I just won a Biltmore!

[jdbenson]

I just won a Royal Biltmore on OFAS (Item #110203265553)!

This is my first win, what do you think?

 

[Johnnysan]

Nice hat! I have a Black Royal Biltmore that is my "everyday" hat. It has seen its share of snow and rain and still looks great. Biltmore is my favorite contemporary mass-production hatmaker. I think you'll like it!

 

[CdnDandy]

Looks nice - good pickup! Make sure you post pics once it gets to you!

 

[jdbenson]

Rebash or Keep as is?

What do you guys think? I believe it's a center dent, and I'm much more partial to C-crowns/teardrops. I'm tempted to rebash it into a teardrop, swap out the band for a thin ribbon and make it into an OR clone..

 

[indycop]

If you don't have a center dent maybe give it a chance and see if you like it that way before changing it. might decide you like it!

 

[johnnycanuck]

Center dent looks nice. I have this hat in black. Its my dress hat. Only thing I found was it does not take rain very will. The brim on mine curled up something fierce after a downpour. So I would recommend giving it a shot of Scotch Guard on a regular basis or some other kind of weather protectant. Enjoy your new hat.
Johnny

 

[epic610]

My everyday hat...

is a "Lord Biltmore Custom Bilt" in navy w/ 2" brim.

Virtually indestructible; always looks good. wish they were all so sturdy.

 

[tandmark]

Howdy,

Excellent! Score!

While I nearly never waterproof my hats, Johnnycanuck's experience with this particular model of hat makes me second his suggestion.

But -- since he's got a black one & yours is more of a tan/brown, there's no guarantee that yours will react to the spray-on waterproofer in quite the same way his did. So find a relatively hidden patch of felt to test what happens when you spray it.

For what it's worth, there are other brands of spray-on waterproofing besides Scotchgard. I seem to recall using Thompson's WaterSeal Leather & Fabric Protector the last time, mostly because I use it a lot on camping gear. So it happened to be at hand.

On the other hand, a hat shop like Batsakes might well sell other brands, specially formulated to protect good felt.

All this means is that you've got options, depending on whether you want to go with what's available, or with a product that claims to be just for hats.

And if someone tries to sell you a spray that's been made since the Renaissance by Belgian monks, in tiny batches the size of the unicorn horn they use as a vat, with special formulations for beaver felt, rabbit felt, and buffalo felt, each aerosol can personally blessed by the Archbishop of Narnia, then you should smile, nod, and slowly back out the door. lol

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Edward]

Good score. My first fur felt hat was (still is!) a black biltmore with a tear drop crown. Lovely hat, very pleased with it.

 

[Red McCutcheon]

d

I've got a Biltmore with a center dent and I love it. Wouldn't change a thing about it. Haven't experienced a downpour in it yet, though.

 

[jdbenson]

Jonesing

Thanks for the feedback everyone (especially Mark and Johnnycanuck)! I can't wait for my lid to arrive. I'm jonesing like a madman!

I figure when it arrives I'll check it over to see if it needs anything more than a brushing. I'm too new at this to think I could actually clean it myself. If it's too bad, I'll go to Batsakes and have them fix it up for me.