Hatjacking

Rusty

Rusty

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Couple years ago I went into a western wear store and they had some Baily Tuscarora XXXX beaver hats at half-price. Black, open crown ( Amish type ) 3" brim. Got two - one in size 7&1/8th, the other sized 7. Had the Size 7 trimmed to a 2&1/2" brim, and it became my wind hat. Over the past two years, the 7&1/8th sized hat got worn enough to keep it from shrinking. The size 7 hat didn't. Tried getting it stretched. No go. This was the one I wore when I stayed at Yvsa's.

Got a hat jack last time I went to the city. This is a two piece set of pine blocks carved to fit into the front and back of hats with a screw in between to tighten them. Costs maybe $17 to $20 bucks.

Got home, wet a washcloth with hot water and sponged it around the band, added the hat jack and tightened it. Left overnight, took it out, fit right then, and still does.

If you've got a felt hat, you probably put it away for the summer and wear a straw. Sick the hat jack in it when you put it away for the summer and it'll still fit in September. If not, stretch it back.

A 4XXXX or 5XXXXX beaver felt hat is now going for over a hundred bucks. Even a good wool felt is $40 or $50 bucks. If the $20 it costs for the hat jack can stretch the life of your hat another year it's more than worth the cost. Maybe you already knew about them, but I didn't... up to now. Just passing the word along.
 
hat.gif

...he's all that and dapper too :D
 
BruiseLeee said:
From the thread title, I thought someone stole your hat at gunpoint. !!:eek:
Click to expand...
My first thought was it had something to do with getting into the Matrix.
 
I'm with Bruise- I figured you'd lost your prize hat.

Here in Montana we have Huterites, spelled wrong I'm sure, and pronounced "Hooterites"

They wear hats like that and no one else in the State would be caught dead with one on. A junk man begged me, BEGGED me to take one but I refused.

We see here the continuance of Rusty's always getting two of everything, and that he has a small head. Now Rusty, before you tell me it fits on the trunk you were issued, I might as well tell you I think I could wear your hat. Yes folks, munk has a smallish skull.


munk
 
I remember a few times when my Dad would wear his hat in a hot shower, then stretch it on one of Mom's "wig dummy heads". I've always had a sub-caliber cranium myself. It's more round than oval in cross-section as well. I was issued size 6-7/8ths in BDU caps in Basic, then started buying 7s when my head wasn't shaved. I don't know what size I'd wear now that I'm a hair-rancher. I remember when we switched from steel pots to kevlars, though, that the new suspension system used to pinch the sides of my head something fierce. They were made to fit an oval head, not a round noggin like mine. I still get that head-in-a-vice squeeze with some headgear. I should probably invest in a HatJack and use it sideways. :D :p ;)
 
MacHete: Same here with Stetsons. They use a long oval. Resistol and Bailey use more of a round oval.

Yvsa mentioned a black hat no longer fitting him. Thought I'd mention it so if he still had it, he could try a Hatjack. Worth a shot - they advise not to stretch more than two sizes, i.e. 7 to 7&1/4 max.

And, as a matter of fact, while I was there I got a 5XXXXX beaver felt hat with Amish crown ( straight up and down sides rolling into a somewhat flattened but still rounded crown ) and absolutely flat 4" brim all around. It was on sale.

So Munk, if that's the style the Hutterites' wear, you'd best be telling your friends up there that the briefcase I'm totin' has my Uzi in it.
 
Rusty-- I think you are thoroughly justified in carrying the Uzi. At all costs, you must avoid ending up with the following epitaph on your tombstone:

Here Lies Rusty,
Waylaid by
Renegade Hutterites
For His Fine
XXXXX
Beaver

:eek: ;)
Maybe you should slip a few grenades in that briefcase, too.

--Josh
 
I was headed by the Cantina and saw Rusy's post and had to compliment him on his choice of hats. Both slightly rounded and flat topped crowns happen to be my personal favorite- a practical, dignified, timeless classic. If you don't use the top of your hat for a handle what do you need a crease for?

I have my hats made by Tim Bender at TPH Trading Co. TPH stands for Truth, Pride, and Honesty. Tim specializes in historical styles and will make a pure fur felt hat with real silk lining and a hand cut, reeded (with real reed, not trimmer line) two inch leather sweatband in pretty much whatever shape,size and trim you want for around $100. They stand up to the extreme Arizona weather year round just fine. A good fur felt beats a straw in any weather, any time (unless you feel obligated for some reason to keep the straw hat industry in business).

Keep up the good taste Rusty.
 
I spent so much time in the desert I was always looking for the 'perfect' desert hat. Believe it or not, the original Pith (sic?) helmets are number one. They sit above your noggin and the sweat cools and runs in and out with the air- a swamp cooler. The British knew things. One problem- the sound of air running around overhead is real loud, so loud you might miss something- like the sound of a Rattler near by. I figure when the British used these hats they had lots of local gun bearers to fetch and carry, and didn't have to 'hear' anything but the sound of their own voices barking orders.


munk
 
I used to have a pith helmet- they work pretty well in the heat if you can find one with a leather rather than plastic sweatband, and you cut a fine figure. I favor felts though as I like hearing the sound of my voice barking orders louder.
 
by all means- how do felts do in the desert? I've considered one of those Autrailian style outback felt hats- Cabellas has them cheap enough, but firgured they'd just get too bloody hot.


munk
 
Try an "entry level" toquilla straw hat for hot climates. I've worn them in many tropical countries, and kept a cool head as it were. They allow air to circulate well, keep the U.V. rays off the face and head, and look great. I tried a quality felt Borsalino, but I found them to be hotter...

Dan :)
 
My Mother wore a straw hat picking oranges in the grove in Riverside Ca. But she was an old lady. How can I get away with a straw hat unless I'm a coke dealer?

Another factoid to consider- if I cut my hair short, and beard off, I can't wear hats very 'stylishly" - I look mildly ridiculous. Course, probably look that way anyhoo.
Why is it with long hair you can get away with outlandish clothes? i

munk
 
Fur felts are better than wool ones and unlike straws completely block the sun, and in a dark shade the reflection from the underbrim into your eyes is minimal. In the desert there is a lot of light reflected up off the ground. As a general rule if you put your hat over your face and can see enough light coming through to read by it is not doing its job. Europeans in Africa used to nest two lighter felt hats together to create more density. They also had some crazy thick ones too. The Ghurka issue hat is actually two hats made into one. Australians have a similiarly harsh climate in places and typically seem to wear felts.

I find they offer more real shade and are more comfortable than straws because fur is natures natural insulator and regulates heat gain to your head. Human hair does a pretty poor job on its own. Once used to them your body is able to regulate its temperature, and moisture loss more efficiently. A black hat is actually more cool than a brown one as it absorbes less heat energy. I got black solar screens for my house because the tech said a study showed that they were cooler than bronze or brown ones.

It's also about budget- generally straws have mostly been cheaper (except for some high-end panamas) and usually take less care. Out here the sun will have your lunch if you don't take it seriously. I'd rather pay a little more for better protection. My hats will outlast me I'm sure.
 
Dan, there's more hot air out here than just what is blowing outside.

It is a subject dear to my heart though.
 
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