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[DRB]

So, this hat that belongs to Lloyd below, do you think it has the guard hairs still in it? It does not look like the white wool underneath. It looks like an unprocessed natural colored pelt. So does it have all or most of the guard hairs still attached, or was this hat just dyed this way?
(the hat is beaver and rabbit mix)

 

[DRB]

Beaver Fur-The guard hairs have been pulled back to expose the denser shorter underfur.
Is all the brown fur discarded and only the white kept? Or, do they keep the white and brown and discard the guard hairs. I don't comprehend what a guard hair is. Any help?

 

[Lefty]

Pick up The Handmade Felt Hat and Hat Talk right from the author. These books are loaded with information on felt making, both past and present, and the history and evolution of hats.

 

[DRB]

Just ordered it. I also spoke with a trapper and a fiber processor. Yes, it would be a difficult to do from scratch. Maybe I'll just make a wool hat for my son.

 

[DRB]

One more question, if I may. Has anyone ever seen a chinchilla/beaver mix? I have not seen any and was wondering if that was because chinchilla was unsuitable for felting. Any ideas?

 

[fluteplayer07]

It's probably not the kind of thing you can do. I don't know how many people would have the expertise to even attempt making a single body, but it can't be too many.

If I remember my history correctly, didn't John Stetson make his own hat out West when he bought a beaver felt from Native Americans? This became his Boss of the Plains hat.

Anyways, if we could find out how this was done, in it's most primitive form, couldn't we try to replicate this process ourselves? The tools obviously wouldn't be complex, and the process would be simpler than what has been done in modern years. If we research old journals and historical accounts, there must be enough information floating around to try and replicate these primitive processes. And logic says its something we could try ourselves... No chemicals, large machinery, etc. The finished felt obviously wouldn't be as good as hatters grade felt, but it's a step in the right direction.

Call me crazy, but this seems logical enough to me provided there's historical resources out there.

 

[DRB]

I agree, I am still learning. I have ordered some books, hopefully they won't be too discouraging. Thanks for your help guys!

 

[buler]

If I remember my history correctly, didn't John Stetson make his own hat out West when he bought a beaver felt from Native Americans? This became his Boss of the Plains hat.

Anyways, if we could find out how this was done, in it's most primitive form, couldn't we try to replicate this process ourselves? The tools obviously wouldn't be complex, and the process would be simpler than what has been done in modern years. If we research old journals and historical accounts, there must be enough information floating around to try and replicate these primitive processes. And logic says its something we could try ourselves... No chemicals, large machinery, etc. The finished felt obviously wouldn't be as good as hatters grade felt, but it's a step in the right direction.

Call me crazy, but this seems logical enough to me provided there's historical resources out there.

Do some google books searches on hat making, felting, and the word bow. While the bow may not be complex, I wouldn't call the process description simple. Here is one resource that describes bowing the fur.
Link -> HATFELTING

B

 

[chadillac]

anyone know where I can get jimmy darmody's fedora from boardwalk empire?

 

[scottyrocks]

One of our members just recently had a Jimmy Darmody hat made, maybe by Art Fawcett? Hopefully, that member, or Art, if he made it, will chime in here.

 

[billyspew]

One of our members just recently had a Jimmy Darmody hat made, maybe by Art Fawcett? Hopefully, that member, or Art, if he made it, will chime in here.

Yup, see it here

 

[scottyrocks]

And I just found it here, post 4121:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?13023-Art-Fawcett-Hall-of-Fame/page207

 

[bowlerman]

One more question, if I may. Has anyone ever seen a chinchilla/beaver mix? I have not seen any and was wondering if that was because chinchilla was unsuitable for felting. Any ideas?

only in pictures-- I think Montecristi makes them, and I believe there are images of vintage chinchilla/beaver hats in "The Cowboy Hat Book" by William Reynolds and Ritch Rand (of Rand Hats). I infer that they are extremely high end felts, but I suppose it could just be Montecristi's rather inflated prices.

 

[bowlerman]

found this little guy at an antique shop this afternoon, and thought I'd try it out as a hat brush since I don't have a real one. It's fairly soft horsehair, and seems to work nicely so far. Are there any reasons anyone can think of that I shouldn't use this on a hat?

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[rlk]

only in pictures-- I think Montecristi makes them, and I believe there are images of vintage chinchilla/beaver hats in "The Cowboy Hat Book" by William Reynolds and Ritch Rand (of Rand Hats). I infer that they are extremely high end felts, but I suppose it could just be Montecristi's rather inflated prices.

You can buy a Stetson now:
http://www.carolswesternwear.com/mm...ode=hfst1000XDiamante&Category_Code=02Stetson

 

[Pyramid Jones]

Dr.Hawass' hat

Does anybody know what brand of hat, style, and where I can get one like his. I love that hat.

 

[Lefty]

according to this, it's an Akubra - of course, it's worth noting that it's an Australian site.

here's a site selling replicas

 

[scottyrocks]

found this little guy at an antique shop this afternoon, and thought I'd try it out as a hat brush since I don't have a real one. It's fairly soft horsehair, and seems to work nicely so far. Are there any reasons anyone can think of that I shouldn't use this on a hat?

[/IMG]

Well, it looks like a shoe brush. I'd be very careful and check for any polish residue which will mess up a felt hat.

On second thought, I'd just lie down for ten bucks and buy a new hat brush.

 

[Pyramid Jones]

Does anybody know where to get a hat like Dr. Zahi Hawass's hat?

 

[Neophyte]

Are you looking for factoy production or custom? Having looked at the hat, I can't really think of any hats that are identical.