Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

[Lefty]

But I don't think he's too knowledgeable about the price of those hats. I have no idea what the panama may have sold for, but it's pretty unlikely that the felt was $700+. Of course, he also says that it's beaver, and from my one visit, I only saw Optimo offering blends. If it is beaver, then maybe he's right.

 

[Woodfluter]

Akubra Rodeo, modified

Won on eBay back in July. Price $30.50 incl. S&H.
A black Akubra "The Rodeo" with red liner, custom made for Outback Trading and sold at the "Volcano Hat Co." of Sutter Creek, California. NIB, original price $140 discounted from list $175. As arrived, had 3-7/8" brim and 5-1/2 crown (6" open) and weighed 7.08 oz. Here's what it looked like:

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9717/akubrarodeoorig01smgh1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>By <a href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/woodfluter">woodfluter</a>

Of course, as I intended all along, I did some things to it. Re-shaped the crown. Cut brim down to 2-3/4". Removed the felt band and made a new ribbon of 1-1/2" navy blue rayon. Yes, rayon because I was occupied with other stuff and lazy and didn't order some good ribbon online. But the key here is knowing how to pre-stretch the rayon...it can be done. Worked out quite nicely. Final weight 6.1 oz. Here are after photos:

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/6546/akubrarodeo01smrm0.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>By <a href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/woodfluter">woodfluter</a>


By woodfluter


By woodfluter


By woodfluter

I really like the navy blue ribbon (and am getting better with making these) with the black hat and red liner (remember...Volcano Hat Co.?). It fits great and I think it will become one of my favorites.

The felt quality is a bit of a mystery, as well as the model. Akubra is mostly noted for lower crowns, so this must be based on one of their larger-crowned models for the US market. But if I close my eyes and go by feel, it really seems like "Heritage" quality felt, although it is marked as "Imperial". Looking at it up close, the finish is in-between Imperial and Heritage, rather closer to the latter. Quite soft and flexible, but seemingly tough.

- Bill

 

[thunderw21]

Wonderful. Giving an old hat new life.

 

[GWD]

I've never seen the Stetson liner logo done like this before. That logo, combined with the color of the sweatband, and the frayed bow edge treatment make me think this is an earlier hat. So what do you think?

Can you take a closer picture of the liner, It looks very cool.

 

[Dinerman]

Can you take a closer picture of the liner, It looks very cool.

When it shows up, sure thing.

 

[bolthead]

Won on eBay back in July. Price $30.50 incl. S&H.
A black Akubra "The Rodeo" with red liner, custom made for Outback Trading and sold at the "Volcano Hat Co." of Sutter Creek, California. NIB, original price $140 discounted from list $175. As arrived, had 3-7/8" brim and 5-1/2 crown (6" open) and weighed 7.08 oz. Here's what it looked like:

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9717/akubrarodeoorig01smgh1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>By <a href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/woodfluter">woodfluter</a>

Of course, as I intended all along, I did some things to it. Re-shaped the crown. Cut brim down to 2-3/4". Removed the felt band and made a new ribbon of 1-1/2" navy blue rayon. Yes, rayon because I was occupied with other stuff and lazy and didn't order some good ribbon online. But the key here is knowing how to pre-stretch the rayon...it can be done. Worked out quite nicely. Final weight 6.1 oz. Here are after photos:

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/6546/akubrarodeo01smrm0.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>By <a href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/woodfluter">woodfluter</a>


By woodfluter


By woodfluter


By woodfluter

I really like the navy blue ribbon (and am getting better with making these) with the black hat and red liner (remember...Volcano Hat Co.?). It fits great and I think it will become one of my favorites.

The felt quality is a bit of a mystery, as well as the model. Akubra is mostly noted for lower crowns, so this must be based on one of their larger-crowned models for the US market. But if I close my eyes and go by feel, it really seems like "Heritage" quality felt, although it is marked as "Imperial". Looking at it up close, the finish is in-between Imperial and Heritage, rather closer to the latter. Quite soft and flexible, but seemingly tough.

- Bill

Great job Bill.....:eusa_clap

Can I ask you how you got the Rayon ribbon to stretch and curl? [huh]

 

[Woodfluter]

Great job Bill.....:eusa_clap

Can I ask you how you got the Rayon ribbon to stretch and curl? [huh]

Sure. Steamed it in short sections and stretched one side of the ribbon between my fingers, being careful not to stretch the other side. Sometimes working that side of the ribbon back and forth to loosen up the weave, then pulling hard, rolling it between thumb and forefinger. Dragging it, sort of, so you could feel it "jumping" along. Only while damp and hot. Then repeating with the next short section.

