A custom $300+ hat will always be the same felt. To my knowledge, all of the custom hatters in the US, save Optimo, use Winchester felt. There's nothing wrong with Winchester felt, but it means that the difference between the felt of a hat from Art, TonyB, Black Sheep, Falcon Park, etc. is going to be small. The variation in vintage felt is huge as to density, thickness, color, etc. IMO, anyone willing to pay $300+ for a custom, but unwilling to pay that much for a high-end, vintage Borso or Stetson (when we're talking large sizes), is paying a heck of a lot for a pretty ribbon and some initials in a sweatband.
Awwww...RATS! I emailed the seller and she gave me info that tells me that the hat is really a 7½! Of course, the hat's already on its way to me.
I am glad that I have very few hats left to sell. Just got this email from the guy who bought my Fabroc. Instead of emailing immediately to ask for a refund, I get this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250919899586
"Hat had considerably more than some staining on ribbon. Both ribbon and binding on brim were stained considerably, going through to the back side of ribbon, hat needs complete cleaning and reblock with ribbon replacement. This is my best guess but I have forwarded it to a hatter for a professional opinion. With the lighting on pic these stains can not be seen."
What do you think this guy wants? For me to pay for reblocking his hat and replacing the ribbon?
I was curious about that oddly low BIN price... I hope it turned out to be in good shape. Look forward to your pictures.
I wouldn't worry about it. You fairly described the hat, the photos were good. If anything, tell him to send hat back and resell it. I think he's splitting hairs.
Really heavy Stetson straw. I sent a note to the seller thinking it might be a misprint... heard back that such a large hatbox costs a lot to ship.
Really heavy Stetson straw. I sent a note to the seller thinking it might be a misprint... heard back that such a large hatbox costs a lot to ship.
I almost picked up this Stetson 7 5/8 7X BIN for a larger domed lounger but just couldn't pull the trigger. I probably should have.
That was really the only reason why I held off. The look of the size of the crown compared to the brim suggests a 6 5/8 while the overall appearance of the hat compared to the box suggests a 7 5/8.I bet it's a 6 5/8.
Bollocks - Almost seventy bucks shipping to Tennessee?... no.
If anything, tell him to send hat back and resell it.
I was the under-bidder. It sure looks nice, so congratulations to the winner!