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The Cap Faction

Pinesiw

A-List Customer
Messages
308
Location
Thompson
Thinking of having this stretched slightly and leather sweatband put in, what do you think guys?
It is vintage not sure the year
20130418_130905.jpg

20130418_120730.jpg

20130418_120710.jpg
 

job

One Too Many
Messages
1,325
Location
Sanford N.C.
How do Borsalinos rate for newsboy caps.

Who makes the best production newsboy caps?

I've been wearing fedoras and panama type hats for years but I think I would like a few quality 8 panel caps. I'm a 7 5/8 so vintage might be hard to obtain. I just need a little education.
 

The Wiser Hatter

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,765
Location
Louisville, Ky
How do Borsalinos rate for newsboy caps.

Who makes the best production newsboy caps?

I've been wearing fedoras and panama type hats for years but I think I would like a few quality 8 panel caps. I'm a 7 5/8 so vintage might be hard to obtain. I just need a little education.

You would be best to contact Johnny and have him make you a cap. His are way better than any production cap made today and are cheaper than a Borso. cap.
Cordova-Handmade-Caps-Johnny-J-s-work

Wanted add that I have a cap's by most of the makers you are looking at and they just do not match what Johnny has.:)
 
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job

One Too Many
Messages
1,325
Location
Sanford N.C.
Thanks Ed I will look into Johnny's caps. I do like custom hats a lot.

There are more manufacturers of caps than felt fedoras. I just wonder how some of these companies rank.

Borsalino, Wigens, Hanna hats, Johnathan Richards, City Sport, Cavanagh, Luigi Baroni, Stetson, Capas, Etc.
 
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rlk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,100
Location
Evanston, IL
Borsalino makes(I should say markets) a vast number of caps of all shapes and sizes with none intending to look vintage. The standard flat caps and 8-panels are of a decent size so could nearly pass. They have some excellent fabrics and patterns and are professionally(perfectly neat-good alignment) made. Grosgrain attached sweatbands are the norm with mesh linings for the linen Caps. Unless you are getting into Cashmere they are not generally more expensive than Johnny's but are not really a comparable product. However, as they are a company that runs seasonal changing fashions there are many that get jobbed off for very low prices in addition to the used market so they can be a great bargain. I once bought 3 linen caps NOS for $25.00.

Wigens and City Sport have nice fabrics and excellent construction--again they are trying to be current not vintage. Prices are comparable to Custom and worth it if you like the fabric and style they offer. Cavanagh's Linen caps are made in Italy--likely by the same people who make Borsalino's. Barbisio also has nice caps but are not marketed here. Stetson also only licenses products so they are made in various places.

The Irish companies are cheap by comparison--usually well under $50.00 still making traditional styles in an assortment of high quality tweeds with a simple construction with attached grosgrain sweats. Sizes vary, they keep on making them decade after decade so they match vintage of their own tradition.
 
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seabass

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,161
Location
nor cal
What is the best way to reshape a linen cap. I don't think I can iron it. Should I steam it like a felt hat?

I use steam & a block, you can use a small steel mixing bowl if you dont have a block.....
NOTE !, do not steam the leather sweatband, keep it clear of the steam
the Linen might get wet so try to not saturate it with too much steam ...
its fabric not furfelt so light steam
I would not iron linen but i do iron wool & cotton caps....
after stuff the cap with something to fill out the body. (i use a old t shirt)
so the body does not cave in & wrinkle up again.....

Take your time.....dont rush it, good luck
 
Last edited:

LeFonque

One of the Regulars
Messages
221
Location
Melbourne Australia
I use steam & a block, you can use a small steel mixing bowl if you dont have a block.....
NOTE !, do not steam the leather sweatband, keep it clear of the steam
the Linen might get wet so try to not saturate it with too much steam ...
its fabric not furfelt so light steam
I would not iron linen but i do iron wool & cotton caps....
after stuff the cap with something to fill out the body. (i use a old t shirt)
so the body does not cave in & wrinkle up again.....

Take your time.....dont rush it, good luck

Hey seabass you should make a how to video that would be great.
 

The Wiser Hatter

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,765
Location
Louisville, Ky
Manfred, they really cut that cap down there is no drape to that one at all. An it has the large button on top. The houndstooth fabric is way to large a scale for that size cap. Smaller houndstooth is always better.:)
 

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