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

PabloElFlamenco

Practically Family
Messages
581
Location
near Brussels, Belgium
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

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
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

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,786
Location
Central Ohio
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.
 

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