restoration recommendation

[gtdean48]

Hello all - wanted to say thanks for letting me in & the lounge is either going to save me money from not buying any more hats that I am dissatisfied with or have me spending way too much on the good ones! I have already ordered a Campdraft as I am an avid vintage OR fan, got one from my grandfather but he was 7 3/8 where I was once 7 3/8 extra long oval, now a 7 5/8! I also have a Borso Allessandro, a vintage Stetson 25, a Royal DeLuxe & a recent OR that I tried to rebash from the Cattleman crease to a teardrop. It unfortunately didn't turn out like I wanted & became a chore hat & took a trip under my bushhog! It is still a good chore hat.

I have 2 older Stetsons that I like restored = cleaned, new liner & sweatband & blocked to either open crown so I can bash or a tear drop/C/diamond style.
I live north of Atlanta & have used Catalina Hatters in Texas & Shorties in OKC. I have quite a few cowboy brims since I used to show AQHA & NRHA.
Thanks again...gtd

 

[duggap]

It is getting harder and harder to find someone who does restoration. I don't know anything about the western hat makers but for fedoras most of the folks around here use Optimo hats in Chicago. They give his work a lot of praise and his prices are real reasonable for restoration work. Do a search on Optimo here on the Lounge. Good luck with your hats.

 

[gtdean48]

Renovation Service of Optimo Hats

MANY thanks...googled them & read up on their renovation service which sounds exactly what i am look for. Now, to prioritize which one to do first so I can save up to get the other one done...gtd

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the lounge GT!
You can not go wrong with a Campdraft!!! Super fedora !!!!
We have a great number of custom hatters here that would be glad to help you build one of your own!!!!

 

[carter]

GT, I wore a Stevens Pacesetter yesterday that Jimmy Pierce did a full restoration on. Take a look at this thread.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=20565

 

[gtdean48]

I saw that Mr. Carter = very nice work. I found his website & phone number. His hat repair page is Under Construction, so I'll call about his pricing & such. MANY thanks! gtd

 

[Razzman]

I have to agree with RBH. There are some great hatters here on the Lounge.
Art Fawcett, Majormoore with Buckaroo Hatters, JPDesigns just to mention a few. They all do great work.

 

[gtdean48]

Thanks Razzman = I'll be checking out the websites that I can locate & do my due diligence!