Rabbit vs. beaver?

[Buck]

Hello All,

I'm glad to have found this forum. I look forward to being a member of this enlighted group! I usually lurk for awhile, but I have a dilemna....

I'm buying my first "real" fedora, an Indy style, and can't decide between the Adventurebuilt beaver or ToddsCostumes custom HJ (rabbit, I believe) From what I've seen so far here, the inclement weather capabilities of the beaver seem very appealing. But when I think of beaver, I think of a cowboy-style hat (Resistol perhaps?) I used to own, that was VERY stiff. Not a trait I usually associate with fedoras, but I'm a neophyte with this stuff.

Thanks in advance for your inputs!

Buck

(Now if I can just find more reasons to "dress up," I''ll be giving Mr. Magnoli $$$)

 

[Fatdutchman]

By ALL accounts, the AB beaver hat is superior to Herbert Johnson's hats in every way. (It's beaver, that alone makes it rank as being better). I think Steve can make your hat as soft or as stiff as you want. Usually, they're soft. Most reports are that HJ's quality is definitely not what it used to be. I think I saw somewhere that they even come with a warning that they shouldn't be worn in the rain!

Akubra makes a rain-friendly rabbit hat. I'm waiting for my Akubra deluxe to arrive any day now. It's a bit "too tall", but that can be worked down. This should make a good "interim" Indy fedora until the AB comes in. I'm gonna order one myself soon....

By the way, if you haven't found it already, www.indygear.com/cow is a good Indy message board.

 

[feltfan]

I'm buying my first "real" fedora, an Indy style, and can't decide between the Adventurebuilt beaver or ToddsCostumes custom HJ (rabbit, I believe) From what I've seen so far here, the inclement weather capabilities of the beaver seem very appealing. But when I think of beaver, I think of a cowboy-style hat (Resistol perhaps?) I used to own, that was VERY stiff. Not a trait I usually associate with fedoras, but I'm a neophyte with this stuff.

Thanks in advance for your inputs!

Keep your hands off my inputs.

I see two questions here.
Rabbit hats can do well in weather, if they are
given moisture-resistant treatments and the felt
is made well and blocked well. Some vintage
hats are largely or all rabbit but do fine in rain.
That said, I'd go with beaver over rabbit every time,
given a choice. It's nicer fur and makes a better hat,
all things being equal.

Stiffness is not a function of the fur used. It's determined
by the stiffener, shellac or other, used in the manufacture
of the felt or added after the hat has been made. Some of
the softest hats in the world are all beaver hats. Unfortunately
people associate it with cowboy hats because they have
forgotten the glory days of fedoras, homburgs, and other fine
felt hats.

I encourage you to read older posts on this site. Use the search
function to find threads on "beaver" or "stiffener" or "taper"
or "vintage felt".

 

[dzacca]

Akubra Federation Deluxe

Which kind of felt are used to make the Fed deluxe? Beaver? Rabbit? a mix?
(That will be my next buy...)

 

[Matt Deckard]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=4150&highlight=quality

 

[Fatdutchman]

Akubra makes their own felt in Australia of wild rabbit fur, which is usually regarded as being superior to modern commercially raised rabbit fur. As I understand it, it is because commercially raised rabbits are slaughtered at a relatively young age, before their fur develops fully. Rabbits number in the zillions in the wild in Australia, and they can have their pick of mature rabbits to make fur felt from. Akubra is widely known as an excellent hatmaker, with felt that takes the elements quite well.

 

[dzacca]

Akubra makes their own felt in Australia of wild rabbit fur, which is usually regarded as being superior to modern commercially raised rabbit fur. As I understand it, it is because commercially raised rabbits are slaughtered at a relatively young age, before their fur develops fully. Rabbits number in the zillions in the wild in Australia, and they can have their pick of mature rabbits to make fur felt from.

Thank you very much. Your infos are precious to me.

Akubra is widely known as an excellent hatmaker, with felt that takes the elements quite well.

That's one of the reason why I've chosen the Fed deluxe as my next hat. I need a brown hat, resistent to rain and well made. Reading the posts of the other loungers I finally decided for the Fed. I hope I can order it within the next month...

 

[riccardo]

Hi to all,
I would like a Fed DL too.
I think it could be my next hat.
I would prefer a gray one but Ron has only the standard in gray.
Hatsdirect has a nice service, speed and friendly: I advice them!!

Diego,we hope you'll shown us your pics in it.

Riccardo.

Thank you very much. Your infos are precious to me.



That's one of the reason why I've chosen the Fed deluxe as my next hat. I need a brown hat, resistent to rain and well made. Reading the posts of the other loungers I finally decided for the Fed. I hope I can order it within the next month...

 

[dzacca]

Hi to all,
I would like a Fed DL too.
I think it could be my next hat.
I would prefer a gray one but Ron has only the standard in gray.
Hatsdirect has a nice service, speed and friendly: I advice them!!

Diego,we hope you'll shown us your pics in it.

Riccardo.

Hi Riccardo,

unfortunately I'm currently without a digital camera, I'll buy one at the end of january or in february. As soon I'll be able to take some decent shots I'll post them, both for the Melegari both for the Fed DL.

P.S. Who's this Ron you mentioned?

 

[dzacca]

2 new shots of the gray melegari...

Hi Riccardo, hi all,


I'm still without a camera, but I was able to take two decent shots of the gray melegari.

These shots let you better see the color and hat itself.

 

[Buck]

Thanks

Thanks to all who responded. I'll be placing my order with Steve tomorrow.

Best,

Buck

(Hmmmmmm.......maybe I should trap my own beaver up here!)