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[TheOldFashioned]

Going to go to some antique vintage shops and see what they got there hopefully I get lucky...I normally type in “vintage fedora” on eBay could that be the reason I’m not seeing that many hats ?...and I’ll check out Gannon I know custom gets pretty pricey that’s why I’ve been saving that to my last resort

I know we don't usually post live auctions around here but I don't imagine there's a lot of competition for this black stingy brim. How about this? Recently listed with a BIN option:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124519925243

 

[BobHufford]

I know we don't usually post live auctions around here but I don't imagine there's a lot of competition for this black stingy brim. How about this? Recently listed with a BIN option:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124519925243

I say go for it! (Disclaimer: It's my auction)

 

[TheOldFashioned]

I say go for it! (Disclaimer: It's my auction)

My commission rate is half of what eBay charges in fees in case you want to sell direct through the Lounge.

 

[BobHufford]

My commission rate is half of what eBay charges in fees in case you want to sell direct through the Lounge.

That's a possibility.

 

[Blare]

I know we don't usually post live auctions around here but I don't imagine there's a lot of competition for this black stingy brim. How about this? Recently listed with a BIN option:
View attachment 299281 View attachment 299280

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124519925243

I say go for it! (Disclaimer: It's my auction)

I second that... or Third I guess. It’s very much like the hats you’ve been asking about. A nice looking 60s Dunlap stingy in your size at a great price... and Bob’s a good guy!!

 

[1967Cougar390]

I am a little confused about Stetson felts, mainly in the modern Stratoliner. I have two Royal fur felt Stratoliner’s. I know in the not too distant past, there was an Excellent fur felt. Now I see that the Stratoliner is being offered in Pure Beaver. My Royals might be at the lower end, but what is the difference between Royal and Excellent? Both of my Royals are soft in their hand compared to my Akubra’s. Is the difference in the felt density? I know that the new Pure Beaver is well, Pure Beaver. With the price being in line with custom beaver fedoras, does that make it worth the extra money? Does anyone have a new Pure Beaver Stratoliner? Is a mass produced hat worth the same as a custom? I’m just curious.


Steven

 

[jlee562]

I am a little confused about Stetson felts, mainly in the modern Stratoliner. I have two Royal fur felt Stratoliner’s. I know in the not too distant past, there was an Excellent fur felt. Now I see that the Stratoliner is being offered in Pure Beaver. My Royals might be at the lower end, but what is the difference between Royal and Excellent? Both of my Royals are soft in their hand compared to my Akubra’s. Is the difference in the felt density? I know that the new Pure Beaver is well, Pure Beaver. With the price being in line with custom beaver fedoras, does that make it worth the extra money? Does anyone have a new Pure Beaver Stratoliner? Is a mass produced hat worth the same as a custom? I’m just curious.


Steven

According to the Stetson Japan Instagram, the Royal felt is rabbit fur, and Royal Deluxe is 10% beaver. This may or may not be factually accurate as nobody from Hatco in the US has ever divulged the exact composition.

I presume that the Pure felts are the same as Excellent quality, but I suppose there's the off-chance it's a different weight because they're currently not using it for open crown hats. Beaver felt generally speaking should be denser because of the nature of beaver fur. Beaver hairs have microscopic barbs which make
them felt tighter than rabbit.

I can't speak to the new hats, though I do like my excellent quality Fortune and Glory. I would more seriously consider either if they were open crown, but that is just my personal preference. The main knock on Stetsons is the poly thread tacking stiches.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I am a little confused about Stetson felts, mainly in the modern Stratoliner. I have two Royal fur felt Stratoliner’s. I know in the not too distant past, there was an Excellent fur felt. Now I see that the Stratoliner is being offered in Pure Beaver. My Royals might be at the lower end, but what is the difference between Royal and Excellent? Both of my Royals are soft in their hand compared to my Akubra’s. Is the difference in the felt density? I know that the new Pure Beaver is well, Pure Beaver. With the price being in line with custom beaver fedoras, does that make it worth the extra money? Does anyone have a new Pure Beaver Stratoliner? Is a mass produced hat worth the same as a custom? I’m just curious.


Steven

And then there is the Premier hats using Royal De Luxe felt that falls between the Royal and the Excellent. I’m with Jared: both the discontinued Excellent and the current “Pure Stratoliners” are 100% beaver fur felt hats, but that doesn’t mean they are made from the same felt.

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

Any Magill fans out there?

 

[Frunobulax]

???​

 

[belfastboy]

Any Magill fans out there?

I have owned a few but eventually passed them on. Decent hat but at my local hat shop they were over priced for the average quality of them.

 

[1967Cougar390]

According to the Stetson Japan Instagram, the Royal felt is rabbit fur, and Royal Deluxe is 10% beaver. This may or may not be factually accurate as nobody from Hatco in the US has ever divulged the exact composition.

I presume that the Pure felts are the same as Excellent quality, but I suppose there's the off-chance it's a different weight because they're currently not using it for open crown hats. Beaver felt generally speaking should be denser because of the nature of beaver fur. Beaver hairs have microscopic barbs which make
them felt tighter than rabbit.

