Hondo
One Too Many
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Some hat are just not meant to be worn when its raining, felt is nice if you go for soft texture feel, but beaver like Akubra can be worn year round, droopy or wet look I can do without.
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Joel Tunnah
Practically Family
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Akubra does not have any beaver in their felt. It's 100% rabbit.
RedPop4
One Too Many
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Well said, Joel. Those of us with other priorites, I guess, had better stick to our wool hats, and take the derision from the purists. And forget eBay, the sentiment here is congratulations that you were able to sell that hat at such a high price.Joel Tunnah said:I love how the guy asks is $225 too much, and everyone's answer is no, you need to spend $400.
Good gravy. :eusa_doh:
As an aside, a simple search of the archives will produce testimony of Optimo hats shrinking in the rain, and of Optimo hats being miracle products; of new Borsalinos taking a dunking just fine, and Borsalinos turning into "mush"; of modern Stetson surviving dozens of downpours and looking better for it, and of Stetsons shrinking, spewing ink all over their owners, and generally assaulting humanity.
The only thing consistent about the advice given on the Fedora Lounge is its inconsitency. Which is exactly what one would expect when talking about something as subjective and personal as hat wearing.
Joel
ps. Oh and Sharpetoys thinks "rabbit-hats" are crap, but then recommends Akubra. Go figure. [huh]
Feraud
Bartender
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I hope no one is derided for wearing any kind of hat.. except a baseball cap. Just kidding!!RedPop4 said:
If more folks gave their experiences with wool hats like those in this thread, I would not be surprised to see wool hats gain prominence as an affordable, stylish alternative.
RedPop4
One Too Many
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Well feraud,
I understand and admire your sentiment. But over my year and a half here I've come to agree with the basic progression of things as presented and generally accepted as fact. But with exceptions.
Fedoras, caps, newsboys, are better than ball caps. Yes and no. Nothing at all wrong with ball caps in and of themselves. They have their times and places.
Wool fedoras aren't likely to be as well made, last as long as a fur felt fedora. This I accept. But, for some, who aren't ready or willing to spend a great deal of money, they're a viable alternative. I'm sorry to be impolitic, but there is a significant number of members here, both condescending and vehement in their condemnation of any hat that is not a good cap or fur felt fedora. I can't remember how many times I've read posts that simply say...."wool fedoras are crap. Period. End of story."
Fur felt is, it seems overall, better than wool. Beaver fur felt is supposed to be the best of all felts since the beaver is an aquatic mammal, the fur and the skin are well suited to getting wet often and holding shape and color.
But even at $275, it's hard to justify to some of us, even though, intellectually, I understand the investment in the best material and craftsmanship. I understand that this is a life-time purchase. I've been defending PanamaBob over on the forums at Cigar Weekly when I discuss my Montecristi. Robert is selling that hat for $99.....and guys say, I can buy a good box of cigars for that. And TaxMan and I tell them.....and in 25 smokes those cigars will be gone, but the Montecristi you'll have for 4 or 5 decades.
So, I understand all sides of this debate. But the elitism and condescension displayed when it comes up saddens me greatly. We're here, supposedly because of a shared hobby and passion, yet we tear each other down in the name of knowledge and learning, whilst, as Joel points out, we're not close to consensus. Yet everyone is adamant that their conventional wisdom is the correct wisdom and criteria for judgment. AND, even in these times with the condescension and elitism, Loungers pat themselves on the back all over this board for their "civility."
Sorry to rant, I am. I won't pretend, even, that I enjoyed doing so.
I understand and admire your sentiment. But over my year and a half here I've come to agree with the basic progression of things as presented and generally accepted as fact. But with exceptions.
Fedoras, caps, newsboys, are better than ball caps. Yes and no. Nothing at all wrong with ball caps in and of themselves. They have their times and places.
Wool fedoras aren't likely to be as well made, last as long as a fur felt fedora. This I accept. But, for some, who aren't ready or willing to spend a great deal of money, they're a viable alternative. I'm sorry to be impolitic, but there is a significant number of members here, both condescending and vehement in their condemnation of any hat that is not a good cap or fur felt fedora. I can't remember how many times I've read posts that simply say...."wool fedoras are crap. Period. End of story."
Fur felt is, it seems overall, better than wool. Beaver fur felt is supposed to be the best of all felts since the beaver is an aquatic mammal, the fur and the skin are well suited to getting wet often and holding shape and color.
