hat blocking

[Sundown Storm]

I purchased a new hat today, and it was an excellent buy - $ .99 at the thrift town. Problem is, it has the "W" type upper blocking on it, (one central divot, and a depression on either side - think typical 'b' movie cowboy hat) aside from taking to a hatter, is there any way that I can re-block (if I'm using the correct term, here, to mean re-shape) the crown? I'd like the crown to have the 'telescope'-type look to it, is that even possible?
I'd post a pic, but my camera is on the blink.

This is what it looks like (more or less) now:



Whereas, this is more like what I wish it looked like (the crown, that is):


Heck, it may not be possible even for a hatter, but if it is, or even if it's possible for me to do it, please, let me know.

Thanks in advance

[St. George]

Sure...

You can do it all on your own as long as you have a good idea of what your hat's 'supposed' to look like when you're done.

For that - look at some decent photos and use them as your guide.

Steam or spray-mist (do NOT soak) your crown and slowly work your crown back to a 'round' shape as it initially left its hat form.

Work from underneath and press out ant wrinkles gently - using the dampness to assist your efforts.

Once you've managed to do this - then remember what it took for you to get it to 'that' point and work your crown into the shape you want - all the while thinking 'symmetry'.

Once 'that' has happened - re-spray and wear until dry.

Now - this will work on pretty much 'all' hats - but if yours is of a 'lesser' quality - the results may not be exactly what you're wanting.

(It won't suddenly 'pop' back to its original shape - but it may require some occasional touching up.)

When you find a Stetson, a Bailey or other 'good' hat - the results are commensurate with the quality of construction, as well as the quality of your 'eye' and your patience..

But it's a start.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Sundown Storm]

Well, the hat 'feels' like a quality hat, just old, it's made by 'Miller Bros. Westerns'.
I've reformed and set the crown, and so far, so good. It isn't perfect like the pic, but it looks good to me, and it has a more lived-in ambience than the last hat I had.

Thanks, St. George.

[Delmonico]

One note, the hat in the picture looks like it was machine creased, they look too perfect anyway for an "Old West" hat which would have been hand formed, either by the owner, the hatter he bought it from or the factory.

BTW the "Cattleman Crease" like most modern hats are, is a period crease, most often seen with a pencil roll on the brim and often worn as a dress hat.

[St. George]

Miller Brothers has a good reputation for quality gear - so your hat's probably a pretty decent one.

I've got a saddle watch fob from them in my collection.

You can always re-set the crown to suit - but you sound like you've got something you're pleased with, and that's half the battle - so...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Frenchie]

BTW the "Cattleman Crease" like most modern hats are, is a period crease, most often seen with a pencil roll on the brim and often worn as a dress hat.

Del, what the heck is a "pencil roll"?

[St. George]

The 'Pencil Roll' is a tightly-rolled brim edge - about like the diameter of a fat pencil.

Often seen on the  'dressier' hats and high-quality ones.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Delmonico]

"Nuther note on the "Pencil Roll" or "Kettle Curl" as it is also known as, it ain't worth a darn for a work hat, it will fill up with water or wet snow that has no place to go.  It is nice though to catch brass from a Winchester rifle.

I stated this before on other forums and threads, the only hat shape I can not say for sure I have never seen in a period photo, is the 1940-50's RCA (Rodeo cowboys Assc) crease that is making a comeback, this is a square to rectangle telascope crown.  The other is the "press and shape" brim, this is that squared off in the front type you see in country videos and on almost all the "Cowboy" hats you see out on the street today.