My new [old] No. 1 Quality Stetson "The Wildcatter"

[RBH]

Thanks Manny...

All you have to do is find you an old hat. Where ever that may be, and just start to work on it. A cheap old wool felt is best to start with. [ to try out things you may like] But if a fur felt jumps out in front, dont pass it up [the fur is alot easier to work with.]
The bigger the brim the better, I like a 2 3\4 brim, so I look for at least a
3 1\2 to a 4 inch. If you have the big brim, you more than likely will have a tall crown. With converting an old western to a fedora, the c-crown is the easiest. Unless you have a hat block. The c-crown will cover up most any old western bash lines.
Im sure old western hat lovers hate to see what I have done to an old western hat. But I have to say that this old western hat has most likely seen more wear in the last 3 days than it has in the last 3 years. so all in all it is not a lost hat but a reclaimed one.
And let me tell you, the color, the felt and the FEEL of this hat is something you WILL not get with a new style fedora.

 

[deanglen]

I'm with Dean on this one- the lack of taper really makes the hat
stand tall, as it were; I'm trying to figure a way to gently stretch
a few hats and not grow a taper- I'm a straight-sided kind of guy-
or, if miracles do happen, the exact hat your showing with a
reverse taper would suit me dandy. You did a great job!!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

As of 12-3-06, you're message box is full. Can't PM until you clear. I had this happen to me once.

dean

 

[art92101]

Now I see the future

That cowboy hat turned fedora is excellent. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/images/smilies/eusa_clap.gif
:eusa_clap

 

[John in Covina]

I just had to get this. It will make the hat.
I think it will look good on the bow, kinda like the pins on a Stratoliner.
I plan on replacing the pin back with a clasp type pin. It was just to cool to pass up.
p.s. see what you started John.. :eusa_doh:
lol lol lol


<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/7791/oilvu5.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

That pin will definately nail it!

 

[Fedorista]

You've mutilated/murdered what looked to be a beautifully preserved irreplaceable piece of long gone Americana.

 

[RBH]

You've mutilated/murdered what looked to be a beautifully preserved irreplaceable piece of long gone Americana.

Murdered is a strong term... lets just say I put it out of my misery.




p.s. dont come back and see what I do to that old Resistol when it arrives in the mail.

 

[deanglen]

Murdered is a strong term... lets just say I put it out of my misery.




p.s. dont come back and see what I do to that old Resistol when it arrives in the mail.

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

dean

 

[John in Covina]

Re-incarnation!

You've mutilated/murdered what looked to be a beautifully preserved irreplaceable piece of long gone Americana.

***
Actually, I'd call it enforced re-incarnation.

Here is the question:

Is the Stetson hat in question some increadably rare and important artifact of history, without peer?

Or

Was it a fairly well made, regular and ordinary, plentiful old cowboy hat that was unloved in it original condition and fated for a better more usable life as a Fedora?

I'd say the latter.

 

[RBH]

***


..... that was unloved in its original condition and fated for a better more usable life as a Fedora?

I'd say the latter.

Thanks John,
I am by no means the first..
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=9491
and sure not putting myself up there with Art. But I have enjoyed seeing the results of my working the hats over into a fedora. The little bit I have done, I can see why Art, Steve and the others love making hats.

 

[deanglen]

Thanks John,
I am by no means the first..
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=9491
and sure not putting myself up there with Art. But I have enjoyed seeing the results of my working the hats over into a fedora. The little bit I have done, I can see why Art, Steve and the others love making hats.

Well HALLELUJAH, RBH!! You have certainly provided ample justification for such work with that forum thread link, (not that you really needed to)

dean

 

[Naltak]

Wow RBH, that is one nice looking hat! Makes me want to add cowboy hats to fedoras I am always looking for, now that I see it doesn't have to remain a cowboy hat. If I ever find one, I may be asking you for pointers. Very nice touch!

 

[RBH]

Welcome Naltak...

thanks for the kind words. I will be glad to help ya out if ya need it.

 

[RBH]

Wildcatter pin

Here is the pin on the 'Wildcatter'
looks pretty cool to me.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/628/qxc4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/7565/qafa4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[John in Covina]

A touch of class!

That pin really does add a touch of class to an already classy hat!

 

[DOUGLAS]

I gotta say that is one fine looking recreation. The whole package is cool. Damn good job RBH!!

 

[deanglen]

RBH, YOU"VE PERFECTED IT! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap The pin gives it the accent that completes it. I actually think a bound edge would not suit that hat, it's one tough man's hat, putting ribbon on the edge would "sissify" it! Whatcha think?

dean

 

[RBH]

Thanks John, Douglas and Dean.
I think you are right Dean, this thin ribbon just dont need a bound edge.
It just looks compleat as it is.

 

[RBH]

reworked the Wildcatter

There was something about my 'Wildcatter' that I didnt like. I finally figured it out....the crown wasnt high enough.
After my redo of the western style, the crown was 4' almost all the way around. Almost but not quite a flat crown.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/7184/3wp7ca3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

After I studied what it was that just did not seem right, I rebashed the front to 4 5\8'

after the rebashed
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/7219/redolda2.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>


I think it looks alot better with the added height.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/8529/redovd9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>


on my head

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/3195/wildwf7.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[deanglen]

Agreed! Adds a little more interest to the crown line. Good move.

dean

 

[John in Covina]

RBH!

Interesting change. Can you put the picture of you wearing the early version right by this later one so it is easier to compare?

Hmmm...