The Stratoliner Appreciation Club {MODERN}

[gtdean48]

HatCo Stetson Stratoliner

I took my Caribou HatCo Stetson Stratoliner & used my Hat Shaper to take it to open crown by removing the liner, spraying it with distilled water & using a steam iron with a handkerchief between the felt & the iron...

Top view...

I went to a teardrop with front pinch at 4.25". The back is 3.75"

Although the Hat Shaper helps with my Long Oval noggin, it is drying on my head to help coax it to more LO contours.
Here is the hat in factory form...

The subtle changes makes it certain this hat will get worn. The box & tag say 2.5" brim but all my measurements show 2 5/8" from the reed to the edge, another plus in my book.

 

[hatophile]

Tom, what color is that hat, more gray or more brown? I like the changes, also. The open crown doesn't look that tapered to me.

 

[T Rick]

Tom, what color is that hat, more gray or more brown? I like the changes, also. The open crown doesn't look that tapered to me.

Ditto on that, great work on that one Deputy!

Hatophile, my Nostalgia in Caribou is a nice mid gray, guessing this is the same.

Tom, did you happen to happen to get a measurement of it in open crown?

 

[T Rick]

BTW, Henry The Hatter has told me they will be stocking this in the Fall, though they only mentioned Silver Belly and black. I wonder if the other colors are still available?

 

[gtdean48]

Tom, what color is that hat, more gray or more brown? I like the changes, also. The open crown doesn't look that tapered to me.

Caribou is a nice mid-gray. The Hat Shaper is a Straight-sided Dome version so it takes the taper out = http://www.hatshapers.com/Product Pages/Straight_Sided_Dome.htm

 

[hatophile]

Thanks, TRick and Tom.

 

[gtdean48]

....
Tom, did you happen to happen to get a measurement of it in open crown?

Thanks.
Between 5 1/8" to 5 1/4", closer to the 5 1/8" side...

 

[scooter]

When you say subtle changes, you're not kidding. To my novice eye, there is very little, if any change, but if it makes you happy, I'm tickled pink.

 

[gtdean48]

When you say subtle changes, you're not kidding. To my novice eye, there is very little, if any change, but if it makes you happy, I'm tickled pink.

Like you said, you are a novice...

 

[Viper Man]

Yeah, we all know what a pro you are, droopy.

 

[T Rick]

Well, in the initial post, the side view of the stock hat is all that appears, and the taper doesn't show. With the front view, it does show (not horribly severe, but it's there sure as shootin'). The crown differences, I'm not sure I'd call them subtle (though they are still both teardrops). Overall, I do like the new look better than stock, but I don't hate the stock one either. In fact, I do believe I'll be buying one. Probably will wait for Henry The Hatter to get them in stock.

Tom, when using the hat shaper, was it nec. to remove the sweat, or just the liner? That is a very affordable way to be able to block one's own hat open crowned, I am liking it and thinking I need to obtain one.

 

[gtdean48]

...
Tom, when using the hat shaper, was it nec. to remove the sweat, or just the liner? ...

You don't need to remove either. I usually take the liner out but I do that to almost all my hats to be able to wear them longer in the South.
Because the sides are so straight, they will press the sweatband into the felt & you can get a line at the edge that you need to work out.
If you are not a fan of factory creases, it is a handy tool especially without a decent hat shop nearby.

 

[gtdean48]

Yeah, we all know what a pro you are, droopy.

Never charged a dime, so can't claim to be a professional but over 20 years shaping lids takes me out of the beginner category... Appreciate your contribution to the thread....

 

[RBH]

Looks alot better to me Tom. Mine is still in the box.
I may get me a hatshaper to get mine to where I will wear it.

Never charged a dime, so can't claim to be a professional but over 20 years shaping lids takes me out of the beginner category... Appreciate your contribution to the thread....

Yeah... that post was kinda caustic wasnt it....

 

[Lefty]

Semi-OT, but isn't the company just called RHE Hatco, Inc.?
According to this, Hatco is currently owned by an affiliate of Pro Equine Products, Inc.

BTW, very cool to wrangle a hat you didn't wear into one you do.

 

[Terry "The Hat"]

Tom, I'm sure you've covered it many times but how is the felt on the Hatco Stratoliner?

 

[gtdean48]

Semi-OT, but isn't the company just called RHE Hatco, Inc.?
According to this, Hatco is currently owned by an affiliate of Pro Equine Products, Inc.

BTW, very cool to wrangle a hat you didn't wear into one you do.

You are absolutely correct Lefty. The corporation morphing has been going on for quite some time but I have always associated HatCo with Hat Company of America & lost track of all the acquisitions & mergers.
Thanks as I tweak every hat crease I get. It is amazing how tightening of a pinch or other adjustments help it go with your features & be something you do wear as oppose to not.

 

[gtdean48]

Tom, I'm sure you've covered it many times but how is the felt on the Hatco Stratoliner?

It is lighter & better finished than an Imperial grade Akubra Campdraft.
It is lighter than the Stetson Roadmaster that I've bought recently.
I handled a new Stetson Nostalgia when we visited the Outlet Store in March & it seems to be a lighter weight felt that that.
It is like the Supreme grade feather weight version of the Akubra Squatters that I had.

 

[gtdean48]

...
According to this, Hatco is currently owned by an affiliate of Pro Equine Products, Inc.
....

It is cool that the "boots" I buy for my horse is from the same Corporation that I buy my hats from...

 

[gtdean48]

BTW, I also started this thread for all the new model HatCo Stetson Stratoliners to be posted since the Society was really about the original.
The bartenders can do away with it or put those other posts in the Society that belong here.