Another quick question about re-blocking my PB Cuenca Fino Brisa... I will be ordering a hat block from a local maker but how essential is the "tipper" or "creaser" which matches the top of the block and is used to push the crown down into the block while it is still soft from the steam? I was wondering if a home-made solution such as a cotton bag filled with rice and a weight on the top would be sufficient or whether I really should pay the extra for a matching tipper?
It'd say the tipper really helps but it's not vital. You can use your hands to shape the straw to the block. The rice bag, in my opinion, wouldn't work...