+1!!!!I know what you mean. And I wish the old boy was sharing more with us about his enterprise.
+1!!!!
So not only does he have all the hatter tools to block & flange & finish hats, he also "hand felts" from the raw fur & dyes the felt bodies? http://www.finefurhats.com/technique.html
After visiting Winchester & HatCo factories, I'd love to see more on Dennis' enterprise. I was always amazed by stories of John B. felting out in the old West, especially after seeing Winchester factory.
I also have acquired a Grey 6 7/8 Beaver Hat Major, which I've never heard of so again I call upon the loungers expertise if they would be so kind to help me out.
As I read it, the processor just takes the pelts & returns the fur, same as Winchester getting those bags of fur from Europe. JMHOThis is almost to good to be true.
Let us see more.
This might explain it.
He has a processor.
http://www.finefurhats.com/forsale.html
Kinda like Winchester is.......
As I read it, the processor just takes the pelts & returns the fur, same as Winchester getting those bags of fur from Europe. JMHO
Maybe they go a step further since Winchester has all those machines to get the raw fur cleaned before blowing the felt body....
When I visited TONAK this past April I saw the complete felting process (felt and hats are made in the same factory complex) starting from the rabbit and hare pelts. I wish I could have taken pictures or made a video but they wouldn't allow it. They also sell large amounts of rabbit (including all white ones) and hare pelts which they source out of the Czech Republic (some are TONAK owned farms), Ukraine and Russia along with processed fur.
[...] there is a process that takes a new felt body that can be torn by hand & shrinks it to a much smaller size & tougher. [...]
Wish you could've too!
At Winchester & in HatCo video. there is a process that takes a new felt body that can be torn by hand & shrinks it to a much smaller size & tougher. Wonder how a self-felter accomplishes this"
Terry,
I got a new Stetson Whitehall Genuine Shantung Panama straw this summer in "grey mix," though it seems more blue than grey to me.
I grabbed it cuz it reminded me of hats I remembered guys wearing when I was a kid in the '50s.
I have worn it a lot this summer and I really like it.
I actually spent a little on decent straws down at Wichita Hat Works this year and since Kansas is breaking heat records this year, I am sure glad I've got them.
The Sand Ridge looks cool ... what sort of straw is it?
Sam