Which hat is the best quality?

[saucerfiend]

I've been considering purchasing a fedora and have come down to these two. A Churchill "Jimmy" or a Biltmore "Stewart". They both look the same but I like the narrow ribbon on the "Jimmy" better. It comes down to quality. Which one is better made?

Brian

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Never heard of Churchill, so I'm not sure how they compare. But Biltmores are good starter hats. I had several in my early fedora-wearing days. However, Biltmore has various finishes (how they feel to the hand), and I don't know which the Stewart would be. I personally liked the "Baldwin" as a nice, smooth finish dress hat.
http://www.millerhats.com/mdressfelt_index/derby1.htm

It has the slimmer ribbon you like, is actually made by Biltmore, and three brim widths to choose from (2 1/8 would be the closest to the Stewart). So, if nobody can help you on the Churchill, at least you have a way of getting a Biltmore with a ribbon more to your liking.

 

[Ephraim Tutt]

Churchill were the top shelf hatter of their day - quality all the way. I have no idea how the brand stacks up these days though.

 

[saucerfiend]

Never heard of Churchill, so I'm not sure how they compare. But Biltmores are good starter hats. I had several in my early fedora-wearing days. However, Biltmore has various finishes (how they feel to the hand), and I don't know which the Stewart would be. I personally liked the "Baldwin" as a nice, smooth finish dress hat.
http://www.millerhats.com/mdressfelt_index/derby1.htm

It has the slimmer ribbon you like, is actually made by Biltmore, and three brim widths to choose from (2 1/8 would be the closest to the Stewart). So, if nobody can help you on the Churchill, at least you have a way of getting a Biltmore with a ribbon more to your liking.

I checked out the Baldwin. Yeah, this is perfect! I'm going for this one. Thanks much, Bogart!

Brian

 

[Not-Bogart13]

:cheers1:

Be sure to post pictures when it arrives!

 

[Joshbru3]

I own a Biltmore Stewart model and I have to say its excellent quality. I have several vintage fedoras, and obviously no modern felt (including Borsolino) can compare to vintage felt, but the Modern Biltmore hats are still very good. The silk liner is very nice, the sweatband is high quality, and the felt finish is very soft. I would say that they are better than "Starter hats." Ive compared my biltmore to stetsons, dobbs, and others only to find that they are just as good and in some cases better. I got mine for about $130 plus tax.

 

[150719541]

Trade Mark Vs. Quality

If a person has used hats all his life and have in hands some hats with no legends, no brands, after washed, in this moment, he can choose one with the best quality, there are many brands in the world wich are producing high quality hats, but, they are not famous, in latinamerica, lands like Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, México and others.
I won´t write brands, but the quality is like the best in the world.
I am owner of some different brands hat: Víquez, Stetson, Borsalino, Wegener, Wilton, Dobbs, Tardan, Lagomarsino, Montecristi, Cuenca, Resistol, Tombstone, Brooks Bros., Kangol, Adventurer and many straw hats woven by unknowns, but with great style.
Sometimes the quality is in hand makers, others are in materials like hair of some animals and are made by machines.
I could not choose the best of my hats.
Some are costly, others not. But all are high quality.