It was a little tight, and it needed a stretch, about a half a size. That’s challenging, but I knew if I could cut the Reed really neatly, in a way that couldn’t be seen,then I could complete the stretch without any bad side effects. The leather was soft and new, so I wasn’t afraid to steam it. it was a matter of cutting that Reed slowly and neatly,while retaining the new look of the sweatband. Luckily, it worked like a charm, and the hat still looked mint and brand new. Just took it slowly, I tested everything first, I tested the steam on the hat before stretching. This hat was basically new, unworn, never shaped..and the leather was fresh and moist,like a brand new hat. I have to say, even I was proud of this job, it came out perfectly. Thank God! 😰
What a beauty. I have two Alessandrias, both probably from the 50s, one in a light tan, the other a similar grey to this one, they are extraordinary hats in every way. The way the colours reflect the light is unique. One has a slightly stiffer crown, both are easily hand shaped and hold any shape you want, and like this one the leather feels like new, very supple.
This hat was so soft, that every person that held it,started stroking it like a kitten, and rubbing it,enjoying its softness the entire time they held it. I gave it to my boss to examine, she’s been in the hat industry way longer than myself.. she’s pretty sure it was a beaver/mink blend. I’d thought it was either Beaver or Nutria, but I trust her touch. She knows.. It’s funny, every person who held the hat, started stroking it uncontrollably, it was so soft.
Thanks again Kevin for working on my "Holy Grail" Borsalino. The stretch worked perfectly and I had a great time chatting with everyone at the store about the hat. Your are truly a master hatter! Great guitar player too! Best, Brother Fran
Love ya brother, My wife and son are begging me to get a haircut, I think Fran time is coming soon. Maybe we can both make a video together, that’d be cool!
That is one of the most beautiful hat’s I’ve seen you work on. You are so fortunate to have a trade and the talent that gives you access to some of the most amazing hats in the world. You more than earned it Kevin. Keep up the great work and awesome videos. ✌️
I agree, I’ve seen a lot of “holy grail” hats & this one was near perfect.. the color was just so desirable and it feels so soft.. the shape, everything.. Fran is the best, he has a great collection. A hat like that is priceless, to the right buyer it could be worth $5,000
I could tell right away that is a superior hat. The color is fabulous. It’s in beautiful 🌈 shape for its age. Size 6? No one in my entire family could pull that on their head. 👍☮️🌞🎸🚵♀️💙
If you would have stroked that felt a couple more times, TH-cam would ban this video for obscenity! Beautiful hat!! That 80 y.o. sweat looks new! The gold lettering is gone on my hats after the first wear. Maybe it's because I shave my head. Thanks for sharing, Kevin!
Yeah, everyone was stroking it, I was too.. that hat is so soft, it’s hard to even describe how soft.. I was stroking the thing, and when I handed it to my boss, she was doing it, as she spoke to us, stroke stroke..Ok, I’ll lose a dozen or so subs for this, but what the hey.. The hat feels like a nipple. There, I said it.. You know when you’re touching a really nice, soft, nipple? It kinda feels so soft, you can barely tell if you’r fingertip is even touching it or not?.. it’s like that. Its not a 100x it’s a 100 nipples🤣
Magnificent! Just looks like the one I had, gray, very soft, small ribbon etc. I damaged mine, but I recently got another vintage hat, a magnificent lock & co fedora in perfect condition, much to my consolation!
Hey Kev, where do you think the modern 50 gram Borsalino's fall on the quality spectrum? I have a couple of the Rain Proof unlined variety and love them for their softness and ability to be shaped. I know nothing about the 50 gram except that it's available now for purchase. Loved seeing you save this great hat.
No idea what that is.. I’m sorry.that’s a new marketing thing that I’m unfamiliar with. We haven’t sold Borsalino felts since their bankruptcy in 2017. The only series I really like from them is the quality Superior, the rainproof line is ok too, but you would stick with the quality superior. If you’re asking me. Maybe the rainproof line if you prefer them with a ribbon sweatband. In general,the superior nicer then their other series’s.. those are the ones I like best
They’re not all the same, the real deal stuff is their higher series called “quality superioré” it will usually say that on the silk lining, at the the very top. Hats from the rainproof line, handmade series,triumpho series, Augusta series.. they’re not the same, they’re a little cheaper..you want quality superior. Also, the Borsalino straw hats are made by Tesi, another Italian company, so the straws aren’t a good representation of the brand. Generally, if you go Borsalino I have to like a very soft, lightweight hat.. that’s their nature. The green hat I wear all the time is one.
@@KTGHATSI agree, if you’re going to shell out $400+ for a straw hat, you might as well get a FINE FINE quality Montecristi. Imo it would put the newer Borsalino straws to shame. I have a medium brim Scala 10 grade toquilla straw Panama for a couple years now and I absolutely love it. I get a compliment everytime I wear it. Currently 118° F heat index and no rain for a month now. I can’t wait till summer is over and I get to break out my brand new custom 100x beaver fedora. Cheers Kevin. You’ve taught me almost everything I know about fedoras! I still envy your green Borsalino. If I ever see one, I’m gonna scoop it up!
