What Hat Are You Wearing Today ?

[Wyldkarma]

Sure, Ken!
This is how I stretch a 57 cm hat into a 58.5
First, I had many band blocks made to the exact shape of my head with a conformer.
You can see that the measuring tape marks exactly 58.5 cms. around the block.
A couple of days ago, I put a liberal ammount of Pecard Antique Leather Conditioner on the sweatband.
Today, I add some more, and some on the wooden band block.
Then, I start forcing the hat down the block. It might take just one time, or several times spread over a few days, but eventually, it will go down all the way on the block.
You have to keep it on the block when you aren't weating the hat, or it might shrink again.
The last picture shows how the felt in the front of the hat curves as a result of being stretched. What I do to resolve that is that I sharpen the front pinch, and it disappears.

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Dang it Max, you're a wealth of knowledge. I have some regular Pecards Leather Care Lotion that I use on hat bands. Never used the "Antique" Pecards. Guess it's a bit different. I'll need to see if I can get Nate to make me a band block. I've got a couple I'd like to stretch out. I had a few that were just a half size too big or were kinda oval and not rounded like my melon head and Nate puts them in my conformer at his shop and sets it in his steamer and and "presto steamo" it fits perfect. But that is only good for small size changes. Nate does lots of small fixes for me like hatbands, sweatbands, blocking, shaping, cleaning, and he's awesome. Just his pure beaver new hat prices are at the top of the scale like Optimos. But he has no problem fixing the stuff I bring in to his shop and the repair prices are resonable, similar to Art Fawcetts. Love watching him work a hat, I like to hang out and chat with him whenever I get the time and he's always friendly and willing to share his knowledge. He's also from Wisconsin, one of the indian tribes there.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Dang it Max, you're a wealth of knowledge. I have some regular Pecards Leather Care Lotion that I use on hat bands. Never used the "Antique" Pecards. Guess it's a bit different. I'll need to see if I can get Nate to make me a band block. I've got a couple I'd like to stretch out. I had a few that were just a half size too big or were kinda oval and not rounded like my melon head and Nate puts them in my conformer at his shop and sets it in his steamer and and "presto steamo" it fits perfect. But that is only good for small size changes. Nate does lots of small fixes for me like hatbands, sweatbands, blocking, shaping, cleaning, and he's awesome. Just his pure beaver new hat prices are at the top of the scale like Optimos. But he has no problem fixing the stuff I bring in to his shop and the repair prices are resonable, similar to Art Fawcetts. Love watching him work a hat, I like to hang out and chat with him whenever I get the time and he's always friendly and willing to share his knowledge. He's also from Wisconsin, one of the indian tribes there.

I know it stretches belief a little, Ken, but if I put a little water, enough to simulate sweat only, on a 59 cm sweat band and then put it on my band block with a little steam, it seems to shrink to 58.5 cm.

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[Wyldkarma]

I know it stretches belief a little, Ken, but if I put a little water, enough to simulate sweat only, on a 59 cm sweat band and then put it on my band block with a little steam, it seems to shrink to 58.5 cm.

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Learning so much about hats. Who would've thunk it? LOL What a fun hobby. Thanks Max for sharing that. Mucho appreciated.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Art Fawcett Milan for work tonight.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Learning so much about hats. Who would've thunk it? LOL What a fun hobby. Thanks Max for sharing that. Mucho appreciated.

De nada, Ken

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[moehawk]

Hey everyone!
It was the French mystery hat sold by Maximes up top today.

Have a great day!

Powered by happy thoughts

 

[Cornshucker77]

That's Awesome.

Thanks Capt.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Dang it Max, you're a wealth of knowledge. I have some regular Pecards Leather Care Lotion that I use on hat bands. Never used the "Antique" Pecards. Guess it's a bit different. I'll need to see if I can get Nate to make me a band block. I've got a couple I'd like to stretch out. I had a few that were just a half size too big or were kinda oval and not rounded like my melon head and Nate puts them in my conformer at his shop and sets it in his steamer and and "presto steamo" it fits perfect. But that is only good for small size changes. Nate does lots of small fixes for me like hatbands, sweatbands, blocking, shaping, cleaning, and he's awesome. Just his pure beaver new hat prices are at the top of the scale like Optimos. But he has no problem fixing the stuff I bring in to his shop and the repair prices are resonable, similar to Art Fawcetts. Love watching him work a hat, I like to hang out and chat with him whenever I get the time and he's always friendly and willing to share his knowledge. He's also from Wisconsin, one of the indian tribes there.

