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[Judgmentalist]

I really like this one. I think I’m going to have Wolfbrae help me get one made that is dialed in on my size before I will be willing to spend any money chasing vintage, though. What do you guys think? I assume like most everything else on Etsy (in my experience)it’s nice but probably at the top or just outside what it’s worth

https://www.etsy.com/listing/438706...ul-midnight-blue?ref=share_ios_native_control

 

[Frunobulax]

what do you guys think of this one?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/189170...borsalino-fedora?ref=share_ios_native_control
View attachment 779387

Hard to tell from one pic, but Anton Peschel made some great hats. If it fits, you should be happy.

 

[jlee562]

I really like this one. I think I’m going to have Wolfbrae help me get one made that is dialed in on my size before I will be willing to spend any money chasing vintage, though. What do you guys think? I assume like most everything else on Etsy (in my experience)it’s nice but probably at the top or just outside what it’s worth

EBay was always my go to for vintage. Granted, I'm a size 7, so it's a little bit easier for me. If you're looking at curled brims, I would encourage you to do a wide survey of independent hatters. Some do better brim work than others and not everybody has the correct tooling. For a Homburg style especially, I think vintage is going to be a better option.

You might try searching for the Stetson St. Regis. It is a long-standing model, that were often labeled on the sweat, so they are easily identified by sellers who may not be hat experts. They are relatively easier to track down than other vintage Stetson models.

 

[M Hatman]

Happy Easter everyone...I hope you are armored up!

 

[Judgmentalist]

what do you guys think of this one?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/189170...borsalino-fedora?ref=share_ios_native_control
View attachment 779387

I bought this Borsalino - we’ll see how it goes

 

[Judgmentalist]

https://ebay.us/m/HxjL7m

What do you guys think of this hat? I’ve noticed you can consistently find these in this range on eBay from reseller(s).

How would you compare it to this one?

https://bellissimohats.com/products/jones-olive-green

I put an offer on this black Optimo. I couldn’t resist. I’ll let you guys know if I end up with it.

 

[Frunobulax]

I bought this Borsalino - we’ll see how it goes

It's not a Borsalino. It's a Peschel imported by Borsalino.

 

[Judgmentalist]

It's not a Borsalino. It's a Peschel imported by Borsalino.

Thank you. I wasn’t aware of the distinction and I still don’t know what that means but I will look into it. At any rate it was cheap enough to not hurt my feeling lol

 

[Rmccamey]

EBay was always my go to for vintage. Granted, I'm a size 7, so it's a little bit easier for me. If you're looking at curled brims, I would encourage you to do a wide survey of independent hatters. Some do better brim work than others and not everybody has the correct tooling. For a Homburg style especially, I think vintage is going to be a better option.

You might try searching for the Stetson St. Regis. It is a long-standing model, that were often labeled on the sweat, so they are easily identified by sellers who may not be hat experts. They are relatively easier to track down than other vintage Stetson models.

+1
The St. Regis is an excellent homburg. Also keep your eyes open for a Knox, Mallory and the occasional Mayser or Borsalino.

 

[Judgmentalist]

+1
The St. Regis is an excellent homburg. Also keep your eyes open for a Knox, Mallory and the occasional Mayser or Borsalino.

View attachment 779566 View attachment 779567

Thank you

 

[Judgmentalist]

Thank you

+1
The St. Regis is an excellent homburg. Also keep your eyes open for a Knox, Mallory and the occasional Mayser or Borsalino.

View attachment 779566 View attachment 779567

I’d like to see what you think about this one, particularly about the cost/effort required to clean it up. It’s got my attention because it will fit me, but I don’t know what all goes into steaming those dents out - if I could do it myself or if I’d have to send it to somebody - and I’m assuming I’d end up having the ribbon replaced to get the stain out. Let me know what you think, please and thank you.

I also *think* I’d like a little more curl to the brim, but I’m still developing my preferences with that stuff.

https://ebay.us/m/auhY5j

 

[jlee562]

I’d like to see what you think about this one, particularly about the cost/effort required to clean it up. It’s got my attention because it will fit me, but I don’t know what all goes into steaming those dents out - if I could do it myself or if I’d have to send it to somebody - and I’m assuming I’d end up having the ribbon replaced to get the stain out. Let me know what you think, please and thank you.

I also *think* I’d like a little more curl to the brim, but I’m still developing my preferences with that stuff.

This should be a pretty good example. It has the keyhole tag but also a plastic liner tip, so late 50's-60's in terms of dating. You don't need to send it to anybody. Go grab a handheld clothes steamer, it's enough to get the job done. You'll also need to pick up a hat brush, and I would recommend also getting a hat sponge. The hat sponge is a minimally invasive way to scrape off a fine layer of fibers. Or in other words, the first thing you can try on minor surface stains that don't just brush out. Give it a once over with a vacuum. Then hit it with some steam (never on the leather sweat band!). Brush counter clockwise on the top of the hat, and clockwise on the underside of the brim. The steam should 'reactivate' the stiffener, which will both help you shape it (or unshape it as if were), and help get out dirt and dust particles as you brush. The felt will likely be a tad stiffer than the average fedora, but I've pinched and unpinched my Homburg, so you shouldn't have any issue.

