American Hat Company Factory Tour, How a Cowboy Hat is Made, and Interview with VP of Operations

Several months ago we were invited to American Hat Company for a tour of the factory, we were finally able to make it happen, and Lionel from CBHWLE was able to join us. American VP of Operations Cody Bates sat down with us for an interview while we were there. In this video we get an overview of the process to make felt and straw cowboy hats, the equipment used, and you get to see some of the people who make your favorite hat. We stayed with employees of American and were able to visit with them for a couple days, in this time it was clear they actually do love working for the company, and are truly devoted to producing the best cowboy hat on the market. Be sure to join our private facebook group as videos are released there before they are to the general public.
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[@mitchellmccoy5730]

This is exactly the representation American needs. Great video

[@CowboyCartel]

I agree! It’s such a great company, and I want everyone to see what I see in American hats. I try and show the differences to people every day. Thank you for watching! I’m glad you liked it.

[@keithhernandez4336]

American Hats is on another level. From the quality to the different styles and colors. Untouchable.

[@CowboyCartel]

I couldn't agree more! Great bunch of people and still family owned.

[@doublet630]

I just got my Lucky 7. It was a big step up from my, no-name, beaten-down 3X of the last 20 years and my first real cowboy hat. After much consideration I went with these guys. I know its "just a 7X", but its MY hat and I'm stoked to have an AHC product. Excellent video and thank you for posting.

[@CowboyCartel]

Congratulations on the new hat! It’s a great purchase and you made the right decision. Stop on over to the American Hat Company Facebook group and post some pictures

[@Positivetimes79]

I want one of those american hat logo shirts. That one Cody's wearing is awesome.

[@blackbikerboots123]

Amazing video! So much good information, thank you for doing this!

[@Burningolivepodcast]

Never thought I could pull off a cowboy hat now it's the only thing I've worn for two months now I love it's I've bought three so far last one to get is my straw hat for the summer

[@jthamilton9083]

A cowboy hat makes everyone look awesome! Glad you had the courage!

[@DRONESVU]

I love this interview.

[@CowboyCartel]

Thanks for watching, and the comment!

[@sarahmiller6461]

Proud to be wear an American. Thank you for the video!

[@CowboyCartel]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@WesternWearEnthusiast]

Thanks for sharing this fantastic American Hat Factory tour. It was very interesting and enlightening.

[@CowboyCartel]

Thank you! It’s a lot of work but I enjoy going and learning, I just want to share it with everyone.

[@jimcollins9999]

Well done! Thanks for the presentation. 👍

[@CowboyCartel]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.

[@HeyDennisOfficial]

Great interview with the VP, I’m from the same area and know the Gran Plaza pretty well. Based on that, I can tell ya, he must have shaped a TON of hats during his time there. There is or was a cowboy spanish dance club right there and he must’ve shaped all styles for sure. Plus the Fort Worth Stockyards is about a 12 minute drive from there. This is my neck of woods and super relatable, awesome video!

[@swoosh6085]

This is archival evidence of the American dream in action

[@kevinshorter5861]

I have straw and felt from the 80's down in Texas

[@maximusaugustus6823]

I have over 12 Western hats, before the Yellowstone show, I had none. Mostly all Stetsons, because they directly sell hats from their website, No joke, I am literally wearing them every day here in the Northeast.

[@gabrielsanchez8559]

Hey new subscriber to your channel like your vedio. I have a few Stetsons felt hats and Resistol straw hats, after this vedeo I'll be getting an American hat. Loved there styles.

[@isaacgutzakaisaac_3.710]

Can’t wait to order another American hat straw my 5610 is still holdin its shape since the day I bought it

[@rkelmy]

❤ this AHC tour! Awesome

[@CowboyCartel]

Thank you! I’m so glad to hear it.

[@hunterpinnell6254]

I betcha ole Anna gets bored to tears !!!!

[@CowboyCartel]

factory life. thanks for watching and the comment

[@Wingman115]

Great tour.

[@CowboyCartel]

Thanks, a tour like that is surprisingly difficult to capture well on camera. I’m glad it turned out as well as it did and thanks for watching

[@Wingman115]

@@CowboyCartel As a fellow content creator I understand how much work went into that video great job.

[@CowboyCartel]

For sure it looks easy until you start actually creating the videos, then you see how much work actually goes into it. Gives you much more appreciation for the time creators put into the work. And the progression from when somebody starts a channel and the video quality to later. There’s always more equipment, or better software. It’s a rabbit hole. Thanks

[@DanBCooper]

@6:20 Thank you for at least asking about the supply shortage. Unfortunate we didn't get an answer though. My local retailer laughed at me when I asked if they had any AHC hats in stock. They said they're almost 400 hats backordered with no ETA, and can't even order one. Have had to purchase from Best Hat Store online ( they were great ), and shipped all the way to California. Hopefully whatever issue they're having is resolved soon.

