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[blueAZNmonkey]

Question:

I'm trying my first whippet style brim binding and I'm going the hand-stitched route. I'm wondering what kind of stitch you guys have used for this.

I started doing a regular tack or running stitch, but I think it might not be the best since only one piece of thread is holding the entire edge on.

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

BIG HEAD QUESTION:
I have a question, this will help me decide something.

I have a body off a block. THE 7-7/8 LO band block fits it perfectly.

My question is, how I can best suit a big head, if he were shopping Etsy?

This hat can be 7-3/4 LO

The 7-3/4 regular oval will work fine also.

What would your opinion be, on size; from a potential shopper point of view?



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Does anyone have any input on my question? What might be the better build for a potential client 7-7/8 LO or 7-7/8 Regular?

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[FedOregon]

Does anyone have any input on my question? What might be the better build for a potential client 7-7/8 LO or 7-7/8 Regular?

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Hopefully some of the larger headed/hatted gents will chime in. I have no idea. As a general rule, what percentage of people have LO vs. RO shaped heads? I don't know the answer to that, either. Maybe other hatters know the breakdown of their clients...

 

[TheDane]

Does anyone have any input on my question? What might be the better build for a potential client 7-7/8 LO or 7-7/8 Regular?

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I guess, it depends on whether the person is a regular or long oval(?) I'm not sure, I don't understand your question(?)

 

[moehawk]

Question:

I'm trying my first whippet style brim binding and I'm going the hand-stitched route. I'm wondering what kind of stitch you guys have used for this.

I started doing a regular tack or running stitch, but I think it might not be the best since only one piece of thread is holding the entire edge on.

I have bound a few brims by hand, and the tack or running stitch mentioned seems to hold the ribbon just fine. I even think a well execured hand stitch job (unlike my clumsy work) looks nicer than a machine-made stitch, but I think a big portion of that is in my appreciation of the skill and craftsmanship.

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

I guess, it depends on whether the person is a regular or long oval(?) I'm not sure, I don't understand your question(?)

I have a long oval, that is size 7-7/8 LO and I can go down one size, 7-3/4 LO . I'm wondering from a consumer standpoint, which size, might sell quicker.

So amongst the bigger heads, here, I was curious, which would be the best build, to go with as I grow with some hats to post on ETSY

thanks!

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[blueAZNmonkey]

I have bound a few brims by hand, and the tack or running stitch mentioned seems to hold the ribbon just fine. I even think a well execured hand stitch job (unlike my clumsy work) looks nicer than a machine-made stitch, but I think a big portion of that is in my appreciation of the skill and craftsmanship.

That's good to know - thanks for the input! I think my reservations stem from my own lack of confidence in handstitching -- I feel like I'm creating a weak bind. So, I'm toying with the idea of doing this riff on a backstitch....

It ought to lock pretty tight and the difference in # of thread strands between the top and bottom should not be very conspicuous (I think...)

Really, what terrifies me is the idea of the thread somehow splitting and the whole thing unraveling (which has happened to me with sweatbands before, and it's a friggin' pain.

 

[FedOregon]

That's good to know - thanks for the input! I think my reservations stem from my own lack of confidence in handstitching -- I feel like I'm creating a weak bind. So, I'm toying with the idea of doing this riff on a backstitch....

It ought to lock pretty tight and the difference in # of thread strands between the top and bottom should not be very conspicuous (I think...)

Really, what terrifies me is the idea of the thread somehow splitting and the whole thing unraveling (which has happened to me with sweatbands before, and it's a friggin' pain.

I can't remember the exact picture, but Bob Jesse @navarre has a pic on his website or FB page showing a close up of a bound brim he did by hand. I thought it was mighty handsome, but couldn't tell you what kind of stitch he used...

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Does anyone have any input on my question? What might be the better build for a potential client 7-7/8 LO or 7-7/8 Regular?

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Tim, my vote would be for the LO in larger sizes. I'm a 7-5/8 but I believe most head shapes in larger sizes are LO and not round. I think larger heads tend to be more bulbous in the back and not as wide on the sides, requiring the fit of a LO. I can instantly tell the fit of a R even if it is a 7-5/8; too wide on the sides. When I have had occasion to try on a 7-3/4 R the fit will be pretty good front to back but would definitely need to be pulled in on the sides.

In that size range I just think there are more LO shaped heads than round.