I can't speak to the new hats, though I do like my excellent quality Fortune and Glory. I would more seriously consider either if they were open crown, but that is just my personal preference. The main knock on Stetsons is the poly thread tacking stiches.

Thanks for the reply Jared.

And then there is the Premier hats using Royal De Luxe felt that falls between the Royal and the Excellent. I’m with Jared: both the discontinued Excellent and the current “Pure Stratoliners” are 100% beaver fur felt hats, but that doesn’t mean they are made from the same felt.

Thanks Brent. I have thought many times of adding a Caribou Stratoliner to my hat collection. I am pleased with the Royal quality and I don’t have my Hufvud custom yet, it’s still a couple of months out. I’m thinking, without having a high quality hat in hand, I feel that a custom is a better route than a mass production hat. Am I wrong?

Steven

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

I have owned a few but eventually passed them on. Decent hat but at my local hat shop they were over priced for the average quality of them.

Sorry to hear that. I purchased a couple on sale from JJ Hats reasonable priced as well as one directly from Magill that was also fairly reasonable. I’ll post some photos later when I have a moment if anyone is interested. I’m a 2 3/4 -3 in brim fan in a fedora.
Best to all have a great hat day!

 

[belfastboy]

Sorry to hear that. I purchased a couple on sale from JJ Hats reasonable priced as well as one directly from Magill that was also fairly reasonable. I’ll post some photos later when I have a moment if anyone is interested. I’m a 2 3/4 -3 in brim fan in a fedora.
Best to all have a great hat day!

If you can pick them up at a 50% discount it makes more sense. But at $400 for a beaver felt mass produced hat you can commission a custom hat.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Sorry to hear that. I purchased a couple on sale from JJ Hats reasonable priced as well as one directly from Magill that was also fairly reasonable. I’ll post some photos later when I have a moment if anyone is interested. I’m a 2 3/4 -3 in brim fan in a fedora.
Best to all have a great hat day!

I had an Open Road style Magill hat, but I wasn’t overly impressed. There wasn’t anything wrong with the hat, but it just seemed to be on the lower side of average and I moved it on. Maybe it was not indicative of all of their hat, or maybe they offer a better line of hats?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thanks for the reply Jared.




Thanks Brent. I have thought many times of adding a Caribou Stratoliner to my hat collection. I am pleased with the Royal quality and I don’t have my Hufvud custom yet, it’s still a couple of months out. I’m thinking, without having a high quality hat in hand, I feel that a custom is a better route than a mass production hat. Am I wrong?

Steven

Steven, I think you’re spot-on. I’ve come to a similar conclusion, and aside from a few Akubras I haven’t bought a new factory hat in a couple years. Of course if you have the right head size vintage is a great way to go.

Brent

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

I had an Open Road style Magill hat, but I wasn’t overly impressed. There wasn’t anything wrong with the hat, but it just seemed to be on the lower side of average and I moved it on. Maybe it was not indicative of all of their hat, or maybe they offer a better line of hats?

Sorry to hear that DH. I purchased the Untouchable from JJ in brown and went to Magill directly to get their blue gray model of the same style and quality called the Valencia. Same product just a name change. Really happy with the thickness of the felt. Craftsmanship and brim snap on a 3 inch raw edge. You can check it out on magill.com. I purchased a gray 2 3/4 brim from JJ. Lighter weight but well made. I can look up the name if you are interested. They won’t be as durable as an Akubra but what is?

 

[1967Cougar390]

Steven, I think you’re spot-on. I’ve come to a similar conclusion, and aside from a few Akubras I haven’t bought a new factory hat in a couple years. Of course if you have the right head size vintage is a great way to go.

Brent

Thanks Brent. I know we discussed vintage, but I’m with you on my hat size, 7 5/8 or 61. That size narrows the vintage field considerably. I am strongly considering having a custom Playboy or Stratoliner style hat commissioned by M.C. Gannon. I need to reach out to him via email and see what his lead/que time is currently.

Steven

 

[belfastboy]

Sorry to hear that DH. I purchased the Untouchable from JJ in brown and went to Magill directly to get their blue gray model of the same style and quality called the Valencia. Same product just a name change. Really happy with the thickness of the felt. Craftsmanship and brim snap on a 3 inch raw edge. You can check it out on magill.com. I purchased a gray 2 3/4 brim from JJ. Lighter weight but well made. I can look up the name if you are interested. They won’t be as durable as an Akubra but what is?

They look good in the pics but at the price of a Valencia you are approaching the price for a custom rabbit felt hat.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thanks Brent. I know we discussed vintage, but I’m with you on my hat size, 7 5/8 or 61. That size narrows the vintage field considerably. I am strongly considering having a custom Playboy or Stratoliner style hat commissioned by M.C. Gannon. I need to reach out to him via email and see what his lead/que time is currently.

Steven

Gannon’s prices just went up. Still very fair, but getting more expensive.