'60s Stetson XXX Beaver Cowboy hat?

[matei]

Yee haw...

My dad found his old '60s Stetson XXX Beaver Cowboy hat, which had been languishing in his basement for nearly 25 years now. I remember this thing from when I was a kid. It is has stiff as a board and you could probably hurt someone if you threw it at them. His brother was in Texas at some point in the late '60s and brought him back a cowboy hat. I don't think my dad ever really wore it, I do remember it sitting for years on a hairdresser dummy head that was used as a hat stand.

It wasn't blocked when he got it - he did it himself but it looks pretty bad. Amazingly enough - there are no holes or rips. It is merely dingy/dusty. That is some durable felt. From what I remember it is a beige-ish colour, like you find on the Open Roads.

Now - is it possible to give it a new life as a fedora-esque hat? I imagine it would involve cutting down the gigantic brim and softening the rock-hard felt.

 

[indyjim]

I'd be interesting in getting some info on this topic as well. I have several
Stetson cowboy hats, a 4X and 5X, that I no longer wear, and I've been debating what I should do with them.

 

[John in Covina]

Cowboy conversions!

I seem to recall there were some blurbs about doing this type of cowboy to fedora conversion mentioned before but as to the thread or context dunno![huh]

One thing is the dimensions of the crown may dictate the style of bash / blocking you can do.

I know there has been some info under Indy conversions as to cutting down the brim of some hats to get the right size and shape.

As to the stiff as a board feature, the stiffener tends to be shellac, which you may be able to disolve and rinse away with Denatured Alcohol.

Art mentioned he stuck a hat in a 5 gallon paint type bucket and used some 3 gallons of alcohol to soak over night. Wonder if you could get by with less alcohol or find a way to filter or re-distill into re-usable alcohol.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Let Art do it

If you haven't seen my Stetson 10X before and after shots, go and partake to get a idea of Art's magic.
http://public.fotki.com/formerblueangel/stetson_10x/

 

[RBH]

W O W !

If you haven't seen my Stetson 10X before and after shots, go and partake to get a idea of Art's magic.
http://public.fotki.com/formerblueangel/stetson_10x/

And another W O W !
That is a awsome looking hat. Talk about your ultimate vintage custom fedora. Art has shed a new light on those old western hats. I know I will now take a second look.
Great hat D R..
Great work Art..

 

[Pilgrim]

Of course any western hat can be re-shaped. The height of the crown and width of the brim will create certain limitations or advantages - but the brim can be cut down if desired.

A pro can re-shape pretty much any felt hat.

I have two western hats, but the crowns are already shaped as pinch-fronts, with the brim in a style of my choice. All it would take to make them a high-crown fedora is to cut down and re-shape the brim.

But since I've had one of them since I was 16 and the other was one I bought for my dad and later inherited - and since I live in Colorado where western hats are part of everyday fashion - they're not getting changed.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

It's soft as butter but a wee bit on the Heavy side

And another W O W !
That is a awsome looking hat. Talk about your ultimate vintage custom fedora. Art has shed a new light on those old western hats. I know I will now take a second look.
Great hat D R..
Great work Art..

When I get a hair cut, it sits on my ears but oh well, jsut an excuse to let me hair grow out LOL
DR

 

[Kaleponi Craig]

Now - is it possible to give it a new life as a fedora-esque hat? I imagine it would involve cutting down the gigantic brim and softening the rock-hard felt.

I just had Art block a 1950s Open Road and he did his magic, as always. You can try to block it yourself, but for a very reasonable price, Art Fawcett can make that lid into a great hat you will wear and wear...KC

 

[jamespowers]

When I get a hair cut, it sits on my ears but oh well, jsut an excuse to let me hair grow out LOL
DR

A 10X was a decent hat in those days. In fact it was expensive. The sweatband and liner show that this hat was something that the owner purchased for over $50 in the days when Whippets were selling for $12-$15.
Its new shape better exhibits the 10X felt it had inside it waiting to be broken out of the cowboy hat mold. I suppose Art is like Michelangelo in that sense. He can look at a felt and see what is inside much as Michelangelo could look at a block of marble and see the sculpture inside. :cheers1:
Needless to say---nice hat. :fedora:

Regards,

J

 

[Bart]

Convert your Cowboy Hat to Fedora?

