WHY IS IT SO IMPOSSIBLE TO STRETCH A HAT? & Why Do They ALWAYS Shrink Back?

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If you wish to support our channel financially,
Here is a link to our PayPal address:
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Thanks so much for your questions,feedback and participation,please subscribe to be able to see all of our videos asap, it also helps to keep our channel running.
Thank you kindly!
Sincerely,
Kevin If you wish to support our channel financially,
here’s a link to our PayPal address:
quadrogong@gmail.com You stretched your hat, even hat the hot shop guy do it for ya..
The hat felt ok when it came off the stretcher..
but an hour later, the stretch was gone, and it’s exactly the same again.
Why does a good stretch ALWAYS contract?
Thanks for joining me on this journey,
being a youtuber or the “hat guy” is a real pleasure when the viewers are so kind and amazing, (like you)
I’ve got a lot to say,I tend to go on tangents,and talk about many subjects at once..
I might stumble on a word here and there,
but I rarely edit anything out, so if u see me take a gulp of water, or walk off camera,
I’ve chosen to leave that stuff in, to keep it real, unfiltered and interesting..
So on that note..
💚I appreciate your patience and viewership,
and enjoy the video!..
Sincerely,
Kevin
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Thanks so much,
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Thanks for joining me.
I’m a hat salesman from NYC, working at JJ hat Center since 1994,
and nine years before that at another shop..
I’m trying to get everything I know about hats out there to you guys,
so that it’ll help out some people and hopefully make their hat purchases go a little smoother.
Today I’l dig intoll
I’m happy to answer hatrelated questions or guitar related questions,
this is HATS AND GUITARS!
Thanks for joining me on this journey,
being a youtuber or the “hat guy” is a real pleasure when the viewers are so kind and amazing, (like you)
I’ve got a lot to say,I tend to go on tangents,and talk about many subjects at once..
I might stumble on a word here and there,
but I rarely edit anything out, so if u see me take a gulp of water, or walk off camera,
I’ve chosen to leave that stuff in, to keep it real, unfiltered and interesting..
So on that note..
💚I appreciate your patience and viewership,
and enjoy the video!..

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Опубликовано:

5 янв 2022

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Комментарии : 101

@TREMERE1 Год назад

Thanks for this. I clipped the reed in my hat, and it solved the problem. I had another hat that I couldn't get to fit right, and ended up removing the sweat band completely. I found a small sweat pad that fits inside the front that worked really well, and is much more comfortable. I may end up doing the same to my new hat, as the leather sweatband is not very comfortable in the heat and humidity where I live.

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

That’s the ONLY way, it makes sense, the outside appearance stays intact, while the inside fit is bigger. Rather than brutalizing the outside appearance to get minimal stretching on the inside, which is what stretching does. You’re my kinda guy, that’s what I do.. I remove the sweatband and put in a Cap Ban Nu pad, from Amazon, the reg black cotton ones, not the Terry cloth ones, those are way too thick. Cutting the Reed works for a small stretch, but for the big ones, like going two full sizes? Removing the sweat is the only way. Bravo, gonna pin this comment to the top. You’re one of the first viewers who really seems to grasp this concept. It’s a sacrifice to remove a sweatband, nobody likes doing it, but sometimes, when it comes to extremely tight hats, it’s the smarter choice.

@parmorama Месяц назад

Great stuff! No more wearing that torture device on my head. I cut the reed, and put it back on, and a couple of hours later, I can hardly feel that I’m wearing a hat. It’s so comfortable now. Thank you Kevin 👍

@jorgegc6028 8 дней назад

Thanks Kevin. Your video was very useful for me. I found a steel wire reed 😂. I cut it and stretched and it keeps my right size at last.

@rogerstenstromk5mow715 2 года назад

I really enjoyed this video. A lot of great information you have shared in this video. Thank you.

@AgentJJones 2 года назад

I called JJ"s today, told them I've watched many of your videos you've taught me a lot about hats, some history and I really appreciate you making these videos. I'll definitely be stopping by your shop when I visit New York and hopefully you'll have the Stetsons I'm looking for.

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Thanks, yeah we haven’t had anything from Texas in many months, this year many brands are not shipping, so we are working w the few brands that are able to ship us, generally.. at this time of year we’re swimming in Stetsons. This year we won’t see them until summer.

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Thank you very much !

