I get it now!

[jamespowers]

Just got in a brown Royal Stetson in 7 1/2 Extra Long Oval. The wierd part was that it fit me tight! Yes, I know I am a 7 5/8 normally but an extra long oval usually takes care of that.
Well, about half an hour later I decided to check under the sweat band for the size. Yep, it was a 7 1/2 extra long oval but I found something very interesting that was the extenuating circumstance---a strip of cork about 6 inches long was under the sweatband at the back of the hat! The strip is about 1/8 of an inch thick with a moleskin like material backing that held it to the inside of the hat with friction. Very interesting. That much cork actually made a heck of a lot of difference! Now that it is out; the hat fits just fine. I thought it was going to be one of those super tapering stories that I have heard about from you fellas but no. The sweat is sort of wavy too but I can understand why now. The hat was not meant to be de-ovalized. LOL It is "aquanized" too so I now have a new rain hat. I think the sweat will flatten out with wear from my big head.
It sure could use a reblocking though. That center dent alone stuff just doesn't do anything for me. It also appears that the hat is meant to be snapped down at the front and the back. I don't know if I like the "bucket" look. It might grow on me though. After all, they cannot all look the same. That would be boring.

Regards to all,

J

P.S. Did I mention that it arrived smashed into a small box? Geez, talk about your Crushers!

[Wild Root]

Snapped down? Is this what you mean by the "Bucket" Look?