Where The Stetson Hat Roams

[hatflick1]

Buffalo fur?

http://www.danswesternwear.com/hats_felt_stetson.html

If you scroll down about halfway, you will note three Old West hats fashioned from bison.

Has this already been passed around the Lounge?

 

[Chinaski]

I don't know if it's been passed around before on the Lounge, but I have the American Buffalo Collection Rawhide Western hat shown on the link you posted. It's a nice chocolate brown. The felt seems really durable. It's thick felt, and it has an overwelt with what feels like a shapeable wire inside. It's got a nice reeded leather sweat and a tan colored satin liner. I like the hat and have used it primarily for hiking around Sedona when I get over there.

 

[rrog]

FYI, I clicked on the link and found that some of the hat prices on that web page are much better than others I've seen. I got my last Steston from qualityhats.com and that was about $30 more than the prices on this page. Just thought you'd like to know.

rrog

 

[Lefty]

From the discussion here and here, it doesn't sound so great.

 

[rrog]

Those are good links, Lefty. Thanks.

rrog

 

[Chinaski]

I read through the links Lefty posted. To summarize, posters seemed to believe bison or buffalo fur makes for dense, rough, unfinished felt. I would add, most of those comments were hearsay, and not made by anyone owning a buffalo felt hat.

As an owner, I would agree the felt is thick. The finish isn't rough, however, and the hat I own, although a western style, is not particularly stiff. I wouldn't want a buffalo felt fedora, but I think it's perfectly suited to a western hat. I can't comment on how it will withstand a good soaking - I live in Southern California and it's never seen rain. I was initially attracted to the color which looks like, guess what - the color of a buffalo! I paid $60 - money well spent in my opinion.