My first bash...Stetson Open Road to Bogey

[Kaleponi Craig]

Well, I tried and I think I may have come sort of close. I recently got an old Stetson Open Road (I'm sure it's pretty old, because the box it came in was the round kind with the leather strap around it. I don't think they've been making those for awhile) and didn't really want the Open Road look, but a Bogey style fedora. Well, after 10 minutes of steaming and bashing, this is the result. The only thing I'm having a lot of trouble with is the 'dimple' in the crown, if that's what you call it. Not bad, but I think I'll send it to Art anyway!

The Original:

The Bogey Wannabe:

Please let me know your thoughts. And how do you get that darned dimple in the crown???...Kaleponi Craig

 

[photobyalan]

Art's very busy working on three hats for me, please don't disturb him for a few weeks

Looks like you did a fine job on the bashing. Have Art put on a more "Bogey" ribbon and you'll be all set.

 

[scotrace]

Wow - that's amazing - ten minutes? Well done!

When desparate, I use a sleeve ironing board and slip the hat over the end. Then a cloth over the felt, and steam iron out small wrinkles like that dimple. Actually, in those pictures I don't think it's visible enough to worry about.

Great job!

 

[Canadave]

Nice job!

(I'd like to get a better look at those vintage ukes! )

D

 

[K.D. Lightner]

I have an Open Road that I had a hatter convert from an LBJ style (which I don't really like) to a traditional fedora bash. Looks somewhat like yours.

Is that a silverbelly color?

karol

 

[tonyb]

Yup, I can make out that wrinkle at the upper right side of the crown, a reminder of the old cattleman's bash. I ran into the same thing, but repeated steaming and massaging has it all but gone. You'd really have to have it pointed out to you to notice it. I like that sleeveboard idea, scotrace. One old favorite has seen such abuse that it now has a coupla-three wrinkles and dimples where they don't belong. Any other tips for a successful project?
How 'bout an interior shot or two, Kaleponi Craig? We might get a better sense of its vintage that way.

 

[Kaleponi Craig]

How 'bout an interior shot or two, Kaleponi Craig? We might get a better sense of its vintage that way.

Here ya go...

Plus, it came in an old round box with a leather strap around it...

any ideas on it's age?

Thanks, Craig

 

[jamespowers]

That was a fairly expensive hat for the 1950s there. I hope you got a good deal on it but even if you paid more the felt was worth it.
You did fine in reblocking it. A professional reblock is always going to be better but you got the process started for sure. The only thing I would change that might hide the wrinkle at the back is to rake the block deeper at the back than at the front. Sort of like this but maybe a bit more:

That would likely minimize the wrinkle. Whatever the case it is a nice hat. :cheers1:

Regards to all,

J

 

[Kaleponi Craig]

The only thing I would change that might hide the wrinkle at the back is to rake the block deeper at the back than at the front. Sort of like this but maybe a bit more:

That would likely minimize the wrinkle. Whatever the case it is a nice hat. :cheers1: J

Okay, I raked the back a bit, maybe not as much as you suggested. Still has a few wrinkles...

KC

 

[jamespowers]

I think you can go a little lower than that. Does the crown hit the top of your head? Usually that is when I stop. Then you put in the bump for the top of your head in the C Crown. That is just my preference though. I like a very raked look to my hats---just ask Art. :fedora:
I think that a little more and you would have it. What do you think of the raked look. After all it is really all about what you like. I think it looks nice as it is but it has room for more rake if you want to. :cheers1:

Regards,

J

 

[Prairie Shade]

OUTSTANDING Make-over - Im going in the basement for my old Open Road or maybe just send it to Art for a re-do. INSPIRING

 

[jamespowers]

OUTSTANDING Make-over - Im going in the basement for my old Open Road or maybe just send it to Art for a re-do. INSPIRING

Do it! Do it! The hat is just languishing there and would like to be worn whatever style you decide. Get it out and make it look like a million.
Good job Craig. You brought a hat out of obscurity. Does this mean the price of Open Roads is going to go up now?

Regards to all,

J

 

[tonyb]

That's a honey there, Craig. If you don't mind disclosing: How'd you score it? And thanks for the pictures.

 

[Kaleponi Craig]

That's a honey there, Craig. If you don't mind disclosing: How'd you score it? And thanks for the pictures.

Where else? Ebay. They have Open Roads on there all the time, but they are getting pricey.

Good job Craig. You brought a hat out of obscurity. Does this mean the price of Open Roads is going to go up now?

Thanks, JP, I've raked it a bit more and it looks good. The only thing I'm having trouble with is the crown, where I can't get a smooth surface on the inside groove, it's still has some wrinkles. Any suggestions?

And I'm afraid the price of these lids is already going up, as we've seen.

KC

 

[jay_b]

Looks good for 10 mins. Craig

 

[jamespowers]

Thanks, JP, I've raked it a bit more and it looks good. The only thing I'm having trouble with is the crown, where I can't get a smooth surface on the inside groove, it's still has some wrinkles. Any suggestions?

Steam and a rounded object. The wrinkles should iron out eventually. I use a ceramic egg that was once a salt shaker---once.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Clint_Southwood]

I think you did a good job on the hat. Is the crowned tapered though, I thought the OR were not tapered? What is raking exactly? Is that how deep the crown is bashed?

 

[Kaleponi Craig]

I think you did a good job on the hat. Is the crowned tapered though, I thought the OR were not tapered? What is raking exactly? Is that how deep the crown is bashed?

There is a small amount of taper, not much, probably as a result of all my steaming. The rake, I believe, is when you look from the side, how the back end swoops...

 

[fedoraguy]

I think you can get rid of the back creases from the old bash by making the crown more of a diamond crease than just 'teardropping' it. The sides of the hat will have a bit sharper crease there, and should help in making theold bash disappear!

 

[Clyde R.]

Very Nice! You've inspired me to give it a try. Now all I need is an Open Road