But even at $275, it's hard to justify to some of us, even though, intellectually, I understand the investment in the best material and craftsmanship. I understand that this is a life-time purchase. I've been defending PanamaBob over on the forums at Cigar Weekly when I discuss my Montecristi. Robert is selling that hat for $99.....and guys say, I can buy a good box of cigars for that. And TaxMan and I tell them.....and in 25 smokes those cigars will be gone, but the Montecristi you'll have for 4 or 5 decades.
So, I understand all sides of this debate. But the elitism and condescension displayed when it comes up saddens me greatly. We're here, supposedly because of a shared hobby and passion, yet we tear each other down in the name of knowledge and learning, whilst, as Joel points out, we're not close to consensus. Yet everyone is adamant that their conventional wisdom is the correct wisdom and criteria for judgment. AND, even in these times with the condescension and elitism, Loungers pat themselves on the back all over this board for their "civility."
Sorry to rant, I am. I won't pretend, even, that I enjoyed doing so.
Hondo
One Too Many
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- 1,655
- Location
- Northern California
Joel Tunnah said:
OOPS!!! :eusa_doh:
Hey Thanks! My fault
shoeshineboy
Practically Family
- Messages
- 500
- Location
- s/e missouri
Joel Tunnah said:I love how the guy asks is $225 too much, and everyone's answer is no, you need to spend $400.
Good gravy. :eusa_doh:
As an aside, a simple search of the archives will produce testimony of Optimo hats shrinking in the rain, and of Optimo hats being miracle products; of new Borsalinos taking a dunking just fine, and Borsalinos turning into "mush"; of modern Stetson surviving dozens of downpours and looking better for it, and of Stetsons shrinking, spewing ink all over their owners, and generally assaulting humanity.
The only thing consistent about the advice given on the Fedora Lounge is its inconsitency. Which is exactly what one would expect when talking about something as subjective and personal as hat wearing.
Joel
ps. Oh and Sharpetoys thinks "rabbit-hats" are crap, but then recommends Akubra. Go figure. [huh]
where did sharpetoys say that at ???? I didn't see it here....I have been to Roger's house and I chat with him for hours and I know that he doesn't put down rabbit hats, because I have seen his Akubra collection....and his customs made hats, too.
mark the shoeshine boy
Joel Tunnah
Practically Family
- Messages
- 524
- Location
- Brooklyn, NY
If he didn't make the comment, I apologize, and withdraw my (somewhat snide) remark.
Most humbly,
Joel
Most humbly,
Joel
Buy the hat, help the hat industry!!!
Hondo,
If you like the new borso, buy it. I have a 5 or 6 year old Borso- 48 gram hat and it is the best hat i ever bought, Even if at that time I thought $300 was way too much. You know why it's the best hat I ever bought? Because its the hat I wear 200-250 mornings per year. Its light, fits me perfectly and I still get compliments on it
I have lots of great vintage hats that I wear in rotation. But the borso is my everyday, anywhere, anytime hat. From the field to boardroom. This hat launched me into the fine pastime of collecting and knowing hats...and fedoralounge
If I had ordered a first custom hat there is no way I would know to order a super lightweight felt that works almost year round in Southern California. Does your area have killer drenching rainstorms? San Diego sure doesn't
It would take me years to find this same hat in vintage, i still haven't seen anything like it. So I recommend buying the hat. Learn to love it then take your time on Ebay, use an auction snipe type software and with a little time and luck you will find some cool hats.
Hondo,
If you like the new borso, buy it. I have a 5 or 6 year old Borso- 48 gram hat and it is the best hat i ever bought, Even if at that time I thought $300 was way too much. You know why it's the best hat I ever bought? Because its the hat I wear 200-250 mornings per year. Its light, fits me perfectly and I still get compliments on it
I have lots of great vintage hats that I wear in rotation. But the borso is my everyday, anywhere, anytime hat. From the field to boardroom. This hat launched me into the fine pastime of collecting and knowing hats...and fedoralounge
If I had ordered a first custom hat there is no way I would know to order a super lightweight felt that works almost year round in Southern California. Does your area have killer drenching rainstorms? San Diego sure doesn't
It would take me years to find this same hat in vintage, i still haven't seen anything like it. So I recommend buying the hat. Learn to love it then take your time on Ebay, use an auction snipe type software and with a little time and luck you will find some cool hats.
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