Recent content by gam

I've re-worked around 14 hats so far, all of the brims the same size as when I got them (2 1/4 to 4 "), as I"ve been reluctant to trim any of them down since I don't have a rounding jack. So, I picked up an old, faded, beat up wooly to practice on (almost free and only 10 minutes away)...

This poor fellow spent "a bit' of time in the sun, likely the rear window of a vehicle.

First attempt at a leather bow and band.

50 or so years later, much has changed, but a lot still recognizable from the book. https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/birth-of-a-hat-ca-1920

Came across tis the other day. Couldn't find any reference to it searching the site, so I'll post a link. "A Treatise on Hat-Making and Felting Including a Full Exposition of the Singular Properties of Fur, Wool and Hair." John Thomson 1868 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47090

Hmmm. Could this be real? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/209794778605256/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A060d48a0-4b90-4570-b317-346eaa72e0d8

Me. All decked out for Sunday School, spring 1959.

Thank you! Would 5/8" be appropriate to 1/4" top and bottom?

Practice hat #5 Biltmore Senator (made in Canada, so probably 2005 - 2011, their last hoorah) Seems a decent felt for modern - soft and pliable. Pic from the net as I neglected to take a 'before' picture. 2 inch brim with 1/4 in overwelt , tapered crown, decent sweat and real grosgrain...

Practice hat #4. I picked up a Royal Deluxe Stetson some weeks ago and the seller also had a Smithbilt that I really didn't want as it looked like wool, and I've read lots of bad things about wool hats here (can't re-block or re-shape them, stink when wet etc.). But the seller really wanted it...

I'd been looking a long while for one for my son in that size, they're few and far between.

Canadian Stetson (Brockville) 2 3/4" brim 6" crown unbashed

:( It's ugly as all-get-out ... ... but it works a charm. :)

I posted a Stetson in the "New Hats" thread a couple of days ago. I think it was from the early 60's. Took a look under the sweat today, and found a stamped number "902169" stamped inside, and a logo. Looked at a bunch of threads, but couldn't find anything related. Was somebody else making...