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Tim, my vote would be for the LO in larger sizes. I'm a 7-5/8 but I believe most head shapes in larger sizes are LO and not round. I think larger heads tend to be more bulbous in the back and not as wide on the sides, requiring the fit of a LO. I can instantly tell the fit of a R even if it is a 7-5/8; too wide on the sides. When I have had occasion to try on a 7-3/4 R the fit will be pretty good front to back but would definitely need to be pulled in on the sides.

In that size range I just think there are more LO shaped heads than round.

Good advice, I'll roll, with the 7-7/8 LO.
Thank you!

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[Hurricane Jack]

Good advice, I'll roll, with the 7-7/8 LO.
Thank you!

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When you think about it hat stretchers are made to stretch LO, not side to side.

 

[Michael R.]

Tim @Cane Rod Maker , I was thinking the same thing HJ said , and thought about Daniel (Cindy's Luv) . I believe he is LO , and I think that would be more common , but have no idea really . Just My Thoughts . HJ @Hurricane Jack , they make 4-Way Stretchers https://www.wardrobesupplies.com/products/wooden-4-way-hat-stretcher-deluxe-6-to-7

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Tim @Cane Rod Maker , I was thinking the same thing HJ said , and thought about Daniel (Cindy's Luv) . I believe he is LO , and I think that would be more common , but have no idea really . Just My Thoughts . HJ @Hurricane Jack , they make 4-Way Stretchers https://www.wardrobesupplies.com/products/wooden-4-way-hat-stretcher-deluxe-6-to-7

He is a little beyond, long oval actually. The hat shown, was built, long oval, and a long oval band block was tweaked to give me, the opening size, she requested. I fit the sweat to those specs, he should have a good fit.

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[TheDane]

He is a little beyond, long oval actually. The hat shown, was built, long oval, and a long oval band block was tweaked to give me, the opening size, she requested. I fit the sweat to those specs, he should have a good fit.

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In situations like this I use a site-specific Google search with a string like: "poll oval site:thefedoralounge.com" (without the quotes). That will only return results from TFL

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/head-shape-poll.49176/

- looks like 58.8% (of the participants) are LO.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/hat-size-poll.43160/

- points toward 7-1/8 - 7-5/8 as the most common sizes ... very few 7-7/8.

 

[Antinomy]

Hi!
Maybe somebody help me to know, where i can buy the dense beaver cappelines in europe?

 

[hatsRme]

Hi!
Maybe somebody help me to know, where i can buy the dense beaver cappelines in europe?

FEPSA?

 

[Antinomy]

EPSA?

Thank you! Its really beaver felt? When i saw some video when some hatter makes his hat the coppelines in this video looks realy dense.

 

[Willebe]

Fedoras in stock. I had put this off a couple of times as when I went boot shopping I could mostly find shoes made off shore. I assumed they would mostly have hats made off shore (China) as well. I was pleased to find they had Stetsons and other brands that claim to be made in America.

I noticed the wool Stetson Fedora ($70) first, and it felt no better made than my imported Outback Trading Co. hat. In fact, my outback hat feels more solid and durable. I am new to the Fedora world, and this is my first experience picking one up and assessing the styling and quality. I then noticed the nicer hats behind the counter with the nice sales lady watching me. She showed me the Stratoliner for $170. The fur felt nice compared to the wool, and the hat felt light as a feather. My usual size 60cm was too large, so we tried a 59cm and it fit perfectly. While the hat felt much nicer than the wool version, I couldn't help but feel that the hat was cheaply made for that much money. Again, this is my first venture into the Fedora world, so I am unsure of my ability to properly assess the hat's quality as I do not have experience holding other Fedoras.

I have been round the block a few times, and, like most things in life, a money pit is always close. Whether it be buying guns, bicycles, etc., there is always a "better" and more expensive version out there. I searched the forum, and I have mostly seen the Stetson Stratoliner being sold or traded, and that has me wondering. I am asking for the Akubra Federation IV Deluxe for Father's day, and I am wondering how it compares to the Stetson Stratoliner. Forgive me if there is a thread about this, for I searched and could not find it. I have read positive comments about the Akubra as I searched the forum.

I know that I could get a very expensive Fedora and drop $450+, but I also know that I can get a good quality hat for less. How do the two hats compare? I have ruled out Christy's as I think the Akubra will be better quality based solely on reading. I unfortunately do not have either to hold.

Ironically, there do not seem to be many hat companies near me where I can hold and compare. There are many derby stores that focus on women's hats, but men's hat appear to be scarce at best.

In a nutshell. How do the Stratoliner and Federation IV deluxe compare?

