whatever happened to regular size hankerchiefs

Keith Molden · Dec 17, 2014

I've been looking for some regular old red or blue handkerchiefs. The only thing I can find is the bandanas that all the pipe fitters and boilermakers wear as do rags. The darned things are too big to fit in my back pocket and too darned stiff to blow your nose on till they're worn out. Also haven't been able to find a new Denim chore coat like we used to wear. Anybody got any ideas where to look. Tractor Supply, Rural King, Wally World, nor Pennys have them. Keith

farmboy48 · Dec 17, 2014

Mama got me a couple of the blue handkerchiefs last spring, only colored on one side, and consistency of cardboard, I have been purposely gettin' em dirty and having her wash them, probably a dozen times, and still too scratchy to use, thank goodness for moustaches. LOL

Nebraska Cowman · Dec 17, 2014

Tractor Supply is where I get most of mine. Yes, "bandannas" is what they are called. I measured a couple of mine and they are a little over 20 inches square. is that too big? I did buy some larger ones once. I did not care for them. And they were still too small to go around your neck twice (cold weather) Yes, I wear one year round and carry another in my pocket. My mother always ask me, "Howie, do you have your hanky?" I don't remember her ever asking me if I had on clean underwear!
Oh here is a partial package of new handkerchiefs. "Have A Hank" brand. 17 x 17 cut size. I use them to clean my glasses as they are too small to carry.

retired farmer · Dec 17, 2014

Probably have to go to a fine men's store that sells suits to find them. I haven't carried a handkerchief since 1968.

James Howell · Dec 17, 2014

Just pulled a red one out of my back pocket and it measures about 20x20 square.

Have several more red ones and at least one blue one.

Probably got them at Tractor Supply; found plenty of them listed on eBay.

Use them to wipe sweat during the Summer and wipe snot in the Winter.

I never leave the house without one in my back pocket.

Went through my late father's closet this morning and found a new denim chore coat like we used to wear.

old popper · Dec 17, 2014

When I need them, I usually get them at Wally World. (Probably made in China) Will only buy 100% cotton, can clean my specs or blow my nose. Mine are 20x20, and fit the hip pocket OK on my bibs.

TL (Va) · Dec 17, 2014

I have bought several from Campmore. All cotton, made in USA.
Some colors are a tad rough, and need several washings. I carry one at all times.
http://www.campmor.com/Product___00393

RandyB(MI) · Dec 17, 2014

That's one habit I just never aquired. Can't picture myself towards the end of the day "hunting" for a clean spot. Maybe there's an art to it that I don't know. At the start of the day ,I put a 12"x12" (folded in 1/4,s)piece of smooth style paper toweling into ea. pocket. They ea. get their quota and then dumped. Usually don't even get into the last one unless I have a cold or something.That last one sometimes comes in handy on that unexpected trip to the woods. Can't imagine doing "that" with a hankie the wife has to wash.

old-9 · Dec 17, 2014

I just measured an old worn out hanky and was 16 or so square, the new ones are 20 square. So 20 is the new 16. So 16 times 16 = 256 sq. inches and 20 times 20 = 400 sq. inches . Yes I agree they new ones seem to make a pockett full. I don't like them either. joe

flying belgian · Dec 17, 2014

Yep, I hear ya. You put one of them in your back pocket and you sit on the tractor lop-sided all day.You have to carry about 50 $1 bills in your wallet in the other back pocket to level things out. I cut them in half and get 2 fer 1. No need to hem the cut edge. They are woven so tight that they don't even fray. Try it.

greywolf224 · Dec 17, 2014

What's wrong with the white hankies? Only kind I have ever owned. Even got my initials on a few of them.

hillbillyhim · Dec 17, 2014

As far as chore coats. I found some called prison blues. Made in the USA. Look for them on unionlabel.com. Also some called big bill brand.