@jukesasaurusrex 2 года назад

Great show Kevin 😃 . I have a few I stretched thanks mainly to you , they fit but like you said they do shrink back . I was able to get a hat block my size and that is what I put it on when not wearing it

@cpt_constitution5719 Год назад

Your videos are always helpful. Love your channel. Thanks for all the advice.

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

You are so welcome!

@drwisdom1 2 года назад

To summarize, get your true hat size and you will be happy. Getting one size up and inserting filler material will work, but not as well as your true hat size. But don't get a hat that is smaller than your size and expect to be comfortable or happy. Good hats were not made to be stretched.

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

EXACTLY ! Well said !

@mattelvislindsay1326 Год назад

It's best to get your true hat size. But I agree, getting a hat that is too small is even worse. Sometimes you can get one that's one size up and then if it shrinks a little it will fit you perfectly. I don't recommend leaving your hat in the heat, but sometimes if you leave it in the heat for you know maybe three or four hours it will shrink sometimes. So definitely do not do that especially if your hat already fits you right. Bottom line is I wouldn't buy any hat that doesn't fit me correctly. And Kevin is totally correct, the hat almost always goes back to its original size and stretching a hat is not really good for it at all

@Victorianification Год назад

The problem is when they don't sell a hat in your size and thus stretching is a necessity.

@drwisdom1 Год назад

@@Victorianification Don't buy a hat that needs stretching to fit. Also, don't buy pants if the waist is too small and don't buy shoes if you can't get them on your feet.

@TREMERE1 Год назад

Except when you are in between sizes, like me.

@davidlarned4315 2 года назад

Great info !!

@freak4jc1 2 года назад

Thank you I just tried to stretch a cowboy hat, well Boot Barn did, got it home put it on it was tight again. Now I know why. Very informative, thanks a lot!

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Thanks!! If u are ever in NYC, I can do it free for u as a walk in..

@mattelvislindsay1326 Год назад

@@quadrogong1111 another thing is he should have kept his hat on his head for a while after boot barn stretched it. It needs to conform to your head while the hat is still warm from the steam and right after it has been stretched

@mattelvislindsay1326 Год назад

@@quadrogong1111 he waited until he got home, then he tried the hat on and it was tight again. He should have kept it on his head for an hour or so

@therealsideburnz 2 года назад

Thanks a bunch for making this video. My wife bought be a hat on a trip and I never wore it because it was just a bit small. I tried stretching it without success. I snipped the reed this morning and I’ve been enjoying the hat all day!

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

That’s the key, those reeds ALWAYS stretch back, clip it,and the hat can stretch.. hand stretch it over your chest or knee from time to time

@paulloughlin3732 2 года назад

Great video Kev and Happy New Year from Ireland! Next time I'm in New York I'll definitely stop by JJ's.

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Awesome!

@rocco1641 2 года назад

Is the water shrink technique possible on snap brim fur felt? I have a 7 3/8th but would fit better in a 7 1/8th. Thanks kev!!!!

@jaybruz.5688 2 года назад

hey Kev, i got an Akubra territory at christmas. i love it.

@dkstott29 2 года назад

Akubra have a steel wire inside Reed. If you pull the wire out, the hat becomes much more flexible and easily conforms to your head.

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

That’s incredible, it must be the type that always bends back to the same oval shape, a regular wire would get permanent kinks in it,which wouldn’t work.. it’s not surprising, everything they do is so rugged and reliable

@dkstott29 2 года назад

@@quadrogong1111 there is a brass ferrule that connects the ends of the wire in the back of the hat. I've pulled the wire out of all 3 of my Akubra hats. They almost instantly became more comfortable to wear.

@npet6842 2 года назад

My Akubras don't appear to have a wire loop ........

@dkstott29 2 года назад

@@npet6842 hmm, both my stylemaster and my banjo Patterson had the wire

@npet6842 2 года назад

@@dkstott29 Nothing in my Bronco and Lawson . Interesting ....

@sholland42 Год назад

Great information, thanks.

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

Glad it was helpful!

@sholland42 Год назад

@@quadrogong1111 , my hat is a 3star felt from Cavender’s. Metal reed, like a paper clip. Gone.

@wesgriffin9666 2 года назад

We just got a boot barn in town I'm not really sure if they steam anything but I know they have alot of hats. I know they stretch boots though

@wesgriffin9666 2 года назад

I had a conversation with someone yesterday about this. Thought about ya man. Luckily that's one problem I've never had. Better a little big than small. Speaking of storage I can't stand it when my tenants keep guitar's or hats in there storage units. Worst place in the world Worst worst!