[@CowboyCartel]

I tried lol, we know there is a shortage and they are working to get hats out there. I think it will require a huge ramp up of a second facility to see a significant impact on stock in the stores, but this would also cause a secondary issue if the demand were to go down in the future. Its a cyclical event that I believe we have seen several times in the past, and you cant justify the investment in facilities until the demand is sustained for some time. The Yellowstone project is driving the influx in my mind.

[@davidjsouth231]

I worked with a Cody Bates in PA. What a coincidence in names.

[@johnhoward3271]

I REALLY love Your hats !!! I want one !!!! I WANT a 400x beaver & mink hat !!!!! But I doubt I'll ever be able to afford it !!!!!!

[@QVL75]

Very nice video! Thanks for sharing. What style of crown, and brim in the straw hat that he was wearing?

[@CowboyCartel]

Thanks for watching! Cody is wearing an American 5200 with a Minnick crown and looks like a JB brim. Edit: Cody just informed me it is a CHL brim.

[@gordonadams4793]

Right side the Stockyards. I know it. Buy American Hat Co hats from there. Awesome folks. Great gear.👍

[@elcurandero44]

,,,new subscriber.

[@CowboyCartel]

Welcome!! And thanks for watching!

[@elcurandero44]

,,,that's a BIG factory.

[@CowboyCartel]

Yessir!

[@FreedomKat]

I did NOT want a white straw hat... But after seeing this video I want one from them now lol.

[@tomcocci]

What do yall do with your seconds? They're excellent for rough work where its highly likely it'll get stomped numerous times and rain soaked.

[@gordonadams4793]

Also bought yer hats from NRS there in Decatur

[@vladimirlopez7840]

American hat company is not always easy to find in my area. I went out shopping today and found none. I’d love to try one on to find my size.

[@CowboyCartel]

They can be hard to find in the wider markets, If you are in TX I can give you some options. Generally they fit true to size in my experience. You need to know if you wear a long or regular oval though. We talked about how to measure your head for hat size on one of the podcasts and I intend to do a quick video on that soon.

[@wildwoody20]

I love the Bangor that's all I wear but why is it off yellow I mean off white kind of a yellow tint ? Can you make a Bangor that's white instead of a yellow ?

[@CowboyCartel]

We discussed this on one of our recent livestreams, American Bangora is pretty white, although they make a yellow one. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@ezee51]

Hearing loss could be a serious issue!

[@urieldelgado6179]

Very good video. What model of hat is the one that Cody Bates wears?

[@CowboyCartel]

Thanks, and thanks for watching. Cody was wearing an American 5200

[@urieldelgado6179]

@@CowboyCartel Thank you very much, does American sell straw hats in 4" brims?

[@CowboyCartel]

Yes, but it’s more common to find them in 4.25 and 4.5, in my experience you have to call or visit one of the big dealers. Jobes Hats, Best Hat, Double R, etc.

[@TeensierPython]

I don't do cowboy stuff but I like the hats. Wish I could wear one without feeling like a poser.

[@CowboyCartel]

You just have to go for it, not is the perfect time. The market is huge right now, no one will know lol. Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@LlFE]

Working and providing for family or yourself is technically cowboy stuff. You dont need a truck, a horse, or a ranch. You just need faith. Dont forget, historically, THE WEST is a concept that existed before the first revolver. Its the frontier of faith. Even with all the bad in the world, and the bad in you, theres always a checks and balances opportunity and the west is home for the conquest of change and faith. Im currently lookin around a bit before I get my first hat, and as someone who very much an unlikely history buff, my appreciation for the human species has allowed me to empathize with the eons of change humanity has undergone to find its full range of expression, and clearly, we aint done. So whatever you do, just remember that, its all cowboy stuff. 🥂 “The Sun may rise in the east at least it settles in a final location. “ - Anthony Kedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers

[@tomcocci]

There are other styles of western hats that are less cowboy but still represents the western lifestyle.

[@javierrodriguez2863]

@@LlFEyea it doesn't matter, I worked for joe peters making felt hats, historically modern cowboy hats didn't exist as they do now, a lot of farmers and ranchers wore fedora style hats with brims smaller than the cattleman style in different times and different places people wore hats regardless if they had a farm or horse, even in México were cowboy hats are very popular, many didn't own any cattle or farm land

[@DFox-ud3gx]

I'd love to buy one of these but I live on the EastCoast

[@pennsylvanianrailfan]

There's a few places but you can order one online

[@moosesnWoop]

I need me one of these. Do you ship to South Africa?

[@beckett191145]

Where do the hat blanks come from? Are they imported or domestic?

[@pennsylvanianrailfan]

imported

[@robnewman6101]

Wow.

[@elevatedemotions4548]

5050 open crown makes my boots fit better

[@Man_Cave]

Every time I go to AHC website I see no prices or ordering information.

[@CowboyCartel]

because they don't sell direct to the public. The website and most of the information in it is for dealers.

[@Man_Cave]

@@CowboyCartel I've went to the dealers they listed in my area and none of them offer the upper grade beaver felt.

