How Akubra fur felt is made.

[jamespowers]

Its my understanding that wild hare from the outback has superior downy-under-fur compared to a pen rasied rabbitt fur of China. They only use the under-fur to make the fur felt.

The fur from a wild hare is always better than that of the pen raised rabbit for felting because the downy underfur develops better in the natural weather. It develops to lock out moisture and is thick to provide a layer of protection against the cold under the outer fur.
The other equation in the mix is the diet. I am sure Sharpie knows this but for the benefit of others, the diet of the wild hare consists of what it can gather to survive on its own. Pen raised rabbits are raised not only for the fur but for the meat. Their food is meant to fatten them up and it shows in the final pelts. Years ago Mallory tried to use domestic rabbit pelts as a source material for their felts. The fur was greasy and stuck together---making a poor material for felting. They had to bring in dry cleaning equipment to clean the fur of the greasy coatings. They got barrels of grease out of the fur! So much so that the soap companies would come by to pick up the barrels of grease produced as a byproduct.
Is there a difference? Just ask some old Mallory employees.

Regards to all,

J