Recent content by XPLSV

I have had Optimo do some good work on some vintage hats over the years, but when I recently contacted them about replacing the sweatband in my long oval Knox derby, they informed me they would do a complete refurbishment for $400 but would not simply replace the sweatband. This hat is not in...

Beauty Jesse! I've had a number of vintage Open Roads over the years, including a barely worn 7X that I had reblocked in a Long Oval...but it didn't want to be a Long Oval. Finally just had Art make a clone for my Extra Long Oval noggin. Finding a true long oval vintage 7X is Gold!

10 years ago, I'd say that easily half the classifieds were hats...today, seems like there are more leather jackets on here than anything else.

I’ll take it.

What's the birm width?

During my travels of this past week, I was fortunate to have the chance to drive down to Central Point and visit the master milliner at his shop. Easily the highlight of my travels through California and Oregon. I also had the official measurement and verified my slight suspicion that I was an...

No announced date, yet, but Art did mention he is considered the order backlog and all—he pick his final hat completion date and back up from there for orders. I know he is thinking about it and there has been a big jump in interest since he mentioned thoughts of retiring. Time for the spring...

If you drive to Central Point, Art is still accepting orders at the shop. At least he was earlier today

I’m on a cell with a less than stellar signal—having more trouble with pic downloads-sorry if I missed this particular pic. If the hat has the original sweatband and it is taped at the back seam, rather than sewn , it is 1920s or earlier. A sewn seam is indicative of 30s or later.

Going to be out in Portland in another week...schedule looks good on the 30th for a trip down to Central Point...

This fedora has sold.

He is still working on backorders.

The long wait history is recorded here on the lounge. Steve Delk got in over his head with orders when he was charging much less than he does today...then fell ill with cancer. He has been working the back orders separately from the newer $600 orders. I'll leave it at that. You can search the...

Almost...7 1/2.