Ask a question, get an answer

[Weht]

All good felts benefit by an occasional brushing. The "hairs" you are seeing are likely rabbit to create that distinct fuzzy finish, and may not necessarily need a brushing... Yet!

My question for you, sir, is your hat size. Which one of the four sizes between 7 and 7-3/8 are you?

To pick the most comfortable size I would have to say 7 1/4 including the headband

 

[bond]

Looking for ideas on type of bow that would have been on this Tom n jerry fedora by Knox .

 

[johnnycanuck]

Weather is starting to turn around here in the great white north. Has me thinking of nice summer hats. I have three Montecristi panama hats, pith helmets and Tilley hats. I am looking for a nice summer (hot weather) hat that can handle a little bit of rain and abuse as well as a bit of wind without folding itself in half.

Wanting to keep the price tag around the $100 Canadian +/-20%.

UVA/UVB resistant

Not felt.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Johnny

 

[Bamaboots]

@johnnycanuck

Sunbody. You can dunk them in a trough to help cool you down, so rain doesn’t bother them and they’re heavy enough for most winds. They even have an @RBH model.

 

[jonesy86]

I like the Sunbody hats too. Also, I recommend the Akubra Hemp hats, like the Range and Balmoral which are pretty sturdy but not too heavy. The range is vented, has a nice wide brim, and comes with a pug so you can play with the hat band.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I like the Sunbody hats too. Also, I recommend the Akubra Hemp hats, like the Range and Balmoral which are pretty sturdy but not too heavy. The range is vented, has a nice wide brim, and comes with a pug so you can play with the hat band.

View attachment 218137

A big +1! Palm hats, including the SunBody, are heavy and not the coolest wearing option. I like palm, but it’s not as versatile in my life as hemp or other Millan weaves.

 

[johnnycanuck]

I like the Sunbody hats too. Also, I recommend the Akubra Hemp hats, like the Range and Balmoral which are pretty sturdy but not too heavy. The range is vented, has a nice wide brim, and comes with a pug so you can play with the hat band.

View attachment 218137

I have thought about sunbody over the years. The fedora with the 3”brim like the Alan Grant hat. Is the fine palm worth the extra money compared to the standard? Any more options out there?
Johnny

 

[new2hats]

I've been getting hats from Ebay and have been putting them in the freezer in case there are moths. Now, I've never seen a moth in or near any of my hats. I put some hats away in boxes in my closet and took out again to inspect, try on, etc. and am not sure if I just did not notice or if there are new spots on the underside of some hats. Are the buggers moth larvae, or moth adults? Would they always be seen or are they invisible? Can anyone point to me a mugshot of the culprit so I know what to look out for?!

 

[Frunobulax]

I've been getting hats from Ebay and have been putting them in the freezer in case there are moths. Now, I've never seen a moth in or near any of my hats. I put some hats away in boxes in my closet and took out again to inspect, try on, etc. and am not sure if I just did not notice or if there are new spots on the underside of some hats. Are the buggers moth larvae, or moth adults? Would they always be seen or are they invisible? Can anyone point to me a mugshot of the culprit so I know what to look out for?!

They are larvae. The adults lay the eggs and the little critters feed off the fur felt as they develop. I'm not a freezer guy myself, but t certainly doesn't hurt to engage in this practice. While many of my hats - most actually - are stored in boxes, I make certain they get a good cleaning and brushing before long-term, seasonal, storage. The best preventative is a well-lighted, well-ventilated area. To combat the storage issues, I just try to keep them all in some sort of rotation so they are not sitting in the dark for too long.

 

[new2hats]

They are larvae. The adults lay the eggs and the little critters feed off the fur felt as they develop. I'm not a freezer guy myself, but t certainly doesn't hurt to engage in this practice. While many of my hats - most actually - are stored in boxes, I make certain they get a good cleaning and brushing before long-term, seasonal, storage. The best preventative is a well-lighted, well-ventilated area. To combat the storage issues, I just try to keep them all in some sort of rotation so they are not sitting in the dark for too long.

