Beaver Brand Grand Beaver

This hat just arrived about half an hour ago. it is very intriguing. It was on sale at one of our sponsors and is, what I would term semi-custom... I was able to pick out the color, size of ribbon (9 ligne), type of bow (I had no idea what to pick), and brim size. I like wider brims so I picked the max 2 3/4 and one of the thinner ribbons since I am not into too fancy. It had a feather. I removed it. The service was excellent. I told them I needed it by Monteagle. It arrived here straight from the Beaver Brand factory within five days from ordering it. Very impressive. I know I am still a neophyte at all this, but I was really surprised at the velour like quality of the felt. The "hair" of the felt is really long. It is a gorgeous deep blue, with silver-like longer hairs. I want to comb it! I have never seen or felt a felt like this.

I take all this time to describe the hat because I would love one or more of you to explain it to me. I think I really like it....I am just still recovering from my initial surprise. The brim may be too wide for some of you and I bent the front and back down like I like em...I know that isn't for everyone.

In one of the pictures you can see that a darker color ribbon is sticking out above and behind the blue ribbon in the bow. Is that the way it is supposed to be, or is it a flaw? Probably dumb questions I am asking, but i am trying to learn here as I get new and different hats.

This felt has me agape. Is this what they call pounced? Is there a term for this length fur felt? The deep blue color is awesome. The silverish longer hairs are really unique. Thanks in advance to any of you who explain to me what I bought! The wider brim makes it a bit more casual, but I think I will still like it with a blue sport coat or suit...

The different colored ribbon isn't a defect; it's there for aesthetic effect. The fur looks basically unpounced. I'm not the most knowledgeable about these things, but pouncing is basically sanding, smoothing and finishing the fur. And I think they would call that a "long nap" fur.

To quote Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun, "Nice beaver!"

portolan said:

This hat just arrived about half an hour ago. it is very intriguing. It was on sale at one of our sponsors and is, what I would term semi-custom... I was able to pick out the color, size of ribbon (9 ligne), type of bow (I had no idea what to pick), and brim size. I like wider brims so I picked the max 2 3/4 and one of the thinner ribbons since I am not into too fancy. It had a feather. I removed it. The service was excellent. I told them I needed it by Monteagle. It arrived here straight from the Beaver Brand factory within five days from ordering it. Very impressive. I know I am still a neophyte at all this, but I was really surprised at the velour like quality of the felt. The "hair" of the felt is really long. It is a gorgeous deep blue, with silver-like longer hairs. I want to comb it! I have never seen or felt a felt like this.

I take all this time to describe the hat because I would love one or more of you to explain it to me. I think I really like it....I am just still recovering from my initial surprise. The brim may be too wide for some of you and I bent the front and back down like I like em...I know that isn't for everyone.

In one of the pictures you can see that a darker color ribbon is sticking out above and behind the blue ribbon in the bow. Is that the way it is supposed to be, or is it a flaw? Probably dumb questions I am asking, but i am trying to learn here as I get new and different hats.

This felt has me agape. Is this what they call pounced? Is there a term for this length fur felt? The deep blue color is awesome. The silverish longer hairs are really unique. Thanks in advance to any of you who explain to me what I bought! The wider brim makes it a bit more casual, but I think I will still like it with a blue sport coat or suit...

Click to expand...

Looks like a natural velour. What is the felt type (rabbit/hare, beaver some mix)? How does it respond if you brush it counter clock wise?

For example this is a natural velour (although this one has a more slick finish) that has been brushed counter clock wise.

I don't know what the felt is.....the description said

" Grand Beaver finish starts with a 100% fur felt blend mixed to our specifications. Worked by hand, this finish starts by leaving the nap long. Working the nap and combing it out horizontally creates this beautiful finish." So I am not sure what the blend is....Maybe someone at Monteagle can tell me when they see/feel it.

Gorgeous lid sir!

That long hair finish was also called a "Satin" or "Angora" finish, I assume due to the long, hairy texture. I have a few on hand, I think they are all posted in the long-hair or fuzzy topic thread. Stetson Gun Clubs from the 50's were often offered this way. (I have 2 of them, and my father has a fuzzy Dobbs Game Bird as well)
I believe that a metal comb of some sort is used to "rough" up the hair fibers of the hat to achieve that look.
Mayser has sound advice above, brush it counter-clockwise as you would any hat. It'll look even more elegant with all of the hair flowing in one direction in my opinion.

Wear it well!

Very nice hat. I may have to get one...
I might add (and I don't often) that it looks good on you.
Congrats.

Yep, that's drop dead gorgeous. Who wouldn't like that hat, and it looks great on you. Nice!

