Reshaping a modern western hat ?

Daybreak Dave · March 02, 2006, 09:38:56 PM

This sounds like a stupid question, but they say the only thing worse is not asking it. Can I reshape a modern dress type western hat into something suitable for NCOWS and how do I do it? Also, if possible, what shape gives me the most latitude on further picking a period to be in. I just want to go to the first shoot with at least a hat and the $$ are tight. This "proper clothing" is expensive if bought off the shelf. If you start using "hat terms" on me I will get lost, so maybe you could refer me to one of the forum member photos or something in the NCOWS magazine

This hat has a 3 inch brim, turned up slightly on sides only, with crease on top, and also on each side of the top. If I pop the crown crease up, the crown is about 5 inches tall.

Thanks, Daybreak Dave

Bristow Kid · March 02, 2006, 11:06:47 PM

Quote from: Joss House on March 02, 2006, 09:59:02 PM
A typical hat looked like it was sat on by a cow and kicked by a mule. Add a little sweat and dirt and you have a good looking hat.

Heck Joss from what you said here. I just save a ton of cash on a new hat. My 12 year old 10X Stetson looks like the staement above. Look close in my picture. Tat was 3 years ago looks worse now.

Trap · March 03, 2006, 08:24:45 AM

D. D.
Go down a few topics to the originals pictures posted by OCB. there are some good hats to check out. jt

Daybreak Dave · March 03, 2006, 08:47:23 AM

Thanks to each who replied. Those photos plus some others I will look at should give me enough to go on to reshape, and it sounds easy to do. I can always count on prompt answers on this forum - it's great, and folks like yourselves make it so.

Daybreak Dave

Silver Creek Slim · March 03, 2006, 10:10:25 AM

Below are before and after pictures of my fur felt silverbelly. I used a tea kettle to steam it. It is an example of a Montana Peak that Joss House mentioned.

Slim

Books OToole · March 03, 2006, 10:10:56 AM

Joss is right. The higher quality hat, the more challenging the re-shaping will be.

If you check out OCB's "Originals" pictures, second picture posted, on the left of the center oval is me. That hat started out as a modern parade cowboy hat. [The previous owner would not recognize it.] It was a real challenge to re-shape it as it is a XXXXX Stetson. The steam from the tea kettle did not phase it. For the first ten minutes, hot water from the bath tub roled off like water off a duck's back. But once you get it where you want it it should stay.

Good luck;
Books

Ottawa Creek Bill · March 03, 2006, 11:27:19 AM

QuoteI used a tea kettle to steam it. It is an example of a Montana Peak that Joss House mentioned.

Silver Creek ,
Now thats not a bad looking hat, and I think you all know what I think of certain so called authentic hats

Daybreak,
If you want to see a good looking traditional hat, take a look at Joss's hat He's wearing in his avatar. That is a "Boss O The Plains", one of the more common documentable hats that you'll see in hundreds of period photographs, and you can't get one much better then that.

Oh, and be careful of the so called Gus Crease styles and some of the hats with the slopped fronts that you look like you could ski down.....These are sold mostly by vendors trying to make a buck and there all over the place.....I know a guy that has six of them and there all the same color....

No, I won't mention any names...

Bill

Silver Creek Slim · March 03, 2006, 11:35:11 AM

Quote from: Ottawa Creek Bill on March 03, 2006, 11:27:19 AM
Silver Creek ,
Now thats not a bad looking hat, and I think you all know what I think of certain so called authentic hats
...

Bill

Thanks, Bill.

Slim

Big Hext · March 03, 2006, 11:50:20 AM

Quote from: Silver Creek Slim on March 03, 2006, 11:35:11 AM
Thanks, Bill.

Slim

Whew.. blessed by the pope. Lucky dog.

Ottawa Creek Bill · March 03, 2006, 01:46:06 PM

Joss,

QuoteI feel a range war comin' on.................

Don't worry about me, I've turned over a new leaf this year, I'll let it sliide......

Bill

Big Hext · March 03, 2006, 02:17:24 PM

Didn't I wink

Doesn't that make everything better?

Delmonico · March 03, 2006, 05:45:44 PM

In my experience, the better the quality of the hat, the better it shapes. However with no industry standard for the X rating, knowing quality rather than depending on the makers rating will help.

My Rand is only a 10X but they shape like extra fine modeling clay. But Rand uses the old system, 10X means 100% Beaver felt. Most modern 10X would never be near a beaver unless it fell in the creek.

Delmonico · March 03, 2006, 06:54:24 PM

Forgot, brims around that size show up a lot in period photos out here on the open plain, they are harder to blow off and wind srings are strangely absent in photos from this area.

Dr. Bob · March 04, 2006, 02:06:37 PM

Howdy folks,

I finally got the Christmas present that I have been asking for for sometime now, which is a clothing steamer. It is great for taking wrinkles out of clothes and is just the ticket for shaping a hat. Did a wool felt hat last night, from modern cowboy crown to a calvary campaign crown in about a half an hour.

And for all you married fellers, it makes a great gift for yer wifey this coming mothers day!

I'll bet Chantilly has one or wants one!! I am always on the outlook for used hats when I go to antique malls and thrift shops. I find them regularly with promise of an authentic shape hidden inside, but I need at least a 7¼ to 7 3/8 and most that I see are 7 or 7 1/8. Good hunting and steaming!

Bristow Kid · March 04, 2006, 02:42:41 PM

Try having my big ol melon of a head Dr Bob. I wear a 7 1/2 to 7 5/8

Will Ketchum · March 04, 2006, 04:57:12 PM

Joss, I have 2 just like those...bought them from the same vendor. I know your like a younger brother to me but this is getting scary!

Will Ketchum

Dr. Bob · March 04, 2006, 06:45:55 PM

Howdy Will & Joss,

Good looking hat! I have one too. 3 of us! Guess I'll have to be Curley and you two can fight over whose Larry and Moe.

Will Ketchum · March 04, 2006, 07:06:16 PM

Quote from: Dr. Bob on March 04, 2006, 06:45:55 PM
Howdy Will & Joss,

Good looking hat! I have one too. 3 of us! Guess I'll have to be Curley and you two can fight over whose Larry and Moe.

I'm Hardy! not a Stooge

Will Ketchum

Bristow Kid · March 05, 2006, 09:53:11 AM

My Stetson looks kinda like this hat only black and alot more abused.

http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/hats/boss.html

but can also look like a black version of the John FOrds Cavalry hat but I couldnt find it on their site but its in their new catalog.

Frank I know a couple of western stores that carry bigger hats too but they cost ya. Sucks bein' a big man

Bristow Kid · March 05, 2006, 10:09:31 AM

Joss I was just using those as examples of what my hat looks like. To get a true idea take alook at either of them hats the imagine them black and looking like a stampede ran over it. Then you pretty much have what my hat looks like. I know it aint perfectly authentic but I think it will pass till I can afford a new hat.