Photos of hatters tools

vintage.vendeuse · May 24, 2014

Since I've been been acquiring several hats lately, I figured it was time that I purchased a hat brush. This was an eBay UK acquisition. Victorian? Edwardian? I don't know, but it sure is pretty and I got a great deal. I even got to use it the very day it arrived on a Stetson Royal DeLuxe that I purchased the same day.

John Galt · May 25, 2014

Very nice - looks like ebony maybe?

John Galt · May 25, 2014

(Ended) auction photo of a tool I'd like. A crown iron.

And here's a table I saw in an antique store advertised as a cobbler's bench. I believe that is right, but it did resemble a hatter's bench, so I snapped photos. It stood about 18" to 2 feet tall.

TheDane · May 25, 2014

Goldsmiths as well as cobblers have traditionally used tables with cutouts. Those cutouts serve different purposes than the hatters'. I don't believe this one is a hatter's bench(?)

Hatter4 · May 25, 2014

John - nice iron. Here's a picture of mine. If you look at Scientific Hat Finishing - you will see it on Page 147. It was used for silk top hats and top hats in general. I use it when I'm working on top hats.

John Galt · May 28, 2014

TheDane said:
Goldsmiths as well as cobblers have traditionally used tables with cutouts. Those cutouts serve different purposes than the hatters'. I don't believe this one is a hatter's bench(?)

I don't think so either, Olė, but it was interesting, I thought.

John Galt · May 28, 2014

Hatter4 said:
John - nice iron. Here's a picture of mine. If you look at Scientific Hat Finishing - you will see it on Page 147. It was used for silk top hats and top hats in general. I use it when I'm working on top hats.

Thanks Oliver! Maybe someday I'll find one at a reasonable price ;-).

Here's something you asked for a while back - a real photo of an early hatter's bench. My best educated guess based on a general familiarity with RPPC's is that this is circa 1909-1920. Maybe Brad would have a more educated estimate or real information regarding this ad.

John Galt · May 28, 2014

Can anyone recommend a hot foil stamping machine for sweatbands? I'm thinking Kingsley /Franklin, probably, for both cost & authenticity reasons.

Brad Bowers · May 28, 2014

John Galt said:
Thanks Oliver! Maybe someday I'll find one at a reasonable price ;-).

Here's something you asked for a while back - a real photo of an early hatter's bench. My best educated guess based on a general familiarity with RPPC's is that this is circa 1909-1920. Maybe Brad would have a more educated estimate or real information regarding this ad.

Good guess, John! This series of six different C&K postcards showing the hatmaking process were first used in September 1909. They were sent out by C&K associate retailers to their customers, and all of the ones I've got have "canned" marketing sayings handwritten to the customers. An example: "Knapp-Felt hats are made in a variety of proper shapes - one especially for you. We have it." I don't know how long they used the series, as the latest one I have is postmarked 1911. I would guess well into the 'Teens, at any rate.

Brad

Hatter4 · May 28, 2014

Thanks John and Brad, the reason I was looking for photos of hatters work benchs was to see what tools they were using.This was a good photo as it showed some irons and maybe a tolicker.

John Galt · May 29, 2014

Brad's original post of the series is a better photo than the one I found:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=1587500

Brad Bowers · May 29, 2014

On the one I have, the printing registration is slightly off, so it looks slightly blurry. Someday I hope to find a better one. Since it's a curling bench, there should be irons, front/rear tollikers, and curling shackles. It would be nice to know what else we're seeing.

The only other photo I have from C&K regarding curling is this one. It doesn't really show us much, other than quite a bit of water seems to be used.

Brad

Hatter4 · May 29, 2014

John and Brad thanks for the help. The photos on the site you mentioned John, did not come up. I think they were removed, but as I said thank you both for your effort.

John Galt · May 30, 2014

Re-posted. As noted, the credit is due The Hatted Professor.

humanshoes · May 30, 2014

Hello, all. I've just been lurking for a while and soaking up the knowledge that you good folks are sharing. Working on my first hand made hat block with interchangable crown tips and will post pics when done. Also working on a flange sand bag that, if it works, will be simple and economical to reproduce. I was cruising the local thrift stores lately and came across this medical POC (point of care) cart that raises and lowers hydraulically. It also has a swing out tray designed to hold a mouse that is perfect for a steam iron rest. I added a power strip, twin spotlights on the arm that is designed to hold a computer monitor, and some brackets and rod to hold ribbon spools. I paid $25 and was astounded to find out later that they sell for $600 for just the base cart with no shelves, trays, or arm attachments. It has been remade into my perfect mobile hatmaking workstation.

DOGMAN · May 30, 2014

Very cool.Can't wait to see your sand bag and block.

Hatter4 · May 30, 2014

Thank you John,for your time and trouble.

Topper · May 31, 2014

John Galt said:
You are correct sir. I misspoke. I bought cotton flannel (moleskin, I think), for flanging cloth & cotton duck (canvas) for my flanging bag.

What weight do you use ? Depend on weight on Sandbag I suppose. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_duck

John Galt · Jun 1, 2014

I can't recall, but the thicker the better. Also, as noted, it was canton cloth for the flanging. As for the cotton duck for the sandbag, I think I bought the heaviest they had at the local JoAnne's fabric store. The one I chose seemed slightly plasticized or urethaned on the back, which I thought would help keep the sand in. Here's the canton felt again.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=1800587

Topper · Jun 1, 2014

Hatter4 said:
John: Did you know that the company Allie Maillard who made the comformateur also made a Straw Hat Conforming Machine. I would love to find one of these.
View attachment 12506

there were two variations , one gas version, one electric. Still on the market every now an then.

Photos of hatters tools

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