Recent content by FormerDATT

Gents, thanks so far for all the fast replies. The Rancher was "new old stock" from EBay. I have not the patience with sending it off. I will not steam the inside as some have cautioned. I will steam the outer brim/crown area and wear for a long while. Maybe that one comment re Stetsons being...

I have a new out of the box Stetson Rancher. It is a 7 3/8 which is my size. I think though I may be a long oval. The hat fits but it's just not right. Back in my Marine days when boots were leather, we would soak them in warm water, dump them out, and wear all day to conform a better fit. It...

I am starting to get flooded with the annual Christmas catalog mailings. I want to buy a really nice, one time only, manly sweater for general outdoor wear. I am not looking for anything dressy. No shawlds or vests. I see the barbour halfzip for $300 in Orvis, a couple of nice pull overs in...

Thanks, guys. Off it goes.

Gents, Is the bottome line that I will never get my 7 1/8 to a 7 3/8? I want to keep trying as if I send it off it will be a long turn around. It is a very nice older O'Farrell. They are willing to do a rebuild but I have been maybe too persistant. Should I just forget all this agony and mail it...

Thought I had that Leghorn sewed up for forty bucks - Ha! laughs on me. Awoke this morning to find it long gone. Hope somebody here won it; very nice hat!

Western Kansas calls for better ideas than a bigger hat squashed down tight, which is what I needed today out here on the frozen plains. I recently aquired a Stratoliner with a wind trolley. I heard of them here, have one now, but am clueless. It is supposed to be buttoned in a shirt collar? Now...

Great Bend, eh?! Now I know when on my weekly trips down there from Hays, the Goodwill is cleaned out and even that little Salvation Army shop is barren! Thought I was the only fedora fan west of Salina. Nice catch on the Stratoliner, hope you aren't wearing a 7 3/8! Cheers!

Same method here in Kansas. Winters in an old house are dry and dusty. i save all my old boxes and store my winter hats with a cedar block (no moth ball smell) and store them away. I have two brushes one for dark and one for lighter felt. I have bought a few shoe brushes cheap; not used...

My brain and wallet are fighting just now, another hat - yes! How long did it take and can he make more from the job description you gave?

I found one today in western Kansas. In an antique shop ($40). It appears to be an open road or a smaller brim rancher. It is beautifully lined and is marked "Registered" over "Thoroughbred" around a horse head logo; Hand Finished"; "A Hat with a Petigree a Hat with a Guarantee"."On the liner is...

Many thanks! I have started a small collection begining with a Chatham (from Benchcraft) in sage, a Temple in caribu and an old Brent. I have my eye on a Stetson 25 but it is a 7 1/4. I weat a 7 3/8 but with a haircut the smaller size is OK. I am fascinated with the Fedora Lounge and thought I...

By using a little steam (or much) can a 7 1/4 be stretched using a hat stretcher to a larger next size like a 7 3/8? Many times I have been tempted to buy a 7 1/4 if it screams from the antique store to a 7 3/8 but haven't had either the money or the nerve to try it.