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[RJR]

In search of a fourth hat....beaver brand?

Been spending many hours on ebay looking for another fedora to add to the rotation. I was wondering if anybody by chance had the opportunity to buy a "beaver brand" hat from a seller on ebay who pretty much purchased all the hats (100s and 100s) after the factory closed down in MN a couple years ago. Unfortunately I am getting into hats a bit too late since he pretty much sold them all except a couple that are left. Looks like the prices for either wool or fur felt (beaver) with liners sold for pretty cheap. Just curious if anybody had the opportunity to snag one and what are your thoughts. I am looking for a "cheap" 4th hat. I recently bought my first fur felt (Stetsonian) which is way too nice for me for every day wear and it looks like the beaver brand may have been an option. I have (2) other fedoras Dorman Pacific Scala crushable (USA) (one in black other in loden) that I bough a couple months ago and find myself wearing the black one 90% of the time, the loden as an alternate and the Stesonian for special occasions (maybe because it is so much nicer than the others!!). I know those hats are nothing in comparison to a fur felt hat!

Several here on the Lounge attended the auction IN METRO ST LOUIS vicinity when Beaver Brands closed.If I remember correctly Bartender RBH was there assisting Mike Moore from Buckaroo Hatters in acquiring quite a number of items.He or another Lounger may have an idea as to where you might find a Beaver Brand hat aside from Ebay.

 

[Redfokker]

Homesick, good to have you here. Counter clockwise on the top of the brim and crown (top of hat) and the opposite, clockwise on the underside of the brim. I would also suggest getting the orange hat sponge cleaners (they are on Amazon when you search hats). There is a lot of different theories on storing a hat snapped up or down. I usually ask the hat, it will tell you what it wants.

And, welcome to this bunch of hat crazies!!! My advice to you is sit down with your favorite adult beverage and read, read, read. There is a thread of conversation here on just about any hat related question you can have!

 

[addison]

I'm planning a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2018.
Give me your opinion of the right hat!
I'd especially love to hear from experienced backpackers.

I'm looking at the Tilley Airflow LTM6, advantage to be good ventilation, reasonable water resistance and of course that chin strap and loss replacement guarantee.

However, I may also consider an Akubra for style points...and if I go this route which Akubra model would be the best considering the summer heat I will be hiking in?

Keep in mind that a super large brim could be a problem as I will be using a backpack.

All suggestions welcome!

 

[homesicksteve]

i) as you wish, it shouldn't matter much. The easiest solution is to never take it off.
ii) Yes. The nap of the felt goes in that direction, so you should brush with the nap.

Homesick, good to have you here. Counter clockwise on the top of the brim and crown (top of hat) and the opposite, clockwise on the underside of the brim. I would also suggest getting the orange hat sponge cleaners (they are on Amazon when you search hats). There is a lot of different theories on storing a hat snapped up or down. I usually ask the hat, it will tell you what it wants.

Thanks already for the good advice above.
Another question please : anyone from the UK can point me in the right direction for sponges, cleaning brush(I have a clothes brush, but perhaps more specialized) and hat stiffening spray ? Or is it an 'import from US or Oz matter ?

Regards.

 

[rogerstg]

For pure practicality and comfort on the trail, I've used a bandana. Now it's a Headsweats.

There's not much need brim in the woods. The material wicks away sweat and keeps the gnats out of your hair.
Zero style points though.

 

[tropicalbob]

I envy you. I used to hike the trail years ago, usually in segments of two or three days (once for a week) and covered most of it over the years from the Delaware Water Gap down to Bristol, Tennessee. My main concern these days would be ticks and the Lyme disease they carry, so I'd want anything light but solid that they couldn't creep through. Maybe a bandana plus a light straw for shade? How many days are you going out for?

 

[kirkaero]

I'm planning a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2018.
Give me your opinion of the right hat!
I'd especially love to hear from experienced backpackers.

I'm looking at the Tilley Airflow LTM6, advantage to be good ventilation, reasonable water resistance and of course that chin strap and loss replacement guarantee.

However, I may also consider an Akubra for style points...and if I go this route which Akubra model would be the best considering the summer heat I will be hiking in?

