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[Benzadmiral]

Survey seconded!

Back on the subject of wool hats, many eBay listings simply list their hats as "felt", without identifying whether they are wool felt or fur felt. Is there a way a careful observer can tell from the pictures of the item? Are there perhaps brands for which it is unlikely to be one or the other? Might one infer that if the seller doesn't want to specify, it's because the specific information reflects badly?

One of my Resistol fedoras, a model called the "Pacesetter," was listed on eB*y as "wool felt," and the seller really wasn't sure. I couldn't imagine that Resistol in its dress hat days would have made such a nice-looking model in wool, and the price was very low, so I took a chance. Very nice fur felt it has, too.

 

[mikespens]

Looking for assistance from anyone who has used Scout felt cleaner. Last night I used it on a hat and started brushing it off, after a few brushings there is still powder left on there, how do I get the left over off?

Haven't tried Scout JonnyO but try vacuuming it off with a brush attachment. What's your opinion of the cleaner otherwise?

 

[TallCrownDave]

Hi guys and gals, been lurking for a while and decided to post a question. Is there a current list of the various customer/semi custom hat makers. I know of Falcon Park and Vintage Silhouettes, and have seen references to others. I am considering a non budget busting new hat and would like to see some of the possible choices in one location.

Thanks

Dave

 

[jlee562]

We don't really have a compiled list...but off the top of my head:
Optimo
Black Sheep Hat Works
Tumwater Hats
Northwest Hats
D Bar J
Last Best West
Baron's
Knudsen
Jaxonbilt
Paul's Hat Works
Smithbilt
Penman Hats
Garrison Hatters
Buckaroo

There's probably a few I missed...

 

[TallCrownDave]

Thanks, Jlee..btw, I am in Marin, so we are neighbors.

Do you know any good hat shops in the City?

Dave

 

[jlee562]

Hey Dave,

Paul's Hat Works is here in the city on Geary. Their custom lids are at the higher end of the spectrum ($650+), but they also offer a variety of cleaning and reblocking services. They've flanged a few hats and changed some ribbons for me. The gals there are great.

The other place I would go to if I were looking for a new hat would be Hat Guys in Oakland on Broadway.

 

[TallCrownDave]

Great,thanks Jared. 650 is way out of my budget right now , but maybe I will look into their cleaning and blocking service for a Dobbs of mine.

Dave

 

[JonnyO]

Haven't tried Scout JonnyO but try vacuuming it off with a brush attachment. What's your opinion of the cleaner otherwise?

I'll have to give that a shot, thanks Mike. I can't really give a fair assessment yet since I have been using it on a heavily soiled hat that I picked up for cheap. Once I figure out how to get all the powder off I will try it on one of my daily hats and will report back.

Heres a before shot:

And after two sprayings of cleaner and multiple brushings and steamings:

 

[Rogera]

Would anyone happen to know if Optimo can take an adventurebilt henry and make an open road style hat from that?

 

[jlee562]

Would anyone happen to know if Optimo can take an adventurebilt henry and make an open road style hat from that?

I don't see why they couldn't.

 

[gtdean48]

Would anyone happen to know if Optimo can take an adventurebilt henry and make an open road style hat from that?

Trim the brim to non-dimensional, bind it with a 4 ligne matching ribbon, swap to a thin bow ribbon treatment = nothing for Optimo to tackle...

 

[Mystic]

I bought a ebay vintage homberg awhile back and it arrived with a surprise sweatband issue.
About 4 inches of the sweatband stitches were gone.

I would like to attempt to repair this myself, as there is not a hatter anywhere within driving distance of my city. Well, except one hat shop about 25 miles away, but he only works on pamamas and even then only for his customers.

My question is; what type of thread would be best to use? And, what size thread and needle should be used?
I have read about upholsters thread. Don't know where I would find that except online.
I seem to remember someone on the lounge talking about using fishing line. [huh]

 

[RBH]

Yes monofilament line would be good to use to repair your sweat.
I do know Mike and Art use it for some sweat band applications.

 

[gunner]

is a silver belly Open Road ok to wear in the winter time? or, is it too light?

 

[RBH]

is a silver belly Open Road ok to wear in the winter time? or, is it too light?

While this hat in this shot is a Mallory...it looks like an Open Road.
And Im wearing it in the snow.
So yes... it would be a great hat for winter.

 

[gunner]

thanks that what i wanted to hear.

 

[scooter]

Nice snow hat, Rusty. I have a wide brim Mallory myself that I like a lot.

 

[Mystic]

Yes monofilament line would be good to use to repair your sweat.
I do know Mike and Art use it for some sweat band applications.

Ok, thanks Rusty....I suppose it should be a somewhat thick gauge line to lessen cutting into the leather sweat.

 

[Landman]

Looking for assistance from anyone who has used Scout felt cleaner. Last night I used it on a hat and started brushing it off, after a few brushings there is still powder left on there, how do I get the left over off?

I've never used Scout but have used talcum powder before to absorb some stains. If it won't brush off I use an air compressor to blow it off. I also use an air compressor to blow any dust off an old hat when I first get it. I've found that sometimes just brushing one will drive the dust in deeper.

 

[randooch]

I've never used Scout but have used talcum powder before to absorb some stains. If it won't brush off I use an air compressor to blow it off. I also use an air compressor to blow any dust off an old hat when I first get it. I've found that sometimes just brushing one will drive the dust in deeper.

What an excellent idea. Now why didn't I think of that?