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The classic Cowboy hat?

Yahoody

One Too Many
Messages
1,110
Location
Great Basin


Never realized just how early I was into the "proper" shape for a hat till I made this comparison! Yep, same hat may be a year later :)



Obviously I've had a passion for cowboy hats for a while now :) Started early and just got worse. Got my first decent felt Resistol in the 3rd Grade, early '60s.



Reshaped and re-blocked that hat many times before it was stolen my last year in high school. The Resistol that replaced it, I gave away last year! And it was still a darn fine and very usable hat. This photo also told me why, 50 years on, I still prefer a sand colored hat.



When a decent 100% beaver hat is selling any where from $450 to well over a grand for beaver I kinda choke. That and the felt being sold by some of the bigger brand names hardly making the "definition" of felt these days, I decided to make a few hats, first for myself, then my wife and eventually a friend or two. No desire to become a full time hatter (or even a part time hatter) but I do enjoy making a decent hat knowing just how long a good one will last.

Good guns and a good hat with some care will outlast good men and a good horse every time.




Anyone else doing something similar as a hobby?

 

Desert dog

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,291
Location
California


Never realized just how early I was into the "proper" shape for a hat till I made this comparison! Yep, same hat may be a year later :)



Obviously I've had a passion for cowboy hats for a while now :) Started early and just got worse. Got my first decent felt Resistol in the 3rd Grade, early '60s.



Reshaped and re-blocked that hat many times before it was stolen my last year in high school. The Resistol that replaced it, I gave away last year! And it was still a darn fine and very usable hat. This photo also told me why, 50 years on, I still prefer a sand colored hat.



When a decent 100% beaver hat is selling any where from $450 to well over a grand for beaver I kinda choke. That and the felt being sold by some of the bigger brand names hardly making the "definition" of felt these days, I decided to make a few hats, first for myself, then my wife and eventually a friend or two. No desire to become a full time hatter (or even a part time hatter) but I do enjoy making a decent hat knowing just how long a good one will last.

Good guns and a good hat with some care will outlast good men and a good horse every time.




Anyone else doing something similar as a hobby?

What a nice lifestyle you must have! I have been wearing western since childhood. When I was seven years old, living in southern California, my dad announced that we would be moving to Texas. To appease my objections, he said when we get there I will buy you some new boots, hat, and talk to uncle Jack about a horse. That's all it took. He kept his word, bought me some Acme Golden Angus boots, a real hat, and took me to my uncle's farm to talk horses. When I started school you could open a savings account at school, through the local bank. By second grade I had saved $62.00, 73.00 with interest. This was my horse money. My uncle agreed to sell me a pinto pony, saddle, and bridle, for the 73.00 I had. What great times I had at his farm. When we had to move, my uncle gave me my 73.00. Got an Appaloosa right out of high school and did a lot of riding and some team roping, while managing a western wear and tack store. I still love horses and would like to own another. Still can't give up hats and boots.

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Yahoody

One Too Many
Messages
1,110
Location
Great Basin
Life is good. No one listens when I complain anyway :)

I never had a chance with horses. Got bit bad early on. Guess that is obvious. When I was around 14, a DL, a new motorcycle i bought with paper route money and girls got in the way. Too many decades to get back. Regret not doing it sooner. But damn lucky I could. Hats and boots are a blood thing I suspect :)

Got too many of both. As I've aged my feet have taken a beating. Can't tell ya how many pairs of custom boots I have stuck in the closet that will likely never get worn by me again. Dang it!
 
Last edited:

Moviehats

One of the Regulars
Messages
205
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
No one else rebuilding old hats or starting from a nice beaver blank as a hobby?
I do. I fix up old hats and make them look older and make new ones too. 1665.jpg
 

Desert dog

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,291
Location
California
I do a little leather work. Mostly holsters and knife sheaths. I know there are other folks on here who do leather. Would love to see some of their work. DD I know you do leather work. Would love to see more. :) I made the holster and knife sheath in this photo, but not the cartridge belt.

View attachment 109702
Great looking work Cornshucker! It's nice to see another leather worker here! Here is a holster I made about 35 years ago. Been doing mostly belts and small gifts lately. I would like to see more of your work, also anyone else's work. I will try to post some more.
69274050a98b85b1c41b23a360bef62a.jpg


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