Optimo south side mobsters

[drmaxtejeda]

Optimo... Zephyr? That is what the seller called it. In Optimo's site they have Light Weight felts, and that's what I think this is.
It has wonderful felt, on par with my vintage Willoughby Tuxedo and my John the hatter
Thin, soft, and with an excellent, smooth hand. Obedient, without being floppy.
Very, very nice. I think this is my favorite Optimo felt, and it is actually cheaper than the others

 

[deadlyhandsome]

View attachment 278319 View attachment 278320 View attachment 278319 View attachment 278320 View attachment 278321 View attachment 278322 View attachment 278323 View attachment 278324 View attachment 278325 Optimo... Zephyr? That is what the seller called it. In Optimo's site they have Light Weight felts, and that's what I think this is.
It has wonderful felt, on par with my vintage Willoughby Tuxedo and my John the hatter
Thin, soft, and with an excellent, smooth hand. Obedient, without being floppy.
Very, very nice. I think this is my favorite Optimo felt, and it is actually cheaper than the others

I like this hat a lot, Max. It seems to be blocked with less taper than I’m used to seeing in Optimos. What’s the brim width? Looks nice and wide: my kind of hat!

 

[DaveProc]

I have a quick question to our Optimo experts. How was the quality of Optimo hats in the earlier 2000s, around 2007? Does it differ from the current hats. If so, how? Asking for a friend.
Thank you.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I have a quick question to our Optimo experts. How was the quality of Optimo hats in the earlier 2000s, around 2007? Does it differ from the current hats. If so, how? Asking for a friend.
Thank you.

A question tailor-made for Max @drmaxtejeda

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I have a quick question to our Optimo experts. How was the quality of Optimo hats in the earlier 2000s, around 2007? Does it differ from the current hats. If so, how? Asking for a friend.
Thank you.

They are quite different, Dave. The felt wasn't always 100 percent beaver back then. I stopped buying any Optimo that does not have a yellow liner. The hand is rougher, and the finishes, although still good, are not as nice. The models and the colors of the ones I have are also less nice. The difference is quite noticeable.

 

[jlee562]

I don't recall the exact year they switched over, but at a certain point, they started using all beaver felts (not withstanding runs of mink and what not. Mine is from 2011, and though I don't necessarily have any documentation to prove the fur felt content, I am quite certain mine is a beaver/hare blend.

 

[daizawaguy]

Thats interesting - I have two from 2008 or so, the first is their satin finish and superb, and the second, a flecked, is quite standard. Their linings are outclassed by Hornskov in my opinion. See their hats are now $1250 for something quite standard. Are all their felts from Fepsa right? Maybe limited runs, but the same can be has for 1/4 the price right?

 

[DaveProc]

They are quite different, Dave. The felt wasn't always 100 percent beaver back then. I stopped buying any Optimo that does not have a yellow liner. The hand is rougher, and the finishes, although still good, are not as nice. The models and the colors of the ones I have are also less nice. The difference is quite noticeable.

Thank you Doc. Your input is most appreciated.

 

[jlee562]

Thats interesting - I have two from 2008 or so, the first is their satin finish and superb, and the second, a flecked, is quite standard. Their linings are outclassed by Hornskov in my opinion. See their hats are now $1250 for something quite standard. Are all their felts from Fepsa right? Maybe limited runs, but the same can be has for 1/4 the price right?

Yes and no. The $1250 heirloom felts are true silverbelly (that is, just the belly fur) that are dyed. That's not the same as a 'regular' beaver body. Optimo also decatizes their hats for better durability.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Yes and no. The $1250 heirloom felts are true silverbelly (that is, just the belly fur) that are dyed. That's not the same as a 'regular' beaver body. Optimo also decatizes their hats for better durability.

Graham told me over the phone he is thinking of going only silverbelly from now on.
I have an Optimo Gunsmoke I bought two years ago that has some mink in it, and it cost the same as the silverbelly heirloom felts. I like the feel of the pure silverbelly better.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Thats interesting - I have two from 2008 or so, the first is their satin finish and superb, and the second, a flecked, is quite standard. Their linings are outclassed by Hornskov in my opinion. See their hats are now $1250 for something quite standard. Are all their felts from Fepsa right? Maybe limited runs, but the same can be has for 1/4 the price right?

Do you have a heirloom felt hat in hand? I don't think mine are "quite standard".

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thats interesting - I have two from 2008 or so, the first is their satin finish and superb, and the second, a flecked, is quite standard. Their linings are outclassed by Hornskov in my opinion. See their hats are now $1250 for something quite standard. Are all their felts from Fepsa right? Maybe limited runs, but the same can be has for 1/4 the price right?

It’s the price that keeps me from considering them. If cost wasn’t a concern I’m sure I’d have a couple, but in my reality I’ll probably stick with other custom hatters and just keep admiring Optimos from afar.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Oh! I forgot to mention my new Rex is magnificent. That is Orylag fur.

 

[belfastboy]

Oh! I forgot to mention my new Rex is magnificent. That is Orylag fur.

The "Orylag" always strikes me as a great name and should be out of JRR Tolkein book. Kind of a peaceful Orc.

 

[belfastboy]

It’s the price that keeps me from considering them. If cost wasn’t a concern I’m sure I’d have a couple, but in my reality I’ll probably stick with other custom hatters and just keep admiring Optimos from afar.

When this (if ever) Covid thing passes I plan a trip to Chicago, will def drop into Optimo and pay my respects and will look at their offering. There just might be a colour that tips me over into YES. But I do bring my scepticism to the table.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I like this hat a lot, Max. It seems to be blocked with less taper than I’m used to seeing in Optimos. What’s the brim width? Looks nice and wide: my kind of hat!

That's because it is a custom job, Brent. Optimo's standard models have more taper and less brim width. On top of that, this one was too large for me, so it was reblocked by Ignacio to my specifications.
They can make any design you want. You just have to send them pictures, although they have a surcharge for that.
Graham is making a new copy of Alan's Stack for me in white beaver felt, and threw it in as a gift.
I hope to receive that and my restored MacLachlan Golden Beaver Hundred next week. It has taken a long time, partly because I asked the MacLachlan crest be on the sweatband, and a special die had to be made for that.
Here are some pictures.
The first is of the White Beaver, and the rest are of my MacLachlan restoration.
The last two pics are of the original color of the ribbon. It had faded to brown, but was black inside, so I asked for a new black one

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Here are some pictures of the new sweatband. Pics of the original, which was unusable, will be in the following post

 

[drmaxtejeda]

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.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

When this (if ever) Covid thing passes I plan a trip to Chicago, will def drop into Optimo and pay my respects and will look at their offering. There just might be a colour that tips me over into YES. But I do bring my scepticism to the table.

Hahaha. You will leave the store with a purchase, and leave your scepticism on the front steps.
I have 30 Optimos, and I keep saying the next one will be the last.

 

[belfastboy]

Hahaha. You will leave the store with a purchase, and leave your scepticism on the front steps.
I have 30 Optimos, and I keep saying the next one will be the last.

Yes, the chances of buying heightened by my lack of will power in the face of a hat. I have a natural scepticism but am willing to change my mind when presented with the evidence. I have been to Chicago numerous times but it was before my hat collecting days. Great city.