Well, I've received my D'acquino custom beaver felt hat and I must say I'm impressed. I ordered a light gray fedora made from beaver fur with an overwelt brim. The brim is 2 1/2" wide and the crown is a little over 4 1/2" in height. Here are some (not so good) pictures...
The pouncing on the hat is extremely good and smooth, one of the best I've seen on a modern hat, including custom hats. The material itself is very pliable and does not have much in the way of stiffener. It's not as robust as Art Fawcett's felt. I consider it to be of more finer construction but not in the pejorative sense. More dress hat appropriate than thick. It compares favorably to my vintage Stetson 20 and I consider the Stetson to have a great texture, pliability and feel. The brim is a snap brim but rolls into place rather than snaps and that's do to its soft, malleable nature.
The tack stitching is very well done and difficult to notice. I had to try to find them in some cases. Superb work on the sweatband, which seems to be of good quality. I have three Vintage Silhouette hats and I would say that quality wise they edge out the D'acquino but not by much. The only negative is the center-top liner has a crackly sound to it when I grip the hat but I'm not concerned that issue. Otherwise, the liner is quite nice and serviceable.
All-in-all, a fabulous beaver hat and all for under $175 USD shipped to my door. I will be ordering another.
The pouncing on the hat is extremely good and smooth, one of the best I've seen on a modern hat, including custom hats. The material itself is very pliable and does not have much in the way of stiffener. It's not as robust as Art Fawcett's felt. I consider it to be of more finer construction but not in the pejorative sense. More dress hat appropriate than thick. It compares favorably to my vintage Stetson 20 and I consider the Stetson to have a great texture, pliability and feel. The brim is a snap brim but rolls into place rather than snaps and that's do to its soft, malleable nature.
The tack stitching is very well done and difficult to notice. I had to try to find them in some cases. Superb work on the sweatband, which seems to be of good quality. I have three Vintage Silhouette hats and I would say that quality wise they edge out the D'acquino but not by much. The only negative is the center-top liner has a crackly sound to it when I grip the hat but I'm not concerned that issue. Otherwise, the liner is quite nice and serviceable.
All-in-all, a fabulous beaver hat and all for under $175 USD shipped to my door. I will be ordering another.
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