Thanks Fruno for the advice. I will definitely do those things. Is there a moth season? The reason I ask is that maybe I just might have not seen the mothing areas when I first received the hat (Ebay). It was sent from Canada, in the Winter (Jan of this year), and there are no specific pictures of the area, though it is in the description ("small ones at the back barely noticeable"). And there are no moths in my closet or evidence of moths. Could it be that I just did not see the spots I wonder. Or is the moth activity year round? Also, do you know if is there a photo of moth larve the kind that eat hats? I didnt see anything on the hat after the freezer

 

[new2hats]

I think I got the culprit. I believe it is the body of the dead moth that was in the box. Not sure, am going to have to take closer look, I saved it in some tissue paper. I think he was trapped in the box when it became an adult, perhaps. Never happened to me before, in about 9 years of owning these.

 

[hatsandcanes]

Hello, I have bought a Stetson Hemp Whippet on the bay at a pretty decent price. However, it is marked as my size but it is almost one size too large. It was a as is item so I will need to try and shrink it if possible. It does have a leather sweat but the hat is pretty firm. On felt hats I have soaked the new sweat with a little heat and have snugged them up. I just don't know if the hemp will allow much shrinkage. I would be very grateful for any ideas or help. Thanks in advance,
Randy

 

[Héctor Fernández]

Randy, have you tried a few pieces of felt between the sweatband and the hat?

That has worked for me when making adjustments.

 

[hatsandcanes]

Randy, have you tried a few pieces of felt between the sweatband and the hat?

That has worked for me when making adjustments.

Thank you Hector. Yes, I can use cork or felt; however, I would still like to shrink it up if only a smidgen. I was thinking about soaking the sweatband and using heat or maybe some steam. That is how I do my felt but just not sure how the hemp will react?

 

[Air Wing Marine]

Hi:

I received as a gift a lovely Bigali Ecuador made straw hat. The problem is It is so stiff It won't breathe and is hot to wear. Is there anything I can do to soften the hat and improve the breath-ability without damaging the straw or distorting the shape?

 

[hatsRme]

Thank you Hector. Yes, I can use cork or felt; however, I would still like to shrink it up if only a smidgen. I was thinking about soaking the sweatband and using heat or maybe some steam. That is how I do my felt but just not sure how the hemp will react?

If it’s close, but only a size too big, just wear it around the house, or wherever you dare. Your bodyheat, etc. will slowly cause the sweatband to shrink to be one of your best fitting hats. It might take a few outings. Or you could pad it. YMMV.

Good luck!

 

[M Hatman]

Hello, I have bought a Stetson Hemp Whippet on the bay at a pretty decent price. However, it is marked as my size but it is almost one size too large. It was a as is item so I will need to try and shrink it if possible. It does have a leather sweat but the hat is pretty firm. On felt hats I have soaked the new sweat with a little heat and have snugged them up. I just don't know if the hemp will allow much shrinkage. I would be very grateful for any ideas or help. Thanks in advance,
Randy

I experienced exactly the same thing with my brown hemp Whippet. Padding it and wearing it around made the difference.....actually have taken some padding out. If you can take it, DO wet the sweat, but do not apply heat. It will shrink some as it dries. When just damp, place on head and wear for a while.........

Now I also found a light grey hemp Whippet. It fit fine out of the box.

NOW, I have found that among the Stetson straw, panama and hemp hats they have the greatest range in a single size I have ever experienced with any hats......and this is true of their vintage too!!

 

[hatsandcanes]

I experienced exactly the same thing with my brown hemp Whippet. Padding it and wearing it around made the difference.....actually have taken some padding out. If you can take it, DO wet the sweat, but do not apply heat. It will shrink some as it dries. When just damp, place on head and wear for a while.........

Now I also found a light grey hemp Whippet. It fit fine out of the box.

NOW, I have found that among the Stetson straw, panama and hemp hats they have the greatest range in a single size I have ever experienced with any hats......and this is true of their vintage too!!

Thank you. I would say it is a little over a half to 3/4 size too large now that I have cut my hair short. I think it will take more felt than I feel comfortable using so I think I will soak the leather sweat and see if it draws up even just a little. If I can get it just under a half size too large, a strip of felt will work.

 

[Weht]

is bixby any good, is this beaver just for show?

 

[hatsRme]

View attachment 218440 View attachment 218441 View attachment 218442 is bixby any good, is this beaver just for show?

This looks to be a reasonably good quality lid, IMO.
The little beaver image certainly infers (in furs?!) some proportion of beaver fur in the felt.

You did well, sir!