A few things that I've learned from purchasing newsboy caps from Gamble and Gunn.
I do like a good porkpie. That one has a nice classic shape and dimensions. Please give us a review when it comes in. I know I would like to hear about it.
Out of a curiosity I purchased a few wool capelines just to try them. At first glance it is hard to tell them apart from a lighter weight fur felt. They do require an application of stiffener to make them more easily worked. As you say the colour palette available is really wide and they are great for making more fashion oriented hats for women in the bright colours. But as a hatter wool is harder to work with due to its floppier nature. Perhaps if I did more of it the work would come more easily. But for the extra time involved it makes just as much sense to buy the ore expensive fur felt and save the time. I would guess if the hats were machine made in a production line then the savings are substantial. I made a cloche for my wife so we shall see how it stands up to the elements.
A wool, and not felt. No leather sweat. Cashing in on a TV series style. I don't know how far I'd test the crushable and water resistant qualities. I don't want to offend, but I would have saved my dough for any kind of felt with a leather sweat. Those wools wear out in hurry when used hard. I actually do like a brown hat though.
John Lofgren Monkey Boots Shinki Horsebuttt - $1,136 The classic monkey boot silhouette in an incredibly rich Shinki russet horse leather. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - $395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Schott 568 Vandals Jacket - $1,250 The classic Perfecto motorcycle jacket, in a very special limited-edition Schott double rider style.
I will post more info as I work with it. This is very much a process of discovery. I was thinking of offering a line of ready to wear women's hats with wool at a lower price point but am rethinking that. I stiffened the brim to give it structure but left the crown soft and malleable. We shall see how it turns out and holds up. The difference in price is not great.....$20 versus $50, wool to fur. So if it takes another two hours to work the wool then it makes no sense. The women's wool hats in the fedora/western styles are all very stiff and have a machine stamped look to them. I think the wool requires the heat, pressure and stiffening along with the machine to press them into shape and are not workable by hand as is a fur felt.
Great to see you post. But I am no help to you.....as a really old codger def not the one to ask for tech advice. My go to lid is the light grey Borsa I bought from you!
Great to see you uncle Jim
ha!
