Opinions Needed regarding Statoliner Hat Box Design (With Pictures)

[Magus]

Hi there everyone,

I need some opinions. I like this design and believe I have worked out a way to achieve the shape, but casing the leather for the side (what would be “blocking” in hat terms) means somehow constructing a shape mold that will hold the leather in place as it cases. Again…I may have a working idea but I am open to your thoughts.

Here is the progression of the design:

This is the Logo from the Stratoliner Airplane (which Stetson bounced off of with the hat, hat pin etc.)

This is the Statoliner in flight…NOTE the PAA Logo on the tail section. The world and wing design is what I am trying to echo

Here is a drawing of the case design

This is the tooled top

And a close up of the Logo

What I also need is…well….YOUR thought...is this something that appeals to you? I will make the prototype if nothing else but to conquer the challenge and keep it for myself. But would any of you be interested in these? (I ask this because its going to be a bit of work to make more permanent blocking/casing molds for it…so before I go to all that effort…well you get the idea. The box would be available without the Logo…or with a tooled Stratoline Airplane in place of the Logo for varying prices.

If you are hesitant please understand that I am not trying to obligate anyone to buy one. I am just getting your thoughts. If you feel more at ease by sending me a private message, please feel free to do so.

PLEASE be honest…good …bad…whatever.

Thanks a ton everyone,

M

 

[jamespowers]

Looks pretty good to me. The only problem I have with it is the light color. I would prefer it to be a darker brown leather. What color is the leather now?

Regards,

J

 

[tonyb]

I like it quite a bit, Magus. And I might be interested in one, provided the boss lady doesn't object to the expenditure.
I've long had a soft spot for Stratoliners, and I currently have one that was apparently NOS when it came into my possession with an open crown and no signs of wear. I figure it deserves a special box. Several vintage hat boxes make up some of the "decor" around this humble home (seeing how I've run out of closet space), including one of those oval, silver-colored Stratoliner boxes. A nice leather one would certainly be worthy of display.
I take it that the box itself will be round? How much would you have to charge to make it worth your while?
Again, I like the design. I look forward to seeing the completed box.

 

[Magus]

Answers

Hi you two...I am going to answer both questions in one posting...I trust that is ok with you.

James: Currently the leather is natural, undyed or stained. Basically it could be any color that the dye comes in. What I plan on is a antique medium brown stain. It makes the leather a bit darker but really brings out the tooling and provides a vintage look.

Tony: Actually the box will be the shape of the Lid...thus the delima in casing/blocking it that I mentioned in the thread. I will have to form the sides of the box to the wing design....not an easy thing to do. I could do an oval box with the sratoliner logo (or hexagon, octogon...etc) The current design will land between $200 and $300 depending on the choices by the purchaser. If that sound high I appologize....but even at that I will be making ohhhh...hmmmm...lets see...about $3 an hour on it...oh dang...forgot materials...hmmm...make that $2 No lie...lol

Thanks to you both for the input...though I hope that more folks will chime in.

M

 

[tonyb]

That's cool, Magus. I figured it would have to be somewhere in that neighborhood. People these days are so in the habit of buying cheap stuff mass produced in faraway sweatshops that they are losing their appreciation for just how much workmanship and material expenses go into higher-quality goods, and why those goods cost what they do.
Again, I look forward to seeing the completed prototype.

 

[ledsled]

Total class

Beautiful design Magus. I don't have a Stratoliner, although it has made my short list since I've seen it here at the lounge. If I did have a mint "real" Stratoliner, it would certainly deserve a box as fine as what you are designing.

It's cool that you can dye the leather, and am thinking that people might want to have the leather dyed according to the color of their hat.... not that you could replicate the exact color, but perhaps the greys could be somewhat grey, and the camels a light shade of an earthen tone, etc. Keeping it natural leather as your photo shows is also great, as the Stratoliner has a bit of a western flavor to it, eh?

I am wondering if you have considered the sides of the box? You could do some shading that emphasizes the lid design (like having the wing area dark, and shading it lighter all around the box until it is at the lightest point where it meets the darkest point where the wing begins). It could have some black and white contrasting vertical lines. The box sides would also be the perfect "canvas" for some art deco lines.

I don't mean to discourage your project, but I don't think I'll be able to have that kind of money for hat storage in the foreseeable future. Certainly your price is justified, so I hope this is not interpreted the wrong way. Good luck with creating the box, and I have enjoyed the chance to make suggestions!

 

[Art Fawcett]

Magus, the prototype shows some real thought as to design and I would be VERY interested in seeing how the sides are approached and possible side designs ( I know..thats step 10 and you're on 2 or 3). At any rate I want to go on record as wanting your first offering when you feel you have it down the way you want. If it feels like something you would want to make more of I'd like to talk more of possible a VS box offering down the road. Not this design, but unique also. Now that I can see what is spinning in your thoughts I like the path you are traveling.

 

[jamespowers]

Hi you two...I am going to answer both questions in one posting...I trust that is ok with you.

James: Currently the leather is natural, undyed or stained. Basically it could be any color that the dye comes in. What I plan on is a antique medium brown stain. It makes the leather a bit darker but really brings out the tooling and provides a vintage look.