@koningklootzak7788 7 месяцев назад

Great topic. I'm interested in a hat with 65% cotton and 35% terylene. And I'm between sizes. Is it easier to stretch or shrink this blend? Or do you think it's better I get a bigger hat and insert size reducer? Is there any downside to using size reducer? I love the last bit of trippy guitar sound, nice👍

@susanhamilton1822 Год назад

Thanks for this. We are fighting with a brand new, shrunken hat at the moment. Hat Jack doesn't work and does exactly what you said.

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

Hat jack alone does nothing, u need to steam the hat at the back seam before u stretch and as you stretch… as u steam, the the stretch goes where the heat is, so we bet it in back…steam through the hat, never steam the inside of a hat.

@susanhamilton1822 Год назад

@@quadrogong1111 I've almost got those stair steps flattened out. It's a process. Thanks for the tip.

@seancarr9208 2 года назад

Just picked up a Tully from JJ’s today

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Sorry I missed you, I only work on Tuesday Wednesday and Friday. Great choice, that’s probably the warmest, strongest cap you can buy at any price.

@AbenteuerWildnis 2 года назад

THX for your information here about hats! 👌 Video idea: How to make your hat more unique? Whats the deal with feathers, bandanas, ribbons, bows, ..! 😁🎸

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Thanks!!

@renkessler5476 2 года назад

Kevin, I buy "gently worn" hats from eBay, or Salvation Army, or a local thrift shop. May times the leather band is so badly torn that I take them out. I am looking for a cloth replacement for them. What do you recommend?

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

We change them but it’s expensive, like $45, I’d get a black cap ban nu from Amazon It’s a cotton sweatband sticker that stays in as long as u want,until u change it. www.amazon.com/Cap-Ban-Nu-Cotton-Disposable-Sweatband-Reducer/dp/B09K6S1LQL

@arvindhoon 2 года назад

Hello Kevin and a happy new year to you :-) im coming in with a comment that off topic from this video since this is your latest hat video. Looks like the Borsalino's are no where in sight. My question is with respect to felt quality / pricing. I have hats from Christys, a variety of Stetsons, Selentino, Akubra among others and one Borsalino felt, which no doubt is a very distinctive felt. How do you rate the Lock & Co felts, they seem a bit overpriced to me. While im asking what's your take on Optimo ? Have a nice day & stay safe

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

They’re amazing, if u can afford to go custom, they’re one of the best.. but they know their stuff and have a great rep. if u can afford the prices, go for it, but I prefer a good $450-500 Borsalino over a $1000 custom made hat myself. It’s all a taste issue though, just one mans opinion

@caitlinsteele913 2 года назад

yippee 🌼😄

@BEARDED_VATO 2 года назад

I have a western Resistol hat on size 7, i normally wear 7 1/8 . I thought about stretching it until I heard you say the shape might be compromised.

@dkstott29 2 года назад

You're late. 👍😊🤪🤪

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Yeah, big time.. u can clip the back sea and the Reed, it’ll stretch a bit.. or remove the whole sweatband.

@BEARDED_VATO 2 года назад

@@dkstott29 😂

@aarontrayler4415 11 месяцев назад

Is this string in all hats like a stetson as well.. I got one that is a just a little snug would this help me to bring it from 62 cm to a 63 cm

@quadrogong1111 11 месяцев назад

Yes, if it has a leather sweatband then it has one. It’ll help, yes. Just clip it.. then stretch it w your hands , pull it lengthwise across your chest or over your knee

@trevorallen7591 Год назад

I have a Rodeo King Open Crown Beaver Felt 7x that is just slightly too snug. With it being a stiffer style, would cutting the reed in it help any?

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

Those stiff westerns don’t stretch easily, if you’re getting a red line on your head, and it’s bothering you.,then yes. Snip the Reed, u won’t be able to even see what u did, it’s such a tiny cut, by the back seam. If you’re not getting the red line on the forehead,and no pain..then just wait, it might stretch out itself But if it’s bothering u, cut the Reed, and stretch it out over your knee,across your chest, keep doing it, firmly, but not jerking it, stretch it firmly but carefully. Wear it a lot too, the heat and sweat will break it in, but usually it’ll need a little help.

