Brad Bowers
I'll Lock Up
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- 4,187
Two words for vintage over custom: Cavanagh Edge.
Brad
Brad
Two words for vintage over custom: Cavanagh Edge.
Brad
+1
Also, vintage has far more options than custom. While Optimo has far more options for felt weight and finish than any other hatter (AFAIK), it's simply unfair to put Optimo against the list of options created by vintage hat companies - who often made the felt in-house, blended, colored, and finished that felt in-house, sometimes wove the ribbons themselves, embroidered their own liners, regularly designed new blocks, were the size of and populated like cities, and operated during a time when competition forced innovation.
On the custom side, most of the hats here come from one of two felters, and the Winchester felt doesn't seem to change very often. The ribbons are the only things changing on the 15 or so colors, the weight never changes, most of the blocks being chosen here are the same, etc. For all that bespoke choice, there are a lot of similar looking hats.
I have and love some custom hats. I respect those who continue the craft. I honestly feel, though, that NO ONE can make a modern hat as good as the top of the line vintage models.
Anj
Personally, I haven't encountered a vintage hat that was any better than a high quality modern one. Maybe I've been unlucky. But I've tried enough that I finally gave up. Hey, somebody has to uphold the minority position, huh?
Can't imagine it would have much history in perfect condition [huh]
It could have a provenance; say, the hat from the JFK estate that was never worn.Can't imagine it would have much history in perfect condition [huh]
It could have a provenance; say, the hat from the JFK estate that was never worn.
No, he took it everywhere, he just never actually wore it.Ah, but that hat couldn't tell many tales; it was in a box in the dark.
Both, is cost were no issue.