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[Bob Roberts]

my half windsor is always leaning to one side ... not sure if it is the nature of the knot or because I just suck at it ... most likely the latter

Tighten the knot a bit and give it a little dimple then tug it to the other side.

 

[roof]

No but I love their Tomato Soup.

Thanks. I found the thread.


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[Bob Roberts]

Thanks. I found the thread.


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Cool. I like their condensed soup best but don't add too much water though.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

As Daniele answered on the Borsalino forum thread, likely U.S. But more photos are needed to confirm. The full sweatband imprint of the Borsalino mark will show whether the hat was made for sale in Italy or for export. A store imprint on the opposite side of the sweat and photo of the manufacturing tag under the sweat would help as well. And a measurement of the head opening would be definitive.

Thanks. The seller isn't responsive and I don't have much to go on. If the liner is in English an/or the sweatband stamp is in English can I assume it is at least not punti sizing?

 

[moontheloon]

Thanks. The seller isn't responsive and I don't have much to go on. If the liner is in English an/or the sweatband stamp is in English can I assume it is at least not punti sizing?

I doubt it is Punti ... that would be a 7 5/8 ... the odds just aren't there

I'm not a gambling man but I would bet it is a US size tag

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I doubt it is Punti ... that would be a 7 5/8 ... the odds just aren't there

I'm not a gambling man but I would bet it is a US size tag

I'm a size 7 5/8 and an eternal optimist. But thanks to the help received here I'm almost certain it's US sizing.

 

[Frunobulax]

my half windsor is always leaning to one side ... not sure if it is the nature of the knot or because I just suck at it ... most likely the latter

Just lean the other way.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Zombie_61]

Buy a long black tie.

Do they come in different lengths? I've always thought neckties were a "one size fits all" wardrobe item, and that it was up to the wearer to determine how long or short to tie them.

 

[scottyrocks]

I always tie a half windsor. Always comes out symmetrical, but I've been doing it for years.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Do they come in different lengths? I've always thought neckties were a "one size fits all" wardrobe item, and that it was up to the wearer to determine how long or short to tie them.

 

[boze]

Okay, I used a Speedy Stitcher awl and installed the new sweat on that old mystery brand western. Had to try twice because I stitched too close to the edge the first time and didn't notice until I finished.

Two questions:

1) What type of replacement ribbon do you recommend?

2) Do folks have a good size for an awl needle they like? I'm glad this first try was on a thrifted hat because the Speedy awl needle was too fat and I'm not comfortable with the big holes it punched in the felt. Made for leather I'd imagine. The waxed thread was pretty easy to work with though.

 

[Frunobulax]

Okay, I used a Speedy Stitcher awl and installed the new sweat on that old mystery brand western. Had to try twice because I stitched too close to the edge the first time and didn't notice until I finished.

Two questions:

1) What time of replacement ribbon do you recommend and where shall I find it?

2) Do folks have a good size for an awl needle they like? I'm glad this first try was on a thrifted hat because the Speedy awl needle was too fat and I'm not comfortable with the big holes it punched in the felt. Made for leather I'd imagine. The waxed thread was pretty easy to work with though.

Search "Vintage Grosgrain Ribbon" or "Antique Grosgrain Ribbon" on Etsy or eBay.

 

[RJR]

Okay, I used a Speedy Stitcher awl and installed the new sweat on that old mystery brand western. Had to try twice because I stitched too close to the edge the first time and didn't notice until I finished.

Two questions:

1) What time of replacement ribbon do you recommend and where shall I find it?

2) Do folks have a good size for an awl needle they like? I'm glad this first try was on a thrifted hat because the Speedy awl needle was too fat and I'm not comfortable with the big holes it punched in the felt. Made for leather I'd imagine. The waxed thread was pretty easy to work with though.

Needles:Google stitch awl needles,you'll find a selection.

 

[boze]

Search "Vintage Grosgrain Ribbon" or "Antique Grosgrain Ribbon" on Etsy or eBay.

Needles:Google stitch awl needles,you'll find a selection.

Sorry yeah, I know how to search in both cases. I wasn't asking how to shop but rather what to get. Like is there a #5 needle that's a good size for sewing a sweat or is there a kind of grosgrain ribbon to try for a beat-up old silverbelly hat?

