Miller Quality?

[Scary Mc]

I have the oppurtunity to purchase a few gently worn Millers and was wondering about the weather durability and felt quality of the hats. One is the Baldwin and the other is the open crowned Raider.

~Thanks

 

[Duck]

I have a old Miller cowboy hat that I have worn for years. I mainly wear it now for Cowboy Action Shooting, and it has held up to everything I have handed out.

 

[jimmy the lid]

I have the oppurtunity to purchase a few gently worn Millers and was wondering about the weather durability and felt quality of the hats. One is the Baldwin and the other is the open crowned Raider.

~Thanks

The Baldwin should be a nice hat. It is made by Biltmore and is the President quality felt. I own a Trenton from Miller -- also a Biltmore in the President felt -- and it is a very nice hat. Feels and looks great and has held up very nicely.

I recently acquired my first Open Road, a Royal Stetson. I am actually struck by how much the Biltmore President quality felt is extremely close in look and feel to the Royal Stetson.

Cheers,
Jimmy

 

[Johnnysan]

I agree with Jimmy...the Baldwin is an outstanding hat. As has been stated, Miller Hats are produced by Biltmore. I have three of them...two with Biltmore liners and the third with a Miller. They are my everyday hats and have seen it all - rain or shine. They hold up remarkably well and are a bargain even at full price. In my humble opinion, Biltmore is the best production dress hat on the market today.

 

[Scary Mc]

Any opinions on the Raider?

 

[Johnnysan]

According to the Miller Hat's site, the Raider is a "President Finish Fur Felt" - the same as my Baldwin. This is one of Biltmore's better grades of felt and several steps up from their entry level felts. I couldn't be happier with my Baldwin and based on the quality of it...I would buy a Raider without hesitation. It's a good looking hat!

 

[Fatdutchman]

I have one. The Miller "Raider". In the shaping process (done only with water), the hat shrunk and tapered like mad. It actually was shrinking right before my very eyes! The more I messed with it, the worse it got. The felt does mould beautifully, though...however, an advantage far outweighed by the shrinking! I have heard similar reports (only after buying mine, of course!!!:rage: ) from members of the COW board. If I were to advise, I would advise against purchase, unless they were just almost giving it away.

 

[PeeWee]

I have two Miller Baldwins and two Miller Raider 351's(factory teardrop) They all are in the President Finish felt. Two of these hats have been completely wet with no apparent shrinkage...Now, the Miller Smooth Finish fur felt is a whole different kind of horse. I have another hat in the Smooth Finish and after that one got wet I couldn't get it to fit my Pug. Just my personal opinion, but I love my Miller Hats in their best felt. The open crown Raider is going to be my next hat I buy in the fall.

Anybody got any of the Miller Straws? How do you like them?

 

[RBH]

Anybody got any of the Miller Straws? How do you like them?

I have the Logan
http://www.millerhats.com/straw2b.htm
But I replaced the ribbon with a 3\8's ribbon of my own.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=9651&highlight=logan

And to answer, I really like my Miller straw. It has the shape I like and with the ribbon change, the ribbon style. I'm sure there are 'better' straws to be had. But for the money and the crown style, I like it. I also have a white Logan,
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/3113/hpim1025ht6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>
the white straw is soft whereas the brown is a stiff straw.
And yes, I replaced the ribbon on this one also!

hope this helps ya out!

 

[Adam_H]

I've owned a Raider for 7 years, worn it in heavy rain, crushed it on airplanes and theater seats, and it keeps its shape well.
My only complaint is its felt is heavy and thick, and therefore weighs more, and is stiffer, than a more expensive felt hat (like the beloved Borsi).
I would guess that its durability is due to its stiffness.
I just love it. It looks great with tweed or olive drab or leather or even denim. I wear it dressy, I wear it cazh.
I recommend it. If they were 'giving them away' I'd say take more.

 

[PeeWee]

I have the Logan
http://www.millerhats.com/straw2b.htm
But I replaced the ribbon with a 3\8's ribbon of my own.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=9651&highlight=logan

And to answer, I really like my Miller straw. It has the shape I like and with the ribbon change, the ribbon style. I'm sure there are 'better' straws to be had. But for the money and the crown style, I like it. I also have a white Logan,
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/3113/hpim1025ht6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>
the white straw is soft whereas the brown is a stiff straw.
And yes, I replaced the ribbon on this one also!

hope this helps ya out!

Thanks RBH...you're looks great with the new ribbon. Photo shows better straw details than the Miller site. I'm going to try one. Thanks again, Al