Dobbs Forty... needs help...

[lostinperiphery]

I've had this dobbs forty for a few years, and while the felt quality is absolutely exquisite, the hat itself has seen better days. Its missing a liner, the ribbon and felt are badly stained, the sweatband is cracked and torn in places. On top of all that, I really do not like the color, as I much prefer darker hats. But as I said, the felt itself is to die for, and will take any crease I give it without a bit of steam.

I would very much like to be able to turn this into a wearable 'beater' fedora. One of impeccable quality, but that I wouldn't be afraid to toss around and wear when I get my hands dirty. And if it were but a darker brown, I would overlook its other flaws, and make it my 'adventure hat'. So as hesitant as I am to say it aloud, I'd like to try and perform an Indy conversion on it.

Seeing as a It would likely then need a new sweatband and ribbon, I do not believe I'm up to doing the work myself. Could anyone suggest a professional who might be willing to work on a vintage hat such as this?

 

[Garrett]

You should definitely just send it to me and buy a dark hat

Optimo in Chicago can restore all the issues aside from color

 

[lostinperiphery]

thats kindof my dilema... I'm not sure I want to invest in restoring its other flaws if its still a color I won't wear :/.... though I'm trying to convince myself a darker ribbon would lessen my objection to the felt color.

 

[jskeen]

I don't know of anybody that advertises dye jobs as a regular service. From what I have read, finished felt is tough to get even color on because of differences in density, wear, stiffening in different areas, and such. I think if I wanted a brown hat, I'd find a brown one and trade for it. What size is the Dobbs?

 

[Garrett]

Well, are you up for trading it? What size do you wear? Our Classifieds section is a great place if you end up going that route.

 

[lostinperiphery]

Yes, I would be up for trading, but only for felt as high quality as this. I have a number of quite nice dobbs/cav/knox twenties, but this forty is in a league of its own. The hat is not marked, but I wear a 7.5, and this fits like a 7 3/4".... I'll try posting an ad just in case, but my hopes aren't very high for finding a hat of this felt quality in comparable condition

 

[gtdean48]

You can gut it & send it to a custom hatter that custom dyes felt for finishing out....

 

[KingAndrew]

I know Art Fawcett and Black Sheep Hatworks both do custom-dyed hats, so they might be able to help you with the color. Optimo does great restoration work, but I don't know that they do dye-jobs.

Try calling or emailng these hatters and if they can't do it, they will probably know who to suggest.