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[GamaH]

You know, my 50's OR is marked as "Mid-Oval" and it fits like a regular oval to me, I think the terms are interchangeable. Although someone can feel free to correct me.

Well I for one have never heard of a regular oval ever being referred to as a "short" oval, so you're probably right.

Edit: Regular = Round oval?

 

[inkyhands]

The hat showed up on Friday, but I needed to go rescue it from the Post Office because there was some postage due. Nice hat, a nice soft fur felt. However, while listed as a 7 5/8, it was too small for my 7 5/8 head. My younger daughter happened to be here when I got the hat out of the box, and it fits her nicely. She really liked it so now she has a new(old)hat.
Inkyhands

 

[chazwazzle]

I am the proud new owner of a Stetson Open Road and had a quick question about sizing in general. The hat needed to be just a tad longer so I ordered a hat jack and things worked out perfectly! But i'm not sure how a cowboy hat should fit in general? It is pretty loose on the sides but definitely still touching my forehead which can get pretty sweaty. Is that normal? Or should it not be touching my forehead like it isn't touching the sides? I feel like this is the way its supposed to be I just wanted to double check and make sure! Also, how can I bring the side of the hat in closer to my head? I guess i have a long oval instead of a regular oval! Thanks!

 

[BlackBrim]

I am thinking about getting a Dobbs Nitro.I noticed it is described as being part of the "Dobbs Special Finish Collection".
What does that mean?Does it mean a silk finish?A velour finish?

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

I am thinking about getting a Dobbs Nitro.I noticed it is described as being part of the "Dobbs Special Finish Collection".
What does that mean?Does it mean a silk finish?A velour finish?

The special finish collection would be the finish of the hat. How the hat was pounced to give the fur of the hat a velour or silk finish.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

I am the proud new owner of a Stetson Open Road and had a quick question about sizing in general. The hat needed to be just a tad longer so I ordered a hat jack and things worked out perfectly! But i'm not sure how a cowboy hat should fit in general? It is pretty loose on the sides but definitely still touching my forehead which can get pretty sweaty. Is that normal? Or should it not be touching my forehead like it isn't touching the sides? I feel like this is the way its supposed to be I just wanted to double check and make sure! Also, how can I bring the side of the hat in closer to my head? I guess i have a long oval instead of a regular oval! Thanks!

The fit from front to back on the hat is wear it is most important . It does sound as if you are a long oval. I professional hat shop could be able to adjust the hat to fit you better. The hat jack will only adjust the front and rear distance of your hat.

 

[gtdean48]

I am the proud new owner of a Stetson Open Road and had a quick question about sizing in general. The hat needed to be just a tad longer so I ordered a hat jack and things worked out perfectly! But i'm not sure how a cowboy hat should fit in general? It is pretty loose on the sides but definitely still touching my forehead which can get pretty sweaty. Is that normal? Or should it not be touching my forehead like it isn't touching the sides? I feel like this is the way its supposed to be I just wanted to double check and make sure! Also, how can I bring the side of the hat in closer to my head? I guess i have a long oval instead of a regular oval! Thanks!

Modern hats, especially Stetsons, are relatively round & heads are slightly more oval. They will initially fit by touching forehead & back of the head with gaps on the sides. A Hat Jack will help elongate to an Oval or Long Oval shape, so a hat fits all around. A well fit hat fits your head with the same pressure all the way around your noggin. Firm enough to not be blown off by a stiff wind but not enough to make you feel pressure uncomfortably. Not sure I can explain it more than that. I use felt strips behind the sweatband to snug up the sides. Get them at craft dept of Wal-Mart for 50 cents a sheet. HTH & Welcome...

 

[TipTop]

I am the proud new owner of a Stetson Open Road and had a quick question about sizing in general. The hat needed to be just a tad longer so I ordered a hat jack and things worked out perfectly! But i'm not sure how a cowboy hat should fit in general? It is pretty loose on the sides but definitely still touching my forehead which can get pretty sweaty. Is that normal? Or should it not be touching my forehead like it isn't touching the sides? I feel like this is the way its supposed to be I just wanted to double check and make sure! Also, how can I bring the side of the hat in closer to my head? I guess i have a long oval instead of a regular oval! Thanks!

It's like porn, you'll know it when you feel it.