It was a little tight, and it needed a stretch, about a half a size. That’s challenging, but I knew if I could cut the Reed really neatly, in a way that couldn’t be seen,then I could complete the stretch without any bad side effects. The leather was soft and new, so I wasn’t afraid to steam it. it was a matter of cutting that Reed slowly and neatly,while retaining the new look of the sweatband. Luckily, it worked like a charm, and the hat still looked mint and brand new. Just took it slowly, I tested everything first, I tested the steam on the hat before stretching. This hat was basically new, unworn, never shaped..and the leather was fresh and moist,like a brand new hat. I have to say, even I was proud of this job, it came out perfectly. Thank God! 😰
A successful operation
Great save Kev!
What a beauty. I have two Alessandrias, both probably from the 50s, one in a light tan, the other a similar grey to this one, they are extraordinary hats in every way. The way the colours reflect the light is unique. One has a slightly stiffer crown, both are easily hand shaped and hold any shape you want, and like this one the leather feels like new, very supple.
This hat was so soft, that every person that held it,started stroking it like a kitten, and rubbing it,enjoying its softness the entire time they held it.
I gave it to my boss to examine, she’s been in the hat industry way longer than myself.. she’s pretty sure it was a beaver/mink blend. I’d thought it was either Beaver or Nutria, but I trust her touch. She knows..
It’s funny, every person who held the hat, started stroking it uncontrollably, it was so soft.
Thanks again Kevin for working on my "Holy Grail" Borsalino. The stretch worked perfectly and I had a great time chatting with everyone at the store about the hat. Your are truly a master hatter! Great guitar player too! Best, Brother Fran
Love ya brother, My wife and son are begging me to get a haircut, I think Fran time is coming soon. Maybe we can both make a video together, that’d be cool!
That's funny about Fran time! Definitely would make a video together. It would be totally cool. Just let me know when! Love ya brother
@@francisxavier. yo, Fran contact me at quadrogong@gmail.com I need to ask you something ? Thanks 😃☮️Kev
That is one of the most beautiful hat’s I’ve seen you work on. You are so fortunate to have a trade and the talent that gives you access to some of the most amazing hats in the world. You more than earned it Kevin. Keep up the great work and awesome videos. ✌️
I agree, I’ve seen a lot of “holy grail” hats & this one was near perfect.. the color was just so desirable and it feels so soft.. the shape, everything.. Fran is the best, he has a great collection. A hat like that is priceless, to the right buyer it could be worth $5,000
@@KTGHATS WOW 😲 !!!
I could tell right away that is a superior hat. The color is fabulous. It’s in beautiful 🌈 shape for its age. Size 6? No one in my entire family could pull that on their head. 👍☮️🌞🎸🚵♀️💙
That’s a UK size , it’s not really size 6.
If you would have stroked that felt a couple more times, TH-cam would ban this video for obscenity! Beautiful hat!! That 80 y.o. sweat looks new! The gold lettering is gone on my hats after the first wear. Maybe it's because I shave my head. Thanks for sharing, Kevin!
Yeah, everyone was stroking it, I was too.. that hat is so soft, it’s hard to even describe how soft.. I was stroking the thing, and when I handed it to my boss, she was doing it, as she spoke to us, stroke stroke..Ok, I’ll lose a dozen or so subs for this, but what the hey.. The hat feels like a nipple. There, I said it..
You know when you’re touching a really nice, soft, nipple? It kinda feels so soft, you can barely tell if you’r fingertip is even touching it or not?.. it’s like that. Its not a 100x it’s a 100 nipples🤣
@@KTGHATS 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
Magnificent! Just looks like the one I had, gray, very soft, small ribbon etc. I damaged mine, but I recently got another vintage hat, a magnificent lock & co fedora in perfect condition, much to my consolation!
crazy that it was kept in such good shape all these years. hope the owner wears it a lot and enjoys it.
Wow, that is a beauty
Wow very nice hat
very cool
Hey Kev, where do you think the modern 50 gram Borsalino's fall on the quality spectrum? I have a couple of the Rain Proof unlined variety and love them for their softness and ability to be shaped. I know nothing about the 50 gram except that it's available now for purchase. Loved seeing you save this great hat.
No idea what that is.. I’m sorry.that’s a new marketing thing that I’m unfamiliar with. We haven’t sold Borsalino felts since their bankruptcy in 2017. The only series I really like from them is the quality Superior, the rainproof line is ok too, but you would stick with the quality superior. If you’re asking me. Maybe the rainproof line if you prefer them with a ribbon sweatband. In general,the superior nicer then their other series’s.. those are the ones I like best
@@KTGHATS thanks! I found out the 50g are Qualitia superiore.
The only brand I don't own. I know, sacrifice and buy one.
They’re not all the same, the real deal stuff is their higher series called “quality superioré” it will usually say that on the silk lining, at the the very top. Hats from the rainproof line, handmade series,triumpho series, Augusta series.. they’re not the same, they’re a little cheaper..you want quality superior. Also, the Borsalino straw hats are made by Tesi, another Italian company, so the straws aren’t a good representation of the brand. Generally, if you go Borsalino I have to like a very soft, lightweight hat.. that’s their nature. The green hat I wear all the time is one.
@@KTGHATSI agree, if you’re going to shell out $400+ for a straw hat, you might as well get a FINE FINE quality Montecristi. Imo it would put the newer Borsalino straws to shame. I have a medium brim Scala 10 grade toquilla straw Panama for a couple years now and I absolutely love it. I get a compliment everytime I wear it. Currently 118° F heat index and no rain for a month now. I can’t wait till summer is over and I get to break out my brand new custom 100x beaver fedora. Cheers Kevin. You’ve taught me almost everything I know about fedoras!
I still envy your green Borsalino. If I ever see one, I’m gonna scoop it up!