Hawkbill brim on Hemp Stetson

[hatsandcanes]

I have a Hemp Stetson Whippet and I may have to settle with wearing the brim up because when I try to flip the brim down it makes a humpback brim. It is like there is too much brim. Does anyone have any thoughts or remedies to correct this problem like maybe steam?
Thanks much,
Randy

 

[deadlyhandsome]

If it were mine, I’d mist it with water, use a clean press cloth, and iron it to the shape I wanted. A steam iron has a lot better chance shaping the brim. Go slow and keep checking on your progress. I’ve yet to damage my hemp brims with a “cool” iron...actually, set at the lowest steam setting.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

View attachment 230877 View attachment 230876 I have a Hemp Stetson Whippet and I may have to settle with wearing the brim up because when I try to flip the brim down it makes a humpback brim. It is like there is too much brim. Does anyone have any thoughts or remedies to correct this problem like maybe steam?
Thanks much,
Randy

The only way you will be able to remove the hawksbill is to have the brim re flanged.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Two minutes with an iron, spray bottle, and press cloth

Before:

And after:

Hemp is easy to iron. you can also use an iron to remove some of the flange if you want...they come with a very deep flange.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Your definition of a hawksbill is quite different then mine then.

 

[T Jones]

View attachment 230877 View attachment 230876 I have a Hemp Stetson Whippet and I may have to settle with wearing the brim up because when I try to flip the brim down it makes a humpback brim. It is like there is too much brim. Does anyone have any thoughts or remedies to correct this problem like maybe steam?
Thanks much,
Randy

Go back farther on the sides, at the temples, and then snap it down. It won't look as bad. That classic style of "Hawkbill" flanging has been around for a long time. Check out Dana Andrew's brim from the 1944 film noir, "Laura". Notice the very similar flanging to yours and the position on the brim from where he snaps it down, more back by the temples. I actually prefer that brim style. Just go farther back to snap it down. Yours is snapped down way too forward.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

The OP’s question was how to deal with a “humpback brim.” Hemp is an easy material to work with and responds well to ironing. Ironing will easily remove the humpback tendency. I agree with Terry’s suggestion on how to change the point where the “snap” begins,” but the humpback is best addressed with a steam iron...at least that’s what has worked for me.

 

[hatsandcanes]

Two minutes with an iron, spray bottle, and press cloth

Before:

View attachment 231034
And after:

View attachment 231035

Hemp is easy to iron. you can also use an iron to remove some of the flange if you want...they come with a very deep flange.

Now that is super..... I will surely give that a try. Thank you very much!
Randy

 

[Hurricane Jack]

That classic style of "Hawkbill" flanging has been around for a long time.

I always see that flange as seen from the side as similar to a sound wave running back to front.

 

[T Jones]

I always see that flange as seen from the side as similar to a sound wave running back to front.

I actually like that style of flanging. It gives the brim a crisp and full look. Hawkbill, sound wave, it's definitely a favorite of mine. I think h&c had it snapped down too far to the front which made the brim look disappointing to him. With that said, to live with the hump, or to live without the hump, it's all a matter of preference. My Stratton conversion with the humpy flange! Notice that the snap begins further back on the brim which gives it a nice full look.

 

[hatsandcanes]

I actually like that style of flanging. It gives the brim a crisp and full look. Hawkbill, sound wave, it's definitely a favorite of mine. I think h&c had it snapped down too far to the front which made the brim look disappointing to him. With that said, to live with the hump, or to live without the hump, it's all a matter of preference. My Stratton conversion with the humpy flange! Notice that the snap begins further back on the brim which gives it a nice full look.

I will give that a try before I go at it with a steam iron! Many thanks, Randy

 

[T Jones]

I will give that a try before I go at it with a steam iron! Many thanks, Randy

You're welcome HC. I don't mean to sound as though I'm trying to talk you out of ironing your brim some but it's at least worth a shot to try and re-snap it first. You still may not like the way it looks after you try it. It's all a matter of what a person likes.