GENTS:

If you don't have the STONES to wear a cowboy hat....don't wear a hat at all. You guys talk about "cutting down" a cowboy hat. Fingering, figgeting and shaping it into a "Fedora". Maybe a FEDORA would make you more acceptable to the crowd at town meeting. I doubt it.

Instead, my friends, crawl under your safe baseball caps and cheer when the team wins and the vote comes up to override tax issues for "the children".

Leave the Stetsons, et all, alone.

Bart

 

[John in Covina]

It doesn't take Huevos to know what you like.

GENTS: If you don't have the STONES to wear a cowboy hat....don't wear a hat at all. You guys talk about "cutting down" a cowboy hat. Fingering, figgeting and shaping it into a "Fedora". Maybe a FEDORA would make you more acceptable to the crowd at town meeting. I doubt it. Instead, my friends, crawl under your safe baseball caps and cheer when the team wins and the vote comes up to override tax issues for "the children". Leave the Stetsons, et all, alone. Bart

**********
What's the problem? I do with my property what I want. You don't like it, make an offer.

 

[tonyb]

GENTS:

If you don't have the STONES to wear a cowboy hat....don't wear a hat at all. You guys talk about "cutting down" a cowboy hat. Fingering, figgeting and shaping it into a "Fedora". Maybe a FEDORA would make you more acceptable to the crowd at town meeting. I doubt it.

Instead, my friends, crawl under your safe baseball caps and cheer when the team wins and the vote comes up to override tax issues for "the children".

Leave the Stetsons, et all, alone.

Bart

Oh, please, spare us the childish insults.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

I'll do you one better

GENTS:

If you don't have the STONES to wear a cowboy hat....don't wear a hat at all. You guys talk about "cutting down" a cowboy hat. Fingering, figgeting and shaping it into a "Fedora". Maybe a FEDORA would make you more acceptable to the crowd at town meeting. I doubt it.

Instead, my friends, crawl under your safe baseball caps and cheer when the team wins and the vote comes up to override tax issues for "the children".

Leave the Stetsons, et all, alone.

Bart

I don't wanna look like a Cowboy. As in all hat, no cattle. I think we all have plenty of balls here, you're just jealous because Momma keeps yours on the mantle! :eusa_clap Have a crappy day and NO Thanks for playing.
DR

 

[John in Covina]

On Cowboys and good manners.

GENTS: If you don't have the STONES to wear a cowboy hat....don't wear a hat at all. You guys talk about "cutting down" a cowboy hat. Fingering, figgeting and shaping it into a "Fedora". Maybe a FEDORA would make you more acceptable to the crowd at town meeting. I doubt it. Instead, my friends, crawl under your safe baseball caps and cheer when the team wins and the vote comes up to override tax issues for "the children". Leave the Stetsons, et all, alone. Bart

***********************
Dear Bart:

Maybe you had a bad day an decided to let it roll down hill. Your comments were made to rile up and put down. Well there really is no need for it. Here we are talking about taking an unused object and making it useful again. We are not talking about melting down historic gold coins or buring the original Declaration of Independence, we are talking about artfully and skillfully reworking a hat.

As to Cowboys:

I have always had great respect for cowboys, the ones that are hardworking, and honest to a fault. I respect the ones that live up to the code of the West and that they exemplify the rugged individualism and self reliance that are upheld by true Americans. A real cowboy is not hot air and BS. A real cowboy exudes a quiet confidence.

Here are some Cowboy Virtues from various web sites

Hopalong Cassidy's "Creed for American Boys and Girls"
1.The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be mindful at all times.
2.Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions.
3.If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way.
4.Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don't be lazy.
5.Your good deeds always come to light. So don't boast or be a show off.
6.If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways.
7.Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them.
8.A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.
9.Our country's laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully.
10.Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American

Roy Roger's "Rider's Rules"
1. Be neat and clean.
2. Be courteous and polite.
3. Always obey your parents.
4. Protect the weak and help them.
5. Be brave but never take chances.
6. Study hard and learn all you can.
7. Be kind to animals and care for them.
8. Eat all your food and never waste any.
9. Love God and go to Sunday School regularly.
10. Always respect our flag and our country.

