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CONELRAD · Jun 30, 2012

I was holding off on conditioning because I didn't feel that it was too urgent until last night I barely lifted the band to slip in a business card and a very small crack appeared in the finish, barely noticeable, but certainly enough to get me to condition it. Now that I've done it, the sweatband is much more supple and even fits better and feels more comfortable. Plus, I think it's stopped contracting (knock on wood). No questions here, just a quick update and closing statement. Thanks again for your help.

EDIT: By the way, I also got a sponge and crown brush and evened out the furry part on the front of the crown. So now I'm real happy with the hat.

tealseal · Jul 1, 2012

Is it just me...

...or has the overall tenor of the Fedora Lounge been a bit testy recently? Seems like every day I read a thread in Hats or General Attire (the primary two I peruse) that contains elements of sharp sarcasm broaching on hostility both from members and Bartenders. What's going on guys? I came to this place for the diversity of opinions, combined with the acceptance of those opinions by everyone involved. This inevitably resulted in an accumulation of information that resulted in even more robust knowledge and ideas than would have happened otherwise. It feels to me that the camaraderie has been strained and waning recently, or is it just me?
I love this community. I've rarely felt excluded or unwelcome, and I will continue to share my opinions and meager knowledge here for the (hopeful) enlightenment of everyone that is curious about the things we cherish here.

All the best,
TS

Sled Dog · Jul 1, 2012

Can this hat be saved?

Hey guys..I was in a thrift store and spotted this Boater...surprisingly it was the real thing.

Unfortunately it has an 'issue'.
The brim is bent upwards in one spot..

My guess is it sat in a closet for years, improperly stored and somehow it changed shape..

The brim is thick and very hard, is there a way of straightening or flattening the brim without breaking it?
Would steam or a bit of water soften it enough to bend back?

Here is a few more pictures

It does have a little bit of edge damage on one or two spots

Since its too small for me (size 7) I will probably just use it for decoration

Thanks

Ralphin Ormond · Jul 1, 2012

Dear tealseal, Don't sweat it, I think the Fedora Lounge has always been that way. As everyone says, the Lounge is an almost essential source of information about hats and for that I am very grateful. Like most forums I've encountered, there is an inner circle, and an outer circle fading out to the fringe. I am a regular viewer of the Forum who is comfortable at the fringe. When a person has racked up a few thousand posts, he is obviously got a lot more camaraderie going on there than I do. In San Francisco, strangers talk to one another in an open and friendly way. In most cities and towns it's not like that. Welcome to Chicago.

BR Gordon · Jul 1, 2012

Ralphin Ormond said:
Dear tealseal, Don't sweat it, I think the Fedora Lounge has always been that way. As everyone says, the Lounge is an almost essential source of information about hats and for that I am very grateful. Like most forums I've encountered, there is an inner circle, and an outer circle fading out to the fringe. I am a regular viewer of the Forum who is comfortable at the fringe. When a person has racked up a few thousand posts, he is obviously got a lot more camaraderie going on there than I do. In San Francisco, strangers talk to one another in an open and friendly way. In most cities and towns it's not like that. Welcome to Chicago.

Ralphin, I understand where you're coming from, but I have to disagree with you. I believe that you're limited only by your desire to participate. I believe that I'm on, what you would call, the fringe but that's only because I consciously limit my input.

I may be wrong, but I don't believe that that is what tealseal is speaking about. I believe that the testiness is just some expressing their views about the tone of some of the posts.

This is the most constructive, polite, and helpful forum, of the few that I am a part of, and I don't feel that a little testiness once in awhile is a bad thing, as long as it stays, just once in a while.

TomS · Jul 1, 2012

I would think you are only limited by your desire to be involved, sir.

The Wiser Hatter · Jul 1, 2012

The best way to straighten the brim of a boater is to make a wood flange with the cut out of the boater crown. An then steam the brim of the boater the clamp the flange down on the top of the brim and let the hat sit. After a day you should have a flat brim again.

As to tone of forum reading words on a forum it is hard to covey what someones tone is. As the reader can interpret how the tone of a message themselves. What is written is not always how another person gets out of the words that the author of a post wrote.

Rabbit · Jul 1, 2012

The Wiser Hatter said:
The best way to straighten the brim of a boater is to make a wood flange with the cut out of the boater crown. An then steam the brim of the boater the clamp the flange down on the top of the brim and let the hat sit. After a day you should have a flat brim again.

In addition to what Ed said, you can try to get the brim flat again by laying the freshly steamed hat (brim down) on a flat, hard surface and stack lots and lots of heavy books on the brim section in question. Let it sit there for perhaps even longer than a day. As for steaming, make sure to apply the steam to the upper side of the brim. If you steam the hat from the inside, chances are the leather sweatband will suffer from the treatment.

Doc Mark · Jul 2, 2012

Greetings, Folks,

Today, I was happy to find what appears to be a wonderful "old" fedora at a swap meet in San Diego, where we are visiting old stomping grounds. It's a black fur felt marked "Lock & Co.. Hatters, St. James Street, London. Established 1759 Registered Trademark". On the leather swear band, which is in very nice condition, but detached from the hat, are the same markings, minus the date and TM mark, plus this, "Made in England for Brooks Brothers" and the initials "CAF". It is size 7 1/4, shape #652.

