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[The Wiser Hatter]

You can take the liner out as it will keep heat in. Panama's are not made to be stiff. You buy shantung straw hat to be a stiff straw.

 

[danofarlington]

Panama hats are floppy, the finer the floppier. I believe that blocked Panama hats have some stiffener in them. Not the maximum, just some. Art Fawcett may weigh in on that, but I think it is desirable to have a little stiffener in a good Panama.

 

[Deputydowg1]

OK, this looks like the right place to pose this question, which has probably been answered somewhere else on the forum, but please be tolerant of a noobie. I just received in the mail a new Borsalino Alessandria that has an open crown. I like the look of the centerdent and formed it with my hand and put the hat on for the first look in the mirror - wonderful . Keeping the crown formed as I did seems more difficult, the crown seems to have a mind of its own. Will someone who cleans and blocks hats be able to make that a more permanent crease?

Thank you

Bill

 

[alanfgag]

The felt in new Borsalinos is very soft and a bit mushy when it comes to retaining a crease. Try applying steam from a tea kettle (on the outside of the hat only) - it might improve the stiffness and crease memory for the felt.

 

[Deputydowg1]

Thank you, I'll try that. I have used steam to smooth out kinks in the brim of my Stetson, but that felt was thicker and stiffer.

Much appreciated.

Bill

 

[SamG]

Hat request

Where can I find a hat like this one http://hear.ceoblognation.com/files/2012/10/MWB_Carnegie_Seamless_6.2.12_ZD0262.jpg

 

[rrd]

Anyone know where or ever seen a black ribbon with white edges/piping? On a whippet?

 

[Landman]

Where can I find a hat like this one http://hear.ceoblognation.com/files/2012/10/MWB_Carnegie_Seamless_6.2.12_ZD0262.jpg

Looks like a Homburg with a front pinch to me. Akubra sells a new production Homburg. Below is a link to one. You might want to look at their Bogart too. It is very similar to that hat when the front brim is up.

http://hatsdirect.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi?view=58&returncat=Fedora+Hats&returnpage=1

 

[Deputydowg1]

The felt in new Borsalinos is very soft and a bit mushy when it comes to retaining a crease. Try applying steam from a tea kettle (on the outside of the hat only) - it might improve the stiffness and crease memory for the felt.

OK, I steamed it a bit and that helped, here's the result, not having done this before, is it anywhere close to right?

 

[splintercellsz]

To upload photos, use a website such as photobucket or what not. I use http://www.servimg.com/. Then you post the IMG link, so it would be something like

 

[Happy Jack]

This is a Vanzina Pavia. I need help identifing the material?

 

[splintercellsz]

OK, I steamed it a bit and that helped, here's the result, not having done this before, is it anywhere close to right?

It looks great! If you are happy with it, that is all that matters! Some people prefer tight pinches, some prefer side dents. It's all on what the wearer prefers!

 

[Deputydowg1]

To upload photos, use a website such as photobucket or what not. I use http://www.servimg.com/. Then you post the IMG link, so it would be something like

Thanks friend, I found the FAQ's and figured it out while you were responding, but I surely appreciate the reply.

WB

 

[alanfgag]

OK, I steamed it a bit and that helped, here's the result, not having done this before, is it anywhere close to right?

Very right... nicely done.

If you take two fingers and press down at the side of the crown, just behind the side pinches, you will move the center dent to a diamond. The diamond crease can work well with this hat too and present a different profile with the rear of the hat lower than the front. See which you prefer. There are many examples of the diamond crease on this thread... some executed better than others.

 

[rlk]

This is a Vanzina Pavia. I need help identifing the material?

Fur felt, usually rabbit/hare with a silk finish-- longer fibers are loosened up after the felting process.

 

[Happy Jack]

Fur felt, usually rabbit/hare with a silk finish-- longer fibers are loosened up after the felting process.

Thank You for the information, I thought it may have been Wool. Nice to know it is Fur Felt.

 

[hatsRme]

Apologies if this has been discussed before. Is there a readily-identifiable way to determine if this tag is 7-3/4 or 6-3/4. Judging by the brim measure and the overall look from the photos, it's a 7. But if there is a way to know for sure, I thank you!

 

[gtdean48]

Apologies if this has been discussed before. Is there a readily-identifiable way to determine if this tag is 7-3/4 or 6-3/4. Judging by the brim measure and the overall look from the photos, it's a 7. But if there is a way to know for sure, I thank you!
...

Only by the circumference of the sweatband = no other way, no other markings....

 

[hatsRme]

Thank you, Mr. Dean!

So, to be certain of a hat's size in these cases it's best to measure. I would be comfortable with the major and minor axis measure of the opening as well then. Simply plug those dimensions in here: http://www.cleavebooks.co.uk/scol/callipse.htm

It has worked well thus far (two successful hat purchases, two avoided).

 

[gtdean48]

Thank you, Mr. Dean!

So, to be certain of a hat's size in these cases it's best to measure. I would be comfortable with the major and minor axis measure of the opening as well then. Simply plug those dimensions in here: http://www.cleavebooks.co.uk/scol/callipse.htm

It has worked well thus far (two successful hat purchases, two avoided).

Sometimes, there could be a re-order sticker under the sweat & liner.
Typically, they have the size hand-written with size & fraction, not just fraction.
Just thought of this...