Gene Autry's "Ten Commandments of the Cowboy"
1. A cowboy never takes unfair advantage.
2. A cowboy never betrays a trust.
3. A cowboy always tells the truth.
4. A cowboy is kind to small children, to old folks, and to animals.
5. A cowboy is free from racial and religious prejudice.
6. A cowboy is helpful and when anyone's in trouble he lends a hand.
7. A cowboy is a good worker.
8. A cowboy is clean about his person and in thought, word, and deed.
9. A cowboy respects womanhood, his parents, and the laws of his country.
10. A cowboy is a patriot.

The Lone Ranger's Creed
I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one. That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world. That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself. In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right. That a man should make the most of what equipment he has. That "this government, of the people, by the people, and for the people," shall live always. That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number. That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken. That all things change, but the truth, and the truth alone lives on forever. I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

There was a Code of the West, and Ramon Adams, the Western historian, probably explained it best in his wonderful little 1969 book, The Cowman and His Code of Ethics. Adams wrote, in part:
"Back in the days when the cowman with his herds made a new frontier, there was no law on the range. Lack of written law made it necessary for him to frame some of his own, thus developing a rule of behavior which became known as the "Code of the West." These homespun laws, being merely a gentleman’s agreement to certain rules of conduct for survival, were never written into statutes, but were respected everywhere on the range."
"When legislated laws did come to the frontier they failed to meet the needs and conditions on this fringe of civilization. Men did not respect them because they could not obey them and survive. Thus the West gained a reputation for being lawless though the blame for this condition should have been placed upon the white-collared law makers, not upon the so-called law breakers."

Adams breaks down his Western code into a list of qualities. Here are some of them.

Loyalty. A cowboy took pride in being loyal to his "brand." The highest compliment a man could receive in the Old West was: "He’ll do to ride the river with." This was a tribute from the old trail days when only the fearless dared to swim herds across treacherous rivers. If a life-threatening mishap occurred in the crossing, the help of the nearest cowboy would be the difference between life and death.

Friendship. There was no more sacred obligation than to be there when your friend needed you.

Hospitality. There were no motels in the Old West. Anyone who wandered in - even an enemy - was welcome at the table. The same was true for riders who joined cowboys on the range.

Fair Play. Westerners despised duplicity or under-handedness of any kind. The Code dictated that one could not shoot an unarmed or unwarned enemy (also known as "the rattlesnake code": always warn before you strike). All bets were off, however, if someone was being stalked.

Liquor. Drinking on duty was grounds for instant dismissal and blacklisting.

Generosity. Most cowboys were generous to a fault.

Curiosity. It was dangerous to inquire into what someone was back "in the states." On the frontier it didn’t take long to take the measure of a man.

Kindness. Consideration for others was central to the Code. You didn’t stir up dust in the vicinity of the chuck wagon; you didn’t wake up the wrong man for herd duty.

The Environment. The cowboy spent most of his time in the open. He would rarely smoke during rides across fire hazard country. He had no tolerance for those who would disfigure trees or rocks.

Integrity. Honesty was an absolute. Locks on doors were unknown until nesters moved in. Your word was your bond; a handshake was more binding than a 100 page contract. When the terrible winters of 1887-89 virtually wiped out the cattle industry, ruined ranchers literally worked their way into early graves rather than go back on their word. Should a parent die before debts were paid off, the inheriting son or daughter assumed them. Bankruptcy was not an option.

Religion. To the average cowboy, religion meant living by the Golden Rule.

Today we have what we call "The New West," and its margin moves on with each new day. Does a Code of the West still exist? Some submit that it does.
Self reliance continues to be a Western trait.

Relationship with the Land
Unquestionably, the Westerner’s symbiotic relationship with the land has never been lost. The value placed on the region’s traditional industries, like ranching, has never diminished, even among many urban Westerners.

In the West there remains a willingness to trust a person rather than trust fine print. Grey realized that the West was as much a state of mind as it was a historical phenomenon. Moreover, Grey’s West, which is believed in by millions of people around the world, is based on solid historical fact.

