Been a while: trying to decide between Cabela's Stetson and Borsalino Casual Crusher

[PastimeSteve]

Hi everyone! It has been a while since I've posted on FDL, but I do drop in every once in a while to lurk. Anyway, I want to get another fedora, but I have some relatively unique preferences -- a brim at or less than 2 1/2" and a lower crown (definitely no more than 4" at the front). I'm also not very good at forming a hat, so I'd prefer the pinch to be present at purchase.

The two fedoras I'm considering are the Cabela Stetson Gun Club hat and the Borsalino Casual Crusher Marco. I know the Cabela hat doesn't have a lot of fans on here, but it comes close to meeting my requirements and I have a $50 gift card to put towards it, whereas the Borsalino comes even closer to my preferences, but is MUCH more expensive.

For the Borsalino, I've seen some wide ranging prices online -- from around $208 to $275. Along those lines, is there an online shop for the Borsalino that you guys would recommend over the other for price and customer service?

Even better, is there something comparable to the Borsalino Casual Crusher at a lower price point?

Thanks again, and please forgive me if I ask silly questions! I'm definitely not an expert.

Steve

 

[job]

Try the Borsalino Allegro from Bencraft Hatters.

http://www.bencrafthats.com/product.php?pid=27&subcname=Borsalino

 

[PastimeSteve]

Thanks Job! Oh, that's nice. I like that one.

Steve

 

[Duper]

Have you looked at an Akubra Stylemaster? No coupon, but a quality hat at a lower price than the Borso.

,,,Mike

 

[Rick Blaine]

Consider OLNEY from the UK

IMO- Forget the Borso, it is a pale imitation of the name

Look here for discussion of an Olney fur felt crusher, sounds like it might suit ya'.
I found a current vendor here, but there must be others. It's a great travel hat.

Also, I have had every permutation of the Three Forks & they have ALL been mediocre (to be kind) modern Hatco. crapolla.

The Akubra traveller is a possibility but I found the low crown didn't support an almost 3" brim. An aesthetic issue.

 

[PastimeSteve]

Thanks Duper (Mike) and Rick! Lots of good info. When I researched the Stylemaster, I was concerned about the crown height, but maybe that concern was unfounded? From looking at pictures, the Akubra hats (most of them anyway) always seem to have tall crowns.

Rick, just researched that Olney and while it's a nice hat for the price, a 5" crown seems way taller than what I want. Tall crowns look absolutely ridiculous on me.

Steve

 

[job]

The Stylemaster has a lowish crown and is a high quality hat.

 

[Rick Blaine]

I doubt you would find it too high, particularly if creased into a C crown, but maybe you'd find the Akubra a good fit. Good luck & let us know.

 

[PastimeSteve]

Thanks Rick. After doing more research, I kind of like the Stetson Chatham. Too bad there doesn't seem to be an Akubra that's close to that hat's dimensions, other than the Stylemaster, which has a wider brim and taller crown. Or, is there an Akubra equivalent to the Chatham and I just haven't found it?

Steve

 

[Rick Blaine]

NNNnnnoooooo

Thanks Rick. After doing more research, I kind of like the Stetson Chatham. Too bad there doesn't seem to be an Akubra that's close to that hat's dimensions, other than the Stylemaster, which has a wider brim and taller crown. Or, is there an Akubra equivalent to the Chatham and I just haven't found it?

Steve

->Insert Demeaning & uncomplimentary remarks regarding contemporary Stetsons here<-

Please- find an Akubra that suits you. Akubra are 10x the hat a modern Stetson is, IMO. And I think others would concur.

 

[job]

I do! The Stylemaster is cheaper unless you can find a stetson you like at one of their outlet stores.

 

[ManofKent]

The Stylemaster looks a much better hat, but the Olney crushable fur felt is a decent travel hat for very little cash.

 

[MCrider]

The Stetson is a nice hat. I own several modern Stetsons and a few Akubra's as well. For me, the main difference is that when there's the possibility of bad weather, I reach for an Akubra. Too many horror stories about Stetson's spotting in even light rain for me to be comfortable wearing it. Plus if you look at Akubra prices right now they're a bit lower than a month ago. Looking at another Federation and the price has dropped almost $10 in the past month. Good luck with whatever hat you choose, but for me the toughest hat is an Akubra.

 

[barrowjh]

Not sure why none of the custom hatters that are amongst us are mentioned here. Art Fawcett (Vintage Silhouettes), Mike Moore (Buckaroo Hatters), and many others, Robert Weber (Panama Bob) for straws. You will get better quality for your money with any of these, and they will make any style you want. If you are buying retail and making a decision based on price, you are most likely walking into a mistake. Akubra has the best reputation of the assembly line manufacturers, but I would take a custom over assembly line any day, any way.

