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danofarlington

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,122
Location
Arlington, Virginia
Panama hats are floppy, the finer the floppier. I believe that blocked Panama hats have some stiffener in them. Not the maximum, just some. Art Fawcett may weigh in on that, but I think it is desirable to have a little stiffener in a good Panama.
 

Deputydowg1

New in Town
Messages
8
Location
Saint Paul Minnesota
OK, this looks like the right place to pose this question, which has probably been answered somewhere else on the forum, but please be tolerant of a noobie. I just received in the mail a new Borsalino Alessandria that has an open crown. I like the look of the centerdent and formed it with my hand and put the hat on for the first look in the mirror - wonderful :D. Keeping the crown formed as I did seems more difficult, the crown seems to have a mind of its own. Will someone who cleans and blocks hats be able to make that a more permanent crease?

Thank you

Bill
 
Messages
15,083
Location
Buffalo, NY
The felt in new Borsalinos is very soft and a bit mushy when it comes to retaining a crease. Try applying steam from a tea kettle (on the outside of the hat only) - it might improve the stiffness and crease memory for the felt.
 

Landman

One Too Many
Messages
1,751
Location
San Antonio, TX

Deputydowg1

New in Town
Messages
8
Location
Saint Paul Minnesota
The felt in new Borsalinos is very soft and a bit mushy when it comes to retaining a crease. Try applying steam from a tea kettle (on the outside of the hat only) - it might improve the stiffness and crease memory for the felt.

OK, I steamed it a bit and that helped, here's the result, not having done this before, is it anywhere close to right?



hat_zpsb386916a.jpg


hat2_zpsd6b82cc0.jpg
 
Last edited:
Messages
15,083
Location
Buffalo, NY
OK, I steamed it a bit and that helped, here's the result, not having done this before, is it anywhere close to right?

Very right... nicely done.

If you take two fingers and press down at the side of the crown, just behind the side pinches, you will move the center dent to a diamond. The diamond crease can work well with this hat too and present a different profile with the rear of the hat lower than the front. See which you prefer. There are many examples of the diamond crease on this thread... some executed better than others.
 
Messages
10,584
Location
Boston area
Apologies if this has been discussed before. Is there a readily-identifiable way to determine if this tag is 7-3/4 or 6-3/4. Judging by the brim measure and the overall look from the photos, it's a 7. But if there is a way to know for sure, I thank you!
STETSONsizeTAG_zpsf2e8552d.jpg
 
Messages
10,524
Location
DnD Ranch, Cherokee County, GA
Thank you, Mr. Dean!

So, to be certain of a hat's size in these cases it's best to measure. I would be comfortable with the major and minor axis measure of the opening as well then. Simply plug those dimensions in here: http://www.cleavebooks.co.uk/scol/callipse.htm

It has worked well thus far (two successful hat purchases, two avoided).

Sometimes, there could be a re-order sticker under the sweat & liner.
Typically, they have the size hand-written with size & fraction, not just fraction.
Just thought of this...
 

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