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AND... you'd probably never want to soak a sweatband and then dry it under a lamp... specially a vintage...
It's simply NOT the case, Stephen. There are a myriad of other factors which would need to be ignored.
This brings up a question I have. The Registered Trademark symbol. Don't these little trademark "R"s tend to date a hat as well. How early do these start to appear. My uneducated guess puts them in the late 1960s. Thoughts from our learned gurus?To turn a phrase with Charlie's comment, It's not the case simply. The character of the sweatband, taken into account with the character of the other elements in the hat would help to suggest an era. Yes, there was that solidly 1960s-70s black leather sweatband...
but also earlier uses of black leather in sweatbands...
This is why dating is the subject of so many threads and theories here. Short of a date stamp, or an OPS label, or a railway ticket tucked under the sweatband, it is not a simple business.
I have a choice between 50's era Borsalino and the same era in a St Regis Stetson. Both hats are priced about the same, both in excellent quality. Online purchase so I cannot touch the actual hats.
Opinions please; what hat offers the best felt? Is it a toss-up or is one superior to the other?
That is a lot earlier than I expected. I usually equate a trademark on say, a Dobbs with a 2" brim as being 1972 and on. This is one of those nuggets of knowledge that you are known for Alan. You are a wizard!After 1946.
Yes, both are Hommies, both brown, both similar dimensions/profiles. In a perfect world I would buy both and declare victory but I promised myself restraint!The felt may be similar, but in my admittedly limited experience, the Borsalino may be nicer. Is the Borsa a Hommie, too? That may weigh the scale as well.
Sent directly from my mind to yours.
Thanks! Would be interesting to hear what amount of steaming may damage the hat. I see an unevenness on the back of the hat. When i look into the mirror the curve on one site might be a bit higher than on the other - it's hard to explain and I really feel pedantic when describing this. So i think it might be a thing that concerns me only now, while the hat is new and has been a really expensive purchase. Hopefully I'll be a bit more relaxed soon. I don't think it will ever be symmetrical.
so perfectly stated ... as expectedOn a vintage hat, steaming tends to reactivate stiffness in the felt. I've never found a harm to steaming the felt. The hat seems to love it. Keep the steam away from other materials, especially a leather sweatband, which loves heat and steam much less.
Hats are somewhat like children. Having a second one will take some of the intensity of focus off the first and generally, all will be healthier for that. But when you find yourself running an orphanage, it may be time to cut back.
Welcome to the Lounge!
That is a lot earlier than I expected. I usually equate a trademark on say, a Dobbs with a 2" brim as being 1972 and on. This is one of those nuggets of knowledge that you are known for Alan. You are a wizard!
On a vintage hat, steaming tends to reactivate stiffness in the felt. I've never found a harm to steaming the felt. The hat seems to love it. Keep the steam away from other materials, especially a leather sweatband, which loves heat and steam much less.
Hats are somewhat like children. Having a second one will take some of the intensity of focus off the first and generally, all will be healthier for that. But when you find yourself running an orphanage, it may be time to cut back.
Welcome to the Lounge!
That is a lot earlier than I expected. I usually equate a trademark on say, a Dobbs with a 2" brim as being 1972 and on. This is one of those nuggets of knowledge that you are known for Alan. You are a wizard!
On a vintage hat, steaming tends to reactivate stiffness in the felt. I've never found a harm to steaming the felt. The hat seems to love it. Keep the steam away from other materials, especially a leather sweatband, which loves heat and steam much less.
Hats are somewhat like children. Having a second one will take some of the intensity of focus off the first and generally, all will be healthier for that. But when you find yourself running an orphanage, it may be time to cut back.
Welcome to the Lounge!
run through this entire thread ...My first day and this might be the best post I've ever read. Haha, thank you! This is awesome!
Of course my Borsalino has a leather sweatband. I made the mistake and first steamed it with the sweatband down - then realized that this might be very dumb. But, I have to ask this: Does your Fedoras are nearly symmetrical? How do you shape it? When i put one side up, the other side goes down? As I said: I'm pedantric. I'm like Monk with hats.
My first day and this might be the best post I've ever read. Haha, thank you! This is awesome!
Of course my Borsalino has a leather sweatband. I made the mistake and first steamed it with the sweatband down - then realized that this might be very dumb. But, I have to ask this: Does your Fedoras are nearly symmetrical? How do you shape it? When i put one side up, the other side goes down? As I said: I'm pedantric. I'm like Monk with hats.