Equipped To Survive Equipped To Survive® Presents
The Survival Forum
Where do you want to go on ETS?

Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Topic Options
#163412 - 01/16/09 01:52 PM Adjusting fit of a Stetson?
MDinana Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 03/08/07
Posts: 2208
Loc: Beer&Cheese country
I've had a "cowboy" hat for a couple years. It's wool felt, pretty nice quality, but the fit is just a touch too small. Is there any way to "stretch" it a bit so that it fits more comfortable, and will get some decent use instead of being a shelf queen?

It's not a matter of the headband or chin strap being too tight, the actual crown of the hat is snug. I know if a wool cap is too large you can dunk it in hot water and then wear it for a while until it "shrinks" to your head. What about the opposite direction?

Top
#163417 - 01/16/09 02:27 PM Re: Adjusting fit of a Stetson? [Re: MDinana]
UncleGoo Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/06/06
Posts: 390
Loc: CT
You probably want someone like this:
http://www.henrythehatterdetroit.com/ind...rt&Itemid=1
to block or renovate the hat.
I don't know Henry, I just Googled "hatters detroit."
_________________________
Improvise,
Utilize,
Realize.

Top
#163422 - 01/16/09 03:04 PM Re: Adjusting fit of a Stetson? [Re: MDinana]
Desperado Offline
Veteran

Registered: 11/01/08
Posts: 1530
Loc: DFW, Texas
Yeah, this is one you want to let a pro do. They have the steaming machines and blocks/stretchers to do the work correctly.
_________________________
I do the things that I must, and really regret, are unfortunately necessary.

RIP OBG

Top
#163461 - 01/16/09 06:44 PM Re: Adjusting fit of a Stetson? [Re: Desperado]
OldBaldGuy Offline
Geezer

Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 5695
Loc: Former AFB in CA, recouping fr...
Yup. If it was just the sweatband, most western wear stores have stretchers, but for the crown, it needs a real pro. I once watched such a guy "making" custom hats for walk up customers at a gun show. He started out with something that looked a lot like what Hoss Cartwright used to wear, then put the crown and brim shapes on that the customer wanted. Very interesting to watch...
_________________________
OBG

Top
#163503 - 01/16/09 10:53 PM Re: Adjusting fit of a Stetson? [Re: OldBaldGuy]
MDinana Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 03/08/07
Posts: 2208
Loc: Beer&Cheese country
Aw crud... ok, thanks guys.

Top
#163507 - 01/16/09 11:22 PM Re: Adjusting fit of a Stetson? [Re: MDinana]
marduk Offline
Member

Registered: 01/25/04
Posts: 160
Loc: Mid-Missouri
Yo could try this - SLOW and EASY, lots of steam:
http://www.villagehatshop.com/jack_stretcher.html.

Usual disclaimers: no connection, no experience with this company, etc., etc.

I have used similar products in the past when I wore hats more frequently.
_________________________
"Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than skillfull"


Top
#163508 - 01/16/09 11:46 PM Re: Adjusting fit of a Stetson? [Re: marduk]
scafool Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 12/18/08
Posts: 1534
Loc: Muskoka
If you are finding it unwearable maybe you should just take the sweat band out.
Newer Stetsons use a plastic material for the sweat band that does not stretch at all and is not really comfortable.
If yours is silk lined you will likely lose the lining cloth if you do this, but I found mine to be much more comfortable without the sweat band.

You might want to add a proper hatband, one that you can tighten, if it feels too large without the sweatband inside of it.
The hatband on mine was just a little strip of felt they stuck on to cover the line where they sewed the sweatband into the hat.
It was easily replaced with an adjustable band.

Mine is not exactly a dress or uniform item though.
_________________________
May set off to explore without any sense of direction or how to return.

Top
#163509 - 01/17/09 12:01 AM Re: Adjusting fit of a Stetson? [Re: scafool]
MDinana Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 03/08/07
Posts: 2208
Loc: Beer&Cheese country
It's not actually a stetson, just a similar style. No headband, just my head in contact with the felt.

It fits (sorta), it's just really snug. Like, gives me a headache after a while.

Top
#163514 - 01/17/09 12:21 AM Re: Adjusting fit of a Stetson? [Re: MDinana]
scafool Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 12/18/08
Posts: 1534
Loc: Muskoka
Steam it and stretch it over your knee.
A boiling teapot will give you enough steam. Hold it over the steam coming out the spout.
The felt should be hot to the touch but not boiling hot.
Steam mostly where you need to stretch it
You might have to pull fairly hard to stretch it enough, just stretch it a bit at a time though until it fits right.
The hot steam will let you reshape the crown and brim too if you need to.

edit.
Stetsons are way overpriced.
Smithbuilt or Baily are every bit as good.


Edited by scafool (01/17/09 12:29 AM)
_________________________
May set off to explore without any sense of direction or how to return.

Top
#163519 - 01/17/09 01:03 AM Re: Adjusting fit of a Stetson? [Re: scafool]
MDinana Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 03/08/07
Posts: 2208
Loc: Beer&Cheese country
Originally Posted By: scafool


edit.
Stetsons are way overpriced.
Smithbuilt or Baily are every bit as good.

LOL

I was looking at some last night actually. $49.99. I think I bought mine, in Yosemite, for $39.99. Wish I knew offhand what brand it was!

Top
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >



Moderator:  Alan_Romania, Blast, chaosmagnet, cliff 
March
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Who's Online
0 registered (), 456 Guests and 71 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
GallenR, Jeebo, NicholasMarshall, Yadav, BenFoakes
5367 Registered Users
Newest Posts
What did you do today to prepare?
by dougwalkabout
03/27/24 11:21 PM
Zippo Butane Inserts
by dougwalkabout
03/27/24 11:11 PM
Question about a "Backyard Mutitool"
by Ren
03/17/24 01:00 AM
Problem in my WhatsApp configuration
by Chisel
03/09/24 01:55 PM
New Madrid Seismic Zone
by Jeanette_Isabelle
03/04/24 02:44 PM
EDC Reduction
by EchoingLaugh
03/02/24 04:12 PM
Newest Images
Tiny knife / wrench
Handmade knives
2"x2" Glass Signal Mirror, Retroreflective Mesh
Trade School Tool Kit
My Pocket Kit
Glossary
Test

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.