Seriously, I am a long oval, and find that with steaming and/or stuffing, I can dial things in fairly well, all the way around...ONCE I have the positioning on my head decided. By that I mean, how low over your forehead do plan to wear it? Many cowboys hats are worn low to shield the eyes from sun (and in keeping with baseball cap face shrouding). Me, as a photographer, I generally want mine up a bit so as not to block my upward gaze, and avoid banging a camera viewfinder into the brim (happens anyway, but it's a thought) and finally, if you are having your picture taken, you'll want your eyes seen.

My general routine is to taper the back corners in with some steam to match the taper of my head back there, then see how it fits. I will often tuck something, like thin foam strips or felt in front to maintain forehead contact and start wearing it. You'll probably find that as the leather conforms to your scalp, you can remove the padding and slowly, all around, it will fall into a comfortable grip. Just be careful steaming around leather hatbands and sweats, the leather will curl and shrink if over exposed to the steam. When I find a long oval, I always go for it.

 

[masiaka]

Do you all think a Delta "Jr. Captain" wings pin would make a good hat pin, or is it a tad too big and heavy?

 

[Mystic]

Anyone ever heard of Artel hats? New company or old hat company?
if so what type of hats did or do they produce?

I saw a photo of a "Artel" flat hat, outside looked kind of like a newer style, but the lining, looked to be more of a older style.

 

[zetwal]

Anyone ever heard of Artel hats? New company or old hat company?
if so what type of hats did or do they produce?

I saw a photo of a "Artel" flat hat, outside looked kind of like a newer style, but the lining, looked to be more of a older style.

To get you started, they are mentioned here,

www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?15652

 

[Mystic]

To get you started, they are mentioned here,

www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?15652

I scanned through that thread last night until my eyes hurt and only found the name listed.

Finally found a brief mention of Artel on that thread this morning.

thanks.

 

[zetwal]

I scanned through that thread last night until my eyes hurt and only found the name listed.

Finally found a brief mention of Artel on that thread this morning.

thanks.

No problem, the details provided (as scarce as they are) may help point you in the right direction. Good luck in your search.

 

[Little Wolf]

Does anyone know what brand of hat John Wayne wore in Hatari? The one with a long bill and neckflaps.

 

[Benzadmiral]

What do you folks think of coconut straw hats, of the sort sold by Miller Hats here? http://www.millerhats.com/hats_for_summer/index.html

I don't expect they'd last too many years, but they're decent-looking and not expensive. Do they keep your head cooler than shantung straws? Do they fall apart in rain?

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Just a little clarification. What is the difference, if any, in a Stetson 100, a Stetson Sovereign, and a Stetson 20 "clear beaver" in terms of quality? Thanks!

 

[gtdean48]

Just a little clarification. What is the difference, if any, in a Stetson 100, a Stetson Sovereign, and a Stetson 20 "clear beaver" in terms of quality? Thanks!

What time period are you interested in?
Do some more research on the site. Stetson models do not compare against periods. A 100, though the top of the line for Stetson, is not comparable say one from the early 50's to one of the late 60's.
Clear Beaver means undyed beaver fur felt. The 100's are clear beaver, so are the 7X Clear Beavers or The 50. Next down the line is The 25, then The 20(Sovereign), then The 15 or 3X.
There is also the elusive 5X Clear Beaver. I don't think I've seen a 20 Clear Beaver before.....

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Thanks for the reply gtdean48. My mistake, not a 20 cb, but a 50 7X clear beaver. Kinda new to this and trying to sort it out! I have read about a zillion threads, and I guess I am working on info overload!

What Borsalino would be comparable with say a 1950s Stetson 100? I picked up a vintage Borsalino recently, and it is very soft, and much more pliable than any Stetson I have handled, including my 100.

 

[TrinitysMama]

Hello, I am very new here. I actually have NO idea what I'm doing so thank you in advance for your patience. I really just have a simple question. Can anyone give me any information...I have a hat with a label reading "VEB Vereinigte Dresdner Hutfabriken"...which from what I can tell translates to United Dresdner Hat Factory or something of the sorts. Would like to know a little more about my hat and thought this was a good place to start. Thanks!

 

[felkor]

I just got my first fedora and I'd like to get a variety of feathers for it to go with different outfits. I searched online and in these forums and it seems there are a couple websites in the U.S. that people recommend. Unfortunately, their shipping to Canada ranges from $25 to $30 which is a bit high for a few feathers! I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for either online places in Canada to buy feathers, or in-store places in Southern Ontario to buy them.