Ken your Pecards Lotion is their water based treatment that is thinner and soaks in quickly. The Pecards Dressings come in a tub, are wax based that you have to rub in and which dry slowly. All their dressings are basically the same formula except for the black dressing. It has dyes or coloring added.
It’s the best leather product i’ve ever used. If leather can be brought back from the dead, Pecards will do it. I’ve saved cardboard jackets with it. Amazing!
B

 

[Wyldkarma]

Ken your Pecards Lotion is their water based treatment that is thinner and soaks in quickly. The Pecards Dressings come in a tub, are wax based that you have to rub in and which dry slowly. All their dressings are basically the same formula except for the black dressing. It has dyes or coloring added.
It’s the best leather product i’ve ever used. If leather can be brought back from the dead, Pecards will do it. I’ve saved cardboard jackets with it. Amazing!
B

Good to know Bowen. I've used it on my sweatband and seems okay, will order some of the antique dressing and give it a try. I have one with a really dry sweat.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Good to know Bowen. I've used it on my sweatband and seems okay, will order some of the antique dressing and give it a try. I have one with a really dry sweat.

I like the Antique Pecard because it helps with reducing the friction while forcing the hat down the band block. Acts a little like vaseline.

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[TheOldFashioned]

This evening's project:

Better pics in the daylight tomorrow.

 

[Rockwater]

I like the Antique Pecard because it helps with reducing the friction while forcing the hat down the band block. Acts a little like vaseline.

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That band block appears to be without taper Max. Is that so?

 

[drmaxtejeda]

That band block appears to be without taper Max. Is that so?

No, it has taper, it's just that I am not a good photographer.

I have a plaster cast of my head that I made with dental materials in my lab. It is an exact copy of the shape of my head, better than any conformer. I tried to duplicate the taper of the plaster cast in the wooden blocks by making a tracing of the top and bottom of the cast and asking the carpenters to duplicate the difference in perimeters between them. The forehead is almost straight, while my occipital area has more taper.
They have made 120 blocks for me, so by now they're experts.

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[drmaxtejeda]

Stetson Tropic Weight

Could we see some inside pics, Bob? I have never seen pics of one of those.

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[drmaxtejeda]

Northwest hats co. By Mike Miller. Silvermist with shark gills and dog ears silver grey ribbon. View attachment 182957 View attachment 182958 View attachment 182959 View attachment 182960 View attachment 182961

Beautiful, Marcel. Wow.

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[drmaxtejeda]

Thank you my friend. Yes, it's 100% beaver, see last picture (58,5 100%)

Oh, you are a 58.5! I am too.

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[BobHufford]

I like it better every time I see it, Bob. I can almost feel that felt.

This one looks great, Bob!

Damn Bob, that is a very cool hat. Love it.

Bob....I wanna feel that felt....wow, looks amazing.

That's probably my favorite of yours, Bob.

Could we see some inside pics, Bob? I have never seen pics of one of those.

Thanks everyone (and everyone for the likes). Here are interior pics:

1929:

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Thanks everyone (and everyone for the likes). Here are interior pics:

1929:

Thank you, Bob.

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[Bill Hughes]

Ken your Pecards Lotion is their water based treatment that is thinner and soaks in quickly. The Pecards Dressings come in a tub, are wax based that you have to rub in and which dry slowly. All their dressings are basically the same formula except for the black dressing. It has dyes or coloring added.
It’s the best leather product i’ve ever used. If leather can be brought back from the dead, Pecards will do it. I’ve saved cardboard jackets with it. Amazing!
B

I’ve also used Connolly Hide Care with great success. I use both and would have a hard time deciding which is better.

 

[Pellie]

Oh, you are a 58.5! I am too.

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Oh oh.....