Those of you who have been around for a time may remember that I some time ago purchased and received a 500X silver belly from Charlie. Upon receipt of this visually dazzling hat, I posted pictures and my impressions of it. While I was generally pleased with my new GH lid, I became progressively more concerned with an unappealing stiffness that marked the brim. Being a bit of a hat tyro, I talked with select forum members, who I knew had far more hat experience than I, and was informed that while quality beaver felt is generally rather stiffer than, say, nutria or fur blends, a beaver dress fedora should still possess an attractive softness.
Well, as it happens, this hat made a circuitous route, consisting of several layovers, back to Charlie, who graciously consented to build another for me; although, from what I had gathered from his emails and posts elsewhere, he was not in agreement that a quality beaver hat should have the tactile qualities that I commissioned, and that might be expected in a hare, nutria, or fur blend. This being said, Charlie is quite able to speak for himself, and so I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll not belabor the point.
Today I received the replacement hat, which meets perfectly the commissioned specs. It is every bit as visually attractive as the original, but the felt, while substantial, is soft and pliable, and communicates a rakish dishabille and sartorial insouciance. This is the hat that was dreamed of.
To those fine and knowledgeable and generous gentlemen who assisted me throughout this project, and who will, for reasons that they?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll understand, remain unidentified, thank you. Your desire to assist others in the promotion of hat knowledge and acquisition is most admirable and greatly appreciated.
I would also thank Charlie for his demonstration of infinite patience in dealing with my lack of hat experience, and for this very fine hat. While a lack of adequate communication (mostly on my part) may have necessitated the construction of a new hat, Charlie was every bit a gentleman and professional throughout the process. I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m confident that given the no-charge replacement, Charlie incurred a considerable cost. Overall, this was a very satisfactory commission.
Well, as it happens, this hat made a circuitous route, consisting of several layovers, back to Charlie, who graciously consented to build another for me; although, from what I had gathered from his emails and posts elsewhere, he was not in agreement that a quality beaver hat should have the tactile qualities that I commissioned, and that might be expected in a hare, nutria, or fur blend. This being said, Charlie is quite able to speak for himself, and so I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll not belabor the point.
Today I received the replacement hat, which meets perfectly the commissioned specs. It is every bit as visually attractive as the original, but the felt, while substantial, is soft and pliable, and communicates a rakish dishabille and sartorial insouciance. This is the hat that was dreamed of.
To those fine and knowledgeable and generous gentlemen who assisted me throughout this project, and who will, for reasons that they?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll understand, remain unidentified, thank you. Your desire to assist others in the promotion of hat knowledge and acquisition is most admirable and greatly appreciated.
I would also thank Charlie for his demonstration of infinite patience in dealing with my lack of hat experience, and for this very fine hat. While a lack of adequate communication (mostly on my part) may have necessitated the construction of a new hat, Charlie was every bit a gentleman and professional throughout the process. I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m confident that given the no-charge replacement, Charlie incurred a considerable cost. Overall, this was a very satisfactory commission.