 

[carldelo]

I have half a dozen modern Stetsons and haven't had a problem with them, I am not particularly careful with hats. The Sovereign quality hats seem to hold up much better than Royal quality.

I've had two Akubra (Stylemaster and Sydney) and sold them both. I found the felt to be incredibly stiff and the crowns too high, sides too tapered and sold them both. I know this puts me in the minority around here, but I find modern Stetsons to be superior to Akubra as city hats, but only if buying Sovereign quality - the Sovereign silk-finish is especially nice. I also think Stetsons benefit from a bound or welted edge to maintain the brim flange over time (true of any hat, I guess).

For a country hat, I agree that Akubra would be better, but only if the larger dimensions suit the wearer and you don't mind waiting for the stiffness to subside. As the OP requested less than 2-1/2" brim, the normal 2-3/8" Stetson brim makes sense. Also, there's a big risk in ordering an Akubra from Oz as far as returns go. For an unsure buyer, it makes more sense to order from David Morgan or Noggintops to allow for reasonable returns. I sold both my Akubra through the Lounge, so was able to avoid returning them to Oz.

For the budget-conscious nature of the original request, it doesn't make much sense to recommend custom.

 

[PastimeSteve]

I have half a dozen modern Stetsons and haven't had a problem with them, I am not particularly careful with hats. The Sovereign quality hats seem to hold up much better than Royal quality...

I think carldelo nailed my perspective on this choice. It really comes down to crown height and brim width for me, as well as budget. I've tried hats with 2-1/2" brims and they look too big on my head (so, in hindsight, that rules out the Cabela's hat anyway). This leaves me with no Akubra hats to choose from, unless I want to go with a stingy brim, which I really don't like. Looks too metrosexual/hollywood for my taste. I basically need something in the middle, between 2 1/4 and 2 3/8.

I love custom fedoras -- I even owned one a few years ago -- but the cost is way too high for a divorced, single dad like myself. Since my options are now so limited due to my brim width requirements, I'm really struggling with the decision. Stetsons such as the Chatham and LL Bean's Moose Creek are the only lids really in my price range -- that meet my requirements -- if I can't find an Akubra. I wish Akubra would come out with something in the 2 1/4 or 2 3/8 brim size.

Steve

 

[carldelo]

Steve - it sounds like we favor the same set of dimensions, it's too bad Akubra has no brims between 2 and 2-1/2. For some reason, I have a couple of their polystraws (Capricorn and Rink) which have the typical Stylemaster dimensions of 4-1/4 crown and 2-1/2 brim and they look fine.

I tried the Bean Moose River a while back, and it was real junk - the lid I received wouldn't even rate as a factory second - save yourself the time, I've heard of this happening to others as well.

I have a Chatham in sage green that I like a lot, but the brim developed waviness over time. I had it bound with grosgrain ribbon and it has looked great since. If you like the country style, Noggintops carries the Stetson Bear Creek, a Sovereign lid with the same dimensions but with a leather band and also a raw edge.

I have a Stetson Ashland and a couple of new Whippets. The Ashland has a welted edge, but is Royal quality and is showing its age - it's a Bencraft exclusive, I think. The new Whippets are really nice hats, great feel to the Sovereign felt, bound brims and for some reason are the same price as the Ashland at Bencraft - they generally have very good prices and service.

For reference, I compared an Akubra Stylemaster in fawn with a Stetson Brewster, a silk-finish Sovereign hat in buck. To my eye, the C-crown on the Stetson looks much better, and the crown has much less taper. The C-crown on the Akubra has a mechanical look to it, with a funny sharp crease inside the crown. The build quality on both was good. The Akubra felt was so stiff it made an audible pop when snapping down the brim in front. The Stetson is the lighter-colored hat with contrasting brim binding:

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I have a Stetson Bear Creek.I like it but the brim does tend to get wonky. I also have an acorn Stylemaster.It too is a good hat.If I had to choose between the two, I would go with the Stylemaster.It takes the rain better, and the felt does soften up over time

 

[PastimeSteve]

Thanks again carldelo, and thanks to you Hoyt! Much appreciated. I'm actually checking with a custom hatter to see what he can do for me since my requirements are somewhat unique. If that doesn't work, the Cabela's hat comes to about $89 with my gift card and other discounts, so I figure even if it's not top quality, I can wear it without worrying too much or return it to Cabelas if I don't like it. Even through EA, I couldn't get the Stylemaster at that price.

Steve

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I forgot about your gift card.For $89.00 it becomes a no brainer.Enjoy your new hat!