 

[Judgmentalist]

This should be a pretty good example. It has the keyhole tag but also a plastic liner tip, so late 50's-60's in terms of dating. You don't need to send it to anybody. Go grab a handheld clothes steamer, it's enough to get the job done. You'll also need to pick up a hat brush, and I would recommend also getting a hat sponge. The hat sponge is a minimally invasive way to scrape off a fine layer of fibers. Or in other words, the first thing you can try on minor surface stains that don't just brush out. Give it a once over with a vacuum. Then hit it with some steam (never on the leather sweat band!). Brush counter clockwise on the top of the hat, and clockwise on the underside of the brim. The steam should 'reactivate' the stiffener, which will both help you shape it (or unshape it as if were), and help get out dirt and dust particles as you brush. The felt will likely be a tad stiffer than the average fedora, but I've pinched and unpinched my Homburg, so you shouldn't have any issue.

Thank you. Based a this comment I went ahead and put an offer on this one. This ought to be fun.

 

[Frunobulax]

Thank you. I wasn’t aware of the distinction and I still don’t know what that means but I will look into it. At any rate it was cheap enough to not hurt my feeling lol

Peschel is another hat manufacturer, previously German, but moved to Czechoslovakia at some point mid-20th century. I only own one and can't expound on them. @mayserwegener would know more.

 

[blewnote]

I really like this one. I think I’m going to have Wolfbrae help me get one made that is dialed in on my size before I will be willing to spend any money chasing vintage, though. What do you guys think? I assume like most everything else on Etsy (in my experience)it’s nice but probably at the top or just outside what it’s worth

https://www.etsy.com/listing/438706...ul-midnight-blue?ref=share_ios_native_control View attachment 779389

$460 seems a bit steep for a homburg, but I guess if you're a larger size they are harder to come by. But with patience I'd imagine you can find one in good shape for under $200 (and if you're really lucky under $100). I don't like to feel like I've overspent, but I also think that if you're getting a wearable hat in good (or better) condition anything under $200 is pretty reasonable, considering custom hats start around $400 (and often much higher).

 

[belfastboy]

$460 seems a bit steep for a homburg, but I guess if you're a larger size they are harder to come by. But with patience I'd imagine you can find one in good shape for under $200 (and if you're really lucky under $100). I don't like to feel like I've overspent, but I also think that if you're getting a wearable hat in good (or better) condition anything under $200 is pretty reasonable, considering custom hats start around $400 (and often much higher).

Yes...Homburgs are less popular and sell for less. I think $200 is about my max paid and I only buy if pristine in 7 3/8. I think my St Regis in a light Grey cost me $100

 

[jlee562]

I haven't really been acquiring as of late, and have no experience trying to find a larger size in vintage. I also love me a deal and try to avoid paying full price for anything online (you'd be surprised how often "welcome10" works as a coupon code). Which is to say, I dunno what is or is not a good deal in larger sizes and that I definitely understand the impulse for a good deal.

But that having been said, given that the raison d'être for the Lounge is vintage hats, let me offer a different perspective on the "customs start at..." price comparison. $400 does seem pretty steep for a Homburg, but modern felts are just not the same. By in large, most vintage hats have thinner, but denser, felt. Personally, I find this preferable. Since we are talking about a Homburg here, that's binding and a brim roll, which are up charges for many hatters. Not all hatters do binding, some do it better than others (have seen some questionable stitch placement and joining). And again, for any hat with a brim roll, IMHO you are better off vintage more often than not. The modern independent hatter is going to construct it differently.

I have customs, I enjoy and wear my customs, but a nice vintage hat is something else.

 

[Dan718]

Here in Japan the only available Open Roads are th Japan edition in wool felt, or the 160th edition open crown.

It seem the dimensions of the 160th are a bit bigger than the regular one, wider brim, a bit taller.

For those that have them, how does the felt differe, and is it worth the extra cost.

For what it’s worth while I like the Open Roads, I don’t I don’t feel like I want to wear a cattleman crease, so reshaping would be inevitable.

 

[The Lost kansan]

Here in Japan the only available Open Roads are th Japan edition in wool felt, or the 160th edition open crown.

It seem the dimensions of the 160th are a bit bigger than the regular one, wider brim, a bit taller.

For those that have them, how does the felt differe, and is it worth the extra cost.

For what it’s worth while I like the Open Roads, I don’t I don’t feel like I want to wear a cattleman crease, so reshaping would be inevitable.

Is it possible to import vintage Stetsons where you’re at? Judging by what you’ve posted here recently I feel like a good vintage Stratoliner would suit you very well. A lot easier to shape also than my modern open road

 

[Dan718]

Is it possible to import vintage Stetsons where you’re at? Judging by what you’ve posted here recently I feel like a good vintage Stratoliner would suit you very well. A lot easier to shape also than my modern open road

It’s possible yes, but there are only a few ways and a certain amount of luck involved.

I had looked at the stratoliner as a potential future buy, in terms of dimensions and look I agree that it’s probably more my style.