Maclachlin and Dobbs Review

[fedoralover]

I just got those 2 hats I bought off ebay. A Maclachlin, and a vintage Dobbs 20. Both are excellant examples of what quality vintage hats are. Both hats are in excellent condition. The Dobbs is in my opinion a higher quality hat because it has some features that the Mac does not.

They are as follows: a Cavanagh or guilded edge, a double bow with hidden stitches that hold it and the ribbon on, a wind string and the extra piece of viscose lining behind the leather sweatband. However the Mac does have the top stitched sweatband which is a sign of high quality. And the felt is a beautiful brown with a nice sheen to it.

As far as the felt goes, at first I thought the Dobbs was also better, but after I cleaned them both and reshaped them, I would say it is a real toss-up. both are extremely soft and creamy to the touch. The Mac is a bit lighter weight and has a 2 1/2 inch brim and a 5 1/2 inch crown while the Dobbs is 2 3/4 inches.with a 5 3/4 inch crown.

The only draw back is that the Mac was listed as a 7 1/4 but the tag says it's 7 1/8. I'm going to try a stretch it some and see what happens. If it doesn't hold the extra size I may put it up for sale.

After seeing some new fedora's last week in Seattle at Bernie Utz's and seeing the price tag of $225 to $400 for the Borsalino's, I would strongly recommend to anyone here not to bother with any off the shelf hats. Even the stetsons were $137.00. If you want a quality hat you have to get them from Optimo, Art or another custom hatter.
Even if you pay up to $100. or so to get a vintage one on ebay, it is still the best deal in town. Only custom hatters make them like they used to.


my 2 cents worth. regards fedoralover

 

[jamespowers]

Re: Maclauklin and Dobbs Review

Originally posted by fedoralover
I just got those 2 hats I bought off ebay. A Maclauklin, and a vintage Dobbs 20. Both are excellant examples of what quality vintage hats are. Both hats are in excellent condition. The Dobbs is in my opinion a higher quality hat because it has some features that the Mac does not.

They are as follows: a Cavanagh or guilded edge, a double bow with hidden stitches that hold it and the ribbon on, a wind string and the extra piece of viscose lining behind the leather sweatband. However the Mac does have the top stitched sweatband which is a sign of high quality. And the felt is a beautiful brown with a nice sheen to it.

As far as the felt goes, at first I thought the Dobbs was also better, but after I cleaned them both and reshaped them, I would say it is a real toss-up. both are extremely soft and creamy to the touch. The Mac is a bit lighter weight and has a 2 1/2 inch brim and a 5 1/2 inch crown while the Dobbs is 2 3/4 inches.with a 5 3/4 inch crown.

The only draw back is that the Mac was listed as a 7 1/4 but the tag says it's 7 1/8. I'm going to try a stretch it some and see what happens. If it doesn't hold the extra size I may put it up for sale.

After seeing some new fedora's last week in Seattle at Bernie Utz's and seeing the price tag of $225 to $400 for the Borsalino's, I would strongly recommend to anyone here not to bother with any off the shelf hats. Even the stetsons were $137.00. If you want a quality hat you have to get them from Optimo, Art or another custom hatter.
Even if you pay up to $100. or so to get a vintage one on ebay, it is still the best deal in town. Only custom hatters make them like they used to.


my 2 cents worth. regards fedoralover

Thanks for the review. I have a Dobbs 15 & 20 coming in the mail Wednesday. I hope mine are as nice as you make yours sound.
I will let you know when I get them in my greedy little hands. LOL LOL

Regards to all,

J

 

[Andykev]

Originally posted by fedoralover

If you want a quality hat you have to get them from Optimo, Art or another custom hatter.
Even if you pay up to $100. or so to get a vintage one on ebay, it is still the best deal in town. Only custom hatters make them like they used to.

I have to strongly disagree with you about the vintage hats on Ebay. Don't even bother to look there, especially any 30-40's hat in 7 3/8.

No, really! I think you made the deal of the month with those two hats. I STRONGLY suggest you have the McLachlan professionally resized and a quality sweat band in your size put in.

Graham won't like the checkered red and white liner (he said so on mine).