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

Buy them bigger for now on and tighten to size, everyone does that for their first few hats, then u reach a point where it’s like, “never again!” And u want comfort,u can always tighten to size easily, but stretching is tough,it takes a little time,but it’ll stretch

@trevorallen7591 Год назад

@@quadrogong1111 Snipped the reed and wore it over the weekend, much improved! Thank you! I'll remember to size up next time, I appreciate it

@marysmith7251 9 месяцев назад

Hi Kevin! My head measures 53.75 cm so I ordered my Stetson Tom Mix in a size 6 3/4. Which should be the correct size for me right? I’ve had the hat for a few years now and I feel like it has never fit quite right. It leaves a mark on my forehead and the bow in the back makes it uncomfortable to wear. I got curious and measured the interior of the hatband and it measures 53 cm. So, I’m wondering if it has always been too small for me. I love the hat and am wondering if it is worth stretching, cutting the reed, or if I should leave it as is and try to sell it and order the 6 7/8 size? I’d really appreciate your advice!

@quadrogong1111 9 месяцев назад

If it leaves a mark on your head, it’s tight, if you’re wondering..it’s tight. Always go bigger when in doubt. And pad down. At this point, I think stretching can work but it’s difficult. Only a really trained hat shop could do it. Like a western shop. I would get the next size if I could, but selling it will be near impossible at your size. Extra Small size, huge hat?.. it needs to be stretched on a real stretcher, not a hat jack. You can’t exchange it? That’s a hard one. I could do it, but it’ll cost a bunch to ship both ways.. maybe you can find a local hat shop?

@solideogloria4909 2 года назад

Frankly if you can get even a hair of stretch then this can make the unbearable bearable 🐻

@06judahd Год назад

If I only need to stretch a 1/8 or 1/4" at most on an old Stetson beaver from my Grandfather, will cutting the line in the band potentially allow enough relief to stretch without distorting the shape?

@06judahd Год назад

@quadrogong1111

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

It’ll help but a stretch that large will leave a lot of distortion, maybe less if I do it

@schmodizzle4465 Месяц назад

What about new era caps ?

@ryanusmc4923 Год назад

What about relocking the hat to a larger size if it is a pure beaver hat?

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

Sure that’s always possible with any hat but it’s very expensive

@BEARDED_VATO 2 года назад

I really want to do that , but afraid i might ruin it😬

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Either u can do it and wear it, or keep it perfect and give it away..sell it. but if u want to wear it, it’ll need some aggressive modifications.. sometimes it’s best to leave it alone. But hey, if u ever wind up in my neck of the woods, I’ll fix her for ya

@alvinkimel7277 10 месяцев назад

Kevin, are there disadvantages to cutting the reed? Will the hat lose its shape over time?

@quadrogong1111 10 месяцев назад

It can make the hat a little big softer,sometimes, but most if the time it’s not really different feeling at all. My green hat has been missing the entire sweatband for years, no Reed, nothing. But you’d never know. You don’t have to take the Reed out, it’ll still be there, the way it springs back and forth will still be there, that springy feeling the Reed gives you? But the tension won’t be there, the tightness of that tight ring around your head. I think you’ll be ok if you leave the Reed inside, just snip it,

@MatthewGilmore-zc2cm Год назад

Hi Kevin, how much should I expect a hat to shrink if I live in a hot, desert climate?

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

The leather sweatband can dehydrate,,that’s usually the culprit..rather than the felt, it’s the leather band that can shrink..and then the hat feels tight. Just keep it away from sun when you’re storing it,and wear it as much as possible. Hats shrink when you keep them in storage for long periods of time,without wearing them..the leather will stay conditioned from you wearing it more often. If you ignore the hat for a year or two and stop wearing it, that’s when they begin to shrink up…as far as how much? You shouldn’t get shrinkage just because you live there. Keep wearing the hat and you won’t get any shrinkage.. don’t let it sit on a hot dashboard baking in the sun,etc.. just wear it..it won’t shrink unless you neglect it for a couple of years.l

@Happyland_Motel_Gamer_Cat 2 года назад

I have a Special Indiana Jones custom hat but i don't wear it and i display it in a clear plastic bag - Kevin cause its unworn will it still shrink?

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

That depends on the climate in your home, if your home gets pretty warm in winter,& u really have the heat pumping.. it will shrink the size of the hat, but it’s gonna take some time.. it would take at least 3-5 years of not wearing it…plus the heat from your radiator to shrink the sweatband. You can try it on and see how it feels, but yeah, it won’t happen in a couple of years, it takes some time. 3-5 years ..maybe more like over 5 years, depends on the climate, if you park your hat right near a radiator, it can take 2-3.

