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[jlee562]

Are there any websites for used hats? I was not able to find any hat outlet in my city, so for me the only way to buy a hat is to buy it online.

eBay is rife with gently used westerns. My suggestion is to keep with Resistol. There are a lot of 60's Resistols that are quite nice hats, that don't have the brand appeal as Stetsons, which tend to be priced higher. $100 will almost certainly get you a decent fur felt western. It may take a bit more patience, but you'll likely end up with a nicer hat.

edit to add:
P.S. Hatco, which today makes both Stetson and Resistol, has two outlets, one in Garland, TX and the other in St. Joseph, MO. If you have a general idea of what you want (brim size, crown style/height, color, etc) they'll be happy to check the stacks to see if there's anything in stock. They have racks, and racks, and racks of western hats (I've visited Garland). Mind you, these are outlet hats and the imperfections range from merely being a display or trade model, down the line to "I can't believe you're trying to sell this." But many members here have nice scores from there too.

 

[RJR]

eBay is rife with gently used westerns. My suggestion is to keep with Resistol. There are a lot of 60's Resistols that are quite nice hats, that don't have the brand appeal as Stetsons, which tend to be priced higher. $100 will almost certainly get you a decent fur felt western. It may take a bit more patience, but you'll likely end up with a nicer hat.

edit to add:
P.S. Hatco, which today makes both Stetson and Resistol, has two outlets, one in Garland, TX and the other in St. Joseph, MO. If you have a general idea of what you want (brim size, crown style/height, color, etc) they'll be happy to check the stacks to see if there's anything in stock. They have racks, and racks, and racks of western hats (I've visited Garland). Mind you, these are outlet hats and the imperfections range from merely being a display or trade model, down the line to "I can't believe you're trying to sell this." But many members here have nice scores from there too.

+1

 

[nvilletele]

I just joined up, and earlier today posted a thread in Hats asking if anyone had any info on Bernardhats.com, as I am worried if I am being scammed. Perhaps I should have posted that question here. Not trying to cross-post, but if you have a chance take a look at the info and questions presented there. Please excuse the newbie here . . . .

 

[eric bleimeister]

any thoughts to pairing a black pugaree with an Akubra Lawson hat in the color Loden?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

any thoughts to pairing a black pugaree with an Akubra Lawson hat in the color Loden?

Why not? And if you don’t like it, puggarees can be replaced in seconds and they are cheap. Why not get a few colors so you can mix it up.

Do you not care for the leather band?

 

[eric bleimeister]

i do, but i want something understated yet distinctive. have you seen the loden in real life?

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Has anyone ever seen a hat with a sweat marked 3X Beaver, 4X Beaver, etc. that wasn’t a 100% fur felt (any kind of fur)? I’ve seen “Xs” associates with buffalo wool, Shantung, and sea grass, but every time I’ve seen the Xs with “Beaver” I’ve received a fur felt of some kind. Anyone have a different experience?

The secret you are trying to know is the same secret every one wants to know.
I have 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 20x, 30x beaver hats. Who knows what's there... only the factory that made the hat body.
But if it says beaver then it MUST have some beaver fur there (even if it is 0,5%(?)). I don't know the legislation (even if it exists) if there is a minimum fur content to advertise a hat/hat body to be "something x beaver".

 

[deadlyhandsome]

The secret you are trying to know is the same secret every one wants to know.
I have 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 20x, 30x beaver hats. Who knows what's there... only the factory that made the hat body.
But if it says beaver then it MUST have some beaver fur there (even if it is 0,5%(?)). I don't know the legislation (even if it exists) if there is a minimum fur content to advertise a hat/hat body to be "something x beaver".

Thank you my friend. I know that Hat-Co will take the actual composition to their graves, but have you ever seen a hat with “X...Beaver” that was a wool and fur blend? I’ve seen lots of hats that were marked wool/fur blend or 10% fur felt, but I’ve never handled, that I know of, a hat marked with some new number of “Xs” and the word “Beaver” was hat wasnt an all fur felt hat. I understand that we’ll never know the fur types, blends, or ratios, but they have all been 100% furs of some types.

Have you ever seen a hat marked “3X Beaver” or 4X Beaver, or “....X Beaver” that was a fur and wool blend? As far as I can tell, I have not.

Brent

 

[Mustang Mike's Hats]

View attachment 120746
Instructions not included!
Congratulations and welcome to the club!
Bowen

LOVE the beer choice!!

 

[Woodtroll]

A question, please, about color choices for those who have better taste / fashion sense than I:

I lucked into an "RM Williams" model Akubra in my size, and have always liked a copper-colored ribbon hatband on this mid-brown color. However, the hatband ribbon and brim edge trim on this hat is a mid-brown that pretty much matches the felt. Would it look too odd to change the hatband ribbon to a copper color, without changing the brim binding as well?

Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever had any luck removing the brim edge binding and manipulating the felt to close up the stitching holes on Akubra's felt? I've never cared much for a bound brim one way or the other, and certainly would not do this to a vintage hat, but on a current-production hat I thought it might be worth a try if y'all thought the mis-matched ribbon colors would look out of place. I'm afraid shipping it off to someone to get the brim edge ribbon changed would cost almost what I paid for the hat.

Have a good day!
Regan

 

[Frunobulax]

A question, please, about color choices for those who have better taste / fashion sense than I:

I lucked into an "RM Williams" model Akubra in my size, and have always liked a copper-colored ribbon hatband on this mid-brown color. However, the hatband ribbon and brim edge trim on this hat is a mid-brown that pretty much matches the felt. Would it look too odd to change the hatband ribbon to a copper color, without changing the brim binding as well?

Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever had any luck removing the brim edge binding and manipulating the felt to close up the stitching holes on Akubra's felt? I've never cared much for a bound brim one way or the other, and certainly would not do this to a vintage hat, but on a current-production hat I thought it might be worth a try if y'all thought the mis-matched ribbon colors would look out of place. I'm afraid shipping it off to someone to get the brim edge ribbon changed would cost almost what I paid for the hat.

Have a good day!
Regan

Contrasting crown and brim binding ribbons are not that unusual. I have some and there are many examples on the FL. I think it will look OK.

If you remove the binding, a little steam and some time and the holes will likely close up on their own. They shouldn't be that big.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[M Hatman]

Ok, I have a question. I have been reading a LOT about the various and sundry vintage Stetson 3X models and their history. Everything from nice westerns to dress fedoras including some Stetson 15's as well as 60's suede finish stingy brims. Now this 3X seems to have a great deal of history as well as crossover between westerns and fedora's, more than any other Stetson designation it seems. SO, my question.....is there a DEDICATED thread to the Stetson 3X and all it's history and incarnations here on the Lounge? If so, I cannot seem to find one. And IF NOT, what do you think we (vintage) 3X owners should perhaps start one??????????
best,
M

 

[Zombie_61]

A question, please, about color choices for those who have better taste / fashion sense than I:

I lucked into an "RM Williams" model Akubra in my size, and have always liked a copper-colored ribbon hatband on this mid-brown color. However, the hatband ribbon and brim edge trim on this hat is a mid-brown that pretty much matches the felt. Would it look too odd to change the hatband ribbon to a copper color, without changing the brim binding as well?

I agree with what Fruno wrote above--it's not at all uncommon for the crown ribbon to contrast the felt, but have the brim binding color matched to the felt. In most cases I actually prefer it that way because, to me, a high contrast brim binding almost always makes the hat look too ostentatious, as if it were a costume item. Regarding the brim binding itself, unless you really don't like it I'd leave it as-is.

As far as the copper colored ribbon, I've seen a variety of "copper" colors on a number of brown and tan hats and can't say I've seen one I wouldn't want to own. It's one of those color combinations that appeals to me. So please be sure to post "after" photos if/when you change the ribbon.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Thank you my friend. I know that Hat-Co will take the actual composition to their graves, but have you ever seen a hat with “X...Beaver” that was a wool and fur blend? I’ve seen lots of hats that were marked wool/fur blend or 10% fur felt, but I’ve never handled, that I know of, a hat marked with some new number of “Xs” and the word “Beaver” was hat wasnt an all fur felt hat. I understand that we’ll never know the fur types, blends, or ratios, but they have all been 100% furs of some types.

Have you ever seen a hat marked “3X Beaver” or 4X Beaver, or “....X Beaver” that was a fur and wool blend? As far as I can tell, I have not.

Brent

I have not also. Or at least... I don't think so.
Felp composition only the maker knows. Lets say that a 3x beaver can have some wool in it. If it have, I can't feel it. Only destroying the felt and analise ALL fibbers will tell what you want to know. Or make the felt maker "sing".
I have a wool hat, a XX premium wool hat and a 4x buffalo. They have the same touch, the same rough feel.
None of my 3x, 4x, etc etc have the same rough feel. Not even the Stagecoach hats but those could have some wool in it.
You're probably asking this because of the Stetson long hair that have no beaver stamped on it but have a 5 X's (I have 2 of those, one is the same color, the other a dark chocolat). I call those a 5x of something, only the maker knows whats there and if there is no beaver stamped on the sweatband, then no beaver it there. Might be a mix of wool, bunny, hare, ...

