Old Sweatbands wanted

[ScottF]

I have recently begun re-building a couple of old hats, lacking only a suitable sweatband. Anyone out there saving their old sweatbands, with any interest in selling some?

 

[zetwal]

What exactly are you looking for?

 

[Aureliano]

Sorry to intrude, I also have been looking for a sweat band. Knox Vagabond or any knox for that matter. Have one by chance?

 

[ScottF]

Sorry to intrude, I also have been looking for a sweat band. Knox Vagabond or any knox for that matter. Have one by chance?

Bingo - I'm primarily looking for a Knox also, for the 'Hat Project' thread I posted yesterday. The hat's ready and I have new bands on order, but would prefer a nice Knox. If I find a Knox, I'll send to Optimo; otherwise, I'll do the job myself and probably leave my hat crying.

I also have a Playboy that needs a new band - too nice a hat to do myself, but I would love to send a real Playboy band to Optimo for them to use...if they do that.

But basically, it just seems to me that will all the loungers saving their sweatbands from hats sent off for rebuilds, that some sort of trading network could exist.

 

[Aureliano]

Let's hope someone out there can make our hats happy.
Come on Knox!

 

[zetwal]

I'm sorry to say that I don't have what either of you guys are looking for. But your search and mention of Optimo bring to mind a recent conversation I had with them.

Only a few weeks ago I spoke with Optimo about replacing sweatbands on vintage hats. Have you ever spoken with them about it? In my own recent conversation they strongly recommended in favor of using one of their own new sweatbands rather than putting in another old one. The only stated exceptions were a) if it could be determined that the replacement sweatband had never ever been worn at all, or b) if the hat were destined to be sold or archived rather than actually worn. I can certainly understand the attraction of a complete restoration; I'm just reporting what I was told in this instance.

Interestingly, I was also advised by Optimo not to resize a hat up or down more than one size. They confirmed that it can be done but didn't think it particularly desireable for a number of reasons. Again, I'm simply reporting what I was just recently told by Optimo.

 

[Aureliano]

What you say makes sense. I've talked to Graham at Optimo and he said the same to me. I'd just love to see my hat fully restored.