Also, we should start a vintage ribbon support group: if end up having to buy a dozen yards of ribbon just to get a certain width and color I'd like to find a second home for most of it, ya know?

 

[Bamaboots]

Sorry yeah, I know how to search in both cases. I wasn't asking how to shop but rather what to get. Like is there a #5 needle that's a good size for sewing a sweat or is there a kind of grosgrain ribbon to try for a beat-up old silverbelly hat?

Also, we should start a vintage ribbon support group: if end up having to buy a dozen yards of ribbon just to get a certain width and color I'd like to find a second home for most of it, ya know?

Boze, when doing the stitch awl thing, I use a sewing machine needle and upholstery thread. I'll have to dig out my box to figure out what size I use. Typically as small as will allow the passage of the thread. I find it maddening the few times I've searched for vintage ribbon, and with limited skills, I've bought pre cut ribbons and ready made bows from @bond and attached them myself. Looks as if you may have bought the sweat from him. That thing oughta stay attached for eternity.

 

[Rockwater]

Sorry yeah, I know how to search in both cases. I wasn't asking how to shop but rather what to get. Like is there a #5 needle that's a good size for sewing a sweat or is there a kind of grosgrain ribbon to try for a beat-up old silverbelly hat?

Also, we should start a vintage ribbon support group: if end up having to buy a dozen yards of ribbon just to get a certain width and color I'd like to find a second home for most of it, ya know?

Grosgrain ribbon by the yard, large selection.
https://www.britexfabrics.com/

 

[FedOregon]

My brain is wired the same way, and since I really only wear ties to more formal affairs such as weddings and funerals I think the symmetry of the Windsor knot looks best. But that knot takes up a bit of tie, and with my height and body type it usually results in the tie looking too short, so I default to a half-Windsor; not quite as symmetrical, but more so than the relatively simple four-in-hand.

Also try the Pratt/Shelby knot for your tie. Surprisingly symmetrical and uses less length/fabric to tie than the full windsor.

https://www.ties.com/how-to-tie-a-tie/pratt

 

[Bill Hughes]

I’m thinking my next custom may be a natural. At least I’m in need of a natural. Who do you suggest?

Just a thought on something that concerns me about some custom hatters. I’ve seen hats for sell by private individuals stating this fedora was made by “XXX”. But the liner is plain and there is no lettering on the sweatband. I know liners and sweatbands can be replaced. But when a hat is made with no markings at all there is no real way to prove the origins of the hat. Unless maybe you know the original buyer.

Am I missing something?

 

[FedOregon]

I’m thinking my next custom may be a natural. At least I’m in need of a natural. Who do you suggest?

Just a thought on something that concerns me about some custom hatters. I’ve seen hats for sell by private individuals stating this fedora was made by “XXX”. But the liner is plain and there is no lettering on the sweatband. I know liners and sweatbands can be replaced. But when a hat is made with no markings at all there is no real way to prove the origins of the hat. Unless maybe you know the original buyer.

Am I missing something?

No way to know unless, like you say, you know the seller and trust his/her word. Every custom I have has a liner, at least, and a sweat with the maker's mark on it. Unless it is very old and needed repair, and the repair was done buy yet another hatter, then the liner and/or sweat should show some indication of the original hatter. My hats refurbed by Mile Miller has a marking under the liner showing his unique sizing mark.

Regarding the custom natural, gosh, I've seen some great examples by no less than 5 hatters here in the Pacific NW.

 

[johnnycanuck]

I’m thinking my next custom may be a natural. At least I’m in need of a natural. Who do you suggest?

Just a thought on something that concerns me about some custom hatters. I’ve seen hats for sell by private individuals stating this fedora was made by “XXX”. But the liner is plain and there is no lettering on the sweatband. I know liners and sweatbands can be replaced. But when a hat is made with no markings at all there is no real way to prove the origins of the hat. Unless maybe you know the original buyer.

Am I missing something?

I would recommend Art Fawcett at VS hats. Here are the pictures of what he called the "Wall Street" in natural

His name in the liner

And finally he put my initials in the sweatband.

I know over the years I have longed for fancy name brands with X's stamped on the sweatband with cool classic model names. But having a custom made hat you had full input into every detail trumps that in the end.
Let us know who you end up going with
Johnny


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