Can I use a 7 3/8 block for a 7 5/8 hat?

[NukeMeSlowly]

I am going to buy a block from these guys: http://www.franksupply.com/hatmakingsupplies.html#hatblocks - the High Dome model with 23 inch circumference .

I intend to (try to) use it to reshape some old 7 5/8 hats that have shrunken and tapered over the years. To be clear, I am not trying to make smaller sized hats fit my head. I am trying to get 7 5/8 hats that used to fit me well to fit well again.

I will not be removing the sweat bands, so I know that the block must be a size smaller than 7 5/8/~24 inches (i.e., 7 1/2/23 1/2 inches) for the hat to fit over it.

However, the biggest High Dome model is 23 inches or 7 3/8.
Is that too small a circumference or is the half inch difference negligible enough for this to work?

 

[gtdean48]

I am a 7 5/8 = 24" which is around the sweatband, so I'd assume you'd need to stretch the felt & the sweatband over something 24" around. If the felt was 24" then the sweatband, it would be too tight on my noggin. [huh]

 

[rlk]

I am going to buy a block from these guys: http://www.franksupply.com/hatmakingsupplies.html#hatblocks - the High Dome model with 23 inch circumference .

I intend to (try to) use it to reshape some old 7 5/8 hats that have shrunken and tapered over the years. To be clear, I am not trying to make smaller sized hats fit my head. I am trying to get 7 5/8 hats that used to fit me well to fit well again.

I will not be removing the sweat bands, so I know that the block must be a size smaller than 7 5/8/~24 inches (i.e., 7 1/2/23 1/2 inches) for the hat to fit over it.

However, the biggest High Dome model is 23 inches or 7 3/8.
Is that too small a circumference or is the half inch difference negligible enough for this to work?

The crown width and proportions should really match up with the circumference so the crown will be a little narrow and tapered. If you turn the sweatband out(down) you should be able to use the full size block.

 

[ScottF]

I don't get it - if you are going to stretch it back to original size, how are you going to get it over the block without getting it wet? Do you plan to Lexol the sweat and just dampen the felt? Seems like you would end up with a ridge on the outside of the hat, at the top of the sweatband.

I would get a full-size stretcher and only use the block if you're removing the sweatband.

 

[Aureliano]

I'd email Art. A few months, some of you might remember, I had a problem with sanding a moth hole and felt discoloration. I emailed him and he replied privately and also added to my post. Just a thought.[huh]

 

[Sam Craig]

tapering crown

In 1975 I made the mistake of reading an Esquire article about the importance of taking good hats into the cleaners to be "reblocked" and so I took two great old homburgs and a derby in.

They used the wrong size of blocks — too small — and tapered the sides.

None were ever the same again

I still have one of the homburgs, but it's never been the same.

Be careful!

 

[NukeMeSlowly]

I don't get it - if you are going to stretch it back to original size, how are you going to get it over the block without getting it wet? Do you plan to Lexol the sweat and just dampen the felt? Seems like you would end up with a ridge on the outside of the hat, at the top of the sweatband.

I would get a full-size stretcher and only use the block if you're removing the sweatband.

Where can I get a full-size stretcher for $19 plus shipping (or anywhere close to that price)?

 

[NukeMeSlowly]

I'd email Art. A few months, some of you might remember, I had a problem with sanding a moth hole and felt discoloration. I emailed him and he replied privately and also added to my post. Just a thought.[huh]

I will try this. Thanks.

 

[ScottF]

Where can I get a full-size stretcher for $19 plus shipping (or anywhere close to that price)?

You can't. You can only get what you are proposing paying for.

I look forward to seeing the results.

 

[Brad Bowers]

I'm not sure you'll be happy with the results that block gives you. It may just be the photo angle, but I don't know of a men's hat block with that much dome. Even Derbies don't have that much.

Brad

 

[NukeMeSlowly]

Seems like you would end up with a ridge on the outside of the hat, at the top of the sweatband.