Keep in mind that a super large brim could be a problem as I will be using a backpack.

All suggestions welcome!

I'm more of an alpine mountain climber than a hiker but I do train on parts of the AT in NJ & NY and can tell you that no one I have ever seen on the AT has made it this far north with a fur felt hat on their head and I often do 20+ miles on the trial twice a week. I love great hats and have over a dozen from Optimo in Chicago. But, you need to forget about style and think like an athlete. You need high quality durable lightweight equipment. I prefer caps with large brims and flaps to protect your neck and ears. I have tried to convince friends and strangers of this with little success. They wear boots from the 1970's and hate the look of the La sportiva's I recommend, and most of them make it less than 100 miles. To me they look as if this year's super bowl players decided to wear leather helmets from 100 years ago. Give yourself the best chance of success by having the proper equipment. Also please no wooden staff, your not Gandalf, get Black Diamond trekking poles. Your not taking a walk in the woods. You are an endurance athlete and should dress and train like one. I'm sorry if I'm too strong in my opinions but I really want you to succeed. Good luck!

 

[alanfgag]

Tilley LTM6 is good - I prefer the LTM3 with side snaps. Very light, packs flat, good in rain, machine washable. Akubra has none of these benefits and will be heavy and stiff. If you feel you have to have that, bring a Tilley too so you have something when the Akubra gets soaked.

 

[wnlewis]

I would like to get a Knox Jaguar, dark grey or blue grey, 7-1/8" to 7-1/4" (depending on how true to size they run), must have the Jaguar badge. Where do I need to look? Thanks for any information or pointers. Neal Lewis

 

[Redfokker]

I noticed one floating around Ebay lately. Been posted at least a couple of times with no takers. I think it was our size. Never looked for one otherwise. Actually a cool looking hat.

Welcome to the lounge, you will find everything hats you will ever want here. It is usually best to post these types of questions in the Ask a question, get an answer thread. More people might be there to help.

 

[tropicalbob]

I was thinking about your question again, and it occurred to me that a Sunbody three-inch brim might be just what you're looking for. They're sturdy hats, tightly woven, and you can soak them in water, shape them any way you want, and they dry just fine and retain the shape: in fact, you could soak the back of the brim if you had to and simply curl it up. A great, solid straw for less than $50.00, and one you can wear anywhere and look good. I take mine when I go fishing down in the Keys, and it's a great feeling on a steaming Florida day to dunk the hat in water and wear it till it dries.

 

[belfastboy]

In search of a fourth hat....beaver brand?

Been spending many hours on ebay looking for another fedora to add to the rotation. I was wondering if anybody by chance had the opportunity to buy a "beaver brand" hat from a seller on ebay who pretty much purchased all the hats (100s and 100s) after the factory closed down in MN a couple years ago. Unfortunately I am getting into hats a bit too late since he pretty much sold them all except a couple that are left. Looks like the prices for either wool or fur felt (beaver) with liners sold for pretty cheap. Just curious if anybody had the opportunity to snag one and what are your thoughts. I am looking for a "cheap" 4th hat. I recently bought my first fur felt (Stetsonian) which is way too nice for me for every day wear and it looks like the beaver brand may have been an option. I have (2) other fedoras Dorman Pacific Scala crushable (USA) (one in black other in loden) that I bough a couple months ago and find myself wearing the black one 90% of the time, the loden as an alternate and the Stesonian for special occasions (maybe because it is so much nicer than the others!!). I know those hats are nothing in comparison to a fur felt hat!

Hi: I own a few Beaver Brand hats both Western and dress fedora. My general opinion is that they are a sturdy utilitarian hat. Decently made, not bad felt but compared to more mainstream hat makers they are a little coarse, that is not as refined a product. But I am not saying they are poorly made they just don't measure up in felt quality of a Stetsonian for instance. However if you are looking for an everyday hat that you wouldn't feel badly about beating up some then by all means buy a Beaver Brand.

 

[J.B.]

