Hat repair needed

[Rooster]

I just joined the "open Road" club.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=009&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=190084563488&rd=1&rd=1
It has "needs":eusa_doh: It needs a new sweat band, a liner and blocked and streched to a 7 3/8...... It's a little tight.
Can anybody direct me to somebody who can save this old "Open Road"?
What is "Nutria Quality"?

 

[Dinerman]

well, that's not an open road, but nutria stetsons are pretty nice hats from what I've read.

 

[Rick Blaine]

If I may suggest...

well, that's not an open road, but nutria stetsons are pretty nice hats from what I've read.

The same thing happened to me. I bought a Stetson 25 that I thought was an OR. Imagine my disappointment when that proved not to be the case. I paid more for it than any other vintage lid I have ever purchased & I was p.o.'d.
So I boxed the sucker up & shipped it to Optimo hats in Chicago & asked him to turn it into a hat resembling their "Mitchum" fedora, seen here;

Two weeks later I was surprised & delighted to have a lovely & unique hat. For a hundred bucks they completely tore it down, reblocked, new ribbon, new sweat (liner wasn't needed), trimmed & bound the brim. All in all a very satisfactory conclusion to what was initially a real irritant.
BTW, clear nutria was the most expensive felt Stetson ever sold, I am told, a true steal for 35 bucks.

 

[Rooster]

true steal for 35 bucks.

Well, that relieves the sting a little lol What do you suppose this is if not an OR? Any guestimations on age?
Any more suggestions of rebuild options?

 

[Dinerman]

It's a '50's or so cowboy hat. If it were me, I'd wear it as is, but like I said, that's just me, because I like that kind of thing.

 

[Rick Blaine]

A few

North Valley Hat Co. in OR
Mike the Hatter in Ohio
Jimmy Pierce in Tx
Jackson Hole Hat Co. in WY
Worth & Worth in NYC
Arizona Hatters' in, uh, AZ
Peter Bros. in TX

... and lotsa others, I am sure. Google "hat repair" or "hat cleaning" or "Hat renovation" you will turn 'em up.

 

[Stoney]

In addition to Rick's suggestion, Jimmy Pierce or Art Fawcett can help. Art has made a good deal of custom fedora hats for people on lounge and Jimmy has a hat shop in Texas.

Both are forum members. You can check around for a price with many other custom hatters, but Jimmy Pierce has hat renovation listed at $65.00.

Before Jimmy Pierce

After Jimmy Pierce

Jimmy Pierce: This link is for hat renovation prices and pictures.
http://www.jimmypiercedesigns.com/index.mv?pageid=Hatrepair

Art Fawcett: Check with Art also
http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com

 

[feltfan]

I was eyeing that hat for a while...

Your hat is definitely not an Open Road.
That said, it's something a bit more special.

Have a look at this thread, in which I show my
Nutria Quality Stetson, after it was reblocked and
given a new ribbon by Optimo. They also stretched
it out a bit, but it resisted and shrunk back.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=12126

Whoever you get to work on that hat (and Art doesn't do
restoration anymore), make sure they stretch it good and
check to make sure it doesn't shrink back before sending it
back to you.

The bottom line is, Nutria Quality is a blend of fur, including
nutria (where "Clear Nutria" is all nutria fur). It is incredibly
strong. Yeah, Optimo offers nutria blend bodies these days,
but I am guessing those don't hold a candle to a tough old
Stetson Nutria Quality. You got a steal. And of course you
can have it blocked to be an Open Road style if you want to.
The existing crown is certainly unique.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

In addition to Rick's suggestion, Jimmy Pierce or Art Fawcett can help. Art has made a good deal of custom fedora hats for people on lounge and Jimmy has a hat shop in Texas.

Both are forum members. You can check around for a price with many other custom hatters, but Jimmy Pierce has hat renovation listed at $65.00.

Before Jimmy Pierce

After Jimmy Pierce

Jimmy Pierce: This link is for hat renovation prices and pictures.
http://www.jimmypiercedesigns.com/index.mv?pageid=Hatrepair

Art Fawcett: Check with Art also
http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com[/QUOTE

Quite an amazing transformation!

 

[jamespowers]

It looks sort of militaryish. Kind of reminds me of the hats in This thread:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=16158

I have a Lee 100 that has a similar bash. I can't bring myself to change it until I get more information on the hat. [huh]

Regards,

J

 

[Rooster]

I just want to say thanks for all your help guys. Much appreciated!:eusa_clap