Help with fur felt

[Justdog]

Am interested in a hat (Beaver Brand) The felt is listed as 8x. The felt rating from Beaver Brand is 1 to 20x fur felt. Rabbit only. Now what is the the other content if it is 100 percent fur felt? As I was told. 8x is rabbit fur[huh]

 

[MattJH]

This isn't the first time the X-rating as it refers to beaver content in fur felt has been questioned here. The bottom line is that it is an unregulated, sort of spastic rating that differs from maker to maker, year to year, model to model, etc. There's no true way to determine the content of fur felt by an X-rating. You could try emailing Beaver directly to see if they have some sort of chart to refer to.

 

[Justdog]

Fur Content

This isn't the first time the X-rating as it refers to beaver content in fur felt has been questioned here. The bottom line is that it is an unregulated, sort of spastic rating that differs from maker to maker, year to year, model to model, etc. There's no true way to determine the content of fur felt by an X-rating. You could try emailing Beaver directly to see if they have some sort of chart to refer to.

Yes I tried that, called them directly that is the info I posted. No revelation as to the complete content. I have read a lot on here about felt content and am well informed. What I was told by the company was that the x system graduates to 20x. All rabbit fur. Could not get an anwer as to total content. My guess is wool rabbit like Akubra. The price point does not scream fur felt. Only interested in this particular brand ergo the reason I started this specific thread.
I have been educated enough here through posts to realize the only true answer to the various manufactures felt ratings and fur content specs is, there is no real way to tell:eusa_doh: I certainly know what a nice 7x feels like though.

 

[KatintheHat]

You can't go by ratings. I have a 30 year old Stetson XXX piss poor porn OR that truly makes 3X beaver look like cardboard.

The only reason that I haven't sold it... is because it belonged to my deceased father.

...

 

[MattJH]

Understood! Good luck then. Also:

My guess is wool rabbit like Akubra.

I don't know of any Akubras made of wool felt...

 

[Justdog]

Akubra

Ooops should not have gone there with Akubra and stuck to the topic of Beaver Brand. Only trying find the answer to their felt. As 8x would mean 40 percent rabbit, what is the rest? As far as vintage goes it is a different animal.
Have you cleaned your Grandfathers hat Katinthehat?

Edit: Advertised in an online store as 100 percent fur felt blend? Rabbit and?

 

[Dewhurst]

Beaver Brand has information on hat quality and the finishes they use here: http://beaverbrandhats.com/hat_finishes.htm

As far as I know, Beaver Brand hats are ALL (100%) FUR FELT UNLESS THEY ARE MARKED AS WOOL. If they have wool in them they always say so (otherwise they indicate ALL or 100% fur, which is at least ALL rabbit).

An 8X hat is probably MOSTLY rabbit or hare, with a smaller portion of beaver or other fur. The base of the mix is rabbit. The X's are usually related to how much of a higher quality fur (than the basic rabbit) is in the mixture.

From the Beaver Brands website:

As we increase our X rating, we use higher quality blends and trim in addition to extended finishes techniques to obtain the different quality touch and feel.

(This could be different, though. As was mentioned above, there is no agreed upon X rating system.)

 

[Lefty]

Exactly.

It's still unclear as to what the blends are, but the quote above notes that, the more Xs, the better the trim (leather, ribbon, binding) and finish (pouncing, hand-creasing?). So, in terms of a 100% rabbit fur felt hat, I guess the Xs are more about the trim and finish than the felt. Does that sound right?

 

[tinmanzzz]

10X

I remember this from a thread long ago (in a Galaxy Far Away )that at the 10X level there is some Beaver in Beaver Brand Hats.
How Much, Who knows or cares???
In the 10X to 20X range they are good servicable hats.:eusa_clap

 

[Justdog]

Thanks

Thanks for your help yes to all who answered as all of that info was confirmed correct especially the x in the finishes.

 

[barrowjh]

My first hat - a Beaver Brand center dent custom order in their Heritage body, which is the same as 8X in their western styles. It is really nice fur felt, but no beaver.

Delivered to my door it was a bit more expensive ($200) than buying one off-the-shelf, but still a darned nice hat for the money, and custom. I think that thefedorastore dot com will do a custom hat via Beaver Brand, and I suspect that any retail store could do the same.

'nuther look at that 8x:

 

[Justdog]

My first hat - a Beaver Brand center dent custom order in their Heritage body, which is the same as 8X in their western styles. It is really nice fur felt, but no beaver.

Nice hat the felt looks rich smooth and soft. Nice ribbon and the edge binding looks very well done. Am looking to customize a hat and may order tomorrow.
Will post in 8 weeks Although I am fortunate to have a few vintage of superior quality I am trying to customize one I can beat up a bit with knowledge it can be replaced.

 

[Dewhurst]

So, in terms of a 100% rabbit fur felt hat, I guess the Xs are more about the trim and finish than the felt. Does that sound right?

For Beaver Brand, you may be correct.

If a hat had X's, but was identified as ALL rabbit fur, then you are almost forced to believe that the X's are either entirely superfluous or directly related to the finishes, binding material, craftmanship, etc.

There are also hints in the Beaver Brand quote that their approach may be symmetrical rather than linear. Their X rating may, subjectively, take into consideration various aspects, while others may take in to account only one unique point such as fur mixture.