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Stefan, Great comparisons! I need to look over your posts more closely when I find time.
Nice comparison. I really like that tobacco colour.Some modern brown Stetson fedoras.
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Left front is a Noble in mink, center back is a Bogie in tobacco, on the right is a Raleigh in mink.
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It's amazing how subtle the effect is between the hats. It took me a long time to figure it out. The Noble just works with a brown horsehide jacket. Nails it. The Bogie is more dress up and really complements a black leather jacket. If I'm out super-casual wearing a $39 fleece jacket from Cabela's, the Raleigh is perfect. On the head, the Raleigh has just a touch of a cowboy curl, which you wouldn't expect reading the description in the Stetson catalog.
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I know we're getting into straw weather, but all three are still getting pretty continuous wear.
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Don't know why I didn't see this one before, but very nice comparison, Randy. I think I'd go for the C&K, but mainly because I like that it has a woven brim edge.Brothers from different mothers – A Modern Stetson Centerdent (left) and a vintage Crofut & Knapp panama (right).
These two have a lot in common. The weight, weave and pattern, finished crown height (4 ¾), brim (2 ¾ and 2 ½ respectively), pinch, softness/pliability of the straw, and the overall appearance are extremely similar. On my head, I actually have to take them off to remember which I am wearing. To the casual observer, they look to be the same hat.
Where they differ; the Stetson wears a grosgrain ribbon and bow while the C&K sports a nice multi-colored grey/black/silver pug making it, to me, a bit more traditional. The Stetson crown is, as its name suggests, a center dent whereas the C&K has a teardrop. Stetson uses a cloth/velvet sweatband (the biggest drawback IMHO) while the C&K sticks with the nicer leather sweat. The C&K has a slightly darker and more gold color due to age more than anything else IMO.
When held up to light, the Stetson has fewer “pinholes” of light through the weave but I attribute this more to the shellac or finish coating on the Stetson rather than any real difference in the tightness of the weave.
I have not been able to find much information on C&K panamas, so any input would be appreciated. One of the prior owners of this C&K had a bad habit of handling it at the pinch, so there is a slight crease in the straw. I have not spent much time on it yet but a bit of steam should smooth it out.
Overall, the C&K gets my nod as the better of the two with the more traditional look, leather sweat, and, of course, being the older of the two (vintage). That being said, if you have not found the vintage panama you are looking for, or if you need a capable and attractive straw and don’t want to have to worry about damaging a vintage lid, the Centerdent is a great option.
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(The picture above is reversed for some reason.)
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Terrific, Alan. Thanks for posting this. Amazing that they could produce such a sheen on a hat that wasn't silk plush, meaning the C&K.70 years of top hats side by side:
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left to right, c.1865, c.1900, 1915, c.1935
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crown heights, bottom to top - c.1865 - 7 1/2", c.1900 - 6 1/4", 1915 - 5 3/4", c.1935 - 5 1/2".
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J.Emig, c.1865, ventilated Dunlap c.1900, Crofut & Knapp (Argentine nutria) 1915, private label for B.Altman c.1935
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All hats are covered in silk plush except for the C&K. The early J.Emig is the only hat finished with silk plush on the underbrim.
Terrific, Alan. Thanks for posting this. Amazing that they could produce such a sheen on a hat that wasn't silk plush, meaning the C&K.
Quick look at an early 1960's Stetson 7XCB OR on the left, with a post-1965 7X Fifty on the right. It's raining outside today so lighting could be better.
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With flash
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With flash
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The 7XCB OR on the left has a brim width of 2-3/4" while the Fifty is 2-1/2". If I were to measure the open crown I'm sure both would be at 5-3/4".The proportions, hue, block and brim all stand clear from the pics.
Thanks for posting these, Eric. My favourite colour combination. All of those look to be great hats. If I had to pick one it would be the Resistol because of the blueish tones and the way the felt seems to crease.Good morning Side By Side fans. This morning I am sorting thru a stack of gray hats in order to gift a couple to a same size hat wearing musician friend of mine. I thought that these 3 hats were unique. Unique in that, to me, the brands are not what is usually featured on the Hat forum and they share similar features and vintage. The pics speak to the details better than my written skills can.
The hats are presented in the same order throughout the pics ( Beaver Hats, Resistol and Adam).
Just enjoying a gray hat morning.
Eric -
Good morning Side By Side fans. This morning I am sorting thru a stack of gray hats in order to gift a couple to a same size hat wearing musician friend of mine. I thought that these 3 hats were unique. Unique in that, to me, the brands are not what is usually featured on the Hat forum and they share similar features and vintage. The pics speak to the details better than my written skills can.
The hats are presented in the same order throughout the pics ( Beaver Hats, Resistol and Adam).
Just enjoying a gray hat morning.
Eric -
Very cool, Jack. Thanks for posting these. That early one on the left looks magnificent!Apologies on the exposure. I'll reshoot outdoors when I have a chance.
Left: From the red bow era, 1890's - 1910's Stetson Boss Raw Edge with Fray sweat.
Right: 1920's Stetson Boss Raw Edge with thin ribbon.
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Extraordinary Jack!!Apologies on the exposure. I'll reshoot outdoors when I have a chance.
Left: From the red bow era, 1890's - 1910's Stetson Boss Raw Edge with Fray sweat.
Right: 1920's Stetson Boss Raw Edge with thin ribbon.
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Apologies on the exposure. I'll reshoot outdoors when I have a chance.
Left: From the red bow era, 1890's - 1910's Stetson Boss Raw Edge with Fray sweat.
Right: 1920's Stetson Boss Raw Edge with thin ribbon.