Now for me, I'd say you learn more about the charactor of a man by how he handles his mistakes than most other things.

Sincerely,

 

[matei]

If you don't have the STONES to wear a cowboy hat....don't wear a hat at all. You guys talk about "cutting down" a cowboy hat. Fingering, figgeting and shaping it into a "Fedora". Maybe a FEDORA would make you more acceptable to the crowd at town meeting. I doubt it.

Jeez, if I'd only known this earlier! So that is why I keep getting run outta town...

Thanks for the priceless advice "pardner". I'll remember this when I attend my next "town meeting". Yee haw and rooty toot toot.

 

[RBH]

***********************
Dear Bart:

Maybe you had a bad day an decided to let it roll down hill. Your comments were made to rile up and put down. Well there really is no need for it. Here we are talking about taking an unused object and making it useful again. We are not talking about melting down historic gold coins or buring the original Declaration of Independence, we are talking about artfully and skillfully reworking a hat.

Sincerely,

Well said , John

 

[Raindog]

Big Bag Bart eh?
The fedora in my avatar is a converted cowboy hat (modern stetson ranger model).
I'd encourage anyone to try this conversion. It's easy enough to attempt, and hard enough to satisfy. The thing about felt is that the only way to ruin it is to actually cut it about badly. The brim cut is the thing to take care on. I just marked the line I wanted to cut using a compass with the spike pushing against the edge of the brim and the pencil marking the line on the top surface. Run it round, no problem.
Cut it with a good sharp pair of scissors. Rub the edge with a pretty smooth piece of sandpaper, gently does it. Just keep at it until it feels and looks smooth and rounded enough.
The shaping I just did by hand with cold water. Took out the lining, took off all the trimmings. Shaped it. Replaced the thin silky band with a proper bit of ribbon. Made a bow from instructions on an Indiana Jones website.
Turned out nice. The long winded bit is sewing in the sweatband and making the ribbon fit nice. Just patience.
I hope you try it.

Jeff.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Good Day Matei
As you can tell at this stage in the game "Yes" you can change the Cowboy hat into a fedora. I saw a webpage a few years ago where some guy bought a cheep, yellow, ugly, sombrero from a second hand shop. Cleaned it, cut the brim, replaced the band and gave it a nice bash. In the end he had a great looking, distinct, yellow fedora with off brown band. Looked great.
Now I can only assume the Location under your avatar is correct. When making comments about hats, and more particularly styles, we should keep in mind geographic locations. I would never recommend a White Cowboy hat from Smithbilt Hats to a person from Scotland unless they were interested in it. At some hours of night, down some streets in Scotland you may get a ass kicking for wearing such a thing. I have never been to Ireland but I have been to Scotland and England. The only person I saw in a cowboy hat was a tourist from Calgary during the fringe festival. Then again he had a drink Irish girl hanging off him all night so it may not be a bad thing.....anyway. But it is your property. Do with it what you will and looking forward to seeing the results.
Johnny

 

[matei]

Thanks Johnnycanuck (Go Oilers... emmm, Flames... emmm... ok - I'm just happy that hockey is a go this season).

You are quite right about geographics. At the moment I live in London. Although there are lots of tourists, very few sport cowboy hats. I would look a bit daft wearing one anyhow, as it would certainly clash with the rest of my clothing.

I only ever saw one guy wearing a cowboy hat in Dublin, and he was a big, hairy biker looking fella. No one in their right mind was going to laugh at him (to his face at least).

Methinks some people get too attached to "stuff". At the end of the day, you can't take it with you. Might as well enjoy it while you can. If that means turning a cowboy hat into a bowler or whatever else floats your boat - go for it. As long as no one gets hurt, the sky is the limit.

My father gave me this hat because he never wore it, and I certainly won't in its current state. I'd like like a right eejit walking around with that perched on my head.

Like someone else pointed out - it is just a hat, not ancient gold coins...

 

[Fedora]

I too am guilty of taking a 7x or 10x old Stetson,and turning it into a fedora. Back prior to selling hats, I would do this for my own stable. I am particular fond of the 7x and 10x old Stetsons. Great felt. Both were basically all beaver, with the 10x having nicer sweats, and perhaps liners. Fedora