PJH · Dec 17, 2014

A hanky used on an unexpected trip to the woods stays in the woods, ha! I'm a skinflint, but I draw the line there. . .

retired farmer · Dec 17, 2014

You start in one corner and work your way around the outside to the start point and then keep working around till you get to the center. Then you should get a clean one.

John A · Dec 17, 2014

Keith, When I was Younger and Single I had a multitude of colored Wild Rags/Handkerchiefs! One to coordinate with every shirt I owned when I went out on Dates, to town on business & the like.
Every one I had, Have now is the bigger ones, easier to fold Diagonally and tie around my neck!
But I was given a bunch of Red Shop rags... Many yrs ago, Softer on my Nose, or to clean glasses, Closer to the size you want. Might be a better option! Hope this helps
Later,
John A.

EricInSEI · Dec 17, 2014

I was at the Levi's outlet store in Edinburgh, IN Saturday and found the exact same jacket as I was wearing, pre-washed for $100. Didn't look a lot better than the one I was wearing, either. And it's probably about 10 years old.

fixerupper · Dec 17, 2014

Pjh you rip it in two when you make a trip in the woods. That way you have half a hanky for next time. Marilyn finally asked my why a couple of half hankies were in the laundry. I told her I was being thrifty in the corn field.

fixerupper · Dec 17, 2014

I have a heck of a time finding soft cotton ones too. Those stiff ones don't clean my glasses worth a darn.

PJH · Dec 18, 2014

OK Jim - I could live with that, ha. . .

mkirsch · Dec 18, 2014

The reality of the situation is that the guys who carry handkerchiefs and wear denim chore coats are a dying breed. Us younger guys wear Carhartts and wipe our noses on the sleeves if nothing else is available.

Admittedly I'm a bit more prepared than most. There's a magnetic paper towel holder in the bed of my truck with a roll of nice soft blue shop towels on it. I'm rarely anywhere without my truck, so I almost always have a ready supply of snotrags and bloodsoppers on hand.

There's usually a partially used one in one or both pockets of my Carhartts too, so if it's a real emergency, I'm good.

Gary Mitchell · Dec 18, 2014

I never could quite figure out why a guy would want to fold a wad of snot up in a rag and carry it around in his pocket all day. Just sayin,,,,,,,gm

agonair · Dec 18, 2014

You can get regular sized handkerchefs at Dollar General. They carry white, red, and blue.
You can also get the white ones at Van Heusen. We have a Van Heusen outlet store at Tuscola, IL.
As for the Denim blue chore coats - go online and you can order them from RoundHouse brands. They are made in the USA and are the type of coat you want. I have a Brown Duck Chore coat that came from Key.

bison · Dec 18, 2014

Why one wouId bIow his nose in a hanky and save the snot in his pocket has aIways been beyond me,..I find it pIain gross.:shock:
If i need to bIow my nose i cIose one nostriI with my finger and bIow hard trough the other.
Nose is cIean again and the snot is on the ground to be recycIed as nature intended :wink:

hayfarmerdan · Dec 18, 2014

Gentlemen, I can solve all your problems with handkerchiefs. I make and sell handkerchiefs made from tractor fabric. They are 100% cotton, machine washable, 17 inch square for $3.75 each. I prefer you purchase in multiples of two.

We offer many fabrics to choose from including Farmall, IH, Ford, John Deere, Oliver, New Holland, CaseIH, Caterpillar and more. To select a fabric for your handkerchief please see the selection on my website (any print, not a panel/picture).

When you are ready, please call to place your order. Jennifer, 810-664-0992.

Untitled URL Link

hayfarmerdan · Dec 18, 2014

Here's a photo of the red Farmall logo fabric we can do for handkerchiefs as well.

RandyB(MI) · Dec 18, 2014

Bison, my sentiments exactly. And that guy above that mentioned having them match his dress shirt when out on a date.....?????? If one of my dates back in the day had discovered a "hanky" on me anywhere she would have been grossed out and probably would have been last date. Kind of like using ones pocket for a spitoon .

whatever happened to regular size hankerchiefs

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