Your Opinion Please

[Terry "The Hat"]

I'm a fan of the Homburg and I found this one on Ebay. It's the right size although I might have to steam it and use my Hat Jack to make it a little more long oval. The price is right. What do you guys think of this hat and let me know of the reputation of this company.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130514266486&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[DRB]

Changing the shape of the hat from regular oval to long oval could cause a slight deviation in the brim. It depends on how much you have to stretch it. If you want to take that chance go for it. I do not know the company.

 

[suitedcboy]

That is not what I would call a "vintage" hat. Bailey made and sold those into late 80's or maybe even the 90's.
I regularly see Stetson St.Regis Homburgs in that price range that would be a finer hat for the money.

 

[fmw]

I'm a fan of the Homburg and I found this one on Ebay. It's the right size although I might have to steam it and use my Hat Jack to make it a little more long oval. The price is right. What do you guys think of this hat and let me know of the reputation of this company.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130514266486&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

It looks nice. Changing the oval doesn't change the size, just the shape. You could use a stretcher but what it really needs is reblocking or a reconformation produced simply by wearing the hat.

 

[scottyrocks]

Yes, that hat is vintage style, not vintage. You can tell by the tag.

If the hat is your size, I recommend just wearing it, especially if your weather is gonna get hot soon. Nothing reconforms a hat like a few hot sweaty weeks on your head.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

I'll admit, my eye for "vintage" isn't great, but the interior of that hat looks very much like current production hats. Still, if it really is fur felt, it's a good deal at that price. My concern is, I see a lot on that auction suggesting that the seller knows very little about the item he's selling, or is not totally honest. My fear would be that I would end up with a cheap wool felt hat that I could buy for the same or less money elsewhere.

As for stretching that specific hat, I'm going to guess that it's stiff as all get-out, and won't stretch very easily... if at all. Steaming a modern hat enough to soften it up will probably cause shrinkage. Basically, I think you should let this one sit.

 

[Terry "The Hat"]

Thanks Guys. That's the kind of advice I wanted to hear. I still think it's a nice hat at a good price but I'm gonna let it go. There have to be plenty more floating around.

 

[Bernie Zack]

Thanks Guys. That's the kind of advice I wanted to hear. I still think it's a nice hat at a good price but I'm gonna let it go. There have to be plenty more floating around.

There are alot more out there floating around. I bought 2 in the last few months from fellow TFL'ers, simply by placing a "WTB" post in the "classified" thread. And, most importantly, I was EXTREMELY pleased when they arrived. Buying a hat from a fellow lounger, and I have bought several lately, has thus far always been a satisfying experience.