I got it for what I consider a good price and would love to learn more about it. I will post photos when we return home tomorrow. And I would love to learn more about this hat, it's age, and value, which I know is always relative.

Last, this hat is a tad small for me, but could probably stretched to fit nicely. Can you suggest a quality Hatter in the Southern CA area who cold clean, repair the detached sweat band, and stretch and block it to fit me? Thanks, very much, for any and all information you can send my way. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

P.S. I also got my first Stetson the other day, and will share it here, too!

Tomasso · Jul 2, 2012

Ralphin Ormond said:
In San Francisco, strangers talk to one another in an open and friendly way. In most cities and towns it's not like that. Welcome to Chicago.

I've always found Chicago to be an exceptionally friendly city. After all, it's the capital of the Midwest which is the friendliest area of the country.

randooch · Jul 2, 2012

Doc, welcome to the madness.

The answers you seek are within these walls, but in many different rooms. Enjoy your stay, and post many pictures.

Randall

gtdean48 · Jul 3, 2012

Doc Mark said:
.... Can you suggest a quality Hatter in the Southern CA area who cold clean, repair the detached sweat band, and stretch and block it to fit me? ...

Welcome to the Lounge Doc.
Here is a dated question similar to yours...
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?21642-Hatters-in-Los-Angeles-or-surrounding-area

Mark B. · Jul 3, 2012

Was wondering if there is a thread on here somewhere for Falcon Park Hats? I found one for Art Fawcett hats and was hoping to find something similar for Falcon Park hats. If anyone knows. Thanks.

jlee562 · Jul 3, 2012

Mark B. said:
Was wondering if there is a thread on here somewhere for Falcon Park Hats? I found one for Art Fawcett hats and was hoping to find something similar for Falcon Park hats. If anyone knows. Thanks.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?48781-Falcon-Park-Hattery

It's actually on the first page right now.

Mark B. · Jul 3, 2012

Thanks jlee.

Doc Mark · Jul 4, 2012

Greetings, Gentlemen,

Thanks, very much, for the welcomes, and also the information on local hat shops. As it turns out, I called Art Fawcett and left a message about my hat needs. He called me back a while later, and we enjoyed a very nice chat about the hat, and also a few other fun topics of interest to the both of us! I like what I have seen of his work, and I definitely enjoyed hearing what he had to say about things, so my Lock & Co. will soon be winging it's way to Art for some of his magic. I am already filled with confidence that he will do a stellar job, and that I'll have a fine "new" hat to add to my favorites!! Thanks, again, Gentlemen, and I'll keep everyone posted as to how it all turns out, with photos to tell the tale. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

Bird Lives · Jul 5, 2012

Hey guys....I need your help....I was going to get something similar to the Lock Sandown Trilby.....And I had a dialogue with Top Secret hats...and Sarah has shown me a list of clearance items in my size and there are 2 that would probably fill the bill....
A Wincanton Trilby in black..looks like more of a dark, dark grey with a black hat band......and a navy Sportsman...which is a very dark blue....

Now most of my suits are blue, one grey 3 piece and my winter over coat is black....and I'll be wearing this hat with jeans and collared shirts also...This hat will have to be a one hat does all kind of hat as it will be my first and only fur-felt at this time....
Which do you think will be the most versatile and get the most use.....

Thanks in advance for any opinions

a1phoneguy · Jul 6, 2012

Do they fix Bowlers/Homburgs?

Not sure if this is in right place....I have a 1971 Christies Bowler that needs the brim reshaped. It was in a box of Halloween stuff for years. Can it be fixed? Do people still do that? I have a guy who says its worth alot of money if I can get the brim fixed. Thanx

Tomasso · Jul 6, 2012

a1phoneguy said:
Can it be fixed? Do people still do that?

http://www.optimohats.com/

CONELRAD · Jul 6, 2012

Alright, I know I've asked both these things before, but I've tried and failed and now I just don't know what to do. Once again, I'm having trouble with my ADAM hat. I tried steaming and spraying cold water to get the crown open, neither worked. Again this was an open crown hat that I shaped, and took to be stretched at Peters Brothers, where he steamed in my shape. One side of the pinch on the front is no less than a half inch deeper than the other, plus the whole thing is creased about an inch off center. Plus, one side part of the crown is stiffer than the rest, but I believe that this is caused by the deeper crease on the front, which is still visible when "popped out". This is bothering me, I'm a perfectionist, I cannot seem to get the shape back to normal. What can I do to?

Second question, as I mentioned earlier, some of the felt on the front of the crown is loose and "furry", I was able to lay it down with a brush, sponge and my hand, but it persists and it's really bothering me. Is there any way this can be permanently fixed, and what's the best thing I can so for it? Pouncing with sandpaper was suggested, but I don't really know what that entails, or even what it is.

Thank you in advance for your answers, I'm suffering from hat induced frustration. I realize I've asked both of these before, but I'm still having trouble.

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