The Open Road Guild

[gtdean48]

It's similar looking to an OR, but doesn't look like one to me. The binding and ribbon are a few ligne too wide, the brim is a bit stingy, and that crease looks blocked in.

+1....not an OR

 

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, Gentlemen, and Ladie,

Happy Sunday to you all!! Thank you, very much, for the thoughts and comments on my Sovereign. I wasn't sure it if was an OR, but, your experiences with them has shown me why it isn't. So, what would you call it? A Sovereign Fedora? Not quite a Stingy Brim, me thinks. In any case, it fits very well, and I love it. Should I move my post on this to another place on TFL, or just leave it as it is? Thanks, again, All, for your wise words, and experience. That's why I like this place!! I have more hats to share, and will do so soon. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

P.S. Just bought the Stetson book by Snyder, and am very glad I did! Whilst it might not be the compendium of great documentation that we might wish it to be, it's so chock-filled with Stetson "Eyecandy", that it's well worth owning, and perusing regularly! Thanks for the suggestions on adding that book to my library, Folks!

 

[jlee562]

Sovereign is just a felt quality designation. Most model names have unfortunately been lost to history.

 

[TPD166]

I just listed my 7X OR in the classified if anyone is intersted:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?66755-FS-Vintage-Stetson-7X-Open-Road-style-size-7-1-2

 

[DougC]

Doc kidda raised a question--what is an Open Road? Is it a style--bond brim between 2 5/8 to 3 inches with a stylized thin ribbon? I know going back in time, an OR may or may not be stamped as an Open Road. So, anyone want to learn me what an open road is?

 

[DougC]

Could it be...you know one when you see one?

 

[gtdean48]

Remember, the Stratoliner came out first & is the same ribbon & bow treatment with the same bound edge & widths. They are blocked & flanged differently.
Fortunately, vintage Strats all had the sweatband labeled as such. Lots of OR were labeled on the sweatbands but Stetson put out 7X CB & 100 hats of the same OR style with no sweatband markings. There is an old saying "If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand."

 

[DougC]

That's kind of what I meant--I stole a line from the US Supreme Court's definition of pornography...You know a Stetson Open Road when you see one.

 

[jkingrph]

I just got my 20X from Paris Hatters.

It looks like any other OR but is much softer. I can easily snap the brim down. I got a 4X last fall and it's so stiff the only way to snap the brim is to wet or steam it.

I wear a 7 1/4 and most fit good, this one is a little loose but will probably tighten up with a little age and use.

 

[danofarlington]

Remember, the Stratoliner came out first & is the same ribbon & bow treatment with the same bound edge & widths. They are blocked & flanged differently.
Fortunately, vintage Strats all had the sweatband labeled as such. Lots of OR were labeled on the sweatbands but Stetson put out 7X CB & 100 hats of the same OR style with no sweatband markings. There is an old saying "If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand."

I heard that the very best Stratoliner is known as Stratovarius, although i haven't checked the old threads to make sure.

 

[DougC]

Jk--funny you mentioned the size. My 7 is a hair big and I tried a 71/8 which was too big. I wonder if Hatco makes their high dollar hats a bit bigger to allow for shrinkage.

Dano--a stratovarius?

 

[gtdean48]

I just got my 20X from Paris Hatters. ..

Congrats.
I'd like to see a side by side comparison of a Heritage Campdraft Deluxe & a 10X OR.

 

[jkingrph]

Jk--funny you mentioned the size. My 7 is a hair big and I tried a 71/8 which was too big. I wonder if Hatco makes their high dollar hats a bit bigger to allow for shrinkage.

Dano--a stratovarius?

I am hoping that is the case.

 

[jkingrph]

Congrats.
I'd like to see a side by side comparison of a Heritage Campdraft Deluxe & a 10X OR.

Cannot compare to a 10X but the finish one this 20X is much smoother and finer looking than my Campdraft Deluxe. The felt feels thinner and denser and is very soft. I do not have a scale that would give a good weight comparison, if that would mean anything, but the Stetson feels a little heavier.

 

[gtdean48]

Cannot compare to a 10X but the finish one this 20X is much smoother and finer looking than my Campdraft Deluxe. The felt feels thinner and denser and is very soft. I do not have a scale that would give a good weight comparison, if that would mean anything, but the Stetson feels a little heavier.

I figured the 20X would be over the CD Deluxe, think the 10X would be more level with it....

 

[RBH]

My thoughts also.

 

[53Effie]

Here is a view of my two Open Road hats. The mist grey one is a fairly recent model, a 5x. The tan one is older and is probably from the 60's from the information I have been able to glean from other threads on the FL related to dating these hats. It is a 3x. I re-creased it from the original cattleman. I think I will leave the grey one alone since I like it as is. The brim on that one is slightly narrower than the tan as well. I hope these qualify for Guild membership. Both have Open Road stamped on the band. They are among my favorites from my small hat collection.

 

[danofarlington]

That gray one is nice. Some of the colors on hats are killer colors.

 

[53Effie]

Thanks. The felt on the grey hat is a little softer as well. The actual color is just slightly lighter in real life. I agree about hat colors. They can be really interesting...Lots of different shades.

 

[gtdean48]

...
Here is a view of my two Open Road hats....

Nice Mike. Welcome to the Guild. Can you get some photos of the sweatbands & liners?