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I have not also. Or at least... I don't think so.
Felp composition only the maker knows. Lets say that a 3x beaver can have some wool in it. If it have, I can't feel it. Only destroying the felt and analise ALL fibbers will tell what you want to know. Or make the felt maker "sing".
I have a wool hat, a XX premium wool hat and a 4x buffalo. They have the same touch, the same rough feel.
None of my 3x, 4x, etc etc have the same rough feel. Not even the Stagecoach hats but those could have some wool in it.
You're probably asking this because of the Stetson long hair that have no beaver stamped on it but have a 5 X's (I have 2 of those, one is the same color, the other a dark chocolat). I call those a 5x of something, only the maker knows whats there and if there is no beaver stamped on the sweatband, then no beaver it there. Might be a mix of wool, bunny, hare, ...

Thank you, this was the best answer I could have hoped for. We can’t really “know” what the content is, but I agree with you that they feel like all fur felt hats. If they do have some wool content I don’t care since the feel and characteristics are what I
I’m after and not bragging rights.

My Stetson long hair is a bit of a mystery, but I’ve never felt wool anywhere near that soft when the fibers are that long. Maybe if Cashmere were used? I don’t mind not knowing as I like the hat no matter what it’s made of.

Thanks again!

 

[Woodtroll]

Contrasting crown and brim binding ribbons are not that unusual. I have some and there are many examples on the FL. I think it will look OK.

If you remove the binding, a little steam and some time and the holes will likely close up on their own. They shouldn't be that big.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

I agree with what Fruno wrote above--it's not at all uncommon for the crown ribbon to contrast the felt, but have the brim binding color matched to the felt. In most cases I actually prefer it that way because, to me, a high contrast brim binding almost always makes the hat look too ostentatious, as if it were a costume item. Regarding the brim binding itself, unless you really don't like it I'd leave it as-is.

As far as the copper colored ribbon, I've seen a variety of "copper" colors on a number of brown and tan hats and can't say I've seen one I wouldn't want to own. It's one of those color combinations that appeals to me. So please be sure to post "after" photos if/when you change the ribbon.

Thanks very much, gentlemen, I appreciate the input. I try hard NOT to be ostentatious, nor garish, and I was afraid the two colors of ribbon would be just too much “flash”. Your comments make me feel better about giving it a try to see how it looks, at least. Zombie, it may take me a little bit, but I will post pictures once I tackle the ribbon swap.

Thanks again!
Regan

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Thank you, this was the best answer I could have hoped for. We can’t really “know” what the content is, but I agree with you that they feel like all fur felt hats. If they do have some wool content I don’t care since the feel and characteristics are what I’m after and not bragging rights.

Felt recipes are probably very well kept from most of the felt factories employees and only a lil amount of people knows.
I tried it with FEPSA with no luck with getting a conclusive answer.

My Stetson long hair is a bit of a mystery, but I’ve never felt wool anywhere near that soft when the fibers are that long. Maybe if Cashmere were used? I don’t mind not knowing as I like the hat no matter what it’s made of.

It's probably bunny and hare. I have some long hair hats, Stetsons, Resistol, Thoroughbred. The modern ones all feel the same, the Real Nutria Stetson is something else. If I recall, since FEPSA removed the quality charts from their website, Cashmere is used on "high end" felts.
You probably will not get the desired look from that Stetson because Alan's hat was made way before yours in a process you can't replicate anymore.

 

[rogerstg]

FWIW, in the US, labeling laws require the amount of wool to be disclosed on the label, and fur fiber is defined as, "the hair or fur fiber — or mixtures thereof — of any animals other than the sheep, lamb, Angora goat, Cashmere goat, camel, alpaca, llama and vicuna."

That means that anything labeled as fur felt will not have any type of wool unless it is also specified and it's percentage disclosed.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

FWIW, in the US, labeling laws require the amount of wool to be disclosed on the label, and fur fiber is defined as, "the hair or fur fiber — or mixtures thereof — of any animals other than the sheep, lamb, Angora goat, Cashmere goat, camel, alpaca, llama and vicuna."

That means that anything labeled as fur felt will not have any type of wool unless it is also specified and it's percentage disclosed.

The problem is there isn’t a content label of any kind. The sweat being marked “4X Beaver” isn’t the same as a content label. Some of the new hats will say “fur felt,” but the vintage hats I’m referring to don’t make any reference to the content/material.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rogerstg]

The problem is there isn’t a content label of any kind. The sweat being marked “4X Beaver” isn’t the same as a content label. Some of the new hats will say “fur felt,” but the vintage hats I’m referring to don’t make any reference to the content/material.

True, though at least since 1939 and maybe prior, wool content was required on labels. It still doesn't help with beaver content, but at least we can be certain that there is no wool in a fur felt hat unless specified.