Ask a question, get an answer

[John Galt]

Here are the two that show up for me - the rest are broken links.

"Faint hat never won fair lady."

 

[John Galt]

I have a finely woven (1mm between fibers) fedora with a 4” crown and a 3” brim. It is not a Panama hat – the material seems to be different and so is the weave: radial and circular fibers rather than similar sets spiraling out in opposite directions. Perhaps it is a Tamsui, made in Formosa. Any guesses as to when it was made and where, what the material is?]

No photos. Sounds possibly like a parabuntal.


"Faint hat never won fair lady."

 

[John Galt]

[Duplicate deleted]

"Faint hat never won fair lady."

 

[alanfgag]

Drat... you're a day late.

 

[mmbarnes]

Anybody know in what year Knox stopped selling hats exclusively through agents?

Thanks.

Matt

 

[GoldenEraFan]

I had made a new thread for this question forgetting there was a "question" thread, so here it is again.

I just got a '20s herringbone tweed newsboy cap with fur ear muffs and I wanted to ask if anyone knows the most inexpensive way to clean it, particularly the fur earmuffs. Could a dry cleaner do it? Does anyone know the prices for cleaning fur in general?

 

[Historyteach24]

Where to buy hat ribbon both vintage and modern?

 

[TheDane]

You can sometimes find vintage ribbon on the web - ie. on eBay. Japanese Mokuba makes vintage quality ribbon, but they do not sell through a webshop - and only have very few stores around the World. You have to be very lucky to find that yard or two in a specific color and width you need for a specific repair. A listing, like the one Alan linked to, is very rare - and it's 10-15 times cheaper a yard than when you're buying new vintage quality ribbon [huh]

 

[Historyteach24]

So cheaper to buy vintage?

 

[TheDane]

So cheaper to buy vintage?

Yes, when you can find it. There's a lot of so called vintage "out there", and you have to check that it is edge woven and of the right fibre blend

 

[Historyteach24]

Ok, so what type of blend would vintage be? I want to do this right!

 

[John Galt]

Ok, so what type of blend would vintage be? I want to do this right!

Rayon/Cotton 50/50 is what I look for. What quantity, color and width (lignes or 1/16th inches) are you looking for? I have some narrow and wide circa 1951 ribbon, in black, brown, silver (nice) and dark green khaki (I bought from it from the hatter's son, and away I run). A PM is probably in order.


"Faint hat never won fair lady."

 

[John Galt]

Yes, when you can find it. There's a lot of so called vintage "out there", and you have to check that it is edge woven and of the right fibre blend

Also, avoid ribbon that had a decorated edge, as used in women's hats (petersham?). Doesn't look right.


"Faint hat never won fair lady."

 

[John Galt]

It can be hard to tell in a photo, so always ask.

"Faint hat never won fair lady."

 

[TheDane]

Also, avoid ribbon that had a decorated edge, as used in women's hats (petersham?).

Well ... I would call petersham (sawtooth edge) ribbon "ribbon with non-decorated edge". The edgewoven is the ribbon with decorated edge, in my mind

 

[hatguy1]

Where to buy hat ribbon both vintage and modern?

You might ask here: http://www.360wichita.com/ClothingApparel/HatmanJacks.html

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

So cheaper to buy vintage?

Lots of people out there buying vintage ribbon not being made anymore. There is a difference in vintage and modern ribbon. Vintage is made with natural fibers and lay's and curls different than modern plastic fiber ribbon.

 

[TheDane]

Ed, until recently I too believed that myth. Mokuba is actually making ribbon in qualities just as fine as the ribbon, produced in the 20s, 30s and 40s - and with genuine rayon. The company is hard to get in contact with, and the ribbon is very expensive

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Ed, until recently I too believed that myth. Mokuba is actually making ribbon in qualities just as fine as the ribbon, produced in the 20s, 30s and 40s - and with genuine rayon. The company is hard to get in contact with, and the ribbon is very expensive

You will have to have Art are show you the difference. At the last FedoraFest he showed me the difference in modern rayon and vintage
celluloid. It makes a difference in how the ribbon
Works when you iron it to wrap the ribbon around the hat. Art is a perfectionist about ribbons as his work shows.

 

[TheDane]

You will have to have Art are show you the difference.

I'm quite sure, it wasn't Mokuba ribbon, he was showing. I'm very well aware of the difference between vintage and modern ribbon - and their very different properties. Mokuba is the exception from that rule. Their rayon is actually made from cellulose - just like it was back in the day.

I didn't know that either, but BaronKurtz told me the other day and pointed out that the couture business depended on it. Since that I have talked to a tailor and two theatre/movie costume designers/tailors about the issue. They had the exact same message, and believe me - they are no less perfectionists than Art

They found a small sample among their ribbon stock, and it was just as luxurious and soft as any of the bolts of "Vialaton & Martin", "Band Craft", "American Hat Band", "George Bros", "O. Regen", "National" and other brands I have. Complete different from the much stiffer "Burlington" from the 70s/80's and up I bought when I didn't know better.

Two weeks ago I was just as convinced as you, but I stand corrected. Fine and traditionally made grosgrain ribbon is still made, though a yard will cost you more than Art will charge you to renew a ribbon with a vintage