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[deadlyhandsome]

I agree with this assessment. Had a very similar hat to this one that I purchased used. Really liked the felt, decent build quality Would not have paid full retail for it but buying it used at a decent price made sense.

I sent a similar Borsalino off to VS (post Art) and had David Gibson use the felt to make me an Open Road clone. It’s blocked great and looks good, but as soon as you touch it you know it’s not in the same league as vintage Borsalinos. I like the hat and wear it often, but it’s just not comparable to the older Borsalinos.

 

[belfastboy]

I sent a similar Borsalino off to VS (post Art) and had David Gibson use the felt to make me an Open Road clone. It’s blocked great and looks good, but as soon as you touch it you know it’s not in the same league as vintage Borsalinos. I like the hat and wear it often, but it’s just not comparable to the older Borsalinos.

Yes, I have a few 1950's Borsalinos and they are my grail hats. The felts on my 1980's & 90's Borsas (even a little stingy brim from JJ Hats from the early 90's is really nice felt.) are still nice and a cut above any modern Stetson I have but def not in my grail category

 

[Steve1857]

Dear members,
I posted new photos, it got pretty quiet after that. Did I do something wrong or is it more difficult than I thougt to identify a hat. In any case, I am very happy with the hat, it wears en fits great. I have more and buy them in French speaking Belgium. If someone has an idea fine, if not good too. I'm happy with it.
See you all soon.'
Galgofriend

You did nothing wrong Galgofriend. I think we were just waiting for others to post a reply

Bent's right about it being a modern Borsalino. Probably made in the last decade or so. You'd be wise to follow his advice too about posting it in the Borsalino Brotherhood thread. If you do, take clear photos in good light of the following: the liner, the sweatband, especially any markings on it or indeed under it, the hat itself along with the the ribbon and bow.

Looking forward to seeing it in the BB.

 

[Galgofriend]

I don’t think the exact model can be identified with what you provided. Are there any markings on the leather sweatband?

Yours is a fairly recent hat. Borsalino continued to make excellent hats longer than most hat companies, but recently, even before their bankruptcy, the quality became noticeably lower. Your hat belongs to this group. This isn’t to say that it’s a bad hat, but it just doesn’t compare favorably to vintage Borsalinos. I have a couple Borsalinos from this era and while they don’t compare to earlier hats they still have decent felt. My biggest complaints about these more recent hats are their blocking (short tapered crowns, narrower brims, etc.) and their build quality (glued in rough cut liners, cheaper narrower sweatbands, etc.). If you like the style/shape then you have a nice newer hat that does compare favorably to many other current production hats.

If you have a specific question(s) you should post them in this thread so one of our Borsalino experts will be more likely to see it:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-borsalino-brotherhood.13133/page-435#post-2870932

Thanks
The sweatband says at one side Borsalino Grand prix Paris 1900, made in Italy fondata nel antica casa 1857 written in golden letters. Also at the same side te size of the hat 73/8, 61/2, 60, I think that`s a little sticker.
Is that from any help?
Galgofriend

 

[Galgofriend]

I don’t think the exact model can be identified with what you provided. Are there any markings on the leather sweatband?

Yours is a fairly recent hat. Borsalino continued to make excellent hats longer than most hat companies, but recently, even before their bankruptcy, the quality became noticeably lower. Your hat belongs to this group. This isn’t to say that it’s a bad hat, but it just doesn’t compare favorably to vintage Borsalinos. I have a couple Borsalinos from this era and while they don’t compare to earlier hats they still have decent felt. My biggest complaints about these more recent hats are their blocking (short tapered crowns, narrower brims, etc.) and their build quality (glued in rough cut liners, cheaper narrower sweatbands, etc.). If you like the style/shape then you have a nice newer hat that does compare favorably to many other current production hats.

If you have a specific question(s) you should post them in this thread so one of our Borsalino experts will be more likely to see it:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-borsalino-brotherhood.13133/page-435#post-2870932

Thanks
The sweatband says at one side Borsalino Grand prix Paris 1900, made in Italy fondata nel antica casa 1857 written in golden letters. Also at the same side te size of the hat 73/8, 61/2, 60, I think that`s a little sticker.
Is that from any help?
Galgofriend

 

[Steve1857]

Thanks
The sweatband says at one side Borsalino Grand prix Paris 1900, made in Italy fondata nel antica casa 1857 written in golden letters. Also at the same side te size of the hat 73/8, 61/2, 60, I think that`s a little sticker.
Is that from any help?
Galgofriend

Not really, that's standard for most Borsalinos.
I looked back at your first posts and noticed the Loden Frey label on the liner. This is a high quality establishment in Munich, I believe. They're specialists in Alpine wear. So perhaps this Borsalino is connected to that. The ribbon could suggest that, too. An Alpine hiking hat of some kind.
Modern Borsalinos more often than not have no name, like this one. Otherwise it would be on the label under the felt.
Again, I advise you to take photos in focus and in better light, then post them on the Borsalino Brotherhood thread. You will get much better answers from the real experts there.

