Winchester Hat Corp.Winchester Tn. A felting factory.

SHARPETOYS · Mar 23, 2005

BD Jones · Mar 23, 2005

Steve already knows about Winchester, and it apparently is not the one he is looking for. Here is the post from COW.

BTW, I know you don't like Charlie, and you are entitled to you opinion, but it seems like almost everytime his name or business is brought up you feel the need to make some sort of negative, and unprovoked, comment (read attack). I for one donâ€™t care about what you and Charlie have between you, and these things just make you look small, so the good thing would be to just drop it. Iâ€™m fairly sure Charlie has.

Sergei · Mar 23, 2005

Hmmmm... I just called them to confirm. They make fur felt hat bodies. 100% beaver. I talked to a woman there where she said they do not make ball caps. They make hat bodies that are bought by hat finishers for western, fedora, state troopers, etc.

I see that they have 49 employees and made around $1M in 2003. Good business.

Michaelson, did you ever make that trip to visit them?

Good find there Sharpe!

-Sergei

SHARPETOYS · Mar 23, 2005

BD Jones said:
Steve already knows about Winchester, and it apparently is not the one he is looking for. Here is the post from COW.

BTW, I know you don't like Charlie, and you are entitled to you opinion, but it seems like almost everytime his name or business is brought up you feel the need to make some sort of negative, and unprovoked, comment (read attack). I for one donâ€™t care about what you and Charlie have between you, and these things just make you look small, so the good thing would be to just drop it. Iâ€™m fairly sure Charlie has.

Thanks for your concern, but Charlie is the one that said this was the small felter not me. Have a good day.

Matt Deckard · Mar 23, 2005

Well he can at least claim American made through and through, though I don't think he can claim low key boutique. Going by those pictures, that is a big felt factory in a big building. I wonder how many hatters they supply.

I'll stick with my vintage, though I would like to see one of those bodies up close.

SHARPETOYS · Mar 23, 2005

Matt Deckard said:
Well he can at least claim American made through and through, though I don't think he can claim low key boutique. Going by those pictures, that is a big felt factory in a big building. I wonder how many hatters they supply.

I'll stick with my vintage, though I would like to see one of those bodies up close.

What color would you like I'll get you one to look at.

Sharpey

Michaelson · Mar 23, 2005

Sergei said:
Michaelson, did you ever make that trip to visit them?

-Sergei

I've driven around the building several times in the past month, as it's just a big old white cinderblock building with their name on the side wall. One of the lowest profile businesses I've ever seen. Back of the building looks abandoned, all the windows broken. The front doors are always chained and padlocked, and I've never seen a car at the place. I'm told they are usually out of the door by 3, but it's odd I have never met or heard of anyone who works there, and I've lived here for 15 years! Really odd. Like I said at COW, maybe they're vampires and only work at night!

[huh]

Regards. Michaelson

SHARPETOYS · Mar 23, 2005

Michaelson said:
I've driven around the building several times in the past month, as it's just a big old white cinderblock building with their name on the side wall. One of the lowest profile businesses I've ever seen. Back of the building looks abandoned, all the windows broken. The front doors are always chained and padlocked, and I've never seen a car at the place. I'm told they are usually out of the door by 3, but it's odd I have never met or heard of anyone who works there, and I've lived here for 15 years! Really odd. Like I said at COW, maybe they're vampires and only work at night! [huh] Regards. Michaelson

They close at 3 PM. Maybe you came by after they closed.
.
The phone # is 931-967-0686

Might be fun and meet up for a factory tour. They are real nice folks!!

Matt Deckard · Mar 23, 2005

SHARPETOYS said:
These pictures were posted on the net and this Liar told people it was a small private felting plant. He made out like he was the only hatter getting the worlds most special beaver. He even has a hype name for it Sterling beaver . You see he tells people his felt is the best in world since it is only pure belly beaver and this small magic firm only makes a limited amount each year since its so special . He called it a Boutique felting plant and he is the only one that can buy from this Magic Beaver felt plant.

Well I sent the pictures to the Winchester Hat Corp. and they said yes sir thats our felting factory in Winchester, Tenn. They make cowboy weight and fedora weight hat body's.

Alot of hatters make claims that are many times high fallutin' which they think will give their product an edge over their competition. If he said that was a boutique, he was wrong.
It is at least good to see GH talking about his own product rather than talking down his competition with false accusations.

SHARPETOYS · Mar 23, 2005

Matt Deckard said:
Alot of hatters make claims that are many times high fallutin' which they think will give their product an edge over their competition. If he said that was a boutique, he was wrong.
It is at least good to see GH talking about his own product rather than talking down other companies with accusations.

I agree,
He has been a good boy lately and not putting down other hatters. I give all the credit to Mrs. S. She seems to be very much the classy lady!!

Biltmore Bob · Mar 23, 2005

Too many times advertising is just opinion, one mans boutique may be another mans 200,000 sq. ft. factory. Everything is relative.

