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[1mach1]

This fedora is similar to a Panama. It may be unique in that it has an essentially radial weave. This means that it can’t be remolded – it doesn’t “drape” like bias-ply fabric.

The fiber does not resemble Carludovica palmata, the material used for true Panama hats. It may be a tansui, made in Taiwan of Pandanus odoratissimus, or it may be made of buntal, parabuntal, baku, hemp, bangora, sisal, seagrass, jute, abaca, ramie, or some other fiber.

The brim is 3” wide, the crown, 4” high. The body is 0.75mm thick. Without ornament or sweatband, the body weighs 62 grams. The leather sweatband has traces of a circular stamp on the backside and a tag was once stapled to it. It is dry and the thread that fastened it to the body has failed. The following is penciled inside the crown:
7-1/8 – obviously the size, J.H.L. – likely the customer’s initials, 516C – style?


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That's a nice looking hat body!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T377A using Tapatalk

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

This fedora is similar to a Panama. It may be unique in that it has an essentially radial weave. This means that it can’t be remolded – it doesn’t “drape” like bias-ply fabric.

The fiber does not resemble Carludovica palmata, the material used for true Panama hats. It may be a tansui, made in Taiwan of Pandanus odoratissimus, or it may be made of buntal, parabuntal, baku, hemp, bangora, sisal, seagrass, jute, abaca, ramie, or some other fiber.

The brim is 3” wide, the crown, 4” high. The body is 0.75mm thick. Without ornament or sweatband, the body weighs 62 grams. The leather sweatband has traces of a circular stamp on the backside and a tag was once stapled to it. It is dry and the thread that fastened it to the body has failed. The following is penciled inside the crown:
7-1/8 – obviously the size, J.H.L. – likely the customer’s initials, 516C – style?


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Greetings SB:
Thanks for posting that.
I think you’d call the style...fedora.
It does have a nice fedora shape.

I’d like to see the inside of the crown held up to bright sunlight or a bright light to see the pattern. Like the pics.
It appears to have a substantial weave count.
It definitely has good bones. Cool
Reminds me....i got straw work to do.
Be well. Bowen

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Here's a dilemma I'm struggling with: how well do the three or four eyelets (per side) you see on some hats work at ventilating a felt hat enough to make it feel better in warm weather? There are some hat models I really like, but they have those blasted eyelets in them! To me, they turn a functional hat into a leaker if you get caught in the rain. Since I wear my hats mostly as outdoor utility hats and not dress hats, and on almost any given day here in the southern Appalachians we can expect a pop-up thunderstorm, I don't see the little (if any) true ventilation you get through the tiny holes being worth the wet head.

But, being suspect of the eyelet concept I have never owned such a hat, so what's your experience?

Thanks very much,
Regan

Having used hats with both eyelets & without I can tell you they don't make a great deal of difference as far as temperature is concerned but they do however, even if minimally, have an effect on humidity control... this is of course only if the eyelets are high up on the crown. The eyelets situated near the base of the crown are absolutely useless for anything as they will be blocked by your hair (or scalp if you're follically challenged.)
As far as rain gettin' in through 'em, I've only had a few drips enter with horizontal rain, under normal rainy conditions they don't pose a problem.
In conclusion I would say that for any added comfort eyelets may offer, it is so minimal that it isn't worth wearing a hat adorned with such fittings.

 

[OldStrummer]

I tried searching for a number of variations in terms, and found some partially useful information, but not my answer. What I found was that Del Monico Hatter is a known vendor, and -- I guess -- somewhat reliable. What interested me, and why I'm asking, is that on their site, they say if you request a long oval, they will do their best to accommodate you.

I posted in the Classifieds section that I was looking for a navy blue fedora with a 2-1/2" to 2-3/4" brim. Del Monico's "Valencia" seems to fit the bill. So, my two questions: $147.50 + S&H is pretty much my upper limit in cost; is it worth it? And, I can't find on the order the place to specify size and long oval. Anyone done this?

 

[Frunobulax]

I tried searching for a number of variations in terms, and found some partially useful information, but not my answer. What I found was that Del Monico Hatter is a known vendor, and -- I guess -- somewhat reliable. What interested me, and why I'm asking, is that on their site, they say if you request a long oval, they will do their best to accommodate you.

