Ask a question, get an answer

[Wyldkarma]

What are vitafelt and dynafelt hats used in some of the Stetson models? Are these pure wool hats or blended fur? Better or worse than rabbit / beaver hats? I've seen the terms used many times but don't understand what types of material.

Thanks.

 

[Bamaboots]

What are vitafelt and dynafelt hats used in some of the Stetson models? Are these pure wool hats or blended fur? Better or worse than rabbit / beaver hats? I've seen the terms used many times but don't understand what types of material.

Thanks.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/what-is-vita-felt.21641/

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/dynafelt-how-well-does-it-hold-up.78874/

 

[Michael J Taylor]

Hello I'm new here .. Is this hat a counterfeit?

 

[Frunobulax]

Hello I'm new here .. Is this hat a counterfeit? View attachment 131989 View attachment 131990 View attachment 131989 View attachment 131990

I do not believe "Mr. Stetson" and the Stetson we all know and love are the same thing.

However, I have no idea how they get away with that.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Michael J Taylor]

I do not believe "Mr. Stetson" and the Stetson we all know and love are the same thing.

However, I have no idea how they get away with that.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

aHere are a few more pics.. I'm kind of wondering if they were doing like a nostalgia thing or something at some point in the 80's or 70's or something

 

[jlee562]

Looks like another unremarkable stingy brim from the 60's. Well, that might be a felted edge, hard to tell from the photos.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hello I'm new here .. Is this hat a counterfeit? View attachment 131989 View attachment 131990 View attachment 131989 View attachment 131990

To answer the question, I’d say, No. If it was a counterfeit it would attempt to look like a desirable Stetson. It’s a first for me...not saying much


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Michael J Taylor]

To answer the question, I’d say, No. If it was a counterfeit it would attempt to look like a desirable Stetson. It’s a first for me...not saying much


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good point . I've just never seen that businessman looking liner before. Can't drum up any on Google either . Seems weird .

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Good point . I've just never seen that businessman looking liner before. Can't drum up any on Google either . Seems weird .

It could be a replacement liner. No guarantee the hat came with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Asudef]

Couple of questions, perhaps I can find an answer to cover all 3.

Who makes good quality affordable ~$300 hats?
With a color like this gray/blue Stetson?
And has a tapered crown like Optimo's?

I'm also considering Art's hats but he doesn't currently stock a gray/blue Off the Rack and his hats have a more traditional crown sans taper.

 

[jlee562]

Couple of questions, perhaps I can find an answer to cover all 3.

Who makes good quality affordable ~$300 hats?
With a color like this gray/blue Stetson?
And has a tapered crown like Optimo's?

I'm also considering Art's hats but he doesn't currently stock a gray/blue Off the Rack and his hats have a more traditional crown sans taper.

Blue smoke is probably the closest color you'll find, Art should have it. He also has tapered blocks.

Akubra has carbon grey, which is technically a blue grey, but not really like that Stetson.

 

[Asudef]

Hmm, how about this color?

 

[jlee562]

Hmm, how about this color?

Oof....ok.

So, in general, there's just not as many shades as there used to be. Check out the felt swatch samples in the felt color selection thread. That looks close to winchester's charcoal to me, but that also looks like a velour finish.

If you move forward with Art, or really, any custom hatter, you'll get some felt swatch samples you can examine in person. I don't know who else has those tapered blocks, they're generally not favored by those seeking custom hats (as part of reason some folks go custom is to get away from tapered crowns). I know John Penman has one he used on The Blacklist hat for James Spader, but he's above your price point.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Blue smoke is probably the closest color you'll find, Art should have it. He also has tapered blocks.

Akubra has carbon grey, which is technically a blue grey, but not really like that Stetson.

I’m not sure what color you’re after. Navy velour would be an option based on your photo. “Steel” is also a possibility. For a lighter shade, smoke blue is gorgeous. VS can make you a hat but it will go a bit over the $300 limit you set. For a descent hat at a great price in rabbit fur felt (Tonak) you can contact Agnoulita via Etsy. There is also a thread here. If you can spend a bit more and want a better beaver hat I can fully recommend Gannon or the Phoenix Hat Company (they both have threads here).

As to block shape, most of us here like the classic hat shape with minimal taper. The #52 block is a favorite. I know Agnoulita has tapered blocks if that’s really want you want. The Penman Everyman line is an option.

I also have great affinity for the Stetson New York LE and the Phantom Gray color is great (see One 2 Mini Ranch who sales them for $290). Really, your spoiled for choice but you’ll need to select a color first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Couple of questions, perhaps I can find an answer to cover all 3.

Who makes good quality affordable ~$300 hats?
With a color like this gray/blue Stetson?
And has a tapered crown like Optimo's?

I'm also considering Art's hats but he doesn't currently stock a gray/blue Off the Rack and his hats have a more traditional crown sans taper.

I’m not aware of any domestic felts the color of that Stetson. I’ll second the blue smoke option (not a color that many can get so VS might be your best option for that color). I don’t think you’ll find anyone who has them as stock items ready to purchase, particularly not within your price. Agnoulita, and others, have access to a huge variety of colors in rabbit fur felt so that might be a viable option and it will cost just over half of what you want to spend and can usually be deliver in 40ish day’s. Just understand that Agnoulita is a bargain hat and does NOT compare to fine custom hats.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[psklenar]

... VS can make you a hat but it will go a bit over the $300 limit you set. ...

Art also advertises a "Joey" felt for $275, altho Blue Smoke (along with Sunset, Oxblood and Dove) isn't an option there.

pat----

 

[Frunobulax]

Art also advertises a "Joey" felt for $275, altho Blue Smoke (along with Sunset, Oxblood and Dove) isn't an option there.

pat----

The Joey felt is made from young kangaroo fur.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[hatsRme]

The Joey felt is made from young kangaroo fur.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

Pocket hats...?

 

[Tukwila]

You pretty much have to find some old vintage hat bodies to get a color like that. The blue smoke I've seen isn't as blue as your picture shows... and powder blue is more blue than your picture shows, like baby blue or sky blue.

I have a 50s bluish gray Royal Stetson that is blocked more like an Open Road, although it is not marked as such. You might have luck searching for a vintage hat in the color you want and then have it reblocked and finished in the style you want.

This pic is taken with a grey background.

.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

You pretty much have to find some old vintage hat bodies to get a color like that. The blue smoke I've seen isn't as blue as your picture shows... and powder blue is more blue than your picture shows, like baby blue or sky blue.

I have a 50s bluish gray Royal Stetson that is blocked more like an Open Road, although it is not marked as such. You might have luck searching for a vintage hat in the color you want and then have it reblocked and finished in the style you want.

This pic is taken with a grey background.

.

I was looking for that color myself and concluded that Winchester just doesn’t offer it. Tonak has a huge selection of colors but the felt quality (rabbit) is unimpressive. I’d love to get another FEPSA rabbit/hare blend but I don’t know what colors they have and their website is terrible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk