Felt Cowboy Hats - Part 1

What to know before buying a felt cowboy hat, and answers to questions regarding my personal hats
Due to an increasing number of requests for support, I have started a Patreon account. I am humbled by everyone's generosity, and your support allows me to continue producing content. If you wish to support this and future videos, please consider supporting me on Patreon. / drycreekwrangler

[@drybayoudan5429]

At 64, I have learned that most people in public, respect my wearing cowboy hats, jeans, vests, boots, coats, & even spurs. I haven’t ridden in years. I , recently, attended an old friend’s funeral. I dressed out in my best jeans, shirt, & a nice jacket, w/ my black Stetson. As a walked up to a group of friends, one(the chief of police) said, “I thought that was you, by your walk. Then I studied the hat, & knew that you were the only one I knew that could “ pull-off” that look. I respect that you wear your look proudly.” He also asked if my hat was a Stetson. Of course, I responded with a tip of my hat & thank you. After many years, & many hats, I wear them & present myself proudly, with a good dose of humility thrown in.

[@voxhumana2able]

This guy needs to start narrating or doing some kind of voiceover work. That voice is cool as hell! 😎🤠

[@55tuu5]

A western audio book narrator or short stories would be awesome

[@sacredsam6046]

It’s a manly voice. It’s that he have confidence, and knows how to speak well.

[@Denzlercs]

After I watch one of his longer videos I feel more relaxed and start talking like him. There’s a fine art to that kind of living that few people seem to have. Sam Elliot is another that has a timeless classic western voice.

[@gavinward1299]

Red dead redemption 3

[@billjohnson3525]

He does a podcast..

[@wiltonsmith3397]

Someone once said: “Broke is a temporary condition, poor is a frame of mind.”

[@soslothful]

One suspects those who are in poverty would disagree.

[@dakotareid1566]

@@soslothful probably because they’re in the poor frame of mind

[@soslothful]

@@dakotareid1566 What is "the poor frame of mind"?

[@dakotareid1566]

@@soslothful broke is you don’t have much money but you work to change it. The poor state of mind is the mindset of oh poor me I’m in a bad situation and it’s society’s fault and there’s nothing I can do. You basically just blame your situation on everything else, and you do nothing to change it. That’s the poor frame of mind

[@soslothful]

@@dakotareid1566 Well, fair enough over all. But still, one can be financially devastated by no fault of one's own. Many people have certainly had this happen with all the COVID created hardships. Other things such as crushing medical expenses, or the death of an income provider. Others may be at a sever disadvantage through poor education or social injustice.

[@bobjohnson1689]

I am not a working cowboy , but the boots and hats have served me in construction and remodeling , I’ve always shaped my own hats and I like the way they look…they’re me . I’ve always bought second hand cause I could never afford a new Stetson but didn’t want to settle for less . Glad to hear I’m not crazy sticking a hat in the shower to get it ready for shaping . Thanks for your video .

[@KENNETHCARNIE]

Same here, but I'm medically retired firefighter medic. Salute to fellow who works hard for what he has. 🫡

[@bobjohnson1689]

@@KENNETHCARNIE Thank you for your sacrifice , we need more like you .

[@itllkeal]

I love my old 4xresistall beaver hat

[@Docsjeff]

So glad I found your channel. More “Men” and young boys need to see your videos. I’ve ridden a lot of colts,calf roped and team roped for years,but my back gave out on me,so now I even have to sit down to play and sing my music.Going to have a major back surgery in either late Nov. or early Dec. to try and get me standing up straight again.I’ve been 6’4” since my Jr.year in H.S. In 2009 I had a back fusion go south on me ,& now at 61,I can tell everyone if their shoes need tying because I’m so humped over.Now I’m 6’01. I’ve got identical twin granddaughters that are about to be 11,& they’ve never seen me totally upright. Really hoping and have a lot of prayers that this surgery can get me back standing up straight again. Didn’t mean to ramble,just excited to see someone that shares my morals and lifestyle that I try to maintain. Thanks for this channel and please,please keep ‘em coming.