And repeating the whole process again and again, until you can see a curve to the ribbon when you lay it down or while hanging by one end.

I suggest using good quality ribbon. I got some cheaper stuff that looked the same but it wouldn't hold up to this process - developed tears very quickly. The better rayon stuff is far stronger and I haven't seen any evidence of damage.

I also attempted other methods such as shrinking the other side with a hair dryer (stuff just won't shrink) and ironing while damp (very temporary change!). Pulling one side was the only way I found that seemed to work. Keep wrapping it around the crown and repeating this procedure until the curvature is sufficient.

Then, after slipping the bow onto the ribbon, sew the ends together (overlapping) so that it is rather tighter than you'd imagine is necessary. I start by using a few basting stitches and leaving the needle in place, then work it down over the crown, usually find it is too loose, pull the stitches out and cinch it up another bit. When it seems just a bit too tight, I put in the permanent stitches and force it into place gradually. If it sits right, all that remains are the little tiny stitches to hold it to the hat.

I'm sure all this would be much easier with proper hat ribbon. Has been easy to repair on old hats I have.

- Bill

 

[cookie]

My wife was glaring at me anyway, so, being the ultra sensitive husband that I am, I picked up on that subtle hint and knew to stop when I did

The price of love...the price of love...

 

[carter]

Went to pick my daughter up from school and...

Dumbjaw came out on top on this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360088090863

That's why they call them auctions.

 

[bolthead]

Wow........

Dumbjaw came out on top on this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360088090863

That's why they call them auctions.

DJ got a Whippet Pork Pie, a 5/8's no less.....for a mere $42.....what a Steal.
Talk about a bad listing......

 

[carter]

At least I already have two Whippets

DJ got a Whippet Pork Pie, a 5/8's no less.....for a mere $42.....what a Steal.
Talk about a bad listing......

I should have bid higher but thought I'd be home earlier.
That's what comes of thought.
Must be something about birds and worms.

Should I consider trading one of my Whippets for a Stratoliner or a Flagship?

 

[Colby Jack]

I was watching that one also...though I was thinking it would probably end up being a 6 5/8....[huh]

 

[Rick Blaine]

I was watching that one also...though I was thinking it would probably end up being a 6 5/8....[huh]

That was my fear as well... well, that and the fear of the Ball & Chain's righteous anger should anymore hats come in across the threshold...:eusa_doh:

 

[Spats McGee]

I was watching that one also...though I was thinking it would probably end up being a 6 5/8....[huh]

That apparently makes at least 3 of us with this fear. I just bought and resold a hat that was too small, then turned around and ordered another hat. Didn't think The Dame would want me risking more money on a hat that (potentially) wouldn't fit.

 

[MattJH]

Thanks! Yes, it's very possible that it's a 6 5/8. The seller took a "measurement around" and said 23 inches, which is close to the 24 inches that a 7 5/8 would be. Then again, the may have measured the external circumference of the crown. Heh.

I also won this very poorly listed grouping of two 7 5/8 stingy-brimmed hats. They're pretty nice, but I'll probably eBay them off. After trying them on, they're not my thing.

 

[bolthead]

Thanks! Yes, it's very possible that it's a 6 5/8. The seller took a "measurement around" and said 23 inches, which is close to the 24 inches that a 7 5/8 would be. Then again, the may have measured the external circumference of the crown. Heh.

I also won this very poorly listed grouping of two 7 5/8 stingy-brimmed hats. They're pretty nice, but I'll probably eBay them off. After trying them on, they're not my thing.

DJ, if it is indeed a 6 5/8, let us small melon heads know about it....ok?
It might be worth a stretch.....

 

[carter]

Went to bed in the lead. Woke up nipped at the wire.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190251792759&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009

 

[MattJH]

Regarding the Whippet, I put my bid in a half hour before the auction ended because I was going out. I did not expect to come home hours later to a PayPal invoice waiting for me at all, believe you me.

 

[carter]

Regarding the Whippet, I put my bid in a half hour before the auction ended because I was going out. I did not expect to come home hours later to a PayPal invoice waiting for me at all, believe you me.

I can identify with that. It's happened to me. Unfortunately, we all need to sleep...zzzzzzz

Here's the one I lost this afternoon. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330270831291&ssPageName=STRK:MEDW:IT&ih=014

 

[Levallois]

"Here's the one I lost this afternoon. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEDW:IT&ih=014"


Carter,

Mea Maxima Culpa.

John