[@CowboyCartel]

@@Man_Cave Thats a huge issue over the last couple of years. These dealers have not bought a lot of stock in the past and once the hat boom happened they are moved to the lower tier. This is so American can continue to service the customers who have bought hats at high volume for years. Best Hat, Jobes Hats, NRS, The Hat Store, Double R Hat House and some others all stock up to 1000x generally. There are others, but if you look at their top 10 dealers you can probably find what you are looking for. It not ideal and I don't have any say in the matter.

[@Man_Cave]

@@CowboyCartel That is such a shame as even 20X or 30X hats are commonly not listed at all. I will check out the sites you have mentioned, and I thank you!

[@thunderhead3087]

Say, that's interesting. I bought mine cause of ventilation. I needed shade and brim. That's why I picked my hat. Now, I'll say they are durn tough and resilient but my question is, since I work outside and around thermo equipment, I get exposed to a lot of heat from the equipment and steam from thr material. Often times that steam is north of 300° and boy it's hot. My hat goes from a niche shape every now andnthen to being flattened out cause of being in the truck, wind and around all that heat. And this hat still holds up. Back to my question, does American Hat co make a hat with a thick ass laquer. I can't remember which one I bought, but I was at Cavenders and paid over 200 for it. A thick ass laquer and a thicker straw might be better, but as long as I have had this hat coming up on 7 months now, it's doing a durn fine job. Now that some feller tolt me at Cavenders it's better to shape it when it's cold(cause I get such regular exposure to steam) it will last longer, I'm lookin forward to it. But I got a wedding coming up and this one gots quite a bit of oil and resin and dust andndirt that's been impregnated into the hat that I can't get really clean. I need a new one, would like a more durable one, specially the tall crown. The crown is kinda soft when I grab it off in a hurry with gloves. Yall got one thats reinforced? Maybe it's the ventilation and crown shape that makes it soft, not sure

[@nocturnal1one]

Arlington aka south Oklahoma

[@DJDAVEKHEN]

I had a pony as a kid, rode horses a few times, helped brand some cattle one time, now only have chickens. Do I qualify for a hat? I don't want to be "all hat and no cattle" Lol.

[@CowboyCartel]

I have a few squirrels and feral cats, do I? Wear a hat and don’t worry about the labels. If being a cowboy were the determining factor for wearing a hat, you’re probably only talking about 10%, or less, of the actual people wearing them. Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@DJDAVEKHEN]

. @CowboyCartel Haha, definitely some feral cats and squirrels. So many cool hats. I appreciate the content and look forward to finding a quality hat or three

[@jimmullins4007]

so american hat is hat shapers not hat makers of felt hats. i consider the company that makes the hat bodies from raw fur to be the makers like winchester or even bollman. i believe winchester makes the bodies for stetson

[@calvinwatson1240]

I would call them hat finishers they buy the felt bodies from FESPA and as seen in the video finish the process. Your correct that Bollman does it from raw fur to finish product. So does Stetson and Resistol who are owened by Hatco. They are the only 3 that I am aware of.Greely uses Wimchester. Rodeo King FESPA.

[@jimmullins4007]

I JUST GROAN AT ALL THE ADDS FOR "hatmakers". I have "made" 4 hats from raw wool and have enough for four more. i can buy hat bodies but i want to make hats not shape them@@calvinwatson1240

[@robnewman6101]

🇺🇸

[@TonyHamby-bp2yd]

🐴🤠🇺🇲

[@jaredwood5973]

So who makes the bodies? Are they actually made in America?

[@Squashyjet]

I think they get their hat bodies overseas and just do the blocking and finishing in states

[@Justthemow]

@@Squashyjetyea he said those straw hats take 2 to 6 days to hand weave no way they are making them here in the states for 200$

[@calvinwatson1240]

American gets the hat bodies from FEPSA in Portugal

[@kennethbriody8396]

The only American hat I brought in the late 70s and it ducked compared to Restoil

[@CowboyCartel]

That was almost 50 years ago and both companies have changed hands since then... Resistol from the 80s was a great hat, now they still make a good hat but you have to go 20x to see it. You should probably take another look... Thanks for watching.

[@gordonadams4793]

Nuthin defines a man's mind set than a man who has the stones to wear a cowboy hat like he's worn one all his life. Hehe. Some of us have. What's that there song? I was country- when country wasn't cool. Silly city folk.

[@kennethbriody8396]

Used to be 100x beaver was as good as it got, so what's with these 500x-1000x sounds like marketing bullshit!!!

[@CowboyCartel]

X factor used to be 10x was 100 percent beaver, times change. 100x is still beaver with most reputable companies. As with most other companies you start to add better material as you go up to 500 and 1000x. 500x for American is all beaver belly with has a smaller diameter and is much softer. it makes a great feeling and strong hat. 1000x is going to be beaver belly and some other luxury fur, with Stetson its chinchilla, American uses Mink. Thanks for watching.