Willebe

 

[gtdean48]

Fedoras in stock. I had put this off a couple of times as when I went boot shopping I could mostly find shoes made off shore. I assumed they would mostly have hats made off shore (China) as well. I was pleased to find they had Stetsons and other brands that claim to be made in America.

I noticed the wool Stetson Fedora ($70) first, and it felt no better made than my imported Outback Trading Co. hat. In fact, my outback hat feels more solid and durable. I am new to the Fedora world, and this is my first experience picking one up and assessing the styling and quality. I then noticed the nicer hats behind the counter with the nice sales lady watching me. She showed me the Stratoliner for $170. The fur felt nice compared to the wool, and the hat felt light as a feather. My usual size 60cm was too large, so we tried a 59cm and it fit perfectly. While the hat felt much nicer than the wool version, I couldn't help but feel that the hat was cheaply made for that much money. Again, this is my first venture into the Fedora world, so I am unsure of my ability to properly assess the hat's quality as I do not have experience holding other Fedoras.

I have been round the block a few times, and, like most things in life, a money pit is always close. Whether it be buying guns, bicycles, etc., there is always a "better" and more expensive version out there. I searched the forum, and I have mostly seen the Stetson Stratoliner being sold or traded, and that has me wondering. I am asking for the Akubra Federation IV Deluxe for Father's day, and I am wondering how it compares to the Stetson Stratoliner. Forgive me if there is a thread about this, for I searched and could not find it. I have read positive comments about the Akubra as I searched the forum.

I know that I could get a very expensive Fedora and drop $450+, but I also know that I can get a good quality hat for less. How do the two hats compare? I have ruled out Christy's as I think the Akubra will be better quality based solely on reading. I unfortunately do not have either to hold.

Ironically, there do not seem to be many hat companies near me where I can hold and compare. There are many derby stores that focus on women's hats, but men's hat appear to be scarce at best.

In a nutshell. How do the Stratoliner and Federation IV deluxe compare?

Willebe

Stetson's current offering of Stratoliner comes in a few grades = Excellent, Premier, & Royal. I have examples of all 3. I also have a Moonstone Fed4 Deluxe. To me, the Premier Stratoliner & the Fed4 Deluxe (Akubra Heritage grade) are on par. I won't wear or own a Royal Stetson Stetson modern Stratoliner version as it was a marketing move to take advantage of a historical name on the shelf & no way honored what a Stratoliner was. The Premier was what we were expecting. HTH

 

[Frunobulax]

Fedoras in stock. I had put this off a couple of times as when I went boot shopping I could mostly find shoes made off shore. I assumed they would mostly have hats made off shore (China) as well. I was pleased to find they had Stetsons and other brands that claim to be made in America.

I noticed the wool Stetson Fedora ($70) first, and it felt no better made than my imported Outback Trading Co. hat. In fact, my outback hat feels more solid and durable. I am new to the Fedora world, and this is my first experience picking one up and assessing the styling and quality. I then noticed the nicer hats behind the counter with the nice sales lady watching me. She showed me the Stratoliner for $170. The fur felt nice compared to the wool, and the hat felt light as a feather. My usual size 60cm was too large, so we tried a 59cm and it fit perfectly. While the hat felt much nicer than the wool version, I couldn't help but feel that the hat was cheaply made for that much money. Again, this is my first venture into the Fedora world, so I am unsure of my ability to properly assess the hat's quality as I do not have experience holding other Fedoras.

I have been round the block a few times, and, like most things in life, a money pit is always close. Whether it be buying guns, bicycles, etc., there is always a "better" and more expensive version out there. I searched the forum, and I have mostly seen the Stetson Stratoliner being sold or traded, and that has me wondering. I am asking for the Akubra Federation IV Deluxe for Father's day, and I am wondering how it compares to the Stetson Stratoliner. Forgive me if there is a thread about this, for I searched and could not find it. I have read positive comments about the Akubra as I searched the forum.

I know that I could get a very expensive Fedora and drop $450+, but I also know that I can get a good quality hat for less. How do the two hats compare? I have ruled out Christy's as I think the Akubra will be better quality based solely on reading. I unfortunately do not have either to hold.

Ironically, there do not seem to be many hat companies near me where I can hold and compare. There are many derby stores that focus on women's hats, but men's hat appear to be scarce at best.

In a nutshell. How do the Stratoliner and Federation IV deluxe compare?

Willebe

For the money, Akubra is a better bet than Stetson. You can get a nice Stetson, but only in their high end, open crown models. If you like the thin ribbon look of a Stratoliner, think about getting a Campdraft. I have no first hand experience with the Fed IV, but they get good reviews here.


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