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Wyldkarma

Wyldkarma

One Too Many
Messages
1,805
Location
Austin, TX
What are vitafelt and dynafelt hats used in some of the Stetson models? Are these pure wool hats or blended fur? Better or worse than rabbit / beaver hats? I've seen the terms used many times but don't understand what types of material.

Thanks.
 
Bamaboots

Bamaboots

Messages
11,161
Location
Alabama
M

Michael J Taylor

New in Town
Messages
6
Hello I'm new here .. Is this hat a counterfeit? 20180820_124416.jpg 20180820_124358.jpg 20180820_124416.jpg 20180820_124358.jpg
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,930
Location
Central California
A

Asudef

New in Town
Messages
29
Location
Bay Area
Couple of questions, perhaps I can find an answer to cover all 3.

Who makes good quality affordable ~$300 hats?
With a color like this gray/blue Stetson?
And has a tapered crown like Optimo's?

I'm also considering Art's hats but he doesn't currently stock a gray/blue Off the Rack and his hats have a more traditional crown sans taper.
 
jlee562

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,052
Location
San Francisco, CA
Asudef said:
Couple of questions, perhaps I can find an answer to cover all 3.

Who makes good quality affordable ~$300 hats?
With a color like this gray/blue Stetson?
And has a tapered crown like Optimo's?

I'm also considering Art's hats but he doesn't currently stock a gray/blue Off the Rack and his hats have a more traditional crown sans taper.
Click to expand...

Blue smoke is probably the closest color you'll find, Art should have it. He also has tapered blocks.

Akubra has carbon grey, which is technically a blue grey, but not really like that Stetson.
 
jlee562

jlee562

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,052
Location
San Francisco, CA
Asudef said:
Hmm, how about this color?
OrXHIlc.jpg
Click to expand...

Oof....ok.

So, in general, there's just not as many shades as there used to be. Check out the felt swatch samples in the felt color selection thread. That looks close to winchester's charcoal to me, but that also looks like a velour finish.

If you move forward with Art, or really, any custom hatter, you'll get some felt swatch samples you can examine in person. I don't know who else has those tapered blocks, they're generally not favored by those seeking custom hats (as part of reason some folks go custom is to get away from tapered crowns). I know John Penman has one he used on The Blacklist hat for James Spader, but he's above your price point.
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,930
Location
Central California
jlee562 said:
Blue smoke is probably the closest color you'll find, Art should have it. He also has tapered blocks.

Akubra has carbon grey, which is technically a blue grey, but not really like that Stetson.
Click to expand...

I’m not sure what color you’re after. Navy velour would be an option based on your photo. “Steel” is also a possibility. For a lighter shade, smoke blue is gorgeous. VS can make you a hat but it will go a bit over the $300 limit you set. For a descent hat at a great price in rabbit fur felt (Tonak) you can contact Agnoulita via Etsy. There is also a thread here. If you can spend a bit more and want a better beaver hat I can fully recommend Gannon or the Phoenix Hat Company (they both have threads here).

As to block shape, most of us here like the classic hat shape with minimal taper. The #52 block is a favorite. I know Agnoulita has tapered blocks if that’s really want you want. The Penman Everyman line is an option.

I also have great affinity for the Stetson New York LE and the Phantom Gray color is great (see One 2 Mini Ranch who sales them for $290). Really, your spoiled for choice but you’ll need to select a color first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,930
Location
Central California
Asudef said:
Couple of questions, perhaps I can find an answer to cover all 3.

Who makes good quality affordable ~$300 hats?
With a color like this gray/blue Stetson?
And has a tapered crown like Optimo's?

I'm also considering Art's hats but he doesn't currently stock a gray/blue Off the Rack and his hats have a more traditional crown sans taper.
Click to expand...

I’m not aware of any domestic felts the color of that Stetson. I’ll second the blue smoke option (not a color that many can get so VS might be your best option for that color). I don’t think you’ll find anyone who has them as stock items ready to purchase, particularly not within your price. Agnoulita, and others, have access to a huge variety of colors in rabbit fur felt so that might be a viable option and it will cost just over half of what you want to spend and can usually be deliver in 40ish day’s. Just understand that Agnoulita is a bargain hat and does NOT compare to fine custom hats.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Tukwila

Tukwila

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,382
Location
SW of Antifa Central (PDX)
You pretty much have to find some old vintage hat bodies to get a color like that. The blue smoke I've seen isn't as blue as your picture shows... and powder blue is more blue than your picture shows, like baby blue or sky blue.

I have a 50s bluish gray Royal Stetson that is blocked more like an Open Road, although it is not marked as such. You might have luck searching for a vintage hat in the color you want and then have it reblocked and finished in the style you want.

This pic is taken with a grey background.
i-Fwj4dZd-L.jpg


i-HwD4dp8-M.jpg
i-SsxHGBQ-M.jpg


i-vDBX8cV-M.jpg
i-8H8sGFP-M.jpg


.
 
deadlyhandsome

deadlyhandsome

Messages
18,930
Location
Central California
Tukwila said:
You pretty much have to find some old vintage hat bodies to get a color like that. The blue smoke I've seen isn't as blue as your picture shows... and powder blue is more blue than your picture shows, like baby blue or sky blue.

I have a 50s bluish gray Royal Stetson that is blocked more like an Open Road, although it is not marked as such. You might have luck searching for a vintage hat in the color you want and then have it reblocked and finished in the style you want.

This pic is taken with a grey background.
i-Fwj4dZd-L.jpg


i-HwD4dp8-M.jpg
i-SsxHGBQ-M.jpg


i-vDBX8cV-M.jpg
i-8H8sGFP-M.jpg


.
Click to expand...

I was looking for that color myself and concluded that Winchester just doesn’t offer it. Tonak has a huge selection of colors but the felt quality (rabbit) is unimpressive. I’d love to get another FEPSA rabbit/hare blend but I don’t know what colors they have and their website is terrible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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