I posted in the Classifieds section that I was looking for a navy blue fedora with a 2-1/2" to 2-3/4" brim. Del Monico's "Valencia" seems to fit the bill. So, my two questions: $147.50 + S&H is pretty much my upper limit in cost; is it worth it? And, I can't find on the order the place to specify size and long oval. Anyone done this?

I think their service is to take a regular oval and reblock it to LO. Give them a call.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[OldStrummer]

I think their service is to take a regular oval and reblock it to LO. Give them a call.

Looks like that's the ticket. There's no place on their site that gives the option to contact them otherwise.

 

[OldStrummer]

Work is slow today. Idle time generally means a drain on my wallet. So...

Can anyone recommend a summer hat, fedora style, that isn't made of straw?

 

[johnnycanuck]

Work is slow today. Idle time generally means a drain on my wallet. So...

Can anyone recommend a summer hat, fedora style, that isn't made of straw?

You can always try to find one of those Stetson Playboys with vent patterns on the sides of the hat.
Outside of vintage - I recall Art Fawcett looking at getting a stamp with that pattern, but I don't know if he ever did. In fact I can't recall if any hat maker offers that feature right now. Would be cool though.
Lots of hat makers offer light weight felt with perforated sweat bands, that could be considered summer a hat.
Johnny

 

[jlee562]

IIRC, Bob at Black Sheep has done some ventilated felt crown hats. If you order now, it might be ready by next spring !

Edit: yup, of course he does:

 

[johnnycanuck]

IIRC, Bob at Black Sheep has done some ventilated felt crown hats. If you order now, it might be ready by next spring !

Edit: yup, of course he does:

Hot damn I love the details he puts into his hats. That and the heather felt he offers, and the Peek-a-boo liners, and the hat hanging loop and............
Johnny

 

[RJR]

IIRC, Bob at Black Sheep has done some ventilated felt crown hats. If you order now, it might be ready by next spring !

Edit: yup, of course he does:

WOW!

 

[alanfgag]

This fedora is similar to a Panama. It may be unique in that it has an essentially radial weave. This means that it can’t be remolded – it doesn’t “drape” like bias-ply fabric.

The fiber does not resemble Carludovica palmata, the material used for true Panama hats. It may be a tansui, made in Taiwan of Pandanus odoratissimus, or it may be made of buntal, parabuntal, baku, hemp, bangora, sisal, seagrass, jute, abaca, ramie, or some other fiber.

The brim is 3” wide, the crown, 4” high. The body is 0.75mm thick. Without ornament or sweatband, the body weighs 62 grams. The leather sweatband has traces of a circular stamp on the backside and a tag was once stapled to it. It is dry and the thread that fastened it to the body has failed. The following is penciled inside the crown:
7-1/8 – obviously the size, J.H.L. – likely the customer’s initials, 516C – style?

A very interesting straw body - I hope you'll add it to the Panama Hat Thread. It bears some resemblance to this hat (1930s era), which is likely machine woven, with a reference to a patent for a water resistant "Bangkok" hat. This hat has a liner inside. I will go back and have a look at the weaving evidence underneath if it is removable. I can't find a photograph taken when I received it.

 

[Krash1974]

Will pollen ruin a rabbit felt hat? Should I shelve my Fed IV during spring?

 

[johnnycanuck]

Will pollen ruin a rabbit felt hat? Should I shelve my Fed IV during spring?

Interesting question. Do you work at a green house? Canola farm? What kind of exposure are you talking about? Only thing I can think of that would stop me from wearing mine is if I walked under poplar trees when they were dropping sap.
Johnny

 

[Woodtroll]

Having used hats with both eyelets & without I can tell you they don't make a great deal of difference as far as temperature is concerned but they do however, even if minimally, have an effect on humidity control... this is of course only if the eyelets are high up on the crown. The eyelets situated near the base of the crown are absolutely useless for anything as they will be blocked by your hair (or scalp if you're follically challenged.)
As far as rain gettin' in through 'em, I've only had a few drips enter with horizontal rain, under normal rainy conditions they don't pose a problem.
In conclusion I would say that for any added comfort eyelets may offer, it is so minimal that it isn't worth wearing a hat adorned with such fittings.

