Scala Hat co.

[Blackjack]

Been around since the twenties, how are their fur felt hats??

 

[MisterGrey]

I've had interaction with one, their Sicily.

It had a lot of taper to it-- looking at it from the side, it looked like this: /-\ instead of this: |-|

The sweatband was tissue-paper thin leather; I had considered stretching it to combat the taper, but was afraid the stretcher would rip the leather

Their sizing is not accurate (an XL is advertised as fitting a 7 1/2 to a 7 5/8; it does not).

The fur is not as pliable as some other, higher-quality hats I've handled.

Those things aside, though, it was not a bad hat. I think Scalas definitely get more flack than they deserve (I own a panama made by their parent company, Dorfman Pacific, which is among the better panamas I've owned). Not the best you will find, but also not that bad, either.

 

[Blackjack]

I actually have a pretty nice newsboy by Scala, thats why I was wondering about the fedoras...

 

[Blackthorn]

I have one of their fedoras and I like it a lot. It has no taper at all. Nowadays I think they are mostly made in Sri Lanka, but mine is an American-made one. I have worn it quite a bit since buying it used here on FL last spring. It's good quality but I can't speak to the ones made elsewhere.

 

[Rick Blaine]

...I own a panama made by their parent company, Dorfman Pacific, which is among the better panamas I've owned...

They hold the dist. rights to the "Christys'" brand here in the US. The straws are EXACTLY the same, save markup, as Scala/DP straws. I had a "fino" grade 8 w/ both a "Scala/DP" & a "Christys'" tag in the back! lol

Interestingly enough, they are nothing like the panamas sold by Christys' in the U.K. [huh] which, I must say, look like a hellava bargain. I also like the colorful "Regimental" bands as well as the bound brim models. Does anyone know what the ribbons signify?

 

[besdor]

The current made Scalas are Chinese made hats. Avoid them. The previous generation hats were made in the USA , then the Czeck Republic(Tonak). Much better.
From what I have heard , Dorfman is discontinuing them in the future as sales arent good.
Now that they own Biltmore ,I think they will concentrate on them more.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Dewhurst]

From what I have heard , Dorfman is discontinuing them in the future as sales arent good.
Now that they own Biltmore ,I think they will concentrate on them more.

Now that would be interesting.

 

[AlterEgo]

Dorfman-Pacific is the world's largest headwear compay, and within its marketing scheme, "Scala" is the brand under which it sells its better hats and caps.

I say "within its marketing scheme" because, in the headwear universe, DP is positioned in the upper-low to upper-middle range of merchandise. Accordingly, Scala is generally mid-middle segment stuff both in terms of materials and construction. For example, its caps are usually wool-synthetic blends, and its hats, wool or wool-fur felt blends, and they are all pretty wel made. However, Scala does offer a few all-fur felt hats, which are OK and attractively priced but nothing to write home about. You get what you pay for.

Until the comment above, I was not aware that DP had acquired Biltmore, a lower-upper-end brand, which would constitute a distinctly up-market move and departure from its historic mass-market/low-price business model.

Most of Dorfman-Pacific's expansion has come by way of acquisition, and when it has done so, has generally left that brand's prior positioning alone. Accordingly, I'd predict Biltmore to continue offering its quality, B-to-B+ 100% fur felt hats at the $125 to $175 price point and probably excise the all-fur felt hats from the Scala brand.

 

[1961MJS]

...I also like the colorful "Regimental" bands as well as the bound brim models. Does anyone know what the ribbons signify?

Hi Rick

Each regiment in the UK has a distinctive off-duty tie. Retiree's wear the tie, and their medals at dress events. The ribbons are almost certainly in the same pattern as the ties.

http://www.collectors.demon.co.uk/ties.htm

Hope this helps.