What Hat Are You Wearing Today ?

[M Hatman]

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Northwest Hats SB today.

BOB, you really have some great hats!!!! Made all the more so.....because they are my size!!!
M

 

[hatophile]

Adsm


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[Frunobulax]

I absolutely LOVE my modern Stetsonians!!!!! They did those hats right!!!!!! Yours looks great by the way!!!!!!!





I go both ways on this......sometimes I dress and see which hat goes with what I am wearing.....other times I think of a Hat I have not worn for a while, then decide what clothes will look best with it!!! AND best of all, on the former, my wife likes to help me pick the hat for the clothes!!!
M

Like I've said before, just make sure your hat matches your socks and underwear, and you'll be fine.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Frunobulax]

One more day of work, then a few days off. Sounds fine, right? I say it sounds Superfine!

And of course the coveted Dogman liner to keep me company.

Is it too soon to leave early?

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[M Hatman]

One more day of work, then a few days off. Sounds fine, right? I say it sounds Superfine!

And of course the coveted Dogman liner to keep me company.

Is it too soon to leave early?

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

I want one of those liners.....I DO have a tie with a hidden picture under the folds in the back wide part.......
M

 

[Frunobulax]

I want one of those liners.....I DO have a tie with a hidden picture under the folds in the back wide part.......
M

You can always repurpose a Land O' Lakes box if you're desperate.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[DOGMAN]

I absolutely LOVE my modern Stetsonians!!!!! They did those hats right!!!!!! Yours looks great by the way!!!!!!!





I go both ways on this......sometimes I dress and see which hat goes with what I am wearing.....other times I think of a Hat I have not worn for a while, then decide what clothes will look best with it!!! AND best of all, on the former, my wife likes to help me pick the hat for the clothes!!!
M

Thank you.I do like my Stetsonian.Although I have thought about changing the ribbon and bow.I think I could do a better job sewing it on. Pretty sure I could make a better bow.

 

[Tukwila]

My uncle retired from the US Forest Service after over forty years of service. For his retirement gift we found a pristine pre-27 Smith and Wesson Registered Magnum (pre-war) and sent it off for customization where it’s barrel was cut down and its factory cylinder and barrel were recahmbered/rebored for .44 Special. The gun was given 3/4 scroll engraving, Fishpaw Walnut stocks, and charcoal case hardening and rust bluing. The revolver also received custom sights and a new profiled trigger and hammer. Some would say we destroyed a classic revolver, I’d say we made it into what we wanted and the owner is much happier with it than he would have been with it in original condition. No denying that a piece of history was permanently altered. As an example of pre-war craftsmanship it was “ruined.” I don’t regret doing it at all, in fact I want a plainer 38/44 converted to .44 special for my own retirement.

I have a couple NMBHs in .44 Special and a GP-100 in .44 Special, but I still have no compunction with altering a classic long-discontinued revolver. We all have different takes on altering classics. Even the rarer hats that we’ve recently seen modified aren’t one-of-a-kind pieces equivalent to a Picasso...more like a limited run print.

The biggest thing that would keep me from altering a fist generation 1873 peacemaker is the price of the base gun. If I found one cheap it would be a basket case and I wouldn’t think twice before having it modified; not restored, but made into exactly what I’d want. Not much to fear about that ever happening.

Sounds like Hamilton Bowen's work. I have been a huge fan of his work since the mid-80s. Roy Fishpaw recently passed, so no more chances to own his own brand of art.

https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/obituary/roy-fishpaw?fh_id=10207

If you have pictures of your Uncle's 44 conversion, I would LOVE to see it! dougader AT hotmail DOT com.

Alan Harton, who is in the hospital currently fighting some mystery disease, did the work for me on the Ruger "Twins" I posted above. He no longer works on anything but Colt and some of the USFA clones. The 45 is mine, and the little .32 belongs to my daughter.

There is something to be said about taking what was a factory item and having world class artists within a cottage industry improve it. Elmer Keith's famous No. 5 is a prime example, as is your Uncle's S&W Registered Magnum.

I agree, it's all a matter of degrees; where the line is drawn. The case could be made that an actual Model 27 or, especially, the common, police issued, "Plain Jane" Model 28 could have just as easily been used as a base gun for a project like this. It would have drastically reduced the price of the base gun "donor" and preserved a pre-27. Same could be done for your 44 Special conversion, depending on the shape of your 38/44.