I have a small operation with no employees, and I claim to be the best at what I do in three counties.

SHARPETOYS · Mar 23, 2005

Biltmore Bob said:
Too many times advertising is just opinion, one mans boutique may be another mans 200,000 sq. ft. factory. Everything is relative.

I have a small operation with no employees, and I claim to be the best at what I do in three counties.

I agree.
The best advertising is your customers, you never have to put others down for your own gain.

It only shows lack of 'self esteem'

Panamabob · Mar 23, 2005

I've been accused of putting others down...unjustly, I feel. I only question why they charge so Goldarned much!

MDFrench · Mar 23, 2005

You know, I personally don't know much about GH and his operations. All I do know is that the substantial time I spent at COW in the past and the people I have spoken with say that his business practices can be dubious, wait times long, prices high, and whatnot. Many people at COW were upset with him for various reasons back in the day.

However, there are a few people like Rick5150 at COW who are GH loyalists and very happy with their hats, willing to PAY and willing to wait.

Personally, I'm going to stick with Steve and Art, as bad press and bad feelings aren't following them around. Playing it safe, so to speak.

Mike

SHARPETOYS · Mar 23, 2005

I understand

The key is what you said.

"We believe it is the responsibility of those "in the know" to educate. But we do agree that one should not be insulting or derogratory".

When a business puts everyone that makes hats or customers who do not buy from them down with derogratory comments that is just wrong and un-proffesional.

Your business sounds like a model others should emulate.
Thank you,

Sharpey

Panamabob · Mar 23, 2005

I know that some think that it isn't hard for me to be the fool, but let me see if I have this information correctly filed in my puny brain. One GH said that those photos were from a very small boutique felting factory. When in fact, they were verified by Winchester Hat Corp. as, indeed, photos from inside their very own factory. In fact, they remember Mr. and Mrs. GH quite well, as they were given the 50 cent tour and took a plethora of photos. If Winchester is a boutique, then so is Toyota or Honda (and, yes folks, they are made in USA). I hear 90% of hatters might buy from Winchester...that is far from a boutique.

I do remember that there was some write up about it on another sight. Unfortunately that site seems to be down. Perhaps for cleaning or deleting?

I have to be honest, I've been begging for a free hat for a long time. Also, the five members that are active, I'm told, to disdain my presence. Heaven forbid!

When I get banned from there be sure to see my new hat forum. www.happymontecristi.com

jamespowers · Mar 24, 2005

The link for your forum doesn't work for me. Am I doing something wrong?
As for Winchester, haven't they been around for a long time? I seem to remember they used to sell bodies to the BIG hat companies in the old days. I think Mallory used to get some bodies from them--or was that Stetson? Whatever the case, I would like to see a hood of their's to compare to vintage. Do they sell to the regular guy who wants to do some "research?"

I suppose a single body in my big size might be a little costly though. I want the fedora grade though not the "hard enough to drive nails" cowboy. I have a hammer at home.

It is all about the felt though and if they make a decent body then I am the person who would love to see it touch it and wear it in the rain---it sure has been raining here in "sunny" California. PU!

Regards to all,

J

SHARPETOYS · Mar 24, 2005

Links are working unless ...... has deleted them

jamespowers said:
The link for your forum doesn't work for me. Am I doing something wrong?
As for Winchester, haven't they been around for a long time? I seem to remember they used to sell bodies to the BIG hat companies in the old days. I think Mallory used to get some bodies from them--or was that Stetson? Whatever the case, I would like to see a hood of their's to compare to vintage. Do they sell to the regular guy who wants to do some "research?" I suppose a single body in my big size might be a little costly though. I want the fedora grade though not the "hard enough to drive nails" cowboy. I have a hammer at home.
It is all about the felt though and if they make a decent body then I am the person who would love to see it touch it and wear it in the rain---it sure has been raining here in "sunny" California. PU!

Regards to all,

JP

Are you talking about the pictures of the felt factory? They are working I just checked.

The dress hat body are soft as a lamb. This is the felt Fedora and most other fedora hatters are using for Fedora grade hats. I think you can see some at Art's. The hat size makes no difference in price.

Cowboy felt costs more because they are a bigger felt hat body.
Yes they have been around a very long time.

Most of the hatters here in the USA buy from them including western hatters

Brad Bowers · Mar 24, 2005

Hmm, I may have to call and ask them about Cavanagh edges. I wonder if they're wondering where all these strange calls are coming from?

Brad

SHARPETOYS · Mar 24, 2005

Cavanagh edge

Brad Bowers said:
Hmm, I may have to call and ask them about Cavanagh edges. I wonder if they're wondering where all these strange calls are coming from?

Brad

Good idea!!

If we could get a hatter to order enough hat body's it just may be possible.
Brad, Why don't you ask Art.

At least with him you won't get any bull answer.

Winchester Hat Corp.Winchester Tn. A felting factory.

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