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  1. Bob Smalser

    The Other Open Roads.....

    Well, I just paid way too much for a similar Resistol with an untrustworthy description because I also like the color. I'll know in a day or so whether I'll have a hat or a pile of smelly, moth-eaten dust unsuitable for even the Goodwill box....and the resulting hassle. But there have also...
  2. Bob Smalser

    The Open Road Guild

    Thanks gents. Learned something as usual.
  3. Bob Smalser

    Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

    A very nice tool I was outbid on at 203 bucks delivered. Congrats to who got it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=200314436793
  4. Bob Smalser

    stiffness relief

    Sizing is the chemical stiffener used in garments at the factory. I've seen two types for sale at millinery suppliers.....lacquer-based and shellac-based. The bigger the hat, the thicker the felt and the cheaper the felt, the more it seems manufacturers soak the hat in sizing. Shellac...
  5. Bob Smalser

    The Open Road Guild

    I wonder if this recent eBay find predates Stetson stamping "Open Road" on this style of hat? Except for the 2-cord ribbon, it matches OR measurements in every way. It's a huge Size 7 7/8. With a 2 3/4" bound brim and 4 3/4 - 5 1/4 - 4 1/4" crown, it's proportional to my other Open Road...
  7. Bob Smalser

    German & Austrian Hutmachers

    Neat. Thanks, gents.
  8. Bob Smalser

    Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250377333493 Not owning any Stetsons, I find this 20-dollar eBay find interesting. Poorly described, I thought it was a recent hat in Size 6 7/8 the wife could wear gardening. Turns out it's a vintage Open Road style but with a western...
  9. Bob Smalser

    Sliver Belly

    Silver Belly is a color that refers to the natural color of the underbelly of the fur-bearers used for hats. Beaver, Nutria, European Hare, etc. Only the winter underfur of the animal is used for felt, and the finest fur on the animal is located on the underside, producing the finest grades...
  10. Bob Smalser

    Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

    Trying to shrink any garment is a crapshoot I don't advise, as all the parts don't shrink proportionally. A hatter can do it, but they have the necessary blocks and stretchers and the job usually requires new sweatbands and ribbons. A wool tweed hat is rarely worth spending all that money on a...
  11. Bob Smalser

    Can 100% polyester grosgrain be swirled?

    Buy the real thing instead. For as little as is needed at 80 cents a yard with fast service, there is no reason not to. Judith's 5-dollar sample kit has all her ribbons with their stock numbers attached for fast color match and phone or on-line ordering...
  13. Bob Smalser

    The Other Open Roads.....

    I suspect they weren't all marked as to model. My modern Resistol's manufacturer's tag beneath the flange only has a number on it, and the Beaver 100 has no evidence of ever having a manufacturer's tag at all, only the size tag. I just received another "mystery", 20-dollar Open Road clone...
  14. Bob Smalser

    The Other Open Roads.....

    Unmarked modern Resistol 3X Beaver, originally with a Cattleman crease: 50's-vintage unmarked Resistol Beaver 100, also originally with a Cattleman crease...one exceptional hat:
  15. Bob Smalser

    Been banking at work, $$ for a new REAL FUR FELT HAT

    If you wear a size too large for easy acquisition of a vintage fedora, for 50 dollars more that those mentioned I wouldn't ignore these: http://www.thefedorastore.com/Beaver-Brand-Hats-s/130.htm Or for another 25 dollars, you can design your own fedora...
  16. Bob Smalser

    The Dumbest Comment I Ever Heard

    Of course I'm only referring to my home, where the item has resided for about a week since the estate sale. Whether the original owner where it resided for the vast bulk of its existence raised ferrets and smoked cheap cigars, I don't have a clue. Duh. ;)
  17. Bob Smalser

    Quality of Photos

    These days poor internet photos aren't the result of the camera, most of which have more features than most can take advantage of, as much as they are from lack of light and focus. Tripods, umbrellas and lights have been mentioned and definitely have their place, but they are slow, unhandy...
  19. Bob Smalser

    Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

    Congratulations. Interesting to see the differences between them, as I'm guessing at the decade. They may be 10 years apart, although I couldn't tell which is older. One thing for sure is the quality of the felt, manufacturing and detail is the equal of my 40's-vintage Borsalino Alesandria...
  20. Bob Smalser

    The Open Road Guild

    Here's an Open Road clone to look for if you don't want to pay extra for names sought by collectors. This 40's-vintage Adam Executive is a soft, buttery felt with an identical hand to my two vintage Borsalinos and with all the small details and quality. This went for a whopping $18.27 on...
  21. Bob Smalser

    Ebay Hats: Victories, Defeats, Gripes & Items of Interest

    Thanks, God for bad descriptions. ;) Including all those describing 40's-vintage Adam hats as economy models lacking detail or refinement. $18.27 for a Size 7 3/8 Open Road clone in near-perfect condition. And I though Christmas was over...
  22. Bob Smalser

    Be Honest, Who Looks 'Good' In Their FILSON Packer Hat?

    I never found Filson hats very comfortable. Especially when the sun comes out. Working in the woods every day, today I follow a different path. I like the fur felt "travel hats" like the Italian-made Worth and Worth fedora shown. These are generally made soft sans liner, stiffeners and...
  23. Bob Smalser

    German & Austrian Hutmachers

    Decades ago as a draftee, I served as an infantryman in the 87th US Mountain Infantry in the Rhoen Mountains and Thueringerwald of the Inter-German border. The outfit is still around and when not in Afghanistan, is based at Ft Drum NY. What I envied about our German and NATO mountain troop...

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