The BORSALINO BROTHERHOOD

[deenis]

Question about a stitch that is obvious

Hello, this is my first post on this forum so introductions are in order. My name is Deenis and I live in Vermont as far north as you can go, near the Canadian border. I stumbled across this discussion forum a couple of months ago and have been lurking here in the shadows ever since.

I have a question regarding my most recent acquisition. I received a new Borsalino "Ernesto" in Beaver (Brown) from DelMonico Hatter yesterday. DelMonico calls them Ernesto's.

I noticed that the stitch/tack that secures the ribbon onto the hat, is obvious and I was wondering if all Borsalinos have such an obvious tack or is it just my particular hat? The stitch is black thread on a brown ribbon. Shouldn't they have used brown thread to make the stitch not so obvious? There are two stitches that stand out a bit, one is near the front. It looks like a blemish on an otherwise perfect hat. Who wants to see a stitch in the middle of the nice ribbon? I have attached two pictures.

So, is it just my particular hat that has this problem, or is it intrinsic to all Borsalino Ernesto's? Thank you for your help. I am pleased to be here on this forum!

 

[Aureliano]

I had a couple of those ugly stitches on my rollable Borsalino. I turned the sweatband out, found the darn thing and cut it loose. I was lucky they used a thin needle to sew it. I steamed the front and voila!, no more tack or stitch holes. Be careful though if you are going to try this. I'm a bit reckless and have a lot of ribbon to make a new bow if I screw up.

 

[marineabilly]

Hang in there.Often it takes me near a month to get things that started with USPS. You just try not to think about it... YEAH!... Right

Funny, my hat came the same day you posted this SW - thanks for the good luck.

Holy Moly!!! The hat is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! The seller gave measurments because there was "no size listed," so I took a chance (quick) becuase there was a Buy It Now and this hat couldn't fit any better.

Like I said earlier, this is my first real Fedora (first was a oh-so-cheap Jaxson Ford Fedora) and I am very, very surprised as to how light weight it is. Are all quality Fedora's this light? I was messing around with the bash (going for a pinch front diamond-esque), but I was afraid that too much bashing would degrade the crown. Is this true?

Of course, the feather was the first thing to go. Will post pics of my cheapo bash after work today.

 

[Brent Hutto]

My current-production Borsalino Alessandria is the lightest hat I've ever seen, by a long shot. I try not bang the crown around or rearrange the bash any more than necessary. Anything made of felt that light must eventually be prone to damage but it's worth it to have such a supple and comfortable hat on ones head.

P.S. I just stuck it on the scale and got 3.85 ounces (110g) and that's a US size 7-3/4!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Are all quality Fedora's this light?

No is the easiest answer. Older Borsalinos are renowned for their lightness. Their featherweights are truly astoundingly light. I weighed one of mine in at 5 ounces, and it has a satin liner and leather sweatband.

As far as getting close, some of the earlier Stetsons are pretty darn light. but i feel secure in saying that the vast majority of vintage fedoras will be significantly weightier than this Borsalino you've bought.

bk

 

[Bill Greene]

Borsalino Lightness of Being

I have four Borsa (yes, it's a sickness, I know) and although all of them typically weigh less than other hats, one of them is significantly heavier.

I know there are people on here who trash the newer Borsalinos, but I'll be honest and say I love'em. They are fantastically comfortable, and I take very good care of my hats...so I'm hoping they'll last at least a few years.

 

[ScottF]

edited - moved to separate thread.

 

[carouselvic]

I have three questions regarding my most recent acquisition. I received a new Borsalino "Ernesto" in Beaver (Brown) from DelMonico Hatter yesterday. DelMonico calls them Ernesto's but I believe they are actually called Alessandria's. Correct me if I am wrong

Alessandria is both a model of hat and the home town of Borsalino. The hat that you have pictured is not a Alessandria(a thin ribbon w/bound edge)model of hat. The word Alessandria appears in most all Borsalino logos. Clear as mud, right?

 

[deenis]

Thank you for the advice guys. I pulled the stitch out. Problem solved.

I love my new hat. Soft, stylish, not too big, and very lightweight.

 

[indylion]

7 5/8 vintage Borsalino

Someone ( not me)on Style Forum is selling this 7 5/8 Borsalino real cheap.

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=166295

 

[Lefty]

If no one beat me, it's mine.

 

[buler]

If no one beat me, it's mine.

Oh momma, thats a sweet hat. Hope you get it Lefty!

B

 

[carouselvic]

I'm not sure if I would take a check from any guy named Lefty.

 

[gtdean48]

Oh momma, thats a sweet hat. Hope you get it Lefty!

B

:arated: Great snag Lefty! MOST excellent avatar Bill!!! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Lefty]

Thanks guys. The proverbial check is in the mail.
(but it's a grocery store money order to speed things along)


BTW

Someone ( not me)on Style Forum is selling this 7 5/8 Borsalino real cheap.

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=166295

Thanks!

 

[billysmom]

Borsalino Homburg

Finally received a hat I snagged for $20.00 on eBay at Christmas. It was hung up in New York since January 2, according to the tracking number! The discoloration on the front brim binding does not show up nearly as much in real life as it does in the image. The usual wonderful felt, crown is 5 1/4" uncreased, ribbon is 1 7/8", sweat is 2", brim is 2 1/2".

So, with an addition like this one, having six gray Homburgs does not seem unreasonable. This is the lightest gray and thus fills a hole in the collection, don't you think?

Sue

 

[Artie]

Six Gray Homburgs! Wow. As you can tell I'm new here and I guess I have to get used to that people have hats for different reasons. I have hats just to wear but it seems a lot of people just have them just to have them. I'm not judging it's just wow six gray Homburgs, cool.

 

[mayserwegener]

Finally received a hat I snagged for $20.00 on eBay at Christmas. It was hung up in New York since January 2, according to the tracking number! The discoloration on the front brim binding does not show up nearly as much in real life as it does in the image. The usual wonderful felt, crown is 5 1/4" uncreased, ribbon is 1 7/8", sweat is 2", brim is 2 1/2".

So, with an addition like this one, having six gray Homburgs does not seem unreasonable. This is the lightest gray and thus fills a hole in the collection, don't you think?

Sue​

That is a old one (late 30s very early 40s) and in super condition! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap​

 

[jimmy the lid]

If no one beat me, it's mine.

Oh, man -- what a beautiful Borso! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

And for $75? I need oxygen. MEDIC!!!!!!!!

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

Finally received a hat I snagged for $20.00 on eBay at Christmas. It was hung up in New York since January 2, according to the tracking number! The discoloration on the front brim binding does not show up nearly as much in real life as it does in the image. The usual wonderful felt, crown is 5 1/4" uncreased, ribbon is 1 7/8", sweat is 2", brim is 2 1/2".

[/CENTER]

So, with an addition like this one, having six gray Homburgs does not seem unreasonable. This is the lightest gray and thus fills a hole in the collection, don't you think?

Sue

Sue, great to see you back - and in sterling form. Needless to say, we've missed your face.