The Open Road Guild

[LEOSTARK]

I personally don’t see anything wrong with it, are you referring to its waviness? That’s most likely due to the previous owner putting sizing strips in it to help bring the size down

That crease at the front digs a little into my forehead and leaves a little red mark. It's not uncomfortable, but noticeable when first wearing the hat. I suppose I will wear it for a few more days and hope it unshrivels a bit.

 

[BobHufford]

Umpires?

 

[M Hatman]

And then the Circa 1990 or so (might be a little earlier as there is no UPC code on the box tag or blocking tag) 10X Open Road arrives....and well the Crown is very much like the current RD models, soft, thick malleable........nice felt.....the brim on the other hand....(like many a Stetson Western going back to the 50's) can be used to cut the cheese wheel from the chuck-wagon.....and important function to be sure..but......... Interestingly because it is so stiff you can feel the effect of the pouncing better than on the crown, and it is quite smooth! After I take out the bit of a western "swoop" present I think I will have a nice snap brim OR.

Now this is a silverbelly, but quite a different breed, more like the light heathered silverbelly of my 50's 3x Longhorn. Beautiful textured look with a lot of colored hairs present including black!!! (I tried to take a close up picture but not sure I succeeded in showing the felt colors effectively.....)

Additionally this has a nice darker tan binding and ribbon, which contrasts just enough to really look rich and sharp. This has to be one of my best looking hats!!

Now as with all the modern OR's it has a low crown, which I will tolerate as it does look so nice (and of course has a deep "rancher" crease that is almost a "dogbone", but as it was hand done, and as it has the low crown, I don't think I can do anything different so it stays...though I DID do a reverse thumb crease in the middle on each side).

Anyway......here it is. Top photo is pretty true to color and seems to show the "heathering".....

 

[dh66]

3X with 2 1/2" brim and unmolested cattleman crease. I've been after one of these for awhile. Moths had a banquet on a couple spots under the brim but not bad enough to be a deal breaker.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

I was able to make the trek down to see my sister and her vintage OR 15 that I bought her. I brought along my new-to-me OR 15 so I could do a few comparison shots.

@Randall Renshaw and I were having a fun back and forth convo on our thoughts of Stetsons Imperial/3x/Fifteen felt offerings. I believe we ultimately came to the same agreement, that all 3 felt offerings mentioned should be the same quality (all selling for $15+). But Randall has certainly had more time with all the above felt grades (mine, admittedly is very small) and finds that the older Imperials have a little something extra that’s unquantifiable.

Though my Imperial is, most likely, ten years or more older then the 3x, I could not find and noticeable difference between the two. They both have a very soft, wonderfully moldable felt that could almost stand a touch more stiffener. Both brims also deflect with just the slightest touch or pressure.

I noticed @Short Balding Guy posted a recent Strat (I believe?) with a similar ribbon treatment. I was also excited to see this new Imperial has the same ribbon as Eric’s, and as my sisters OR. Nice to have a change of pace even if done subtly. I really enjoy the hat, and consider myself very lucky to find 2 OR Youngs hats. While Youngs hats do seem to pop up frequently, they also seem to favor a more dressy/fedora style. Hence my added excitement for two modest western shapes. On to the pics:

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This is the only other example I have seen, outside of TFL, of this ribbon treatment. This also happened to be a mid 50’s OR 15 (not my hat):

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Gorgeous hats!

Imperials are imperial. Agreed!

As to the ribbon treatment; I have a couple fedoras with that unique ribbon treatment. Below are pics of a Stratoliner and Playboy.

Here is a comparison collage with a "typical" Stratoliner.

Here is comparison pic with "typical" Playboy.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[RossRYoung]

Gorgeous hats!

Imperials are imperial. Agreed!

Thank you, Eric, for both the compliments and also additional examples. Makes me wonder why the ribbon switch up across a few different models?? Maybe they knew we’d obsess over this stuff several decades later…

 

[Darkye]

Hey everyone.

So I got myself one of the new/modern 6X Open Roads and the vented shantung straw. I’ve been trying to find info on reshaping them, but everything I’ve found typically concerns folk trying to reshape the crown in some manner. I’m actually a fan of the crease, it’s the almost flat brim I’m looking to reshape into a more “western” fashion with the front and rear slightly down, and the sides slightly curled up.

Has anyone had any experience/luck in reshaping the brims on the modern Open Roads?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hey everyone.

So I got myself one of the new/modern 6X Open Roads and the vented shantung straw. I’ve been trying to find info on reshaping them, but everything I’ve found typically concerns folk trying to reshape the crown in some manner. I’m actually a fan of the crease, it’s the almost flat brim I’m looking to reshape into a more “western” fashion with the front and rear slightly down, and the sides slightly curled up.