Pretty much as I figured, thanks to you and the other folks that took the time to reply to my question. I do appreciate everyone's input.

Take care,
Regan

 

[Krash1974]

Interesting question. Do you work at a green house? Canola farm? What kind of exposure are you talking about? Only thing I can think of that would stop me from wearing mine is if I walked under poplar trees when they were dropping sap.
Johnny

Oh, that's too funny! No, I don't work in a greenhouse or a Canola farm. A restaurant. Just wanted to make sure my brown Fed doesn't end up with a green tint. New to nice hats, I am.
Your response cracked me up.

 

[OldStrummer]

I think their service is to take a regular oval and reblock it to LO. Give them a call.

I think I've found my new primary source for hats! I spoke with Ernest DelMonico who was very helpful and informative. He told me that Long Oval just isn't being made anymore, but that DelMonico does their own blocking, and to just specify that on the order form. I decided to give them a try, so I ordered an inexpensive Stetson Reward Shantung Fedora with the request to block it to 7-1/4 LO.

He also said that it's not necessary to shape a fabric hat or cap to the long oval size. Because caps and fabric hats are softer, and not fixed in their shape, they will naturally mold themselves to a long oval head. He also advised me (and I guess anyone wearing a LO) to stick with proper sizes (7-1/4, 58cm) and avoid the S, M, L, XL hats. Given the variances I've seen with the generic sizes, I think that's good advice (also knowing that variances can occur even among the 'proper' sizes).

And DelMonico has a great selection of hats! A feature I also noticed was the "trigger" notice when a hat is out of stock. The wording is, "NOTE: The product you have selected is currently out of stock. Adding it to basket will trigger a PRE-ORDER of this item.." with an estimated ship date. I have my eye on such, a Stetson Frederick Wool Felt Fedora in navy blue. When I receive my first hat, I'll judge whether I want to go ahead with the Frederick.

 

[Redfokker]

Oh, that's too funny! No, I don't work in a greenhouse or a Canola farm. A restaurant. Just wanted to make sure my brown Fed doesn't end up with a green tint. New to nice hats, I am.
Your response cracked me up.

I would say a good daily brushing should be good. Maybe a little suck with a vacuum. I'm more concerned with the dusting on my black car than on a black hat.

 

[Redfokker]

I think I've found my new primary source for hats! I spoke with Ernest DelMonico who was very helpful and informative. He told me that Long Oval just isn't being made anymore, but that DelMonico does their own blocking, and to just specify that on the order form. I decided to give them a try, so I ordered an inexpensive Stetson Reward Shantung Fedora with the request to block it to 7-1/4 LO.

He also said that it's not necessary to shape a fabric hat or cap to the long oval size. Because caps and fabric hats are softer, and not fixed in their shape, they will naturally mold themselves to a long oval head. He also advised me (and I guess anyone wearing a LO) to stick with proper sizes (7-1/4, 58cm) and avoid the S, M, L, XL hats. Given the variances I've seen with the generic sizes, I think that's good advice (also knowing that variances can occur even among the 'proper' sizes).

And DelMonico has a great selection of hats! A feature I also noticed was the "trigger" notice when a hat is out of stock. The wording is, "NOTE: The product you have selected is currently out of stock. Adding it to basket will trigger a PRE-ORDER of this item.." with an estimated ship date. I have my eye on such, a Stetson Frederick Wool Felt Fedora in navy blue. When I receive my first hat, I'll judge whether I want to go ahead with the Frederick.

Good on you Fred! I have a modern Stratoliner from them, through our own @moontheloon. He actually went through their stock to pick the best of a batch. I got the hat from him last year and it is a jewell of a modern hat. The advice to stay away from the S,M.L,XL crapola is very wise. If a regular 7 1/4 is a little snug, a good amount of wearing usually brings them around. The optimal choice for us egg heads is to score a true LO on the vintage market. I have never been disappointed in this route. Can't wait to see this Shantung.

 

[Krash1974]

I would say a good daily brushing should be good. Maybe a little suck with a vacuum. I'm more concerned with the dusting on my black car than on a black hat.

Excellent, thank you!