Western, anyone?

[Joao Encarnado]

Thanks buddy. I appreciate that. It's only a 4' brim, though. A stingy compared to some of the ones you have!

No, a normal hat.
3" = stingy
4" = normal
5" = wide brim

 

[WesternHatWearer]

I have been thinking that for future felt hats that I may seek out a 4.25 inches brim or 4.50 inches brim. Simply for the purpose that should the hat get completely soaked if the felting process takes place during drying and it shrinks, then it will not be smaller than 4 inches. Hopefully.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

I have soaked some felt hats and they have not shrunk.

 

[RJR]

+1,I've not had one shrink.

 

[WesternHatWearer]

That is great to hear! I had read that some hats may undergo further "felting" if soaked.
So to have people have experience with them Not shrinking is very exciting. Woohoo!

 

[viclip]

That is great to hear! I had read that some hats may undergo further "felting" if soaked.
So to have people have experience with them Not shrinking is very exciting. Woohoo!

If a quality fur felt hat is left to dry of its own accord at room temperature, you should be alright. However many manufacturers warn against subjecting a wet hat to heat in order to speed up the drying process in as much as same can lead to shrinkage.

 

[WesternHatWearer]

If a quality fur felt hat is left to dry of its own accord at room temperature, you should be alright. However many manufacturers warn against subjecting a wet hat to heat in order to speed up the drying process in as much as same can lead to shrinkage.

Agreed. I have heard such directions before. I do not recall where but I have heard it. Thank you for reminding me, it cannot hurt to hear it again.

 

[viclip]

I happened to explore the famous Lock Hat site earlier today. A couple of the site's FAQ's deal with the proper handling of wet fur felt hats:

http://www.lockhatters.co.uk/FAQ-content.aspx

Like advice is found on most hatters' sites.

While the Lock point about stretching the sweat band area of an improperly handled hat that has shrunk may get it comfortably back on the owner's head, bear in mind that other areas of the hat will have shrunk in all 3 dimensions. This would be most obvious in the crown area which may take on an unwanted taper (personally I look better in a tapered hat anyways!). The hat could always be sent out for re-blocking in troublesome cases but the expense & delay may not warrant same. In my case I can't think of anywhere in the whole of Canada where I could send a hat for re-blocking, so I'd get to deal with both Canada & US customs back & forth.

 

[WesternHatWearer]

Does anyone own any chocolate (brown) colored western/cowboy hats? If so, what do you wear them with most often? I like the chocolate color; I am just not sure how much I have to wear would go well with a chocolate hat.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

I own a chocolate Stetson Big Country. I wear it when I want but it goes well with my brown Scott 125.

 

[H Weinstein]

Does anyone own any chocolate (brown) colored western/cowboy hats? If so, what do you wear them with most often? I like the chocolate color; I am just not sure how much I have to wear would go well with a chocolate hat.

I wear my dark brown Akubra "Longmire" style hat with pretty much any outerwear, including Levis denim jacket, brown bomber jacket, blue or brown parka coats, light-tan barn coat, brown leather Indy jacket.

Even if it's warm enough to not need a jacket or coat, I think it goes with pretty much any casual clothing.

 

[msm007]

Does anyone own any chocolate (brown) colored western/cowboy hats? If so, what do you wear them with most often? I like the chocolate color; I am just not sure how much I have to wear would go well with a chocolate hat.

I have a custom hat from Jaxonbilt Hats in dark brown (Whiskey) color. It really goes with everything except grey. It is one of the most practical hat colors that I have

 

[WesternHatWearer]

I am happy to hear that the chocolate color goes well with some many things. I am very excited about adding this color to my small but growing collection.

 

[msm007]

I am happy to hear that the chocolate color goes well with some many things. I am very excited about adding this color to my small but growing collection.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

My first hat of 2015 will be a Pecan from Mike Moore. Generally the size of John Wayne's in The Shootist. I'm ordering the DVD so I can try and work out what the crown shape was. All of the online photos don't shot the top.

Later

 

[WesternHatWearer]

Hi

My first hat of 2015 will be a Pecan from Mike Moore. Generally the size of John Wayne's in The Shootist. I'm ordering the DVD so I can try and work out what the crown shape was. All of the online photos don't shot the top.

Later

That appears to have an almost full crown from what I can see. In a pecan color, that would be interesting to see. I would like to see it, if you care to share.

 

[T Jones]

My Indy / Western Hybrid. I originally bought this Resistol Stagecoach for an Indiana Jones fedora conversion project. But I changed my mind and thought an Indyesque / Western Hybrid might be something a little different. I was able to reblock it and square up the sides a bit. Afterward I sewed on a vintage dark brown 8 ply mid-ribbon with a campaign style bow. The tall straight crown is a generic Indy and the rest of the hat retained its Western look...

Before:

After the Reblock:

My ribbon and bow work, (I hid the stitching on the bow):

 

[barrowjh]

I don't believe I've ever seen an 8-cord ribbon before (most definitely not as a campaign bow), so the 8-cord is 'Wow' in itself. I like the hat, the idea, great re-fresh project.

 

[bowlerman]

+1 on the wow. Looks great!

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[1961MJS]

That appears to have an almost full crown from what I can see. In a pecan color, that would be interesting to see. I would like to see it, if you care to share.

Oh, I'll definitely share it, but don't hold your breath. I plan on visiting in the spring, so you might be holding it a while.

Happy New Year!!