What makes the best hats best? An open question to all us snobby hat lovers.

[PabloElFlamenco]

Just chanced upon this wonderful thread...

Most important is
The felt - should be soft, almost velvety, at the touch, supple; one should be able to bash it using just fingers or a single karate chop with the back of the hand; and keep that bash. No steam, less shellac.

The sweatband - should be supple leather, reeded, and mounted in such a way as to not promote contact between the sweat and the felt.

All stitching should be ...perfect, especially if visible.

It should have a nice liner (but that is a minor consideration).

All the rest is a question of style, personal preference.

I have one hat that meets, well -originally met- these qualifications: "1940" Real Nutria John B. Stetson ... large cowboy hat. The felt is incredible: bash at will! The leather sweatband is pretty much toast...

Cheers,
Paul

 

[John Galt]

The Mark Of Quality Hat

Thanks for sharing gentlemen. I have truly enjoyed reading this thread. I just wish that there was more to read. Whether it be the "hand" of the felt the feel of the leather sweatband, or the stitching, the thing that really sets a good hat apart for me is that the quality is immediately apparent. Touching or wearing one is like having a well-made tool in your hand, or a custom pair of boots on your feet. It just feels right. For felt, I too prefer my vintage nutria fur hats (Stetsons with only one exception) over my one vintage 100% beaver fur hat (Beaver Brand) because the nutria felt has just as good a "hand" and can easily be dry-creased but seems a little more densely felted than the beaver and therefore more durable. For the hatters among us, what is the dark molasses smell that I sometimes catch when I steam a good quality beaver felt? I had thought this was a relic of the felting process until I handled a beaver pelt and caught the same scent. Is this some sort of musk or animal scent from the beaver itself?

 

[T Jones]

Thanks for sharing gentlemen. I have truly enjoyed reading this thread. I just wish that there was more to read. Whether it be the "hand" of the felt the feel of the leather sweatband, or the stitching, the thing that really sets a good hat apart for me is that the quality is immediately apparent. Touching or wearing one is like having a well-made tool in your hand, or a custom pair of boots on your feet. It just feels right. For felt, I too prefer my vintage nutria fur hats (Stetsons with only one exception) over my one vintage 100% beaver fur hat (Beaver Brand) because the nutria felt has just as good a "hand" and can easily be dry-creased but seems a little more densely felted than the beaver and therefore more durable. For the hatters among us, what is the dark molasses smell that I sometimes catch when I steam a good quality beaver felt? I had thought this was a relic of the felting process until I handled a beaver pelt and caught the same scent. Is this some sort of musk or animal scent from the beaver itself?

Hey John, I sent you a couple PMs about getting my hats re-sized.