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Sunrise Hat Company felt (nutria) and hatters’ tools

LuvMyMan

I’ll Lock Up.
Messages
4,558
Location
Michigan
It’s relatively easy for a good hatter to pounce a hat to a fine smooth finish. A velvety even finish just takes time and skill. However, no amount of pouncing can change the basic nature of the felt as it was made. If you pounce too deeply you get into the shellac core and the hat is ruined. I’ve had a couple of hatters have to start over after pouncing a bit too much trying to thin out the felt to get it more like vintage. Winchester’s felt (100% beaver) just can’t be made into the same quality as vintage felt.

This Sunrise nutria is dense, but it’s also fairly stiff. My hope is that with some careful thinning it can split the difference between the vintage felt I really want and the far too stiff/firm current Winchester western felt. I can’t see it ever making a dress weight hat no matter what’s done with it. I have two of them on order: my VS is one the block, and if the craziness of the world hasn’t thrown a wrench into the works my Phoenix should be done next month.
Yep I sure know what you mean. Speaking of crazy, anyone want to trade a nice vintage hat for a 12 pack of toilet paper? LOLOL!
 
Messages
18,915
Location
Central California
I scored a 30 pack of Kirkland TP at Costco on Monday....I have still about a months worth left but now good for 3 months. Never thought of attempting a barter!


My sister is off as a non-essential employee. She’s going crazy stuck at home so she’s become the toilet paper whisperer (don’t tell her I called her that). She got a knack at finding it at pre-COVID-19 prices.
 
Messages
10,342
Location
vancouver, canada
My sister is off as a non-essential employee. She’s going crazy stuck at home so she’s become the toilet paper whisperer (don’t tell her I called her that). She got a knack at finding it at pre-COVID-19 prices.
Funny how things change. I was thrilled today to score a tube of Lysol wipes at our local grocery store, tipped off by the proprietor of the local gelato shop which I have been frequenting to sooth our souls through these trying times.....practically danced all the way home!
 

J Williams

Practically Family
Messages
638
Location
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Funny how things change. I was thrilled today to score a tube of Lysol wipes at our local grocery store, tipped off by the proprietor of the local gelato shop which I have been frequenting to sooth our souls through these trying times.....practically danced all the way home!

Yeah what a trip it's been so far, I really don't understand the toilet paper thing. If people stop buying it in bulk it will just be available for everyone... It honestly seems like ONE idiot kicked off the toilet paper hoarding and it took off like wild fire. Anyway I shouldn't even be posting this, the last thing I think we need is more COVID talk
 

Tukwila

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,382
Location
SW of Antifa Central (PDX)
I told my wife, this isn't so bad as far as a self isolation or shelter in place scenario.... there's been no bad natural disaster like the big 10.4 earthquake they keep saying is past due for the NW; we still have running water and electricity and we have plenty of food storage squirreled away to last for months.

We went shopping at Winco yesterday after my teleworking was done. They are limiting the number of customers allowed in the store at any given time. It was easy to keep distance from people, except a few clueless souls who just don't get it, or the store's system. Checkout was gated off and only a few lanes were open and only 2 carts/people per lane, one checking out and the other waiting behind a blue line on the floor that was made with blue painter's tape.

The usual things were out: toilet paper (which I just don't get), rubbing alcohol, aloe vera gel, hand sanitizer.... and the entire aisle of dried beans and rice. Oh well, we already have beans and rice.

We spent about $110 US and went home. Plenty of chicken, beef and pork, butter, sour cream, 10# bag of potatoes, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, various other veggies, cheese, milk, some cherry coke zero, etc, etc.

I think if we act sensibly, this thing will pass us by. I heard one guy saying this was like the Spanish flu. I say, codswallop to that.
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,614
Location
Central Texas
Pouncing, sanding, shellac, thicker but less dense, buttery smooth, don't make them like they used to...are we still talking about $1.00 toilet paper at Costco?

Yep I sure know what you mean. Speaking of crazy, anyone want to trade a nice vintage hat for a 12 pack of toilet paper? LOLOL!
 
Messages
18,915
Location
Central California
I bought two nutria hat bodies from Sunrise and sent one in “almond” color to VS. The finished hat is nice, and about what I was expecting. It is not a replacement for vintage felt found on the 1950s One-Hundred hats or vintage 7X Clear Beaver, but it is considerably nicer than the 50/50 (rabbit/beaver) felt that Winchester sells. It’s a stiff/firm felt, but it isn’t harsh. It also finishes well and mine has a nice hand. There is no way I’d consider this felt for a dress hat unless you like firm western felt for that application too. I think with use and time this nutria felt will mellow a bit and be even nicer. The best endorsement I can give it is that I’m hoping to buy at least one more (probably “raincloud”) once they are back in stock.

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Messages
10,342
Location
vancouver, canada
Will do. I sent the other hat body to Rick @humanshoes and he said he’s going to pounce it as thin as he can to see if he can improve the felt. I’m having some sleepless nights imagining what he can come up with.
I am thinking of making the plunge and buying one just to play with. Risk pouncing it and taking it too far just to find out what too far looks like but perhaps discovering a great felt is in there.
 

Rmccamey

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,614
Location
Central Texas
Looks like a great hat for your fishing trips!

I bought two nutria hat bodies from Sunrise and sent one in “almond” color to VS. The finished hat is nice, and about what I was expecting. It is not a replacement for vintage felt found on the 1950s One-Hundred hats or vintage 7X Clear Beaver, but it is considerably nicer than the 50/50 (rabbit/beaver) felt that Winchester sells. It’s a stiff/firm felt, but it isn’t harsh. It also finishes well and mine has a nice hand. There is no way I’d consider this felt for a dress hat unless you like firm western felt for that application too. I think with use and time this nutria felt will mellow a bit and be even nicer. The best endorsement I can give it is that I’m hoping to buy at least one more (probably “raincloud”) once they are back in stock.

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