Beware the bunny

[tonyb]

This is a "staple" body (rabbit fur) hat. I like the color, but man, I'd much rather work with beaver felt. This body came from the same source as the beaver bodies I've been using. Like the beaver bodies, this is what they call a "dress" (as opposed to Western) weight. But the staples (I have two more) are considerably thicker than the beavers. I can't get as fine a finish on this stuff, and it's more reluctant to take a brim contour. And it doesn't have nearly so nice a "hand."

But, you know, it's still OK. I like the look, and I trust I'll make something similarly acceptable from the other two -- one of which is pecan colored, the other is black. I'm leaning toward continuing this similar-to-body-color ribbon treatment (I have a supply of black ribbon on hand and some pecan-colored stuff ought to arrive here at the Caverns in a day or two). I'll just wear the hell out of 'em, or give 'em away, or something. But when I replicate this hat, which I expect to do, I'll do it in beaver.

And yes, per usual the workmanship on this thing is not exactly first rate. I'm here to tell you, gents (and ladies), it's real easy to do things wrong.

 

[Woodfluter]

Hi Tony -

Yep, I can see some of what you're talking about in the photo. To my eye, it looks more like the thickness of an Akubra rather than a typical dress hat. I think their Heritage quality takes a significantly better finish than what I see here.

I've read here and there about different furs and blends, but if you would, help me to further my education a bit. How much of the finish issues have to do with (a) the species from which the fur is taken, (b) the selection, sorting and treatment of the fur from a given species, and (c) the details of the felting process employed.

In other words, would this hat have taken a better finish and have a better hand if it were made from a different selection of rabbit fur that was felted differently?

Handsome hat shape and ribbon treatment, regardless!

- Bill

 

[Lancealot]

I like it It's very sharp looking. :eusa_clap

 

[tonyb]

Oh heck, Woodfluter, I dunno. This stuff I consider a heavy-duty felt -- quite reminiscent of the few Akubras I've handled. It's thick, relatively stiff stuff. Not my favorite traits.

It's not just the composition of the felt. Obviously, all rabbit bodies are not created equal. I'd prefer this were a lighter weight, but that's no slam on its quality. Assessments of felt's desirability depend on what you want in a finished hat. An attribute of Akubras apparently considered desirable by their aficionados is that the felt is so sturdy. That's what I've frequently read, anyway. I believe they are entirely rabbit.

I'm confident that a more-experienced hat maker would get a finer finish on this felt. Me, I've put enough into this one already. Good enough is good enough. When I replicate it, I'll take more care.

 

[Woodfluter]

Understood, Tony.

Lots of factors may come into play. I like my Akubras for their purposes and wear them a lot, but I really don't consider them dress felts either. I guess maybe my ideal desert-island hat would be a felt with a vintage dress hand and finish, Akubra toughness, Montecristo flexibility and lightness. Too much to ask for in one hat! Probably a good thing, overall.

 

[bolthead]

Tony.....

I think it looks Great.....:eusa_clap

I'd love to see some pics of all these Wonderful Lids your producing, on your head though. [huh]

 

[Art Fawcett]

Lots of factors may come into play. I like my Akubras for their purposes and wear them a lot, but I really don't consider them dress felts either. I guess maybe my ideal desert-island hat would be a felt with a vintage dress hand and finish, Akubra toughness, Montecristo flexibility and lightness. Too much to ask for in one hat! Probably a good thing, overall.

Geeze Woody...how can a hatter make a living if one hat could me all qualities?
There is SO much involved in getting the "perfect" felt it's hard to describe. Alot comes with working with your felter so that he knows exactly what you are shooting for in feel and stiffness. The standard rabbit felt normally has a stiff core because that's what most modern hatters prefer. Tony, you are at the beginning of the curve but once you get to where you can tell them what you want they will work to get it to you. Core sizing is much more important than you would figure.
In the mean time, congrats, I see you are having fun with this and that's what it should be about.

 

[Woodfluter]

Geeze Woody...how can a hatter make a living if one hat could meet all qualities?

I understand Art! That's why I said (probably not phrased well) that it was really for the best that this "desert island" hat was too much to ask for. In this as in all other things, life would be boring if it were that simple. Much better to have different options that meet different needs rather (and better) than one "ideal" hat that wasn't perfectly one thing or another. Variety is a good thing!

= Bill

 

[Feraud]

A very interesting hat.
Is colored felt hard to get?

 

[tonyb]

A very interesting hat.
Is colored felt hard to get?

The felter calls this color "burgundy." The photo makes it appear a bit (but just a bit) lighter and louder than it actually is. This is one of their standard colors, and it was in stock when I ordered it, so it was shipped to me along with some bodies in more common colors.

 

[Stoney]

I think it looks great Tony. I've seen the same thing with the hare felts that I've made thus far. They look pretty good , but the hand on them is comparable to that of an Akruba. Not that this is bad, they are what they are. As the old saying goes; One can't compare apples to oranges.

Keep cranking those hats out. I love seeing your work.