Shantung Panama Stetson Monticello

[DanO]

HELP!! I bought a Stetson Shantung Panama Monticello on Ebay in 7 3/8 the hat is a little tight, shipping it back is too much (over $50). I have a hat jack is it possible to stretch it a little so it would be wearable? Take into consideration I am a newbie, the hat has a leather sweat band and I am not comfortable removing it. ANY help or advice will be appreciated!

 

[belfastboy]

I am a 7 3/8 and I bought a used Dobbs Milan straw in 7 1/4 with a leather sweat, a little gentle stretch with my hat jack did the trick and it fits great. No water, no steam just a slow and gentle stretch over a few days. did not alter the hat structure in any way.

 

[Bob Roberts]

I surely think you can without a problem. If your concerned and can get to a hat shop have them do it for you.

 

[JackieMatra]

HELP!! I bought a Stetson Shantung Panama Monticello on Ebay in 7 3/8 the hat is a little tight, shipping it back is too much (over $50). I have a hat jack is it possible to stretch it a little so it would be wearable? Take into consideration I am a newbie, the hat has a leather sweat band and I am not comfortable removing it. ANY help or advice will be appreciated!

The Hat Jack will do the job just fine if it's less than a full size that you want to stretch.
I've used one on many hats and caps. both felt, fabric and straw,
There's certainly no reason to remove the sweatband from the hat, as that is primarily the part of the hat that you are going to stretch.

 

[RJR]

The Hat Jack will do the job just fine if it's less than a full size that you want to stretch.
I've used one on many hats and caps. both felt, fabric and straw,
There's certainly no reason to remove the sweatband from the hat, as that is primarily the part of the hat that you are going to stretch.

Agree.

 

[DanO]

Thanks for the tips, should I use any steam? Once the hat jack is set for the first time what interval for the next adjustment and how much per adjustment?

 

[RJR]

Thanks for the tips, should I use any steam? Once the hat jack is set for the first time what interval for the next adjustment and how much per adjustment?

DanO,its a touch thing.Put it on the stretcher,give it a few turns,(don't overdo)let it sit overnight.Try it on and repeat as necessary.Leather sweats tend to attempt to return to original size so you may have to repeat several times.

 

[DanO]

Resurrecting this thread, I used the hatjack and it works, but the hat tends to return to the smaller size. Would steam help, and if so when to apply before or after stretching.

 

[belfastboy]

Resurrecting this thread, I used the hatjack and it works, but the hat tends to return to the smaller size. Would steam help, and if so when to apply before or after stretching.

Yes, as I only wear the Milan a few months of the year up here in the Pacific NW it does tend to revert to the original size. I have two hat jacks and during the summer months I keep the Milan on the hat jack at the right size point. A small annoyance but it works.

 

[tropicalbob]

I'm glad this topic came up, as I was a bit embarrassed to ask about it, given the time I've spent on this forum. Is there a difference between a hat-jack and a stretcher? I was speaking with Tim at Alley Kat today and he mentioned hat-jacks (I think), but I didn't want to admit my ignorance. So what are they, how much do they go for, and where do you get them? Also, I have two VS Milans that have shrunk a little, and would it harm them if I tried to give 'em a stretch? I think DanO and I are in the same boat, but I'm more ignorant than he is.

 

[belfastboy]

I would not take my opinion to the bank but for what it is worth....I bought a "hat Jack" and unless I am missing something of importance it is a hat stretcher. It may have been made by a guy named jack for all I know but it is branded "Hat Jack".
You can buy the nice vintage ones on Ebay or for $20 get a crude home made job that still works quite well.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Interchangeable terminology

 

[BobHufford]

Interchangeable terminology

Well ... almost.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Well ... almost.

Thats great. A big late nite laff. Does Jack need to sign a release...?

 

[Frunobulax]

Hat Jack is the brand name, of course. A proper stretcher will come around and contact moe of the sweatband. I find Hat Jack's to be a bit crude, tending to produce more of a long oval than an even stretch.

There is also a company called Made-rite that makes a 4-way stretcher that will give you a more even stretch.

You will have best results steaming the outside of the hat at the base of the ribbon while slowly easing the stretcher out. Then leaving the stretcher in for a while so the hat "remembers."


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[-30-]

"I find Hat Jack's to be a bit crude, tending to produce more of a long oval than an even stretch."
"There is also a company called Made-rite that makes a 4-way stretcher that will give you a more even stretch."

You Nailed it!
Regards.

 

[DanO]

I'm glad this topic came up, as I was a bit embarrassed to ask about it, given the time I've spent on this forum. Is there a difference between a hat-jack and a stretcher? I was speaking with Tim at Alley Kat today and he mentioned hat-jacks (I think), but I didn't want to admit my ignorance. So what are they, how much do they go for, and where do you get them? Also, I have two VS Milans that have shrunk a little, and would it harm them if I tried to give 'em a stretch? I think DanO and I are in the same boat, but I'm more ignorant than he is.

au contraire, bob go on ebay and a quick search for hat jack stretcher brings up 30 running $13- $63. I have two and think they serve a purpose if the goal is to "slightly" stretch a hat, which is my goal on the Milan.

 

[DanO]

Hat Jack is the brand name, of course. A proper stretcher will come around and contact moe of the sweatband. I find Hat Jack's to be a bit crude, tending to produce more of a long oval than an even stretch.

There is also a company called Made-rite that makes a 4-way stretcher that will give you a more even stretch.

You will have best results steaming the outside of the hat at the base of the ribbon while slowly easing the stretcher out. Then leaving the stretcher in for a while so the hat "remembers."


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

So the application of steam would work on the Milan? I have used steam on some of my felts but was hesitant to try it on a straw. But then I am only looking for a small increase in size, I just want a more comfortable feeling.

 

[Frunobulax]

So the application of steam would work on the Milan? I have used steam on some of my felts but was hesitant to try it on a straw. But then I am only looking for a small increase in size, I just want a more comfortable feeling.

Straws and Milans are normally wetted/steamed during production and stretched over the block to achieve their desired shape. So an application of steam will help it into it's new shape/size. Just remember to apply the steam to the outside and not directly to the leather sweat.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[tropicalbob]

Well ... almost.

There's something about the sense of humor on this forum...