Edge finishes

[TheDane]

My point is that it works in certain cases. It has its time and place but is not the end all be all. It has definitely been pushed to epic levels on this forum (see 100% beaver felt, ect.).

Very good point! Not least the beaver-part

 

[Brad Bowers]

My point is that it works in certain cases. It has its time and place but is not the end all be all. It has definitely been pushed to epic levels on this forum (see 100% beaver felt, ect.).

Guilty as charged, and not the least bit ashamed!lol

Brad

 

[TheDane]

Have we ever seen a felted edge on a high grade velour?

 

[mayserwegener]

I do not have any. I can see it maybe working with some finishes. For example what Borsalino classified as Velour.

 

[DJH]

Have we ever seen a felted edge on a high grade velour?

I've not seen one in real life, but there are long hair Borsalinos around that have a felted edge.

On high quality velour hats? I'd defer to what Steve says on that.

 

[Brad Bowers]

I don't know about the velours, but I do have a 1919-1922 Dobbs long-hair finish with a Cavanagh Edge, as well as a circa-1960 Dobbs long-hair with one. Crofut & Knapp/Hat Corporation of America made them a long time.

Brad

 

[carouselvic]

50's Borsalino Peluche w/felted edge

 

[mayserwegener]

I am not sure how much reworking that finish required. Old Velours went through many finishing cycles (brush, polish, dye, brush, polish, dye) to achieve a high gloss appearance.

I don't believe the technique was used in Austria or Germany. They used standard over or under welts.

 

[Huertecilla]

Wow, that Borsalino edge looks seriously neat!

 

[TheDane]

Thus informed, I'm happy to learn, that "we" have seen some ... no old Austrian or German, though. Thanks, Guys

 

[Huertecilla]

Guilty as charged, and not the least bit ashamed!lol

Brad

Much appreciation for your shared knowledge on the subject.
Apart from aesthetics and all other arguments I think a felted edge is a purist choice for a felt hat.

I was amazed to learn from your blog that it is 40!! years ago that the last incarnation of the felted edge stopped being made.

 

[mayserwegener]

Thus informed, I'm happy to learn, that "we" have seen some ... no old Austrian or German, though. Thanks, Guys

That assumes the finishes are the same.

 

[Huertecilla]

'Odd' does not cover it

...and then you read about bound cavanagh edge :eeek:

Why would they do that??
The felted edge hides the shellac in stiff hats making the binding unnecessary. It is an alternative finish to binding.
As it is a quite expensive edge, more so than a bound one, it seems illogical to bind a felted edge.
Was it perhaps a way to use/sell hats with a less than perfect finish?

 

[TheDane]

I'm not sure how much of that I understand(?)

 

[Huertecilla]

I'm not sure how much of that I understand(?)

That makes two then.