I remember a few years ago member "navarre" - http://www.blacksheephatworks.com/BLACK_SHEEP_HAT_WORKS.html Black Sheep Hat Works - hiked the Continental Divide. The incredible YT video he mentions below might lend a fitting hat from a hatter's POV?!...

Sorry for the delay in checking back in here at the Lounge. I want to say that I really appreciate all the support from every body. It was fantastic to get a chance to chase a dream and my hike this summer was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. This country we live in is not only beautiful, but it is filled with some incredible people and a wonderful sense of generosity. I can't begin to list highlights as there are to many. I just want to say that if you have a dream, no matter how big or small, take the leap. It is sure to be rewarding. I put together a video of my journey which can be found here

It might be a bit long but fitting 3000 miles into 15 minutes wasn't the easiest. I hope you enjoy it and I hope it inspires you to go get something you're after.

As for all things hats, I am happy to say we are back at it and the first hats are starting to roll out this week. You guys are amazing and I was floored by how many orders came in while I was away. Thank you all not only for being enthusiastic about our hats but also for placing orders and patiently waiting for your Wandering Hatter to come back home. I am looking forward to cranking out some new stuff and it looks like we have some great designs lined up in the queue. I also have some new ideas that we might start working on, it turns out that I still think a lot about hats even while walking in the mountains, so keep an eye out. As always, if you have any questions I am always happy to talk hats.

Your Hatter

Bob

 

[Giftmacher]

I'd like to buy a vintage straw boater hat, but due of my size (7 1/4) I have to be less picky, I found one nice, but I'd like to change the ribbon. Can it be done as easy as in the case of felt hat?

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Yeah I reckon a soft hat like a Tilley would be best on a multi-day summer hike. Once you start working up a steam on them thar hills, a felt hat is gonna be unbearable & if it gets soaked it's just going to be a soggy mess that'll need drying & reshaping, not easy to do on a trail. Other advantages of something like a tilley is that you can stuff it into a pocket or a pack when not needed & not worry about it, you can soak it in water & it'll keep you cool on those hotter days & in the evenings you can just throw it down somewhere without pampering it & the narrowish brim shouldn't interfere with the back of the pack.(unless you have a '70's external frame model ) I'm not a fan of the Airflows though because they're made of plastic, I would be prefer cotton which would be more comfortable, but the LTM3 would be a better choice over the LTM6 as you have added ventilation without compromising UV protection.

 

[RJR]

For ease of packing I'd consider the headsweats mentioned above and a cotton Tilley.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I live on a mountain the AT crosses: it's just a fifteen-minute walk to join it, so I hike it frequently. But I'm strictly a dayhiker, not an overnight backpacker. I've been on sections of the trail in NY, CT, MA, NH, and VT over the years, but I can only look on in awe at thru-hikers!

If you decide you want go for an Akbura rather than the cloth hats - which may not be sensible for a months-long excursion, but that's your call - I have to say that my Cattleman has been my summer hiking hat for a decade now. In the off-white Sand/Silverbelly color, unlined with six vent holes, I've found that it is no hotter than a panama hat in heat and exertion. (You're gonna sweat no matter what's on your head!) There's plenty of sun/rain/branch protection from that wide brim too. And nothing fazes it - rain, dirt, scratchy branches - it has retained its shape and still looks nearly new.

On the AT in northern CT a couple of years ago (that's a WPG bush jacket, also good for warm-weather hiking):

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

This is a hat made in the 60's. To me is has little or no worth as I love older hat styles. This hat is one of the reasons why hat wearing fell during the 60's. [emoji3]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Redfokker]

I'd like to buy a vintage straw boater hat, but due of my size (7 1/4) I have to be less picky, I found one nice, but I'd like to change the ribbon. Can it be done as easy as in the case of felt hat?

On my vintage Dobbs straw we looked at how the ribbon was stitched onto the straw. You can change the ribbon just like a fedora (basically), the straight sides of a boater makes fitting easy. I would go with a true vintage ribbon to match the age of the hat. Now we need some pictures of it in the Boater Faction thread.

 

[DJH]

JB - thanks for posting Bob's video. It's been a long time since I watched it and his hike was simply epic!


Cheers!
David