How to Shape an "Open Crown" Fur Felt Hat | DelMonico Hatter

Jeff Dyer, Store Manager of DelMonico Hatter of New Haven, CT shows how to shape an "Open Crown" hat. Hats with an open crown are hats that are shipped to you without a pre-determined shape (or "block") of their crown, so you are able to shape them however you want. Three crown styles are shown on the same hat: "Center Dent", "Open Road" and "Teardrop".
The hat shown in the video is a Stetson Premiere Stratoliner Hat.
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DelMonico Hatter has been in business for over 100 years, and we are happy to help answer any questions you may have on hat care. See our youtube channel for more how-to videos. Our website is www.delMonicoha...

[@MrMikeEngland]

"You can't hurt these hats, so have fun with them" - great advice.

[@hugosex]

Just thank you. I wanted to give my open crown hat kinda gambler shape for a long time but the crown just plopped back after a few moments. Now i did it as shown and its just perfect! It fits exactly MY head, and it stays in shape pretty good! Thank you sir!

[@seattlebeard]

My face hurts from smiling after watching this video. We lost Byrnie Utz Hats in Seattle, but I still love to see someone who knows what he's doing. What a pleasure. :o)

[@user-mt4zr5kp7h]

Thanks for posting this! I am buying a rather expensive handmade Poet and learned that they ship with an open crown so you can customise to your liking it when it arrives. Great idea, I thought, but I had no clue how to shape them. Thanks for showing how easy it really is!

[@Christian-xd3vg]

Good video and useful information. Great looking hat, will get a stratoliner soon with an open crown to shape my own style.

[@ronmitchell859]

I wish there were more hats with a generous tall crown out there like the one you're wearing (and like appear more in the old movies and photos) versus the apparently much more common these days shorter / stingy crowned ones. Hope tall crown makes a come-back.

[@TREMERE1]

I wish there was a proper hat shop near me. I don't have the equipment nor know how to clean and reshape my hat, and would like to be able to take it somewhere ti get it done.

[@ourdattafamily]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing the secret that all I need is a Tea Kettle for the steam source to shape my Stetson!

[@izaacciro]

great video!

[@RetreatfarmFarmvilleVirginia]

Where can i find a replacement silk outer band in silver/gray? My Hat is Confederate gray. So i want a little contrast in color. Thanks

[@elloboblanco683]

Nice 1940's Classic Fedora Hat...Great!

[@Gilmaris]

So you don't have to remove the lining before applying steam to the crown?

[@troyshellhamer9964]

You do not have to remove the satin lining to shape a hat. If you have an open crown hat, just let the tea kettle start up and go for it. It's daunting at first but soon enough you'll be shaping all of your hat hats. The more moisture, the better.

[@charlesblake7552]

Hay Jeff; I feel I should know you. How is New Haven doing I notice Edward Mallie and Macy is gone. In my youth I road every street in New Haven, and never knew you were there. I learn about you in a computer search for a fedora like Indiana Jones. Hi from Arizona

[@joshbru3]

Great video, Jeff! Are you wearing a Tawny Stetsonian?

[@jeffdyer4493]

Yes I am Josh in a Diamond crease. There is a lot of crown in that hat

[@elloboblanco683]

NICE FEDORA..👍👍👍👍👍

[@moderntentcamping]

Can you shape wool felt crushable hats?

[@moderntentcamping]

I really like the hat you are wearing. I like the ribbon band, wide Fedora brim and high crown. What make and model is it?

[@grannydontgivearatsbehind6373]

frazier i would like to know too.

[@kcjones679]

Ask for an open crown hat.

[@billdanitz5954]

The hat he is wearing is a Stetson Stetsonian in tawny color with a diamond tear drop crease.

[@billdanitz5954]

Tre hat he is working on is a Stetson Premiere Stratoliner in silver belly.

[@moderntentcamping]

@@billdanitz5954 Thanks Bill. I really like the wide brim, and high crown with a center crease, pinched front, and wide contrasting band. But they are hard to find. I can find a hat with the brim and crown and then put my own band on it. One of my favorites is a Stetson grey Bull with a Jaquard lace band. I tried to send a photo but couldn’t. But I have a few hat videos on my Modern Tent Camping channel and one of the more recent videos shows how I put bands on them. You seen to be very knowledgeable about hats and would like to hear your thoughts if you have time to watch it.

[@MrJbarreda]

I like your hat, what the model on your head, thanks, and color..

[@briancho8656]

Wouldn't the dents you put in just pop back out during course of wear through the day? I like your hats by the way. I bought a biltmore from you recently.

[@emilchandran546]

Brian Cho no the steam makes the shellac in the felt flexible and once it cools it sort of sets holding its shape.

[@golden3rd335]

Can buffalo fur felt be steamed?

[@peterruppert2452]

What is the hat Jeff is wearing, and the one he is shaping?

[@robert.emiranda1217]

NICE 1930"s,1940"s HAT

[@vmtrevino2]

after creasing a hat can you reopen the crown? if so can you make a video?

[@jakeedgell591]

Victor Trevino Yes sir you certainly can. It simply requires heavily steaming the hat and pressing dents out of the crown. you then have to work the hat over from the inside and outside, using your palms to apply pressure where the creases were. this should remove the creases, but it may take more time to work creases out depending on the type of felt.

[@fadbaco7782]

hi

[@TREMERE1]

Music is a bit too loud. Had a hard time hearing you.

[@michaelporter5906]

His shaping sucks to be honest

[@jayberglan4809]

Not a very good hat shaper