 

[Galgofriend]

Not really, that's standard for most Borsalinos.
I looked back at your first posts and noticed the Loden Frey label on the liner. This is a high quality establishment in Munich, I believe. They're specialists in Alpine wear. So perhaps this Borsalino is connected to that. The ribbon could suggest that, too. An Alpine hiking hat of some kind.
Modern Borsalinos more often than not have no name, like this one. Otherwise it would be on the label under the felt.
Again, I advise you to take photos in focus and in better light, then post them on the Borsalino Brotherhood thread. You will get much better answers from the real experts there.

Thanks again, I take better tomorrow by daylight.
See you soon.
Galgofriend

 

[Galgofriend]

I mean beter pictures.

 

[Steve1857]

I mean beter pictures.

Excellent. Remember to post them in this thread:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-borsalino-brotherhood.13133/page-435#post-2870932

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thanks
The sweatband says at one side Borsalino Grand prix Paris 1900, made in Italy fondata nel antica casa 1857 written in golden letters. Also at the same side te size of the hat 73/8, 61/2, 60, I think that`s a little sticker.
Is that from any help?
Galgofriend

The gold sticker on the sweatband with the sizing expressed in the various systems (UK, US, Punti/French Point, and metric) is a modern addition and one that I associate with Borsalino at less than their best.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thanks
The sweatband says at one side Borsalino Grand prix Paris 1900, made in Italy fondata nel antica casa 1857 written in golden letters. Also at the same side te size of the hat 73/8, 61/2, 60, I think that`s a little sticker.
Is that from any help?
Galgofriend

The gold sticker on the sweatband with the sizing expressed in the various systems (UK, US, Punti/French Point, and metric) is a modern addition and one that I associate with Borsalino at less than their best.

Some of my favorite hats for daily use are from the shallow end of the gene pool, so to speak. I like mine and that’s all that really matters to me. If you like yours what else matters to you?

 

[Galgofriend]

The gold sticker on the sweatband with the sizing expressed in the various systems (UK, US, Punti/French Point, and metric) is a modern addition and one that I associate with Borsalino at less than their best.

Some of my favorite hats for daily use are from the shallow end of the gene pool, so to speak. I like mine and that’s all that really matters to me. If you like yours what else matters to you?

You are absolute right. The hat wears and fits right. What else do I want.
Galgofriend

 

[glider]

I recently acquired a Dobbs 5th Ave. Gordon. If anyone has any knowledge of this model and vintage, I'd appreciate the information. It's a pretty light felt with a nice hand, thanks

 

[Snowman]

I have a hat with a thin spot at the pinch. It’s not terrible yet. Will it continue to stress the felt to leave it creased as is? Would it be better to recrease so that the thin spot is flat and not pinched? The hat looks OK right now; I’m concerned with the long haul.

 

[belfastboy]

I have a hat with a thin spot at the pinch. It’s not terrible yet. Will it continue to stress the felt to leave it creased as is? Would it be better to recrease so that the thin spot is flat and not pinched? The hat looks OK right now; I’m concerned with the long haul.

I had an old Borsalino with great wear at the pinch (very thin felt at that spot). It did not get worse but I was extra careful to NOT handle it at the pinch as that is what caused the excessive wear in the first place.

 

[Snowman]

I had an old Borsalino with great wear at the pinch (very thin felt at that spot). It did not get worse but I was extra careful to NOT handle it at the pinch as that is what caused the excessive wear in the first place.

Thanks for the response. That’s what I was thinking, but it’s good to have someone with more experience weigh in. I try to palm the crown instead of grabbing the pinch.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I have a hat with a thin spot at the pinch. It’s not terrible yet. Will it continue to stress the felt to leave it creased as is? Would it be better to recrease so that the thin spot is flat and not pinched? The hat looks OK right now; I’m concerned with the long haul.

Unfortunately, I’ve had a few hats with this issue. I agree with changing the crease if the weak spot is at the top of the pinch. Re-creasing it so the weak spot is in an area that flexes less is helpful in keeping it from getting worse. You can also reinforce the felt from the backside.

 

[belfastboy]

Thanks for the response. That’s what I was thinking, but it’s good to have someone with more experience weigh in. I try to palm the crown instead of grabbing the pinch.

I experimented with my Borsa and tried moving the pinch but the area was so worn it was impossible to move it without it making the worn area even more obvious so like the flaws in myself........I learned to live with it.

 

[belfastboy]

Unfortunately, I’ve had a few hats with this issue. I agree with changing the crease if the weak spot is at the top of the pinch. Re-creasing it so the weak spot is in an area that flexes less is helpful in keeping it from getting worse. You can also reinforce the felt from the backside.

I was thinking hat shops should have on hand a vintage hat with a badly worn area around the pinch. Something to show new hat owners the effects of handling a hat by the pinch. Hang a sign on the hat...."Warning: don't do this or you get this!"

 

[Snowman]

I experimented with my Borsa and tried moving the pinch but the area was so worn it was impossible to move it without it making the worn area even more obvious so like the flaws in myself........I learned to live with it.

Unfortunately, I’ve had a few hats with this issue. I agree with changing the crease if the weak spot is at the top of the pinch. Re-creasing it so the weak spot is in an area that flexes less is helpful in keeping it from getting worse. You can also reinforce the felt from the backside.

Thanks gentlemen. For now, I’m trying a minor change by opening the pinch. I actually like this look better than the thin pinch on this hat.