Did you find any markings or stampings to indicate if it perhaps is a "silver beaver 50"?

 

[fedoralover]

Well Andy, I'm not sure what you mean about not finding nice quality vintage hats on ebay. I have gotten most of mine from there and still continue to find nice ones. I would take a vintage stetson whippet over a new borsalino any day. You just have to be patient, ask the right questions and be careful to check the sellers feedback. But hey, that's just me.

And no I did not see any markings on the inside of the Mac to indicate it's beaver content. The plaid liner is indeed interesting. It is a very, very nice hat, except for one small scuff mark on the sweat band you would think it was brand new.

regards fedoralover

 

[Nathan Flowers]

He wants you to stay away from the vintage hats on ebay in 7 3/8 because that is his size! LOL

I agree, you got a terrific deal on those hats.

 

[Andykev]

Kudos

Well Fedoralover, at least Zohar got my tounge in cheek jest ......there is too much competition on Ebay now for the good stuff....

I got MOST of my very best hats from Ebay, but I started 5 years ago. I have to admit that there has been a general decline in "quality" hats. You again got the buy of the month. That used to be ALL the hats on Ebay. It's now been "discovered". Hummmmm.. wonder how that happened?

You are very lucky. And I agree 100% with your entire post, just joking about leaving MY SIZE alone!

 

[jamespowers]

I should also warn you that you will not find any decent vintage 7 5/8 hats on eBay. Don't even bother looking. They all stink like cigars and have rips in them. Just stay away from them. LOL LOL LOL
You kill me AndyKev. Have you seen this one yet? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14065&item=8114279417&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW or maybe this one is more your style:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14065&item=8113783607&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
They are both your perfect size. You can thank me later. LOL LOL

Regards to all,

J

 

[fedoralover]

Boy, I usually pic up on sarcastic wit, as that is what I'm known for around my house. For some reason it didn't register. I should have known better.

I started about the same time as you Andy and I have all I could ever need and I figure that if some newbie on here can't afford a new custom, let them have the ones on ebay, my size or not. I just couldn't pass on these even though I didn't really need them. I guess that's why they call it an addiction.

regards fedoralover

 

[jamespowers]

Dear Fedoralover,

I think I understand your addiction and most here would as well. It is pretty hard finding a decent vintage hat on eBay though. When you can, you might as well buy it--especially if it is a 7 3/8. Buy all you want. No one here cares. LOL
Try finding a decent 7 7/8. Now that is tough. I don't mention the 7 5/8 because they are all moth eaten, linerless, low quality sops so you all do not need to search for them. LOL LOL LOL

Regards to all,

J

P.S. I wonder how long I can stretch this 7 5/8 thing. :cool2:

 

[Andykev]

WATCH IT FELLA!

I just looked at the top hat. It, I am sorry to say, is in poor condition, and looks faded. I would pass. I have already a Rogers Peet collapseable top hat, in my size, and in MINT condition. I also have a "hard" top hat, a Christy's beaver top hat. I wear it on Feb. 2, which is "Ground Hog Day".

I had it sent over from Jolly Old England. Hey Paddy, do you ever get downtown London? You can be our field correspondent with reports on the 300 year old hat companies!

The derby, is the Stetson Standard quality, but it has the stampings of the Factory Store *Chestnut Street Address*

It might be fine. I had a Cavanagh derby, but Art has it now (big fat trader I am).

 

[fedoralover]

Well I stretched the Mac and now it fits perfect, so needless to say I will be keeping it. I have a vintage wooden hat stretcher in a size 7 1/4 that puts pressure on all the way around the crown. I"ve found that if I put just a little stretch on it and then steam it, that gives me the extra size up I need. I've experimented with this technique and for sizing up 1 size it works well and it seems to hold. However if you put too much pressure on it and steam it, it will create a bulge around the bottom of the crown. I have experimented on some work hats to see the limits of this technique and have successfully done it several times now.

regards fedoralover

 

[jamespowers]

Originally posted by Andykev
WATCH IT FELLA!

