Beaver Brand impressions?

[SonOfaPreacher]

Hello all, I just purchased a Beaver Brand fedora and was wondering if folks would be willing to chime in and give me there impressions and likes/dislikes with these hats. I am saving my pennies for a hat from Art, great hats! Till then Beaver brands will have to do.

 

[Bud-n-Texas]

I hate to say, that I am not impressed with the ones I have had in my hands. The felt was rigid, but what was worse is that even with lots of steam the hats had a mind of their own and were not willing to accept change. Seems few modern production hats are much better. It has been posted numerous times the virtues of Akubra, but I can not vouch for them. I can however give a thumbs up to Borsalino, not as good as the vintage ones, but light years ahead of the rest. A custom from Art, Gus Miller or Optimo are always a good option. A word of warning however, check out a custom hatter prior to buying, some are no more than carnies.

 

[tandmark]

Hi,

I own three Beaver Brand hats, a grey homburg, a brown fedora, and a black porkpie. The homburg is rather stiff as you'd expect for a homburg, but the other two aren't, particularly. Definitely no stiffer than Akubras.

They get worn all the time, especially the fedora. I think all of them look pretty stylish. I'd definitely buy another one, if the price were right.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[SonOfaPreacher]

Thanks!

Thanks for the help guys. Yes I know a production hat is not nearly as nice as a custom, but with my budget right now it'll will have to do. I myself have a few vintage hats and adore them, but trying to find a vintage in a particular color, size, ribbon color and brim width is not an easy, quick or cheap task. I just happened to check the Fedora store and low and behold they had what I wanted to a 't', and on sale to boot. I am feeling a bit of buyers remorse, but oh well. So I suppose if they starched it to death I will sit and watch a vintage movie and nead and beat it to a softer state. I just hope that the rabbit is half as soft as some of the vintage hats I own.
Cheers![huh]

 

[barrowjh]

My first fedora was a Beaver Brand, a dark brown center-dent, and I like it. I have not yet encountered any factory-made hats that were any better (but - have only bumped into maybe one or two real hat stores).

 

[Lamont Cranston]

Beaver Hat

I have a Beaver brand hat,

It is OK, probably nicer than any other currently made factory hat, with the exception of Borsalino.
But I do not think I would buy another one .

When I compare it to a better quality hat, say a vintage Stetson, Cavanaugh, Dobbs or Borsalino. it just can not stand up.

If you can find an old hat in excellent condition, in your size, it may easly cost you more than the new Beaver.
Especally if it is something like a Stratoliner, a Flagship or Playboy Stetson.
But, if when on the rare chance you do find it, you will possess a superior hat!

They say you get what you pay for. But in new factory made hats, I think you don't.
I would rather have one of Art Fawcett's hats than three new factory hats.

Seek the Grail.
LC

 

[Lamont Cranston]

Byrnie Utz.

Another idea...
Come up to Seattle and check out Byrnie Utz Hats at 310 Union Street. They have some old stock hats around, and they will tell you the truth about the quality of their hats.
A great store, and almost unchanged since 1934.
They have the original light fixtures, linoleum floor and wood paneling.

Cheers.
LC

 

[K.D. Lightner]

I had a Beaver brand fedora, got it from Levine hats. It was a light gray, the color I wanted, a nice hat, soft enough, but the brim was 2 inches and I just don't look good in smaller brims.

I gave it away to a friend, but would not hesitate to buy another Beaver brand hat if I found something I wanted and the brim was at least 2 1/2 inches.

karol

 

[thunderw21]

Though I don't have experience with Beaver Brand fedoras, I do have a beaver brand cowboy hat that I converted into a fedora. I'm happy with it, a nice hat for the money.

 

[SonOfaPreacher]

Yes I would more than agree that vinatge is untouchable for the most part. I own a 'Long' teardrop, a C' Crown Dobbs, and a like new Resistol with the wind cord, and I would not trade or sell them for anything. But I have tryed to find 'My' hat to no avail, so decided to give a new hat a try. For better or worse. Thanks for all your input everyone. So I wait and see if I made the right choice.
S.R.

 

[SonOfaPreacher]

Cowboy to Fedora! I have done one myself and it made a pretty good kickaround hat, nothing real speical though. The felt seemed way to thick. I did take a real nice bash and pinch. Oh, this is a bit off topic but anyone know a good source for grosgrain ribbon? I live in BFE and online seems my only outlet at times.
S.R.

 

[indycop]

.
I would rather have one of Art Fawcett's hats than three new factory hats.

Seek the Grail.
LC

I agree!! Now that I have one of Art's I would rather wait until I can get another rather than get anything else!!

 

[barrowjh]

Sonofapreacher - online is it, unless you are buying from someone that has vintage stock (such as Art, or at Utz's, or Batsake's). The grosgain must have some cotton in it, so it will shrink tight on the crown with steam, and most grosgain found at retail sewing shops will be all synthetics.

 

[SonOfaPreacher]

new ribbon

Yes I have noticed that the ribbons I have found and used will not shrink or shape of any kind. Gets to be a bit frustrating. I should have the Beaver Brand this weekend, very anxious about buying a new hat. So many mixed opinions, but we will see. I fully intend to make a posting with my impressions of this new hat. And I do see a hat by Art in my future, I have heard nothing but rave revues about them. And the pics I have seen, wonderfull looking hats!
S.R.

 

[SonOfaPreacher]

It showed up today!

My first impressions, well comparing it to other new hats, not bad at all. The felt is soft, probly rabbit, and rather thin like most vintage hats. The temper (stiffness) is a bit more than most vintage, but it is a new hat. The fit and finish is just above average, not as nice as My Dobbs, but close. Size wise it is spot on. The color is nice and Overall I am impressed considering the cost. I may replace the ribbon, it shrunk during blocking and has waves in it. Other than that I have no real complaints. I will sit one night and break the temper by working the hat out, hopefully giving it a more floppy used look. And to top it all off I will give it a good pinch. Photos to follow.

Cheers all, and thanks for all your input!

 

[pgoat]

I agree!! Now that I have one of Art's I would rather wait until I can get another rather than get anything else!!

+1

But I still like to look!

 

[Benny Holiday]

SonOfaPreacher, is your hat one of the Fedora Store signature hats you can custom order? Does anyone have experience of these hats?

 

[SonOfaPreacher]

My Beaver

No, it was one of the stock hats they offer and it was on sale to boot. The hat I bought fit the bill to a 'T' for me, color, style, and so on.. I am very satisfied with the hat. They do offer some custom stuff, but for a price. If you want custom, save for one of Art's, they are a bit more but your veriety in custom chioces is nearly unlimited.
Cheers!
SoaP

 

[citRon]

worthlesswithoutpics

 

[SonOfaPreacher]

OK,OK....

Point taken, My time is limited but rest assured I will post pics in a day or two, sorry.
SoaP