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[drmaxtejeda]

Anyone know much about Bandera Hats?

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https://www.thefedoralounge.com/index.php?posts/1962667

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[drmaxtejeda]

Anyone know much about Bandera Hats?

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OK, found it
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/index.php?posts/2522199

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[deadlyhandsome]

OK, found it
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/index.php?posts/2522199

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Thanks, Max. I now remember that hat. How do you like yours?


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[drmaxtejeda]

Thanks, Max. I now remember that hat. How do you like yours?


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It is still in Texas. I don't know when Juan Carlos is visiting yet.

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[deadlyhandsome]

Anyone know anything about the Knox Rocking K?

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[humanshoes]

Hello all. Does anyone out there have any stock of this 2 cord ribbon lying around that you don't have a use for and would be willing to part with? I'm more than a little surprised that I can't find it anywhere to purchase. If you know of a supplier, that would be even better and the information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hello all. Does anyone out there have any stock of this 2 cord ribbon lying around that you don't have a use for and would be willing to part with? I'm more than a little surprised that I can't find it anywhere to purchase. If you know of a supplier, that would be even better and the information will be greatly appreciated.
View attachment 165347

Is that the color you’re looking for? Are you interested in a lighter silverbelly?


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[Rmccamey]

Very interesting hat. I'll look forward to replies you get.

Anyone know anything about the Knox Rocking K?

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[humanshoes]

Is that the color you’re looking for? Are you interested in a lighter silverbelly?


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I'm looking for the lighter silverbelly color Brent. If I can find a source, though, I plan to stock up on multiple colors. I don't often need this type ribbon, but it'd be nice not to have to spend the time trying to source it when the need arises. With all the western hats in production I never thought finding corded ribbon would be a problem. Once again, I was wrong.

 

[JessieJames]

Hi

I just got a hat made from a local hat maker. The finish isn't really that Suede velvety, I had issues with this hat maker as is. I wanted to know if that type of finish is achievable with rabbit fur felt? And can it be done if I bring it to another shop if it's already blocked and stiffened?

And another question, what are the different types of hat "finishes" ? I can't find any info on this I've tried to search.

Thanks!! Long time lurker, first time poster.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Hi

I just got a hat made from a local hat maker. The finish isn't really that Suede velvety, I had issues with this hat maker as is. I wanted to know if that type of finish is achievable with rabbit fur felt? And can it be done if I bring it to another shop if it's already blocked and stiffened?

And another question, what are the different types of hat "finishes" ? I can't find any info on this I've tried to search.

Thanks!! Long time lurker, first time poster.

Hi Jessie. Welcome to the forum. My mother's name was Jessie & her father was named Jesse.

You will probably never get the hand (velvety touch) that you are wanting now from rabbit fur felt but it might soften up some once the stiffener breaks down some with wear & exposure to weather. It's common with Akubra hats if you're familiar with them or read the threads. Another shop might be able to improve the hand but they will have to pounce (sanding) the rabbit felt making it necessary to basically make the hat over. Perhaps a hatter will weigh in, but you might as well start over with a new hat & hatter. You might try using a dry hat sponge working in a counterclockwise direction on the topside (clockwise on the brim bottom) essentially sanding the fur felt without removing much material. You might get closer to the hand you want.

 

[JessieJames]

Hi Jessie. Welcome to the forum. My mother's name was Jessie & her father was named Jesse.

You will probably never get the hand (velvety touch) that you are wanting now from rabbit fur felt but it might soften up some once the stiffener breaks down some with wear & exposure to weather. It's common with Akubra hats if you're familiar with them or read the threads. Another shop might be able to improve the hand but they will have to pounce (sanding) the rabbit felt making it necessary to basically make the hat over. Perhaps a hatter will weigh in, but you might as well start over with a new hat & hatter. You might try using a dry hat sponge working in a counterclockwise direction on the topside (clockwise on the brim bottom) essentially sanding the fur felt without removing much material. You might get closer to the hand you want.

Ah ok so that type of finish is achieved with beaver fur felt?
I have read a lot on the difference of these 2 but mainly it was that beaver is "better" and holds up better for shape with time mainly in the rain. But this would be another advantage.

I was going to buy myself a brush to at least brush it properly, I read the top part of the hat and brim is CCW, but the brim under side would be CW? (which makes sense). Should I have the brush AND the sponge in my arsenal? What is the main difference/purposes of each?

Any idea on what the different finishes are called so that when I get my next hat I'm even more informed? Like long hair fur or suede velvet or velour etc.? I couldn't find anything about this online, maybe I wasn't using the correct keywords. Even finding all the names of the different types of hats and crown types, I just learned a few by watching videos here and there but they're not often mentioned even in product descriptions from hatters.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Ah ok so that type of finish is achieved with beaver fur felt?
I have read a lot on the difference of these 2 but mainly it was that beaver is "better" and holds up better for shape with time mainly in the rain. But this would be another advantage.

I was going to buy myself a brush to at least brush it properly, I read the top part of the hat and brim is CCW, but the brim under side would be CW? (which makes sense). Should I have the brush AND the sponge in my arsenal? What is the main difference/purposes of each?

Any idea on what the different finishes are called so that when I get my next hat I'm even more informed? Like long hair fur or suede velvet or velour etc.? I couldn't find anything about this online, maybe I wasn't using the correct keywords. Even finding all the names of the different types of hats and crown types, I just learned a few by watching videos here and there but they're not often mentioned even in product descriptions from hatters.

