Before and after Borsalino

[moustache]

A few weeks ago i purchased a vintage Borsalino from a fellow FL'er.The hat is a very light greenish/brown colour.Size is a 6-7/8.
It arrived in decent condition but was in need of cleaning and blocking.There was a musty smell to it and a line of light staining near the top of the crown.
So i decided to take it to a local haberdasher in Portland for said cleaning.
The shoppe is John Helmer.Very good service and selection of all dry goods for a gentleman!!!
Here are some photographs of the condition before the procedure.

It took one week to get it back.Cost was well worth it.
Now for the after photographs.

I think that the work was well done.The musty smell is all but gone and it is much cleaner and easier to snap.

Just wanted to share this experience as it was my first in doing so with a hat.
Thanks for letting me do so!!!!

Jim in Vancouver,Wa

before-

after-

 

[Hemingway Jones]

.

Well, My Friend, you have just enjoyed a rare experience; a walk-in hat shop that actually did an excellent job for you. It looks great. My only criticism, and it is nitpicking, is that his block appears by the photos to have a little too much taper for my taste, but crown shape like everything else, is a matter of preference and taste.

You should post a picture with it on. Hats come alive when they are worn and only in that way can you really measure whether the crown, brim and color are right for your face.

Congratulations on a great hat.

 

[The Duke]

the hat looks good!:eusa_clap thanks for sharing.

 

[Razzman]

Great looking hat. Very classy. The Haberdasher appeared to have done a fine job. My hat is off to you, my friend.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Jay]

Great transition! That's a very neat hat.

 

[moustache]

I will soon!!!

Well, My Friend, you have just enjoyed a rare experience; a walk-in hat shop that actually did an excellent job for you. It looks great. My only criticism, and it is nitpicking, is that his block appears by the photos to have a little too much taper for my taste, but crown shape like everything else, is a matter of preference and taste.

You should post a picture with it on. Hats come alive when they are worn and only in that way can you really measure whether the crown, brim and color are right for your face.

Congratulations on a great hat.

You are correct Mr.Jones!!The taper did seem a bit high for me.But i tried it on and it's not too bad.Besides,if i want to,i can bash it to a teardrop,which is my other favourite style.
I will post a pic sometime soon.Hopefully next weekend. like to set my photos up a bit and want the right lighting.It looks very similar to my grey Borsa at the right of the post her.My Avatar shows that hat.
As for the in-house hat cleaning:they do end it out but sub contract to a local man who does the work.The only problem i had with this is that they forgot to put the button cord back on.So i hope the email to them will resolve that.I was going to send it away for cleaning to one of the well known FL'ers but deided to try out the local shoppe.Sometimes my experiences with shippers have proven disasterous.I'm rather nervous at sending my hats.
Maybe next time.

Thanks for the kind words.

JD

 

[DOUGLAS]

Fantastic Moustache, What a treat you've had. I'm Jealous.

 

[Lincsong]

Not bad looking at all. Nice choice.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Nice color. Would go with pretty much anything. Nice find. I hope to find one like that myself.

 

[ideaguy]

Well done, indeed! so wonderful to have someone nearby that can do
what needs to be done, 1st time. One of my best friends -unfindable now-
is terrific hatter, and used to clean and block for me before I had any real idea
what I was dealing with...if only he would show up-with some old Borsa's for
sale....oh well-glad to know there's one of us enjoying walk-in service in this
computerized age...

 

[astaire]

Art is also in OR. How far away is he from Portland?

 

[moustache]

Quite a distance

Art is also in OR. How far away is he from Portland?

He is in southern Oregon,near Medford.That a good 4-5 drive from here.Maybe 250 to 300 miles away.I certainly would have taken it to him if closer.But since i had a closer source,i though i would try them out.
But Art is next on my list if i need another done.
Spread the business!!!

JD

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Excellent hat, excellent (subtle and classy) restoration. Congratulations and keep those photos coming! :eusa_clap


.