@Happyland_Motel_Gamer_Cat 2 года назад

@@quadrogong1111 (Thanks 4 the detailed reply) I live in Melbourne Downunder and the room where the hat is always around 'room-temperature' around 55F/15C in Winter and on hot Summer days like today i see it is 77F/25C & there is only a AC that blows air into the room its very soft air and the room hardly gets over 77/25. And i have black draped curtains with blinds to keep out the sunlight because i have a lot of vintage collections and old stuff and i do know sunlight fades anything. My collections are my family❤️:D/

@molotulo8808 2 года назад

Zappa... Weasels Riped My Fleash

@brunningwolf Год назад

I do it all the time it’s easy trust me

@quadrogong1111 Год назад

Things like ball caps that are cloth will hold a stretch easily, but stretching a hat with a leather sweatband inside is near impossible, it’ll shrink back 100% of the time.

@secretdaisy6484 2 года назад

If you cut the nylon stitching will it unravel and cause the band to fall out? 👍☮️🌞🌟🎸🐾👑❣️

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Not at all..the band is sewn in with a whole set of stitches that we aren’t touching, Think of the Reed as a tube that’s on top of the leather sweatband, attached to it…..you’re only clipping the cord inside it, which has zero effects on the way the band is sewn on. Those stitches are behind the leather band, nowhere near where we are cutting. No danger of anything unraveling, (you’re thinking like a knitter, not a hatter ! )😜 you’re a really great knitter,too

@secretdaisy6484 2 года назад

@@quadrogong1111 Actually I was thinking like someone who has tried to make a tiny snip and ended up cutting everything loose. And yes there is some knitter’s 🧶concern. If you cut into something knitted it’s toast🍞. ☹️

@SteveSchuffert 2 года назад

Hey Kevin! Great content on your channel. Thanks very much for that! I’ve just bought a few Stetson’s recently. The El Presidente in black & silverbelly and they are fitting really nice (7 3/8ths ) I also bought the El Patron, same size but it’s been feeling a bit tight. Went ahead and and snipped the reed today and doing some stretching. Feeling Better. Is it cool to just pull the reed out completely? Would that make the hat even a little more pliable without compromising anything? (I’d imagine you could probably feed it back in if you really needed to?) Thanks for your input. It’s valued and very appreciated. 👍

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

u can leave it in as long as it isn’t dangling free..u can always shove the ends back into the sweatband. If you wind up taking it out, it’ll be the same thing, I don’t think the Reed is helping to retain the shape of the hat once it’s snipped, and the pressure is relieved. So u can pull it out if it comes out easily, I doubt it’ll be any difference .. once u clip it, it’s not doing it’s job any longer, anyway..

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

I usually try to keep it in, if I can shove the ends back in neatly, but if it’s a stiff hat w a lot of structure, like your western..it won’t make a difference..u can remove it, it’s just fishing line,

@SteveSchuffert 2 года назад

@@quadrogong1111 thanks again Kevin. 👍🎸👍

@joeabstractjoe 2 года назад

🎶🎵🎸🎵🎶🥂👏👏

@JasonWise Год назад

Damn near impossible to get a hat true to size when you have a 26 inch/67 centimeter head. Especially not something basic like a baseball cap.

@justmeeagainn 2 года назад

Just cut all the stuff out that’s inside the hat. The band isn’t real leather anyhow; it’s more like pleather. Or remove the fishing line and leave the band if you have to. Drill Sergeants do this all the time. (They also coat the campaign hat in polyurethane, but that’s another story.) Then crank the hat jack. It won’t stay that far out but the hat will move and get bigger. Do this a couple of times a day for a few days and you can get significant progress. Also shaving your head helps.

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Spot on, most folks are afraid to get that invasive with a hat, they prefer I do it for them.. but yeah, this really gives u space. It’s the only way

@jameskann951 2 года назад

Hat Restorations are you kidding? Well it can be done yet,you'll get tired doing it. It's best to remove the Sweatband and install a new longer One or sell the Hat and buy a new One or find a used Hat that fits you perfectly. You can fabricate your own Sweatband too and it doesn't have to be Leather. Wear a Hat Today!

@quadrogong1111 2 года назад

Yeah, 99% of my customers just want their hat stretched.. they’re too scared to attempt any of that. But you’re right, it is doable