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Bailey Gangster
- Thread starter Lorne
- Start date
RBH
Bartender
- Messages
- 15,320
Looks to be a nice enough hat. I think it has a lower crown that I like but be that as it may, it has a 'classic' sort of look to it.
If you get one be sure to let us in on what you think about it.
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8871/baileygangsternv7.jpg" border="0" alt="gangster"/></a>
If you get one be sure to let us in on what you think about it.
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8871/baileygangsternv7.jpg" border="0" alt="gangster"/></a>
carter
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,921
- Location
- Corsicana, TX
I have one. It has a nice look. I wear it as a beater when the weather is too nasty for anything else. It holds up well.
K
kpreed
Guest
My everyday lid is a wool-felt Bailey Gangster and for the money is (I think) great, a much better value, but when I dress up I do my fur-felt Biltmore. Fur feels much, much better then wool, I feel! Why I bet, wool hats cost less.
AdmiralTofu
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 180
- Location
- _
Wow...
I'm actually surprised to hear positive reviews of this particular hat. Now, I'm not trying to be a parade-rainer; just putting in my two cents (want any more cliches? I've got a million
). But my one experience with the Gangster was far different. The stitching on the sweatband felt like copper wire and irritated my forehead, the sweatband itself was stiff and hard, and the felt was even more so. It was really uncomfortable to wear, and basically the whole thing felt like one of those plastic costume hats you can find in grocery stores for 99 cents around Halloween. I sent it right back (thank goodness for Village Hat Shop's awesome return policy).
Glad to hear you two have had a better experience, though. Did the hat take any breaking in?
-Tofu
I'm actually surprised to hear positive reviews of this particular hat. Now, I'm not trying to be a parade-rainer; just putting in my two cents (want any more cliches? I've got a million
). But my one experience with the Gangster was far different. The stitching on the sweatband felt like copper wire and irritated my forehead, the sweatband itself was stiff and hard, and the felt was even more so. It was really uncomfortable to wear, and basically the whole thing felt like one of those plastic costume hats you can find in grocery stores for 99 cents around Halloween. I sent it right back (thank goodness for Village Hat Shop's awesome return policy).Glad to hear you two have had a better experience, though. Did the hat take any breaking in?
-Tofu
K
kpreed
Guest
My hat did just fine and at under $25 for it, I could not complain much anyway and if just wearing it is breaking it in, but nothing needed done special. I can see what you are saying. I guess every head, just like a hat, is different.AdmiralTofu said:I'm actually surprised to hear positive reviews of this particular hat. Now, I'm not trying to be a parade-rainer; just putting in my two cents (want any more cliches? I've got a million
Glad do hear you two have had a better experience, though. Did the hat take any breaking in?
-Tofu
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carter
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,921
- Location
- Corsicana, TX
Initially the Gangster felt like a piece of cardboard. I just worked it over (a lot) by hand until the brim relaxed and the crown softened up a bit. If these hats actually came in sizes (7 1/4, 7 1/2, 7 5/8, etc.) instead of S, M, L, XL, XXL, the stitching on the sweatband could be irritating. Because an XL is just slightly loose on me, it doesn't bother me. It's OK for a wool beater.
The Gangster is one of our best selling hats even though I hate selling wool hats. We tried to get the company to make them in head sizes , but they didn't go for it.
Steven
www.bencrafthats.com
Steven
www.bencrafthats.com
J.T.Marcus
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,354
- Location
- Mineola, Texas
besdor said:
Steven, Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't find a "Bailey Gangster" on your website.
We call it the Untouchable by Caps. Same hat made by Bollman Hats available in black , navy bue , steel gray and a bunch of other colors.
Steven
www.bencrafthats.com
Steven
www.bencrafthats.com
indycop
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 8,325
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
The gangsters don't hang out in the front , they are in the backroom but you gotta get past the door man!lol lol lolJ.T.Marcus said:
KilroyCD
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,966
- Location
- Lancaster County, PA
I was looking at one (in light grey) at the Bollman Hat Co Outlet store a little while back, and although stiff, it fit my pumpkin head rather well. I figured it had potential. I was contemplating that hat (it was only $20) when I spotted (and bought) a Stetson Delaware at the same price (talk about a nice fit, too!). Now these are two totally different styles (the Delaware is more of an Indy-style), and I'm kicking myself for not buying the Gangster as well. Oh well, it's not too far to the store, so the next time I'm up that way I'll probably buy the Gangster. It looked like a good match for some of my living history roles.
J.T.Marcus
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,354
- Location
- Mineola, Texas
besdor said:
It photographs really well.
volatile
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 421
- Location
- London, England
I just got myself one of these in Cadet Blue, as well as the Tino in Camel.
RBH
Bartender
- Messages
- 15,320
a word to the wise... dont try this in Memphis, IC!!!!!lolindycop said:
lol
indycop
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 8,325
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
I travel well protected!!!RBH said:a word to the wise... dont try this in Memphis, IC!!!!!lol
lol lolBrotherBob
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 58
Regarding the Gangster...
Mine is my favorite hat. (see photo at left)
Mine is my favorite hat. (see photo at left)
Musashi
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 131
- Location
- Poquoson, VA
I just purchased a hat that i Hope will be really nice from Bencraft. I am wondering though, that one is fur felt, I get a lot of rain around here... Would something like this Gangster be a good rainy day hat?
I have heard the wool felt is supposed to shrink in the rain, but.. i could see ruining a $50 hat. I dont want to wear my $150 hat in the rain!! Catch-22!!
I have heard the wool felt is supposed to shrink in the rain, but.. i could see ruining a $50 hat. I dont want to wear my $150 hat in the rain!! Catch-22!!
- Messages
- 10,524
- Location
- DnD Ranch, Cherokee County, GA
Water is usually the beginning of the end for a wool hat. Lots of crushers are treated with water repellents. Fur felt, especially beaver, won't break down from water like wool but will lose some shape. You can treat the hat with Scotch Guard or similar water proofing treatments. My rain hats are all fur felts, usually cheap western conversions or Akubras.
