One for the Road...

[jimmy the lid]

The Open Road, that is. I had been on the lookout for a 3X OR, and finally found one. If someone were to tell me that this would be the only hat I could wear from here on out, I would be A-OK with that. This felt is just amazing -- medium thickness, smooth, pliable. This lid arrived in essentially open crown condition -- the top had been dented for the auction photographs. If I grab the crown and give it a squeeze, the felt retains whatever shape I happen to apply. It's just hard to imagine wanting more from a vintage felt. Having done some digging here on the Lounge, I found that Steve Delk (Fedora) has had a similar reaction to the Stetson 3x, and I know that Douglas is a big fan. I'm just really impressed by this felt.

One interesting feature of this lid is that there is a two-tone ribbon treatment -- the edge binding, wind cord and wind cord button are done in a light tan, while the crown ribbon is done in a light green. Cool look.

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Colby Jack]

Gorgeous Jimmy!...I wonder if the Akubra Campdraft responds the same....

 

[carter]

Jimmy, You have done well! That is a beautiful Open Road. I am a big fan of the 3X as well and that one is in better condition than any of mine. Great Lid! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[DOUGLAS]

Absolutely beautiful!!! Perfect in every way.

 

[Tango Yankee]

Great catch, Jimmy!

I really like the two-tone look of the ribbon and edge binding, etc, too! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Cheers,
Tom

 

[fatwoul]

Very handsome.

When you say that the felt takes whatever shape you give it, what stops it from changing into crazy shapes while you wear it? Just careful wearing?

I guess you are probably much more careful with your hats than I am with mine. That's why I haven't commissioned my custom hat yet. I'm not ready. I'm not mature enough.

 

[RBH]

SWEET!

 

[woodsie]

Akubra Campdraft

Gorgeous Jimmy!...I wonder if the Akubra Campdraft responds the same....

Colby,
Just received a Campdraft in Carbon Gray 2 days ago. The felt is somewhat malleable, I'd say medium firm. The brim is the same, and essentially both can be shaped to one's liking, not as easily as a vintage Borsalino, however. If I could shape everything I'm fond of to my liking, I might still be married.

 

[indycop]

Good looking hat!!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

Nice pick-up

Very nice lid dude.

 

[Razzman]

Great looking hat. Definately a keeper.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Nigel]

A beautiful OR, I have been unfortunate to miss out on the ones I bid on this year. I will save my cash once more and get one eventually.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Many thanks for the kind words, Gents!

I hesitated before posting this lid, since we all already know what an Open Road looks like. But I thought it might be interesting to trade thoughts on the felt, since the 3X is very different from the Royal Stetson or Royal Stetson Deluxe ORs I have experienced. The 3X is definitely a more robust felt, and I could easily see it holding up to steady use over a long period of time. I have two Royal Stetson Deluxe OR's that I think of more in terms of being dress hats, since the felt is thinner/lighter in nature (though still smooth and supple).

Another thing I find interesing is that, since my best guess is that this lid dates from the Sixties, there was still some pretty nice felt being put out by Stetson during that decade.

Colby Jack -- the felt on the Campdraft does not really respond in the same way -- it is not as smooth and malleable, though the Campdraft still a nice lid.

Fatwoul -- I'm certain this OR would hold a shape pretty darn well on its own, though it certainly might change a bit depending on how the hat was handled. I'm sure there are plenty of Loungers who prefer to have the hat be a bit dynamic in its look and so would simply shape it by hand. As for me, I prefer to set the shape by using a bit of steam (as lightly and sparingly as possible). For me, it helps to elevate the crown so that it's not sitting on my head (which I like to avoid).

Cheers,
JtL

 

[Technonut]

Great hat... :eusa_clap I REALLY like how the crown / side dents look.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Thanks, Technonut!

Cheers,
JtL

 

[carouselvic]

3X Open Road

Jimmy I think you have let the cat out of the bag!! I figured the fewer people who knew how good these 3Xs actually are the less competition on ebay. That is in extra fine condition. I think you are right on about approximate age. Do the labels under the sweat carry the Philadelphia address?
I bought my first vintage hat in 1970 from a friend's dad. It was a Stevens that he had been given as a gift. He did not like the crease so he had it re-blocked before ever wearing it. The cleaner shrank it a little so he never ever wore it. One day my friend and I found these two hats in the closet wrapped in plastic. He asked his dad if he would part with them, He gave his son a Stetson and I bought the Stevens, I think $3.00. He told me that hat was older than I was. He said the exact year (early 1950's). He also told me that Stevens now had bought out Stetson and that the quality of that 3X far exceeded the higher X rated hats being sold presently in the stores. He was 100% right about every thing he told me. I now wear vintage hats almost exclusively. My newest Stetson is probably from the 70's.
I don't know who much you paid, but you got a very fine hat. You can not go down town and buy one off the shelf like it. I know I pay premium prices for the ones that I can't live without. Prices are rising daily. But in this world of rising prices isn't it nice to know that writing paper has remained stationary?

Victor

 

[jimmy the lid]

So, another 3X fan, eh?

Do the labels under the sweat carry the Philadelphia address?

Not on this one -- but then again, one of my vintage Whippets doesn't have the Philly sticker either. My understanding is that the Philly sticker indicates that the hat was actually made at Stetson's Philadelphia plant -- but maybe someone out there has better info.


Cheers,
JtL

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

That"s a great lid! Yep, I have a 3X, and it's my favorite Open Road too.