Before and After

[thefedorastore]

.sdfsdfsd

 

[John in Covina]

Wow that's getting there! A lttle more fiddling and you'll have it nailed!

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

In my first attempt at restoration work I am quite pleased. Look at this Grand Prix 1900 from the box, and then when I finished it only 30 minutes later. Hand shaped.

That hat your avatar is wearing is pretty cool. Got that Zoot look I like. Got any like that? And if so does it come in black?

 

[thefedorastore]

I have a zoot black

This Zoot is available in all Black. Remember to use TFL when checking out for 20% off. Don't order this hat with white trim, unless you want white trim on the brim too, because that's how it comes (unlike the picture)

http://www.thefedorastore.com/product-p/508.htm

 

[feltfan]

In my first attempt at restoration work I am quite pleased. Look at this Grand Prix 1900 from the box, and then when I finished it only 30 minutes later. Hand shaped.

I'm not sure I understand. If that hat comes with
that box, it's a Borsalino that was built to be kept
in that tiny box and "pop" into shape with every use.
For an ideal appearance, slap it into shape, play some
steam on it, and then hang it to dry. It will naturally
seek its old block.

I have one from the mid 50s that basically lived in its box
till recent years and popped into a C-crown with little
or no coaxing. That's not restoration, that's just
normal use, unless the hat was rolled up wet or
something?

I would be interested in seeing the liner of the
hat, though, and any dating information you have.
Always interesting with those old Borsalinos.

 

[thefedorastore]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the valuable info. The liner pics are posted with the hat listing in my store under the vintage hat category. I did hold this baby over the kettle for awhile and the steam really didn't do much for it, so I used some stiffener and more steam and took to hand shaping it. However, your information is very enlightening and it's obvious the word restored is improper, and I appreciate the heads-up. In fact, I would request that you share any information you can about these hats, the Carlo Lambardi store of Roma, and the ingredients of the hat. Much appreciated. Although I have been retailing new hats, this forum drove into beginning the acquistion of these hats and their history. Any information is appreciated.

 

[feltfan]

Thanks for the valuable info. The liner pics are posted with the hat listing in my store under the vintage hat category. I did hold this baby over the kettle for awhile and the steam really didn't do much for it, so I used some stiffener and more steam and took to hand shaping it. However, your information is very enlightening and it's obvious the word restored is improper, and I appreciate the heads-up. In fact, I would request that you share any information you can about these hats, the Carlo Lambardi store of Roma, and the ingredients of the hat. Much appreciated. Although I have been retailing new hats, this forum drove into beginning the acquistion of these hats and their history. Any information is appreciated.

I can't claim to know much more than what the hats
I own tell me. Your site doesn't have pictures of the
liner of that hat, just the sweat band. I was hoping to see
the liner logo. I *beg* you not to use stiffener on a vintage
Borsalino roll-up. Just steam it and set it on a rounded block
or hang it and let it remember its instructions.

BTW, those three "vintage" Borsalinos on your
site under Vintage with the Harry the Hatter
liners don't appear to be vintage (unless you consider vintage to
be 1990s or later) unless you've had them relined and had new
sweat bands put in? Personally, I consider Borsalinos vintage if
they date from before Borsalino sold out. Don't know the
exact date (Besdor?) but 1970s and earlier.

 

[thefedorastore]

Thanks Again Felt Fan

Thanks, I will adjust my listings and remove Vintage on those. Still learning about Borsalino, the more info coming this way the better. Anyone know if there is a strong interest in hat blocks? I have a friend in the Ozarks looking at making them in wood, with an aparatus and inserts to make them adjustable.

 

[thefedorastore]

Here's the Liner Info

 

[feltfan]

You might ask Besdor about how to read the
tags. He says he knows about that sort
of thing. I was curious about the liner itself,
not what's underneath the sweatband.

The liner is the cloth that sits between your
head and the hat felt.

I encourage you to pour yourself a glass of
your favorite, get comfortable, and read the
older discussion threads here in the Hat section of
the Lounge. You'll learn a lot about Borsalinos,
hat parts, hat forming, etc. It'll answer your questions
and then some.

 

[thefedorastore]

The Liner

I know what a hat lining is, I just don't know why I didn't read it that way. I am always writing about hat descriptions and the linings. Here ya go...

 

[stylin]

Wow~I'm impressed! The hat looks like Lazarus raised from the dead! Not bad sir, not bad at all!

Fiddle away and have confidence!