We can amiably agree to disagree on the rarity of some of these hats, especially in the larger sizes. I can grab a 38/44 off Gun Broker almost any time. I can't find a Dobbs 50, or even a 40 or a 20 in my size.... and it's been 2 years that I've been searching. I got a fairly well used Knox 15 only because the seller took crap pictures and didn't know what he had.

No sense in wasting a Gen 1 Colt when a Gen 3 will work just as well... besides, the steel is better. Even a worn out 1st Gen can run thousands $$$$$.

.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

I agree that the resizing and alterations isn’t what I think should be done. I also find the hunt for hats in my size to be part of the fun. I just object to the lack of perspective: posting opinions on someone else’s property as absolutes. I personally don’t feel I have the moral superiority to tell another what to do.

Isn’t it also all matters of degree? Terry recently resized and reblocked a 1950s era Dobbs fedora, a Melton Fedora, and two 1970s era Borsalino fedoras. They aren’t making more of any of those hats and there is a finite and ever dwindling supply of them all. They weren’t unwanted and undesired hats, they were hats too small for him and not blocked to his liking. He permanently altered the hats to his liking and received universal praise for his creations. I get that a Dobbs Fifty or a Stetson Flagship is rarer, but where is the line drawn? No one is talking about altering historically significant hats. Being rare and expensive doesn’t make them sacrosanct. Even if it was a recent manufactured run-of-the-mill hat with important historical significance I can see the need for preservation, but just like people who are hot rodding classic muscle cars, rare and valuable does not automatically qualify something for preservation.

Again, I too think that the better course is to leave these vintage hats as they were made and have the patience to find examples in your own size (all the more so when your size is a fairly common one). I would not feel good about altering them. They are original only once and I don’t want to be the person who alters them. I also don’t want my hats to be of one or even a few homogenized shapes: I want them to retain the individual characters. I like the #52 block, but I certainly don’t want all of my hats made in that shape.

I think it is appropriate to plead a case. I think it is fine to explain the caretaker concept. I also, however, embrace the individual’s right to use his property as he sees fit without being lectured to. If the opposition was presented as a philosophical and practical position rather than telling the member what he was doing was unequivocally wrong it might have been better received.

I’m of a stubborn disposition, and have a contrary streak, and when someone tries to force their opinions on me I’m more likely to do just the opposite.

Taking a little liberty with a John Wayne quote sums up how I feel:

I won’t be wronged. I won’t be insulted. I won’t be laid a hand on. I won’t be told what to do with my property. I don’t do these things to other people and I require the same from them.

That’s just how I feel. Just my opinion. I accept that some of my friends will feel differently.

Brent


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Besides, I didn't alter the ones that my friend Bowen felt shouldn't be altered, because I agreed with him after he explained why he thought so, and because I told him I wouldn't.

I didn't alter the Dobbs One Hundred, the 1930's Borsalino, the Dobbs Fifty, the Flagship, or the 1915 Stetson Excellent Quality. I admit I didn't alter them mostly because Bowen asked me not to do it, but I didn't alter them.

I did alter one Stetson One Hundred and my 7X CB before Bowen explained how he felt about it. I also altered my second Stetson One Hundred after Bowen's request, but that one had already been altered when I bought it.

I have upsized a bunch of smaller sized hats, about thirty of them, but none of those are what I would consider very rare. And here I must say that I, Max Tejeda Nichols, don't consider them to be rare, and that I will continue to upsize any hat I don't consider to be very rare.
I will not downsize more hats because I told Charlie I wouldn't after he politely asked me not to, (with the two exceptions I mentioned to him) but that is only because I already told him I wouldn't, not because anybody else condemns me for downsizing or upsizing MY hats.

I now consider this subject closed, and will not explain or defend my position on it again.




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[fabiovenhorst]

Brunetto boater hat

 

[Knotten]

Northwest Hats today. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

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[Short Balding Guy]

Good morning. Up and visiting the grocery store before the sun brightened the day. A cap was my choice for the cool and breezy morning.

Yard chores and starting to get the logs on their way to becoming charcoal for some evening roasting. The same hat - Knox Westlite (Forester colored felt) is being worn for my efforts outside this morning.

Best, Eric -

 

[Dlaniger]

That's an interesting point, and, for the most part I agree, but I have indeed found myself picking out a hat to match what I'm wearing after I have dressed myself. Quite often. Yes, heresy, I know.

