Do all thin ribbon fedoras have bound edges?

[deanglen]

Just wondered because if they all do, I've got to learn how to use a sewing machine and get some bound edges going on my homegrown BCF mods. If there IS an exception, could anyone post a pic?

dean

 

[MattC]

There are exceptions

I have a raw edge Borsalino (with a low crown) and had an open road type Borso with a Cav. edge (which I made over into a fedora)

 

[John in Covina]

Dobbsy

My Dobbs Westward an Open Road clone has the Ribbon on the edge of Brim.

But I recall seeing some pix were some hats with the narrow ribbon on the crown, did have a raw edge. So it is similar but not the same as the Open Road, probably another Outdoorsman type hat.

 

[Joel Tunnah]

There is an exception: the Stetson Playboy.

 

[RBH]

One modern example

of a raw edge thin ribbon is the Moose River hat by Stetson, sold by LLBean.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7931/m13081silverbellyth3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[Rick Blaine]

Here is one with a raw edge

that I am waiting for, it should arrive via UPS Thus or Fri.

 

[RBH]

that I am waiting for, it should arrive via UPS Thus or Fri.

Rick, that is my favorite bow treatment for a thin ribbon. What hat is it ?
It looks like a real winner to me.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Rick, that is my favorite bow treatment for a thin ribbon. What hat is it ?
It looks like a real winner to me.

It is a vintage Shuddle Bros. Custom Beaver purchased out of AZ last week, ain't got it yet, but I have high hopes!

 

[Rick Blaine]

Thin Ribbon no mo'

Here is a formerly thin(er)-ribboned Royal Stetson Playboy before:

at its original 7 1/8 size...

...and after I sent it to Optimo for a refurb and a resize to 7 3/8. I lost 1/4" of brim (to 2 1/4") but that is ok, it is fast becoming my daily beater, very supple felt, thin and lovely. It was returned to me w/ a center dent & I quickly "C-crowned" it to suit my more casual wardrobe:

along w/ a close-up of the bow treatment.

The 'puffiness' of the bow is a new one on me, maybe it is indicative of a "Chicago-Style" as all three of the lids sent to Optimo were handled this way, I don't dislike it, it just took a little getting used to as I am accustomed to seeing a stretched taunt & stitched flat bow treatment.

 

[deanglen]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your pics and info, and BTW Rick, even being a thin ribbon man I like what you had done with that Playboy; great improvement.

dean

 

[deanglen]

There is an exception: the Stetson Playboy.

Thanks, Joel. So I could say my BCF mods are simulated Stetson Playboys, not Open Roads. Good to know. Someday I plan to master adding bound edges, until then, thank you for your help.

dean

 

[deanglen]

Rick wrote

at its original 7 1/8 size...

...and after I sent it to Optimo for a refurb and a resize to 7 3/8.

How common is it to have a hat endure a two size stretch? That might open up some acquistions to me that I ruled out because of size issues. That, and funding approval from Congress.

dean

 

[Rick Blaine]

It all depends...

Rick wrote

How common is it to have a hat endure a two size stretch? That might open up some acquistions to me that I ruled out because of size issues. That, and funding approval from Congress.

dean

It is not really a stretch, technically, as he simply drew in 1/4" of brim all the way around the hat, reblocked it to the larger size & reattached a new sweat, reflanged the brim & attached the new ribbon.
As far as an "at-home" stretch goes, I have been quite successful upsizing from 7 1/4 to 7 3/8 and that is about it. One size seems to be about the limit without having to strip down the hat to its' individual components & basically rebuild the hat.

 

[deanglen]

Honestly, looking at a well made fedora with leather sweatband, especially the kind with that little thin wire that gives stability to the hat, has alweays looked to me to beyond stretching. I'm surprised it works without damaging the hat. One size would seem to be the best, if at all, anyone could expect. So actually, Optimo rebuiltyour hat. Even knowing that opens up some possibilities. I love to tweak and tinker. H-m-m-m-m.

dean