The Open Road Guild

[JTopenroad]

A visit to Optimo with one of my vintage Open Roads

IMG]http://i1199.photobucket.com

 

[KC Capellor]

JTopenroad, looks like no finer place to have your OR serviced!
TomS, you sure got a nice diamond crease in that one, looks like these 3xs are very similar vintage. Also of interest this hat came from the famous Denver Dry Goods Co., a historic landmark and well known stockman's store and catalog since the late 1800's.

 

[KC Capellor]

Arrived today this "beater" Stetson Open Road 4X. "Stetson" pin on ribbon bow and diamond-pattern white satin liner (1970's?). A few tiny moth bites and well smudged, stained, and soiled, otherwise felt has very nice texture, firm yet supple, fine suede-like finish. Sweatband excellent, liner stained and smelly. Color more chestnut brown / cafe-au-lait than Silverbelly (compare to Resistol San Antonio and Stetson Open Road 3X underneath). Crown 5 3/4" open, 4 1/2" as creased, brim 2 7/8" - my widest. Tight, low cattleman's crease and upcurled brim looked like right off the head of a 1950's sheriff's deputy or livestock auctioneer. I turned down the brim, pushed the crown open, and while I watered the neighbor's tomatoes I soaked the hat with the garden hose and let it dry on my head. Once dry it pinched right into a fedora crown with snap brim, looks mighty snazzy, and fits like...well like it was molded for my head.






Cheers from KC!

 

[KC Capellor]

After a second bath, liner washed, and a more thorough bashing I was pleased with the teardrop pinch:

Good enough to wear to dinner tonight!

 

[TomS]

After a second bath, liner washed, and a more thorough bashing I was pleased with the teardrop pinch:

Good enough to wear to dinner tonight!

Great hat!

 

[Chepstow]

Great hat!

+1

and very well done!

 

[DougC]

Just left Paris Hatters (dropped off the Dalworth I bought from KC for blocking) and was talking with the owner about new hats. He is having Stetson make a 10x Open Road for the shop that should be in by October. I'll keep you posted when I get a look...

 

[Landman]

Just left Paris Hatters (dropped off the Dalworth I bought from KC for blocking) and was talking with the owner about new hats. He is having Stetson make a 10x Open Road for the shop that should be in by October. I'll keep you posted when I get a look...

Great. I'm in there all the time. I can't wait to see what they come up with.

 

[gtdean48]

... He is having Stetson make a 10x Open Road for the shop that should be in by October. I'll keep you posted when I get a look...

Would like to see it come open crown like a Campdraft from Akubra & Open Door from Miller's by Biltmore....

 

[hatophile]

Would like to see it come open crown like a Campdraft from Akubra & Open Door from Miller's by Biltmore....

...with a tall, straight crown!

 

[DougC]

I keep telling him he needs to have at least an extra 1/4 inch built into the crown! Abe thinks I'm a nut for liking my older ORs. And, I may ask if he can get at least one in an open crown...

 

[gtdean48]

... And, I may ask if he can get at least one in an open crown...

They would have to pull one out of the line & walk it thru. Those alpine creases get pressed in before the ribbon, liner & sweat if I recall correctly...

 

[DougC]

I can dream! But, you're right, it probably won't happen.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

With Stetson it would be a dream. More like a nightmare.

 

[Landman]

I keep telling him he needs to have at least an extra 1/4 inch built into the crown! Abe thinks I'm a nut for liking my older ORs. And, I may ask if he can get at least one in an open crown...

Since I like a cattleman's crease I could live with the new ones too if they had an extra 1/4". The way they are now they hit the top of my head and they are too stiff do anything about it.

 

[KC Capellor]

Tom and Manfred, thank you, I just really enjoy wetting down those cattleman's creases and bashing them into a teardrop.
Doug, I'm sure Paris will really crisp up the Dalworth, be sure to post a photo of the new blocking.
Cheers! KC

 

[DougC]

I'll try to post some with my ORs. The hat should be ready tomorrow.

 

[TomS]

Would like to see it come open crown like a Campdraft from Akubra & Open Door from Miller's by Biltmore....

Now you're cookin' Tom!

 

[jlee562]

It occurs to me that, although I've posted my ORs in other threads, I haven't gotten them down here.

L-R: Resistol OR clone, ca. 50's 3x Stetson, ca. '63 Stetson 100. This picture in particular captures the subtle color differences.

Now just the Stetsons:

Diamond crease on the 3x, Ft. Worth on the S100

Embroidered "Last Drop" liner and the gold imprinted on the 100

Here I tried to capture the difference in the finish of the felt...as best I could with my cellphone camera
3x:

100:

Ok, one last one, my puppy photobombed me :

 

[JTopenroad]

Nice Open Roads. I always like seeing the 100s. If I ever come accross one in my size I'm afraid I couldn't resist another hat purchase!