The Pinnacle

[JimWagner]

I was looking at a new Stetson Pinnacle in black this past weekend. A few things stood out to my mostly uneducated eyes. First, its hand was really nice. The beaver was soft, smooth and just felt good to handle. A wholly different feel than say an Akubra rabbit fur felt (of which I own several). Second, I had to be careful not to let my fingers rub it against the lay of the nap to prevent it showing a lighter spot, much like you have to be careful with velvet.

The unbound edge presented a little bit of a problem to me. It was somewhat wavy. I don't mean that the whole brim was wavy, just the edge in several spots along the curl in back. Small waves. About an index finger wide. When I tried (most gently) to smooth those waves out they sprang right back.

Maybe I'm a perfectionist, but on a hat of that price and quality I'd like it to be a little more perfectly shaped than that and to hold that shape. This is supposed to be the top of the line Stetson fedora after all.

So, for anyone owning a Pinnacle, how does what I'm describing compare? Have you seen that edge waviness? Can it be prevented or corrected? Was this par for the Pinnacle or a defect or maybe damage?

 

[frussell]

It's not just you.

Jim, I had the same issues with the Pinnacle I purchased, but wasn't sure if it was because it was an outlet hat. The brim was a wavy, curly mess, which was not really cured by cutting it down as I did. I've tried felt stiffener, steaming, even ironing, to no avail. It's a comfortable, soft hat, but the crown is super low, and all I could make out of it that doesn't look horrible is a stingy brim porkpie style. I'm thinking about having the brim bound by Major Moore to see if that helps. I don't know what's up at Stetson right now, as I've gotten a Pinnacle and Nostalgia in the last month, and both were disappointments in many ways. As far as the Pinnacle, I'm just glad I only paid $90 for it, because if I had paid full price, I'd feel like I got ripped off. At that price, better to go with Art or the Major and get a custom. Thanks, Frank

 

[gtdean48]

I didn't have mine very long before it went off to Major Moore to get the brim bound. The brim, at that width, need some substance to it. Binding sure helped. As far as the finish, it is similiar to a pure beaver western when I first got it. I will say that I like my vintage 3X much more than the Pinnacle as far as felt quality goes.

 

[SteveAS]

I have a mink (brown) Stetson Benchley, which is the same felt, with a 2-3/8" bound brim. I'm very happy with the hat; it's soft, fairly light, and holds its shape just fine. Perhaps it's the narrower brim or the edge binding, but the brim on mine is straight where it should be and curved where it should be; it's not wavy anywhere. It's been rained on (lightly) a few times and is none the worse for it.

 

[frussell]

Like to see the Benchley

Sorry for the hijack, but I'd love to see photos of that Benchley. It looked great online. I'm not ready to give up on Stetson yet, but I am discouraged. Thanks, Frank