Optimo south side mobsters

[drmaxtejeda]

Here are some pictures of the new sweatband. Pics of the original, which was unusable, will be in the following post View attachment 286591 View attachment 286592 View attachment 286593 View attachment 286594 View attachment 286595

I know this is the Optimo thread, but I was very pleased Graham agreed to restore my MacLachlan.
I am even more honored he stamped his name on the restoration.
I was very bummed out by the condition of the original sweatband, but the new sweatband, with the Mac crest, the "Golden Beaver Hundred", and the "Restored by Graham Thompson" stamps really make me feel better about it.
This is my dream hat.

 

[belfastboy]

I know this is the Optimo thread, but I was very pleased Graham agreed to restore my MacLachlan.
I am even more honored he stamped his name on the restoration.
I was very bummed out by the condition of the original sweatband, but the new sweatband, with the Mac crest, the "Golden Beaver Hundred", and the "Restored by Graham Thompson" stamps really make me feel better about it.
This is my dream hat.

I think if you have the wherewithal this is the proper way to restore a true vintage collectible hat. This sets the standard.

 

[daizawaguy]

Is Optimo doing refurbishing again? Or is that a special service for a special client? I sure do miss their refurbishment work...

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Graham told me he was thinking of doing refurbishing work if the hat is truly a collector's piece. He said I could send any of my hats for refurbishment, but he knows I will only send the ones that are worth it, because of the cost of sending them to and from Mexico.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I am a big fan of his, and told him so. To me, he's the Lionel Messi of hats.

 

[steur]

The original MacLachlan sweatband, and the design for the new die. It was simplified a little by Optimo's Alexander Utz, who is a graphic designer. He explained the simplification would give it a more defined look. View attachment 286596 View attachment 286597 View attachment 286598 View attachment 286599

Wow, Max. That is quite the restoration job. I can only admire your and Graham's dedication to get it right!

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Wow, Max. That is quite the restoration job. I can only admire your and Graham's dedication to get it right!

MacLachlans are my favorite hats, and I looked for that one for a long time. I didn't even know if it really existed. I found one out of the blue, and the felt is the best I have ever handled, and I've handled some good ones. The sweatband that identified it as the one I wanted was toast. I want it resurrected by the best modern hatter I know of. The cost was justified for this one.

 

[Just Daniel]

That’s very, very well done.

We have to get one for Ignacio.

View attachment 286604
I know this is the Optimo thread, but I was very pleased Graham agreed to restore my MacLachlan.
I am even more honored he stamped his name on the restoration.
I was very bummed out by the condition of the original sweatband, but the new sweatband, with the Mac crest, the "Golden Beaver Hundred", and the "Restored by Graham Thompson" stamps really make me feel better about it.
This is my dream hat.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

That’s very, very well done.

We have to get one for Ignacio.

Thank you, Daniél. (I put a tilde on your name to show I think of it in Spanish).

Ignacio told me he can have dies made, too.

 

[hatsRme]

Here are some pictures of the new sweatband. Pics of the original, which was unusable, will be in the following post View attachment 286591 View attachment 286592 View attachment 286593 View attachment 286594 View attachment 286595

Why was the original sweatband unusable, Max?

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Why was the original sweatband unusable, Max?

It came apart and tore all over, Charlie. I was so upset!

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Optimo restoration services

 

[hatsRme]

It came apart and tore all over, Charlie. I was so upset!

That’s most disappointing. I would keep the original one (stored with the hat) as a “show-and-tell” component of the hat, buttressing the integrity of this find.
Your effort and result in replicating the original debossment is absolutely valiant!

 

[drmaxtejeda]

That’s most disappointing. I would keep the original one (stored with the hat) as a “show-and-tell” component of the hat, buttressing the integrity of this find.
Your effort and result in replicating the original debossment is absolutely valiant!

You bet I am keeping it, Charlie! Restoring my hats is paramount to me.

 

[belfastboy]

I just received a notice from the Optimo Insiders Club offering Optimo hat brushes. I was interested as I like good quality brushes and need a new one. However, shocked to discover they are $125 each........I bought the $10 Supremo off Amazon instead. Blew the rest on a decent bottle of whisky.

 

[Hats Matter]

I just received a notice from the Optimo Insiders Club offering Optimo hat brushes. I was interested as I like good quality brushes and need a new one. However, shocked to discover they are $125 each........I bought the $10 Supremo off Amazon instead. Blew the rest on a decent bottle of whisky.

Many years ago when I was ordering my Optimo Hats through Carolyn Busch at Fino Fino in Menlo Park CA., Carolyn generously gifted my with two hats brushed gratis. I always enjoyed seeing Carolyn and Graham at her store in Menlo Park and miss her after she retired and closed the store in 2014. When I use those hat brushes I always think of Carolyn

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Optimo Bleached Beaver Silverbelly. A copy of Alan's Stack, since I can't get the original. . Pics of the Stack are Alan's, at the bottom.

 

[Just Daniel]

Very nice!!

Optimo Bleached Beaver Silverbelly. A copy of Alan's Stack, since I can't get the original. . Pics of the Stack are Alan's, at the bottom. View attachment 290493 View attachment 290494 View attachment 290495 View attachment 290496 View attachment 290497 View attachment 290498 View attachment 290499 View attachment 290500 View attachment 290501

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Optimo Bleached Beaver Silverbelly. A copy of Alan's Stack, since I can't get the original. . Pics of the Stack are Alan's, at the bottom. View attachment 290493 View attachment 290494 View attachment 290495 View attachment 290496 View attachment 290497 View attachment 290498 View attachment 290499 View attachment 290500 View attachment 290501

Beautiful, Max. What are the specs of the hat?

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Beautiful, Max. What are the specs of the hat?

The brim is 2 3/4”. The crown height is 5 5/8” as creased, 5” at the highest point. The ribbon is 2 1/8” wide.