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Adios Stetsonian

tommyK

One Too Many
Messages
1,789
Location
Berwick, PA
I guess I'll be the first to say that I'm not surprised. I bought 3 of Deckard Stetsons (two Strats and a Stetsonian) to support the effort but was disappointed in all of them. I was careful not to trash talk these as they came out in the hopes they would improve and be motivated to do better with time. Indeed I was one of the first to get one and post a picture of me wearing one here on the Lounge. There were great things about them but the key thing, the felt, was just not up to snuff. An important segment of their audience for these (vintage hat fans) was bound to be disappointed.

I think whatever process was used to make the felt in the old days is either lost or isn't cost efficient enough to be worth doing.

I realize some here will disagree with me and that's fine. You like what you like for your own reasons and these hats fill a void for many who can't find what they're looking for elsewhere

It's too bad. It was a noble effort on the part of Mr. Deckard and Stetson and I wish they'd sold in numbers that insured many years to come and future models and improvements
 
Messages
19,124
Location
Funkytown, USA
2016 claims yet another casualty. :(

I've got 16 scattered over a few small orders and was told this morning that they would be filled.

That's good to hear. I was looking at your eBay listings last night after this post hit. I really like my Stetsonian and would like another, probably in Caribou, maybe Mink, when some funds free up. Hopefully there will be a few left when that happens.

I guess I'll be the first to say that I'm not surprised. I bought 3 of Deckard Stetsons (two Strats and a Stetsonian) to support the effort but was disappointed in all of them. I was careful not to trash talk these as they came out in the hopes they would improve and be motivated to do better with time. Indeed I was one of the first to get one and post a picture of me wearing one here on the Lounge. There were great things about them but the key thing, the felt, was just not up to snuff. An important segment of their audience for these (vintage hat fans) was bound to be disappointed.

I think whatever process was used to make the felt in the old days is either lost or isn't cost efficient enough to be worth doing.

I realize some here will disagree with me and that's fine. You like what you like for your own reasons and these hats fill a void for many who can't find what they're looking for elsewhere

It's too bad. It was a noble effort on the part of Mr. Deckard and Stetson and I wish they'd sold in numbers that insured many years to come and future models and improvements

As I said above, and many times, I love my Stetsonian and also the Racine I picked up at the Garland Outlet. I think the felt is OK, but the finishing could have been better. By that, I don't mean the usual (and justified) complaints about ribbon tacking and the like. But if they had taken some extra time to more finely pounce the thicker felt, it would have greatly improved the Stetsonian. Right now, I think customs are eating Stetson's lunch.

But many thanks and kudos to Matt Deckard for his efforts, energy, and results. He gave it a good run. We'll have to see what the 2017 and 2018 catalogs bring us. There's still "something" about a Stetson hat in my feeble mind.
 

tropicalbob

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,954
Location
miami, fl
I see they have exactly two models that come in larger sizes than 7 3/4, and those are skimpies: cost-cutting (literally).
 
Messages
19,124
Location
Funkytown, USA
The liner says Stetsonian and the model on the tag under the leather head band says Bogart.

Sounds like you may have a hybrid of sorts. You didn't happen to get it at the factory outlet in Garland, did you? All other modern Stetsonians have the model name on the sweatband, and the quality designation on the liner. Again, would love to see some photos of this - you may have a bit of a rare bird, or "Frankenhat."

I wonder if the New York open crown model that they have listed in their fall 2017 catalog is replacing the Stetsonian. They also have a model called the Bogie listed in that same catalog.

The New York has an overwelted brim, the Stetsonian is a bound brim. It appears if you want a bound brim, you have to go with a Strat or a Whippet. Only three open crown models, and it looks like the OR has been bumped from Royal to Royal Deluxe (sadly not open crown and stiff felt. They still have a Homburg, but the St. Regis revival doesn't appear to have lasted long, either.

Not an impressive lienup by our standards, for sure. Mr. Deckard's influence will be missed.
 

Brad Bowers

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,187
I should have posted the link:
http://www.hat-co.com/perch//resources/fall2017dobbsdigital-1.pdf

I'm not surprised they don't offer open crown. It took a lot of pressure just to get them to offer open-crown Stetsons. Dobbs occupies a different market for them. I've long wanted them to embrace their past, reintroduce classic models and make classically styled Dobbs hats like Matt Deckard had them do with Stetson, but I don't think it will happen. I'm not crazy about the new Cross Country, and I hate their modern Dobbs logo, but at least they brought the Cross Country name back.

I am curious about their Dobbs Derby styles. I don't understand the soft felt, and it would be nice if the crown was taller than a measly 4 inches. I'm tempted to order one out of sheer curiosity.

Brad
~The Hatted Professor
 

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