Ask a question, get an answer

[deadlyhandsome]

Wondering if anyone knows the percentage of beaver in a Winchester beaver blend?

Are we sure there is just one blend available?

 

[MikeP]

Judging from Stratton, which owns Winchester, I would say yes.

 

[belfastboy]

Wondering if anyone knows the percentage of beaver in a Winchester beaver blend?

I have two Winchester blends and they were both sold to me by a reputable custom hatter that I trust 100%. Both were 50/50 western weight.

 

[MikeP]

Thank you! Sounds right.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Judging from Stratton, which owns Winchester, I would say yes.

I’m all but certain that they have more than one blend. They also have nutria blends, chinchilla blends, etc.

 

[CowboyCob]

Can anyone help finding the manufacture date of my Stetson Open Road? Found it on eBay and I’m curious. I’m certain it’s not vintage, but I’m wondering what decade, roughly.

 

[belfastboy]

I’m all but certain that they have more than one blend. They also have nutria blends, chinchilla blends, etc.

They do use nutria for blending for Stratton hats not offering 100% any longer. From custom hatters I have only ever seen them offer the 50/50 blend, then the mink & chinchilla blends that have 4 or 5 stray mink or chinchilla hairs in the blend.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Can anyone help finding the manufacture date of my Stetson Open Road? Found it on eBay and I’m curious. I’m certain it’s not vintage, but I’m wondering what decade, roughly.

I’d say 1980s or ‘90s.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

They do use nutria for blending for Stratton hats not offering 100% any longer. From custom hatters I have only ever seen them offer the 50/50 blend, then the mink & chinchilla blends that have 4 or 5 stray mink or chinchilla hairs in the blend.

I seem to remember a custom hatter offered me a blend with less than 50% beaver. It’s been a while so???

 

[MikeP]

I have several Stratton straws, a uniform rabbit (I’m guessing) a pure beaver all western from Stratton and they a fit me perfectly. Prices have gone up so I’m looking at the blend for what may be my last purchase.
Hence my interest in the blend. I appreciate the input.

 

[belfastboy]

I have several Stratton straws, a uniform rabbit (I’m guessing) a pure beaver all western from Stratton and they a fit me perfectly. Prices have gone up so I’m looking at the blend for what may be my last purchase.
Hence my interest in the blend. I appreciate the input.

I really like my Winchester blends. A quite stiff western weight but it is hard to tell it apart from my pure beaver hats.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I have several Stratton straws, a uniform rabbit (I’m guessing) a pure beaver all western from Stratton and they a fit me perfectly. Prices have gone up so I’m looking at the blend for what may be my last purchase.
Hence my interest in the blend. I appreciate the input.

Aside for the uniform hats, we don’t see much of Stratton. I have one, a homburg, but they are not common. I’d love to see your pure beaver western if you don’t mind posting photos of it.

 

[MikeP]

It’s a black pure beaver Rancher. I had the buckle set and a roan sweat added. Bought it about seven years ago.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

It’s a black pure beaver Rancher. I had the buckle set and a roan sweat added. Bought it about seven years ago. View attachment 591865 View attachment 591866 View attachment 591866

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

 

[StoryPNW]

I'm considering my next custom. I want to make a black BRE clone, but I haven't had to pleasure of handling an original. I'm thinking I want dress weight as I tend to prefer the lighter felts, but I was wondering were the originals a lighter or heavier felt?

 

[belfastboy]

I'm considering my next custom. I want to make a black BRE clone, but I haven't had to pleasure of handling an original. I'm thinking I want dress weight as I tend to prefer the lighter felts, but I was wondering were the originals a lighter or heavier felt?

Depending on the colour you choose, consider a Ukraine 160gr beaver. They are a great mid point between a soft malleable dress weight and the heavier/stiffer western weight.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I was wondering were the originals a lighter or heavier felt?

Lighter.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I'm considering my next custom. I want to make a black BRE clone, but I haven't had to pleasure of handling an original. I'm thinking I want dress weight as I tend to prefer the lighter felts, but I was wondering were the originals a lighter or heavier felt?

I’d say somewhere in between…something like an early 1950s or earlier 3X. Definitely lighter than modern western felt.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

It’s all semantics. I would rate it as a 25+.

 

[wsmontana]

Does anyone have a source for the 3/8” ribbon commonly found on Stetson ORs and Stratoliners?