I just looked at the top hat. It, I am sorry to say, is in poor condition, and looks faded. I would pass. I have already a Rogers Peet collapseable top hat, in my size, and in MINT condition. I also have a "hard" top hat, a Christy's beaver top hat. I wear it on Feb. 2, which is "Ground Hog Day".

I had it sent over from Jolly Old England. Hey Paddy, do you ever get downtown London? You can be our field correspondent with reports on the 300 year old hat companies!

The derby, is the Stetson Standard quality, but it has the stampings of the Factory Store *Chestnut Street Address*

It might be fine. I had a Cavanagh derby, but Art has it now (big fat trader I am).

Dear AndyKev,

Gee, I was only trying to help. You looked a lot closer at those two hats than I did. Hmmmmm. LOL
Now that I looked closer, I can see what you mean. You were lucky to find a nice collapsable mint top hat. I see them in my size once in a while but I cannot justify buying one because I doubt I will wear it. People might make fun of me. :cry: :cry: LOL
Call me dumb (I can't wait. ), but I do not understand the significance the Stetson address. Does that mean it was produced before their closure in 1970?
A cavanagh derby? Interesting. I don't think I have ever seen one of those. Did it have a cavanagh edge?
I prefer to think of you as a "stocky" trader. LOL

Regards to all,

J

P.S. No hats were harmed in the above message.

 

[jamespowers]

Hat for AndyKev

Ok Andy,

What do you think about this one?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14065&item=8115038737&rd=1

I am trying my best for you here.


Regards to all,

J

 

[Andykev]

Orville & Wilbur look not for me!

Stetson had a factory store on Chestnut street. It was basically their headquarters sales office.

No, don't look good in derby's. Thx.

 

[jamespowers]

Re: Orville & Wilbur look not for me!

Originally posted by Andykev
Stetson had a factory store on Chestnut street. It was basically their headquarters sales office.

No, don't look good in derby's. Thx.

Ok, how about this one? : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=52369&item=8114620962&rd=1
This would look great on you. :cool2: I could always help you see how it would look on you again. LOL
I am going to find something you will like if it kills me. LOL LOL

Regards to all,

J

P.S. This can be an instructive excercise as well. Your critiques are always interesting about what ever I find. I am always learning something

 

[Andykev]

Re: Re: Orville & Wilbur look not for me!

Originally posted by jamespowers
I am going to find something you will like if it kills me.

I appreciate your "shopping" for me, but I have one already, and in fact at one time had almost two of everything. I have now reduced my collection to about 60 hats (oops, make it one more, I bought one at Art's shop today).

I am not really into buying too many more hats, unless it is flawless, and unique.

Todays hat was a Resistol dress hat in a beautiful blue grey, and it was vintage dead stock, unworn, new, with paper tags inside. Bought it on the spot.

 

[jamespowers]

Re: Re: Re: Orville & Wilbur look not for me!

Originally posted by Andykev
I appreciate your "shopping" for me, but I have one already, and in fact at one time had almost two of everything. I have now reduced my collection to about 60 hats (oops, make it one more, I bought one at Art's shop today).

I am not really into buying too many more hats, unless it is flawless, and unique.

Todays hat was a Resistol dress hat in a beautiful blue grey, and it was vintage dead stock, unworn, new, with paper tags inside. Bought it on the spot.

Now that was a find there. Where are the pictures? :cool2:
Ok, I will leave well enough alone. Sixty hats...er ah Sixty one is probably enough. You can't say I didn't try though. LOL
Now if I could only find a 7 7/8 for ole Hatless Dave. :cry:

Regards to all,

J

 

[Canadave]

Originally posted by jamespowers
...Try finding a decent 7 7/8. Now that is tough.

Yes, PLEASE try, and let me know when you do!

David

 

[jamespowers]

Originally posted by Canadave
Yes, PLEASE try, and let me know when you do!

David

This is the best I can do so far is:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8115327814&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
What do you think?

Regards to all,

J

 

[Canadave]

Originally posted by jamespowers
This is the best I can do so far is:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8115327814&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

It's nice, but I already emailed the guy, and he says it measures 22". I'm not sure where he gets the idea it's a 7 3/4.

David