinos had that corrugated piece on the sweatbands.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

The majority of Borsalinos had that corrugated piece on the sweatbands.

+1 The idea was to increase cooling and prevent sweat to some degree.

 

[scooter]

Well, I'll be damned. I had no idea. This hat is a bit snuggish, and I thought about having that removed to make room for my big old grape, but maybe I should leave well enough alone.

Oh, and thanks bunches for the quick responses, lads. Appreciate it!

 

[Landman]

Since there were some questions about hat blocks I was wondering if there is any information on the Lounge or the web describing each block by number? I've done a few searches and haven't come up with anything. Thanks.

 

[gtdean48]

Well, I'll be damned. I had no idea. This hat is a bit snuggish, and I thought about having that removed to make room for my big old grape, but maybe I should leave well enough alone.

Oh, and thanks bunches for the quick responses, lads. Appreciate it!

If it is a tad snuggish, use a hat stretcher. Please don't mess with that feature, unless you need to replace the complete sweatband.

 

[Brad Bowers]

I have an odd question for ya:

On a #52 hat Block, about how many inches do the sides go straight up before they break into the dome, and also, what degree of taper are the front and the back (ballpark)?

The answer to the first part of your question is "none." I have a mostly complete set of #52 blocks, probably made by different companies, so they all have slight variations, but none of them has any portion of the block that is 90 degrees perpendicular to the bottom of the block. Every part of the side has a slight taper. Front and back have a greater degree of taper, but I have no way to measure either one. I'll have to find a protractor, I guess.

Taper is required for creasing the hat, since once the crease is applied the sides of the crown straighten up.

Brad

 

[scooter]

I'll leave it as is, GT, I wouldn't want to mess up this beauty. I soaked it with distilled water last night, molded the brim, creased it and let it dry, and it's like a new hat this morning. Just have to open it up a tad.

 

[John in Covina]

Hi, so I have been trying to learn about grades, qualities and types of felt. I thought that I was doing OK, after some questions were answered for me regarding Beaver. So...I have a hat that has the store name, the Logo in the crown says Beaver Hats, but then there is a label that states Coney...rabbit. Of course when I goggled Beaver Hats, I came up with a kazillion links. Would this be the maker name? Dont want to say its Beaver if it aint..:eusa_doh:

Rabbit is a step down from beaver but don't kid yourself, rabbit is used in some swell hats. Beaver can be mixed with rabbit as a blend just as we have seen Nutria and othe exotic furs. ( I think there was a chinchilla blend but i may have dreamt it.)

Akubra uses rabbit and if you read about their felts you'll find many people have had good luck with them, that they seem to respond very well to inclimate conditions.

 

[mikespens]

Well, I'll be damned. I had no idea. This hat is a bit snuggish, and I thought about having that removed to make room for my big old grape, but maybe I should leave well enough alone.

Oh, and thanks bunches for the quick responses, lads. Appreciate it!

I wouldn't say the majority of borsys have that corrugated sweat but it is a desirable feature and is considered one of the signs of an older and deluxe borsy. Might want to check this thread scooter: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?13133-The-BORSALINO-BROTHERHOOD

 

[randooch]

Since there were some questions about hat blocks I was wondering if there is any information on the Lounge or the web describing each block by number? I've done a few searches and haven't come up with anything. Thanks.

Josh's thread might be useful to you:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...block-profile-numbers&highlight=block+numbers

 

[Doomstein]

The answer to the first part of your question is "none." I have a mostly complete set of #52 blocks, probably made by different companies, so they all have slight variations, but none of them has any portion of the block that is 90 degrees perpendicular to the bottom of the block. Every part of the side has a slight taper. Front and back have a greater degree of taper, but I have no way to measure either one. I'll have to find a protractor, I guess.

Taper is required for creasing the hat, since once the crease is applied the sides of the crown straighten up.

Brad

Roger that Brad,

While I was researching I noticed that the sides looked much straighter than the front and back, and it "looked" like it went 90 degrees up. My mistake. I was wondering though how many inches it goes up at a very steep slope, and then breaks off into the dome top. (Last half/one inch or so?) I was thinking about printing out one of those block pictures and measuring the angle using a protractor myself, and then using some proportional mathmatics, that way at least getting an idea. But hey, if you have a 52 and a protractor handy already... : D

 

[Landman]

Josh's thread might be useful to you:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...block-profile-numbers&highlight=block+numbers

Thanks Randall. Some how I missed that thread. Even using the procedure described in the sticky I have the hardest time searching the lounge and finding what I'm looking for.

 

[jlee562]

Is there a preferred method of hat box repair? The box which my Cavanagh Homburg came in has a completely detached bottom and partially detached lid. Before I attempt an unsightly masking tape endeavour, I figured I would inquire....

 

[remotehat]

Yep Beaver brand hats is a company they make hats. Blends of beaver and rabbit are nice

 

[MikePotts]

Is there a preferred method of hat box repair? The box which my Cavanagh Homburg came in has a completely detached bottom and partially detached lid. Before I attempt an unsightly masking tape endeavour, I figured I would inquire....

Could you fabricate some internal, glueable supports of suitably substantial folded card to re-attach the base to the sides?

 

[remotehat]

I use Glue and Canvas

 

[randooch]

Is there a preferred method of hat box repair? The box which my Cavanagh Homburg came in has a completely detached bottom and partially detached lid. Before I attempt an unsightly masking tape endeavour, I figured I would inquire....

Jared, on one of mine I used a rolled brown paper cord, like you find used as the handles of gift bags. That nestled into a bead of glue worked beautifully.