Peluche

I think the Grand Beaver is a step beyond just velour, almost to 'Peluche.' When I ordered my first Beaver Brand also thought to obtain a catalog, and it is titled '2007 collection' and there are several grades of finish available on dress hats, and the 'standard' was Heritage (no beaver). They also offered a Silk, Suede, and Velour treatment along the way up to the long Peluche, and then there were 'legacy' and 'classic' finishes stepping down from Heritage. Here is a webpage that describes their finishes:
http://www.beaverbrandhats.com/hat_finishes.htm
I look forward to seeing that one, Portolan.

Thanks for all the helpful comments...

One more dumby question.....You all say brush it counter clock wise. Not sure what that means. Do I hold the hat in front of me with the crown facing me, front of the hat at the bottom? Then brush it counter-clockwise/ Inquiring minds need to know....thanks, Phil

Secret hats?

Any company so lacking in marketing sense as to give a product a dull confusing mouthful of a name like Beaver Brand Grand Beaver is probably quite happy to keep themselves a secret.

portolan said:

One more dumby question.....You all say brush it counter clock wise. Not sure what that means. Do I hold the hat in front of me with the crown facing me, front of the hat at the bottom? Then brush it counter-clockwise/ Inquiring minds need to know....thanks, Phil

Click to expand...

Beautiful hat, I've been wanting to see one of their Grand Beavers.
As for the brushing, yes, hold the hat with the crown facing you, it doesn't matter where the front of the hat is. Brush the top of the brim and the crown counter clockwise, The bottom of the brim goes the opposite direction from the top. You'll start the see the nap lay down. Eventually it should look like this, but your's will probably look better



Also, this finish loves the rain. Once it's brushed out when it gets wet just wipe it counter clockwise with a good towel to maintain the finish

portolan said:

One more dumby question.....You all say brush it counter clock wise. Not sure what that means. Do I hold the hat in front of me with the crown facing me, front of the hat at the bottom? Then brush it counter-clockwise/ Inquiring minds need to know....thanks, Phil

Click to expand...

First of all, I really like that hat: the 2 3/4-inch brim, the somewhat narrow hat band, the overall shape, even the dark navy color, and especially the extra long-hair finish. This would be a great casual hat that could go as dressy as pairing with a sport coat and corduroys, even a solid knit necktie

Who's the vendor, and what'd you pay?

As far as brushing goes, here's the deal:

Put the hat right side up on your lap. Brush the top/crease of the crown first; it doesn't matter what direction. Then, brush the crown in a counterclockwise direction; it's better to make several gentle rounds rather than one or two hard ones. Next, brush the top of the brim in a counterclockwise direction. Finally, turn the hat over so that you're looking down at the bottom of the brim. Brush it in a counterclockwise direction.

If you're smart and paying attention, you'll realize that you've brushed the bottom of the brim 180 degrees different from the top of the brim. Good, that means you've done it right.

Your Beaver Brand hat is a mixture of rabbit and beaver fur, by far more rabbit. I don't own one, but I've heard very good things about Beaver Brand here and elsewhere, so I'm seriously considering getting a 100% beaver Beaver Brand if I can find one on sale for no more than $250. Once you get to the $300 price point, you might as well get an Art Fawcett or Penman.

My only real problem with Beaver Brand is the name, which implies that all its hats are beaver fur felt, and they're not. I suppose it beats Skunk Brand!

before brushing


after

I bought the hat from the fedora store. If I remember

right it was $189 or so; about $100 off from the regular price of $299. They were very helpful. I have 100% beaver hats from the Major and from Art. I think this has more stiffener in it. This hat is much stiffer than those. I sure do like the longer hair though. Pretty cool....

barrowjh said:

I think the Grand Beaver is a step beyond just velour, almost to 'Peluche.' When I ordered my first Beaver Brand also thought to obtain a catalog, and it is titled '2007 collection' and there are several grades of finish available on dress hats, and the 'standard' was Heritage (no beaver). They also offered a Silk, Suede, and Velour treatment along the way up to the long Peluche, and then there were 'legacy' and 'classic' finishes stepping down from Heritage. Here is a webpage that describes their finishes:
http://www.beaverbrandhats.com/hat_finishes.htm
I look forward to seeing that one, Portolan.

Click to expand...

There are all types of velour finishes (the finest to me is pre 1942 Hückel Seal Velour see my profile picture). I would classify this BB as a natural velour finish.

Beaver Brand Grand Beavers in a hat shop close-out
https://www.ebay.com/sch/tomm20910/...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

chicken1616 said:

Beaver Brand Grand Beavers in a hat shop close-out
https://www.ebay.com/sch/tomm20910/...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Click to expand...

I was intrigued when I saw those on eBay. I’m looking forward to reading your review.


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I think I might pick one of these up. Might be my only chance to pick up a Peluche in my size.

You might look at Churchill hats. @Dlaniger has a doozy.