Scotty, I tend to be laissez-faire about most things. I enjoy seeing everyone expressing their hat passions from purists to “heretical” (an age old Homo sapiens debate)
I agree with both you and M Hatman there certainly is no absolute way to coordinate. When you have so many hats as we all do;
finding the right hat for what whatever you are wearing at that moment happens all the time. I guess, when I personally acquire a hat, in my mind I try to build the outfit(s) around that hat’s color and character. I have a number hats unworn still waiting for the right match. It’s all in fun and a pleasant diversion from life’s more regular and difficult challenges.


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[TPD166]

After 8 months of Summer in Texas where I wear the same straws over & over, we've hit a cold stretch where I can start rotating thru the felts. With rain coming this afternoon, my Akubra Bushman in taupe fawn seemed to fit the bill. I went thru several bashes to finally get one I liked (eventually settled on a "Gus," but didn't like the big round back, so added pinches to it). Now that I have the right bash (for me), this hat has become a favorite and gets lots of wear when cooler weather comes.

 

[Richard Morgan]

Beaver Brand, can’t find much info on what “Imported White Fur” is.

Have a great day and a wonderful Thanksgiving


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[Hurricane Jack]

After 8 months of Summer in Texas where I wear the same straws over & over, we've hit a cold stretch where I can start rotating thru the felts. With rain coming this afternoon, my Akubra Bushman in taupe fawn seemed to fit the bill. I went thru several bashes to finally get one I liked (eventually settled on a "Gus," but didn't like the big round back, so added pinches to it). Now that I have the right bash (for me), this hat has become a favorite and gets lots of wear when cooler weather comes.
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Good to see you again Robert. I've missed those Resistol posts of yours.

 

[drmaxtejeda]

Imperial Stetson

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[Daniele Tanto]

The cold has arrived, with delay and has proved to be lower than normal temperatures.
Today after Venice and its enchanted light I wear a Borsalino arrived from the North

Borsalino Qualità Speciale in the millionth Borsalino grey

When I wear it I have to thank Stefan and the benevolent fate that gave us two totally different sizes

The felt of the Qualità Speciale is always slightly denser and firm of the other Borsalino productions.
In this case we find two ribbons contrasting with the color of the felt

I had set aside some light hats for the change of season, but I think I'll have to wait for spring to wear them

Happy Wednesday to all and thank you for your appreciation for the "Superiore" of Monday

 

[Frunobulax]

Oh, and BTW - thanks for all the likes and comments on yesterday's Biskup. I think the stars will stay.

Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Besides, I didn't alter the ones that my friend Bowen felt shouldn't be altered, because I agreed with him after he explained why he thought so, and because I told him I wouldn't.

I didn't alter the Dobbs One Hundred, the 1930's Borsalino, the Dobbs Fifty, the Flagship, or the 1915 Stetson Excellent Quality. I admit I didn't alter them mostly because Bowen asked me not to do it, but I didn't alter them.

I did alter one Stetson One Hundred and my 7X CB before Bowen explained how he felt about it. I also altered my second Stetson One Hundred after Bowen's request, but that one had already been altered when I bought it.

I have upsized a bunch of smaller sized hats, about thirty of them, but none of those are what I would consider very rare. And here I must say that I, Max Tejeda Nichols, don't consider them to be rare, and that I will continue to upsize any hat I don't consider to be very rare.
I will not downsize more hats because I told Charlie I wouldn't after he politely asked me not to, (with the two exceptions I mentioned to him) but that is only because I already told him I wouldn't, not because anybody else condemns me for downsizing or upsizing MY hats.

I now consider this subject closed, and will not explain or defend my position on it again.

Dear Max, I do not want you to defend yourself, it seems to me that some enthusiasts and collectors have at heart the fate of hats difficult to find on the market, both for size and for their type. Seeing your eagerness to have any hat to any extent to supplement or increase your collection, they are alarmed and told you with irony and good manners. I also believe that their concerns are given by the used hat market which becomes very demanding for large sizes. You have a propensity to buy at any price in order to have what you are looking for or better covet and this becomes a problem for everyone. Having said that, you can do whatever you want with your properties. I just want you to think about three interventions in the work that can be done on any object available, whatever the price. I write to you the three types of work that can be done, personal opinion, on any object, including hats "Refurbishment". "Restoration" "Conservative Restoration". The first state of work can be done for anything you want to use a part, in the case of the hat, the felt, and then give it a new shape with or without the other components. The restoration involves a respect for what is in your hand with interventions that safeguard its whole. The conservative restoration is what can be done to keep the originality of the piece to the maximum. Try to think about this and draw your conclusions which of your hats are worthy of having one of the three treatments. I think it will be useful for you to have a collection that will be pleasant to wear and witha value.