Has anyone had any experience/luck in reshaping the brims on the modern Open Roads?

I’d say the flat brim is very western, but it should be easy to steam the brims and shape them. You will probably remove the tension the flange creates and if it snaps now it might not after the steam and shape (it’s been a while since I’ve worked with a modern 6X). You don’t have much brim width to work with on an Open Road so I’d recommend going slow and check the look often.

 

[FW-TX]

I love this hat the more I wear it. I have a number of straw, palm, and vented cotton type hats. This has fast become my favorite.

Just bought one. The compliments come out of the woodwork. It’s my third OR and second straw OR.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Hey everyone.

So I got myself one of the new/modern 6X Open Roads and the vented shantung straw. I’ve been trying to find info on reshaping them, but everything I’ve found typically concerns folk trying to reshape the crown in some manner. I’m actually a fan of the crease, it’s the almost flat brim I’m looking to reshape into a more “western” fashion with the front and rear slightly down, and the sides slightly curled up.

Has anyone had any experience/luck in reshaping the brims on the modern Open Roads?

Shantung has that hard shell plasticized finish on it. I don’t think it can be reshaped without breaking or cracking. Maybe under a heat gun or blow dryer. A 6X felt has too much flange to iron a smile front & back, & fender the sides up. It would have to be re flanged.

 

[M Hatman]

Hmmmmmmm.......Should THIS be here!?!??!?!?!

 

[Frunobulax]

 

[StoryPNW]

My newest acquisition showed up today, this 3X OR is in great shape. A 7 1/2 LO fits me much better than the regular oval. I think my new OR is older than the one I bought before but someone can correct me if I'm mistaken. They crown seems a little taller than my other OR. I put a quick Cattleman crease in by hand but I'm not sure how it'll end up yet.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My newest acquisition showed up today, this 3X OR is in great shape. A 7 1/2 LO fits me much better than the regular oval. I think my new OR is older than the one I bought before but someone can correct me if I'm mistaken. They crown seems a little taller than my other OR. I put a quick Cattleman crease in by hand but I'm not sure how it'll end up yet.
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Great hat in equally great condition. I also agree with your assessment that it’s the older of the two.

 

[Frunobulax]

My newest acquisition showed up today, this 3X OR is in great shape. A 7 1/2 LO fits me much better than the regular oval. I think my new OR is older than the one I bought before but someone can correct me if I'm mistaken. They crown seems a little taller than my other OR. I put a quick Cattleman crease in by hand but I'm not sure how it'll end up yet.
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Wow, that's a real purty hat. Looks pristine.

Good get.

 

[M Hatman]

My newest acquisition showed up today, this 3X OR is in great shape. A 7 1/2 LO fits me much better than the regular oval. I think my new OR is older than the one I bought before but someone can correct me if I'm mistaken. They crown seems a little taller than my other OR. I put a quick Cattleman crease in by hand but I'm not sure how it'll end up yet.
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Yes, the new one is the older one......
I will have one of each please.......

 

[Hurricane Jack]

My newest acquisition showed up today, this 3X OR is in great shape. A 7 1/2 LO fits me much better than the regular oval. I think my new OR is older than the one I bought before but someone can correct me if I'm mistaken. They crown seems a little taller than my other OR. I put a quick Cattleman crease in by hand but I'm not sure how it'll end up yet.
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Nice one! If you decide you have one too many or it fits you too loose, let me know. I can usually wear a 1/2LO.

 

[StoryPNW]

Great hat in equally great condition. I also agree with your assessment that it’s the older of the two.

Wow, that's a real purty hat. Looks pristine.

Good get.

Yes, the new one is the older one......
I will have one of each please.......

Nice one! If you decide you have one too many or it fits you too loose, let me know. I can usually wear a 1/2LO.

Thank you gentlemen! I was surprised to come across this hat, and quite frankly I'm surprised Brent didn't snap it up before I got to it.

 

[Mighty44]

My newest acquisition showed up today, this 3X OR is in great shape. A 7 1/2 LO fits me much better than the regular oval. I think my new OR is older than the one I bought before but someone can correct me if I'm mistaken. They crown seems a little taller than my other OR. I put a quick Cattleman crease in by hand but I'm not sure how it'll end up yet.
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Beautiful—congrats!

 

[Snowman]

3X Beaver in an uncommon color - it is a light brown, maybe fawn?
2 3/4“ brim, 5 1/4” open crown.
The sweatband and liner ink are faded, but the felt is without blemish. The sweatband is supple, but the stitching is iffy in spots.
All indications are mid-1950s.