The issue is that already have a ridge on the top of the sweatband from my stretching the hat back to size with my hat-jack. I was hoping that wetting down the hat and putting it on this polyurethane block would let me smooth out that ridge and also reduce some of the taper in the crown. Since the block is 23 inches and hat is ~24 (7 5/8), I did not anticipate having to do anything (like apply Lexol) to the sweatband.

 

[NukeMeSlowly]

I'm not sure you'll be happy with the results that block gives you. It may just be the photo angle, but I don't know of a men's hat block with that much dome. Even Derbies don't have that much.

Brad

Could you please elaborate?

If I am going to bash the hat back once I (hopefully) shape/smooth out the taper and eliminate the ridge caused by the hat jack, why is the degree (?) of dome an issue?

The link I provided above shows that this company also carries what they call a gentle dome block (available in 24 inches) and a flat top block (max 23 inches). Do you think either of these would provide better results?

 

[Art Fawcett]

The issue is that already have a ridge on the top of the sweatband from my stretching the hat back to size with my hat-jack. I was hoping that wetting down the hat and putting it on this polyurethane block would let me smooth out that ridge and also reduce some of the taper in the crown. Since the block is 23 inches and hat is ~24 (7 5/8), I did not anticipate having to do anything (like apply Lexol) to the sweatband.

NukeMe, to do this correctly you should order the "gentle dome" in 24", turn the sweatband inside out, lexol if needed, then gently, evenly slide the hat down over it. I've never used these blocks but that is the method I use with wooden ones. What Brad is saying is that the high dome block adds way too much dome to the hat unless it's a ladies style. If the wetting doesn't work, try putting a wet rag on the ridge line ( after sliding the hat over like I described) and ironing it, letting the steam relax the felt.

 

[NukeMeSlowly]

NukeMe, to do this correctly you should order the "gentle dome" in 24", turn the sweatband inside out, lexol if needed, then gently, evenly slide the hat down over it. I've never used these blocks but that is the method I use with wooden ones. What Brad is saying is that the high dome block adds way too much dome to the hat unless it's a ladies style. If the wetting doesn't work, try putting a wet rag on the ridge line ( after sliding the hat over like I described) and ironing it, letting the steam relax the felt.

Thanks Art. I will do as you suggest.

Quick question though.
As my profoundly ignorant posts no doubt telegraph, I have never blocked or re-blocked a hat. The "gentle dome" model is 4 inches tall, which will be shorter than the unbashed crown height of the hat. Will that prove to be a problem? In other words, if the unbashed hat crown is say, 5 3/4 inches high and this block is 4 inches high, what happens to the remaining 1 3/4 inches?

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thanks Art. I will do as you suggest.

Quick question though.
As my profoundly ignorant posts no doubt telegraph, I have never blocked or re-blocked a hat. The "gentle dome" model is 4 inches tall, which will be shorter than the unbashed crown height of the hat. Will that prove to be a problem? In other words, if the unbashed hat crown is say, 5 3/4 inches high and this block is 4 inches high, what happens to the remaining 1 3/4 inches?

OH **** Nukeme, I didn't read the specs, just looked at the high dome. OK, go to plan "B", save your money on a block you can't use, and see if you can buy a 7 5/8 block or even 1/2. If you find a 1/2 block you can put a felt sleeve over it to enlarge it. try ebay or see if there is another Fl'er that will sell or loan you the right block. It's better to wait & get it right than be unhappy with the results.

 

[ScottF]

The issue is that already have a ridge on the top of the sweatband from my stretching the hat back to size with my hat-jack. I was hoping that wetting down the hat and putting it on this polyurethane block would let me smooth out that ridge and also reduce some of the taper in the crown. Since the block is 23 inches and hat is ~24 (7 5/8), I did not anticipate having to do anything (like apply Lexol) to the sweatband.

Well, I'm amazed, but it looks like your proposed method is what others recommend, either explicitly by word, or implicitly by silence.

Good luck, and please let us know the results - I'm looking forward to recouping $160 for my vintage stretcher once I better understand how this works.