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[HatsEnough]

LOL. It sure seems like a meaningless designation to me, anyway. I saw it on a Stetson Western from the 1980s or so. Here are some photos of the interior:

So any guesses as to what this quality designation means?

 

[gtdean48]

OK, who knows what "XX Ultrafelt Fur Blend" from a Stetson Western (modern, not vintage) means?

I thought Ultrafelt was Stetson's label for wool-fur blend felt...

 

[HatsEnough]

That would make sense. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Tomasso]

Optimo....the one in Arizona (which I believe is run by Graham Thompson's brother).

 

[GamaH]

Gonna call Optimo to place my order as soon as they open (in about 2hours), but I need some advice here..

When telling them what crown height I want, is the height assumed to be pre-creased or after it's been creased? E.g.; Teardrop crease, with a 5 inch crown. Will they crease a 5inch crown into the teardrop shape, or will the crown height be 5inches AFTER creasing.

 

[gtdean48]

Gonna call Optimo to place my order as soon as they open (in about 2hours), but I need some advice here..

When telling them what crown height I want, is the height assumed to be pre-creased or after it's been creased? E.g.; Teardrop crease, with a 5 inch crown. Will they crease a 5inch crown into the teardrop shape, or will the crown height be 5inches AFTER creasing.

You need to be specific about that when discussing your specs with Optimo.
For me, an open crown should not be less than 5 1/2" unless you want a low, tapered look. I like a 4 1/2" front teardrop. To get a 5" creased crown, I'd go to 6"open crown. JMHO

 

[GamaH]

You need to be specific about that when discussing your specs with Optimo.
For me, an open crown should not be less than 5 1/2" unless you want a low, tapered look. I like a 4 1/2" front teardrop. To get a 5" creased crown, I'd go to 6"open crown. JMHO

Oh, 5" creased crown was just an example. What does the 'front' in 4.5" front teardrop mean?

Should I be telling them the height I want open crown, or or creased or both? Because I don't know how high an open crown will become when creased, but I do know what height looks good on me (creased of course).

Which part of the crown do I measure?

 

[gtdean48]

Oh, 5" creased crown was just an example. What does the 'front' in 4.5" front teardrop mean?

Should I be telling them the height I want open crown, or or creased or both? Because I don't know how high an open crown will become when creased, but I do know what height looks good on me (creased of course).

Which part of the crown do I measure?

Do more reading here on the Lounge if you don't understand the "rake" of a teardrop crease.
The front pinch is usually about 1/2" taller than the back. Otherwise, you just have a telescope with a front pinch.
Folks call it the "tugboat" effect.
Look at this profile shot =

 

[GamaH]

Do more reading here on the Lounge if you don't understand the "rake" of a teardrop crease.
The front pinch is usually about 1/2" taller than the back. Otherwise, you just have a telescope with a front pinch.
Folks call it the "tugboat" effect.
Look at this profile shot =

That's what I don't get though. This is my Borsalino with a teardrop. The highest part is close to the middle, rather than front.

The back is still the lowest, of course, but the apogee of my hat, as you can see in the profile shot is close to the center.

 

[rlk]

Straws are pressed into final form(not hand shaped) in a limited number of choices so they can tell you finished height dimensions of those options. Open crown is not an issue here other than an unformed body must be of appropriate size to form the crown and the brim width of choice if it is backwoven like a Montecristi rather than cut and/or trimmed. That is the hatters issue whether it is possible.
Some shapes are even higher at the rear than the center pinch--they vary.

 

[GamaH]

Straws are pressed into final form(not hand shaped) in a limited number of choices so they can tell you finished height dimensions of those options.

Is that why my Borso has a slightly different teardrop shape from side profile?

 

[jlee562]

Is that why my Borso has a slightly different teardrop shape from side profile?

Because of the specific block used, not because of the process itself.

 

[Seth Hawkins]

The teardrop crown can usually be specified with a front and rear creased height. The higher part in the center (when viewed from the side) is sort of a by-product of the crease and side dents. It all becomes much clearer after you do your own bash. It just works out that way. You can get the effect of a higher or lower center section by raising or lowering the front and/or back, and increasing or decreasing the depth of the side dents. It all works together. It didn't make sense to me, either, until I did my own bash on an old hat.

 

[GamaH]

The teardrop crown can usually be specified with a front and rear creased height. The higher part in the center (when viewed from the side) is sort of a by-product of the crease and side dents. It all becomes much clearer after you do your own bash. It just works out that way. You can get the effect of a higher or lower center section by raising or lowering the front and/or back, and increasing or decreasing the depth of the side dents. It all works together. It didn't make sense to me, either, until I did my own bash on an old hat.

You can't change the crease on a straw hat the way you can on a felt though, right?

 

[Seth Hawkins]

Can't help you there. I know nothing about straw hats.

 

[BigDog]

horse of a different color

I am getting ready to order a new custom fedora. Now comes the hard part of picking a color for the hat and ribbon. I have all the staples colors (brown, black, white, gray ect ...) But I was thinking of something on the unusual side. Maybe a Brown/Orange, Gray/Rose or something. What are some of the unusual,different or just plain strange combinations you guy have seen?

 

[Neophyte]

Moss green with a rust/orange ribbon would be my vote.

 

[job]

I would not try to alter the crown on a straw hat.

 

[Seth Hawkins]

Look at Art Fawcett's Web site. He has pics of some hats with unusual felt/ribbon color combos. They are colors that I would never have thought of putting together, but they look really nice.

 

[GamaH]

I would not try to alter the crown on a straw hat.

Yeah that's what I had heard too. Not intending to anyway, I like the teardrop on my Borso.

Now, real question.. Is there anything wrong with wearing a straw hat at night? I had heard some people say that straw hats are only for the day, and it's felt at night, regardless of season.