Open Road dilemma

[Lucky Luke]

My first post, I figure the title would attract some good hits. Here is the dilemma. I really like the Open Road, but I want to go straw. Typically the cattlemans crown does not fit me real well. I like to wear my hats about an inch or 2 above the eyebrows. I generally need something along the lines of a C crease. Is there a way to reshape the hard straw of a Stetson hat, or do I drop the straw idea for the Open Road and look at something that fits better out of the box?

 

[RBH]

First off Welcome to the Lounge!
2nd NO, the Open Road straw does not do well on a reshape. I suggest getting a hat from Panama Bob and have one of our hatters block and thin ribbon it for you.

The hat on the left is a classic style panama I have.
The one on the right is a panama from Miller Hats that I put a thin ribbon on. [the white panama from Miller is soft straw, the colored ones are stiff]
If you do one like this it is fairly easy.
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/9827/hpim1145np3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[Lucky Luke]

Thanks for your response, I expected that would be the case. Maybe I'll have to look at a felt OR

 

[carter]

Lucky Luke,

Welcome to the Lounge.

Even if you go to a new felt Open Road, it's probably going to have a Cattleman's block. It'll take some work with steam or a reblock by a hatter to achieve a C-Crown. If you can find a vintage Open Road in your size, it'll probably be easier for you to reblock by hand.

If you aren't married to the Open Road, there are many opportunities to purchase a new or vintage C Crown or to order a Straw with a C Crown. Panama Bob is a good place to begin if you order a new straw.

 

[Bebop]

I have to second that. I tried reshaping a straw Open Road and it was horrible :eusa_doh:.
I have had luck with other straws but for some reason the cattleman crown did not do well. [huh]

 

[RBH]

Thanks for your response, I expected that would be the case. Maybe I'll have to look at a felt OR

You cant go wrong with a vintage Open Road.
However if you want to get a new hat the Akubra Campdraft cant be beat. Run a search here on the lounge and you will find alot of great info about them.