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Art Fawcett hat question
- Thread starter pfisto22
- Start date
Geldoc
One of the Regulars
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Why not call Art and ask him? He'll be happy to talk with you.
casechopper
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GtDean has a boss of the plains style hat made by Art. Art's nutria bodies are heavier duty and closer to western weight than the other felt bodies he has so I'd choose one of them for a western hat.
Rogera
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I am sure Art could make just about anything you can think up
Blackthorn
I'll Lock Up
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Are nutria bodies sturdier than beaver?
casechopper
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Hi Blackthorn,
The nutria bodies are thicker and stiffer than the beaver bodies. I have both and if I pick the nutria hat up by the brim the brim doesn't break where if I pick up a beaver dress weight hat by the brim it flops down. The nutria is probably sturdier/more durable etc... but doesn't have the soft flexibility many here want in a dress hat. Art's nutria hats feel thicker than a western weight 100% beaver Winchester body to me and about the same in stiffness.
The nutria bodies are thicker and stiffer than the beaver bodies. I have both and if I pick the nutria hat up by the brim the brim doesn't break where if I pick up a beaver dress weight hat by the brim it flops down. The nutria is probably sturdier/more durable etc... but doesn't have the soft flexibility many here want in a dress hat. Art's nutria hats feel thicker than a western weight 100% beaver Winchester body to me and about the same in stiffness.
It probably depends on the thickness & pouncing of the body, and what you mean by "sturdy." I have several vintage Stetson nutria hats, a vintage South American "Nutria" brand nutria fur cowboy hat, and a nutria _blend_ body that I purchased from Winchester. The vintage Stetson nutria are very lightweight and are similar to beaver in quality. The South American hat is thicker & more substantial, and also has a bit more lacquer in the wide, flat brim.
The felt of all the nutria hats does seem more durable, though, if that is what you mean. It is hard to explain other than to say that they seem to have tighter felting than any beaver hat that I own, including vintage, quality, 100% beaver hats. This, I imagine, is why they were marketed to & often worn by working cowboys. Someone (else) ought to do a psi tear test, I suppose, if they want to back up the anecdotal reports.
The Winchester body is a raw unpounced western (purchased off the floor unfinished). It is western as far as thickness, and the brim is pretty stiff. The crown is fairly soft - not too much lacquer there. It also has a substantial feel to it.
"Faint hat never won fair lady."
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Blackthorn
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Thank you Casechopper and John Galt, now I will have to start saving up for one of Art's nutria hats.
Btw...who IS John Galt? (ok, actually I know...Prometheus who changed his mind)
I like your moniker.
Btw...who IS John Galt? (ok, actually I know...Prometheus who changed his mind)
I like your moniker.
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Art's nutria blend is his special recipe by Winchester.
I have the BotP that Sam mentioned plus a Journeyman in this felt.
It is a more rugged & durable than dress weight beaver for sure.
I have the BotP that Sam mentioned plus a Journeyman in this felt.
It is a more rugged & durable than dress weight beaver for sure.
Blackthorn
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Thanks GTD, that makes my day. He does a clone of the OR in nutria, so now I know what to save toward, thanks!
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- DnD Ranch, Cherokee County, GA
My pleasure.
An OR clone in the natural nutria from Art would be the berries...
An OR clone in the natural nutria from Art would be the berries...
Blackthorn
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It may not be exact in its cloning, but it looks pretty good to me. Am I seeing this right as an OR clone? The bottom pic with the thinner ribbon.
http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/limited_edition/Hitchhiker.htm
casechopper
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I have a Hitchhiker and it's not quite the same as an OR. The crown height is lower and the brim is larger. Also no bound edge. It is a very nice hat though and works with pretty much anything.
The Wiser Hatter
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As you know Art can make it a complete OR clone if you want it to be. Brim binding and all,you have to do just is ask. A nutria felt to be has always been a rugged feeling to hats made with it. Not as smooth and refined as a Beaver or Rabbit felt hat.
Blackthorn
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Thanks guys, this answers all my questions. Now to save up the money, or rather, to sell some of my existing hats....
Btw...who IS John Galt? (ok, actually I know...Prometheus who changed his mind)
Thx!
"Faint hat never won fair lady."
Art Fawcett
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Thanks for the inquiry pfisto22, although I'm not a western hatter I often make and work on them here in cow country. As for my nutria, as Gtdean said, it's a special blend made for me and it is an attempt at a "crossover" hat, not western, not dress. Dress bodies start off at 4oz. and western are typically 7 oz so I had them made in 5.5oz. weight with the same core shellac as the western. The result is a pretty tough body, tougher than plain staple ( rabbit) but not as tough as pure beaver. I made it as an answer to the Akubra work type hat, rugged, durable but of course I cannot compete price wise to them. My idea of "mass production" is two hats per day and even that is only achievable a couple of days a week.
emigran
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Thanks to all you fellow FL "enablers" ,,, I just got an other great idea for a VS from Art...
PS: My new Limestone Road is in the works right now...
PS: My new Limestone Road is in the works right now...
Blackthorn
I'll Lock Up
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WOW It seems that whatever you decide to get into once you make the plunge a whole world of information opens up. I just ordered my hat from Art today and now comes the hard part of deciding on a style and texture and felt material. This thread has been very helpful but now as I gain more knowledge my decision seems more complex and harder especially of not having the luxury of being there in person. I am sure it will turn out perfect but we all know 5 minutes after we get anything we say next time I will do this or that a little different. The journey is half the fun
Thanks Mike
more to follow
Thanks Mike
more to follow
