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The Stratoliner Appreciation Club {MODERN}

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Rockwater

A-List Customer
Messages
437
So, when you did the re-crease, did you find that you were pointing the crown pinch more toward the center of your face (above your nose) and away from your right eye? I find that with all store bought hats.

I only recall pushing it around and wishing there was more crown.
But, now that I look at the photo, it appears that may have been the case.
I assume that the head is the crooked one, not being machined.
 
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Messages
12,004
Location
Southern California
So, when you did the re-crease, did you find that you were pointing the crown pinch more toward the center of your face (above your nose) and away from your right eye? I find that with all store bought hats.
I have to crease my hats with the pinch about 1/4" towards my right eye if I want the pinch to line up with my nose; in my case my asymmetrical head and face are definitely to blame.
 

DRB

One Too Many
Messages
1,621
Location
Florida
I have to crease my hats with the pinch about 1/4" towards my right eye if I want the pinch to line up with my nose; in my case my asymmetrical head and face are definitely to blame.

Wow, that's interesting. I don't think we are alone. I see it a lot here on the FL. I am just the opposite. I am going to post more discussion of this topic (leaving your name out for privacy) in the Ask a question thread. Check it out.
 
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DRB

One Too Many
Messages
1,621
Location
Florida
The open crown Stratoliners certainly have stiffeners added to the felt, but they do not have the same shellac as the Stratoliners with the factory creasing. Steam helps to hold the shaping on the open crown hats, but it never causes the felt to become stiff like the Royal Stratoliners. My open crown strats certainly “don’t have all the stiffeners added” when compared to the lower grade factory creased hats. I can’t speak about other’s hats, but this is true of the four I own.

I am thinking of purchasing a Stratoliner. Is there a difference in quality between the Amazon offering Versus the Ebay offering (other than a pre-shaped crease and stiffener)? One is a Premier and one is a Royal.

Royal:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DF6AR4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Premier:
https://www.ebay.com/i/351715218537?chn=ps&var=621482488377
 
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jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,098
Location
San Francisco, CA
I am thinking of purchasing a Stratoliner. Is there a difference in quality between the Amazon offering Versus the Ebay offering (other than a pre-shaped crease and stiffener)? One is a Premier and one is a Royal.

Royal:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DF6AR4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Premier:
https://www.ebay.com/i/351715218537?chn=ps&var=621482488377

Yes, the Premier is Royal Deluxe quality, so in theory, slightly higher quality. What this actually means in the real world is a "trade secret." Whomever is running the Stetson Japan instagram seems to be under the impression that the Royal Deluxe is 10% beaver, but our local Hatco emissary @Jedwbpm could neither confirm nor deny this.
 
I am thinking of purchasing a Stratoliner. Is there a difference in quality between the Amazon offering Versus the Ebay offering (other than a pre-shaped crease and stiffener)? One is a Premier and one is a Royal.

Royal:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DF6AR4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Premier:
https://www.ebay.com/i/351715218537?chn=ps&var=621482488377
Premier is also shipped open crown (meaning you can shape it any way you like) the royal is pre-creased (machine pressed in).............AND the Premier is a taller crown. The Royal is about just under 5" open crown where the Premier is 5 1/2". You can do a LOT MORE with that extra crown height.
Brim width is the same at 2 1/2" each all around....
M
 

DRB

One Too Many
Messages
1,621
Location
Florida
So which do you think is crooked .. The head, or the hat?? :confused:
Well, because it happens consistently, I will guess it is my head. Either that, or, America is being sold hats with crooked crowns (doubtful). It is a problem that is more prevalent than most people realize, IMO.

I don't buy straw hats that are pre-creased because of this. Guatemalan and Mexican Palm straws can be re-creased. I have not found any of the palm straws offered in a high quality thus far.
 

DRB

One Too Many
Messages
1,621
Location
Florida
Premier is also shipped open crown (meaning you can shape it any way you like) the royal is pre-creased (machine pressed in).............AND the Premier is a taller crown. The Royal is about just under 5" open crown where the Premier is 5 1/2". You can do a LOT MORE with that extra crown height.
Brim width is the same at 2 1/2" each all around....
M
------------------------
Thanks! That is exactly the information I have been searching for. The Royal is just under 5" open and the Premier is 5.5"., but same quality. Thank you for your time and effort....Dennis
 
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Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
------------------------
Thanks! That is exactly the information I have been searching for. The Royal is just under 5" open and the Premier is 5.5"., but same quality. Thank you for your time and effort....Dennis

There’s another member here who has speculated that the standard Royal felt is composed primarily of dryer lint. The Royal De Luxe Premier felt is thicker winter weight stuff but it’s also surprisingly good quality (my experience).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
------------------------
Thanks! That is exactly the information I have been searching for. The Royal is just under 5" open and the Premier is 5.5"., but same quality. Thank you for your time and effort....Dennis

Fruno speaks the truth, definitely not the same quality. What you (I) really want is one of the discontinued Excellent quality Stratoliners.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

DRB

One Too Many
Messages
1,621
Location
Florida
Fruno speaks the truth, definitely not the same quality. What you (I) really want is one of the discontinued Excellent quality Stratoliners.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks for your help gentlemen. Looks like it is a race to see who finds the UnObtainable Excellent quality Stratoliner in their size first. :)
 
Last edited:
Messages
12,004
Location
Southern California
There’s another member here who has speculated that the standard Royal felt is composed primarily of dryer lint...
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