Even with 100% Beaver fur felt no matter whether it is dress weight or Western weight, the hand you end up with is greatly determined by the amount of labor in the pouncing that goes into it. That's basically why there were $25, $50, $75 & $100 hats in a time when the average hat might be a Beaver blend <100% & cost less than $10. There were fine finished hare & rabbit fur felt hats made also. Again, it's a reflection of the time & labor put into one.

In the normal day to day wearing & maintenance of a hat a good horsehair or Chinese bristle boar brush is used for dust & lint removal. Don't use a nylon bristle brush. Being coarser, a hat sponge is used as needed for spot removal, both dry or steam cleaning. You have the nap direction down correctly.

Other than the common names for finishes such as Heather, long hair, & velour I don't know of any other specifics. Probably the best thing to do with your next custom hat is to discuss the finish you want to achieve with the hatter you select. Maybe someone else can weigh in on that. Again, the finish you get is dependent on what you start with but largely the labor put into it I think.

PS: I meant to add that individual Beaver hairs are barbed & they tend to hook together in the felting process. So it stands to reason that the more Beaver content the smoother the felted fur will be, & therefore a better hand is obtainable. But fine finished hare & rabbit felted fur is obtainable also.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hi

I just got a hat made from a local hat maker. The finish isn't really that Suede velvety, I had issues with this hat maker as is. I wanted to know if that type of finish is achievable with rabbit fur felt? And can it be done if I bring it to another shop if it's already blocked and stiffened?

And another question, what are the different types of hat "finishes" ? I can't find any info on this I've tried to search.

Thanks!! Long time lurker, first time poster.

The type of finish is determined by how the felt was made. You can’t really turn a smooth hat body into a velour, long hair, or antelope/suede finish. You can sort of modify them for part of the look, but suede finish hats come from suede hat bodies. Some of the best velour, long hair, etc. hats ever made came from rabbit and hare blends with no beaver content. If you spend some time looking at the teutonic hats made pre, and even post War you will see that they were the masters of those special finishes using rabbit and hare blends.

A competent hatter can pounce the hat and give it a smooth even finish, but you won’t get an apple if you start with an orange. I’ll mix one more metaphor and say that your sows ear isn’t likely to become the silk purse you’re after.

Good luck.


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[M Hatman]

The type of finish is determined by how the felt was made. You can’t really turn a smooth hat body into a velour, long hair, or antelope/suede finish. You can sort of modify them for part of the look, but suede finish hats come from suede hat bodies. Some of the best velour, long hair, etc. hats ever made came from rabbit and hare blends with no beaver content. If you spend some time looking at the teutonic hats made pre, and even post War you will see that they were the masters of those special finishes using rabbit and hare blends.

A competent hatter can pounce the hat and give it a smooth even finish, but you won’t get an apple if you start with an orange. I’ll mix one more metaphor and say that your sows ear isn’t likely to become the silk purse you’re after.

Good luck.

Yes, according to our German freinds "it is the wild hare" that does the trick!
Pun INTENDED!
M

 

[JessieJames]

Heather, long hair, & velour

What is the difference between those 3?

Would you advise against brushing it a few times with a hat sponge to try and smooth it out a little more and get rid of some of the longer pieces and the fuzz? How soft or hard or quick do I go?

And thanks everyone that was very helpful! I learn a bit more with each purchase. You really do get what you pay for. I'm still happy with this hat but my next one I may be more careful about the quality of the hat. I really want one from tatton Baird in Utah, but I'd never ever go there for any reason and doing it all online wouldn't give me the whole experience of really feeling the different hats out and get it just right to my liking.

 

[Attorneyatlaw]

I have about 25 fedoras. All bought over the last 50 years. Bought in Baltimore and DC areas. Have not been able to find fedoras that allow a man to block it. Everyone I purchase is permanently blocked. Any suggestions on where to get the old style, block yourself 40s-50s fedoras? Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill Hughes]

I have about 25 fedoras. All bought over the last 50 years. Bought in Baltimore and DC areas. Have not been able to find fedoras that allow a man to block it. Everyone I purchase is permanently blocked. Any suggestions on where to get the old style, block yourself 40s-50s fedoras? Thanks in advance.

I think most are found on eBay and Etsy. You can always watch the classifieds on this site.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I have about 25 fedoras. All bought over the last 50 years. Bought in Baltimore and DC areas. Have not been able to find fedoras that allow a man to block it. Everyone I purchase is permanently blocked. Any suggestions on where to get the old style, block yourself 40s-50s fedoras? Thanks in advance.

Are you referring to open crown hats where you can shape the crease to your liking? Those are common. Stetson still makes a couple open crown hats and most any hatter can make one for you.

Complete reblocking a hat requires removal of the sweatband and sewing it back in when done. You can partially reblock a hat but the block needs to be undersized so as to allow the block to pass over the restricted diameter. Very few people ever reblocked their own hats.


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[Attorneyatlaw]

I think most are found on eBay and Etsy. You can always watch the classifieds on this site.

Thanks a mint. Haven’t been able to find a hat maker with old Al Capone type hats. Growing up that’s all my dad and uncles worn. Thanks again will keep my eyes open.