Then that would be a very cool design. Not a bad project.

Regards,

J

 

[feltfan]

Great logo.

I'm concerned about the "wing" extending out.
First, will it make the case unnecessarily larger
and second, will it get beat up fairly quickly because
it sticks out? I'd prefer a design that works this
decorative element into the leather of an otherwise
round hat box, the way the logo is worked in.

Great project and I'm looking forward to the rest
of the design.

Now if you had a western-style (think Open Road
without using that model name) case with cactus
on it, then I'd be truly thrilled.

 

[Magus]

Great logo.

I'm concerned about the "wing" extending out.
First, will it make the case unnecessarily larger
and second, will it get beat up fairly quickly because
it sticks out? I'd prefer a design that works this
decorative element into the leather of an otherwise
round hat box, the way the logo is worked in.

Great project and I'm looking forward to the rest
of the design.

Now if you had a western-style (think Open Road
without using that model name) case with cactus
on it, then I'd be truly thrilled.

Well...That suggestion would make the project MUCH more straighforward to produce the actual box body. The tooling would be more extensive though. An Open Road design....hmmmm...let me put some thought to that...

What I want to do...is "not the same old hat box" design wise (the artist in me). I do have a hexagon one in the works as well...(which has not been done that I have seen) But if people want good old oval...or octogon with the extra effort put into the tooling I can do that. (I actually prefer non oval/round for boxs...less stitching and better strength)

Thanks for the thoughts and comments...the are all greatly apreciated.

M

 

[Pilgrim]

Feltfan asks a good question. As someone who has done a bit of leatherwork myself, I am very impressed by the work Magus has done - but I also am concerned about the long-term fit (removing and replacing the lid) and durability of the wing that sticks out.

This is nothing but a question, not a suggestion, as you have a nice design - but it appears to me that an oval box could accommodate the wing design on the lid, while providing an easier shape to create.

(Yeah, everybody's a critic, right?)

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Great logo.

I'm concerned about the "wing" extending out.
First, will it make the case unnecessarily larger
and second, will it get beat up fairly quickly because
it sticks out? I'd prefer a design that works this
decorative element into the leather of an otherwise
round hat box, the way the logo is worked in.

Great project and I'm looking forward to the rest
of the design.

Now if you had a western-style (think Open Road
without using that model name) case with cactus
on it, then I'd be truly thrilled.

The more I think about I would agree with Feltfan. I'm thinking of damage while traveling on a plane.

 

[Magus]

Feltfan asks a good question. As someone who has done a bit of leatherwork myself, I am very impressed by the work Magus has done - but I also am concerned about the long-term fit (removing and replacing the lid) and durability of the wing that sticks out.

This is nothing but a question, not a suggestion, as you have a nice design - but it appears to me that an oval box could accommodate the wing design on the lid, while providing an easier shape to create.

(Yeah, everybody's a critic, right?)

All good suggestens ...and GREATLY apreciated. Pehaps this will be a design for me alone Since I already have the leather cut...it WILL be done...lol...Or perhaps for those who want to use it as more of a storage at home display item. I will set to work on a non-wing tooled version (I am thinking more round that oval...but we will see). Please take a peek at the Open Road design thread I am posting and add your thoughts.

M

 

[Pilgrim]

Thanks for your gracious response. I was thinking that the oval might work if the wing design is modified a bit (turning the tip downwards), or perhaps scaled down and centered within the lid.

 

[Magus]

Cast your Vote in the Poll

Through a bit of Photoshop I have altered the current top that I have already tooled. Please cast a vote on your fav...or if I should scrap and start over.

Thanks!

M

Old Boeing Logo just to remind you:

Possibility 1:

Possibility 2: (The lettering would be tooled)

Possibility 3:

Possibility 4: START OVER



Thanks again everyone.

M

 

[SteaminPete]

Magus,
Just tossing in my .02 I would go with #1 it has a nice look to it.

 

[Magus]

If I re-design I am thinking something like this

Right now I am looking at the current model as a keep my own hat in it item. I have one of those artist brains (yes..skewered and slightly psycho) But once I start rendering in my mind...I go until I settle on something. This new design seems ot appeal to me for some reason.

I will do my BEST not to bug you all with it more. lol...add that as a 5th choice...lol

M

 

[Siirous]

I'm going with #1.

Number two makes good use of the 'O' in stratoliner, but there's too much wordage there

Number three makes the design look lopsided with just one lone sweepline on the bottom.

I think Number 1 is well balanced and has an excellent overall look and flow. :eusa_clap

 

[Siirous]

I don't care for number 5, the words stratoliner are overbearing to me.

 

[feltfan]

I like the redesign or Possibility 2 w/out "Boeing" (it is
the hat, not the plane, after all- better to say "Stetson").

Glad I could be helpful. BTW, I have a somewhat stingy
Stratoliner that needs Art's help badly, so I'm not (yet)
the ideal customer.

I'm off to look at the Open Road thread.
Consider also a "Stetsonian" thread. That hat
deserves a box, too.