[@stephencooper3668]

Prayers sent your way for a successful surgery.

[@charlescomly1]

I absolutely agree with you about a man's hat being an expression of who he is, nothing I hate more than seeing some guys waring what I call a cookie cutter hat, I miss the day when a man took pride in the hat he was wearing being his unique design. Thanks for bringing up this subject so that I could get that rant off my chest.

[@MrStaybrown]

Cool Hand..I agree and share your view. 40+ years ago I noticed my dad or grandpa would buy a hat and steam their own shape, I do the same today. It does express who you are. 👍

[@firebird77clonefirebird89]

in Iraq, we hot issued "boonies caps", desert camo, very wide brim and a drawstring chin strap. They were supposed to be worn "floppy". I got called out many times by sergeant majors because I would form my brim like a cowboy hat, with the drawstring on top to join the shape. I would comply with the SGM and "floppy" the hat, then put it right back as soon as he was out of sight.

[@lupegonzales5120]

Like my grandad and my dad, I’ve been a hat man all my life. Even whilst deployed during my career in the Marine Corps I took my hat with me. Needless to say, I took a lot of heat from my fellow gyrenes when we had liberty. You can guess some of the comments…. Anyway, you are spot on about my hats expressing my personality. I too block my hats at home to fit my needs and gets quite a few compliments. Keep up the good work brother and we’ll keep coffee on the fire.

[@catholicchristdisciple]

What country where you deployed if i may ask ?

[@muleskinner4495]

Let’s hear about boots ( style, heels and toes) when you have time. Thanks for the videos!

[@martyhinnenkamp1]

I was in the shoe and boot business for 30 years I may do a video on boots just as you are talking about! thanks for the idea I used to have two dozen pair of quality boots laying around but can't wear them anymore but still have three pairs left enough to do a video

[@muleskinner4495]

@@martyhinnenkamp1 I would appreciate it and I’m sure others would as well. Thanks

[@shannonpattenthepatriot517]

@@martyhinnenkamp1 do you wear your hats in the rain

[@46rambo49]

I crushed and ankle and wear White's lace up farmer/ranchers with no issues, can't do pull ons

[@jonpaul6948]

@@shannonpattenthepatriot517 Felt hats withstand rain very well, the more beaver in them the better but pretty much all felt will perform surprisingly well in the elements.

[@packsaddle101]

When I was growing up, the Gus crease was originally called the "packer's crease" or the "Wyoming slope." Then in 1980, when Steve McQueen came out with the movie "Tom Horn" and was wearing a hat with that particular crease, people started calling it the "Tom Horn" crease. Then in 1989 when "Lonesome Dove" came out, folks started calling it the "Gus" crease. I had been wearing my hats with that particular crease way before those two movies were produced, although like you, have always put a mule kick in the back. I've been leading a pack string for over thirty years and still call it the "packer's crease." A little over ten years ago, I was introduced to an old cowboy who took one look at my hat and said, "Packer's crease!" So, I guess I'm not the only one who grew up calling it that. Great video.

[@bennyblanko3]

In Donnelly Idaho we call it the "Rangus Winnemucca" after Randy Priest of Silver Tip Hat Company. That's one of Randy's nicknames, and he's built plenty of good looking hats.

[@mikehagan4320]

Isn't the Crease you spoke of also the same as the Montana Crease? Though I'm not sure it had a donkey kick.

[@packsaddle101]

@@mikehagan4320 Hmmm. Not sure. I've heard of the Montana Peak, but always heard this one called the Wyoming Slope or packer's crease. Of course, different regions have different names for different creases. It used to be that you'd go into a store and all the hats were open-crowned, i.e. no crease whatsoever. You'd buy the hat and then they'd shape it the way you wanted...or they'd let you use their steamer and you could shape it yourself. (I can see that I'm dating myself here.) Bottom line...find the crease that says, "you" and wear it. A good hat will last your grandkids. I know because one of my grandsons has the first 4x beaver Stetson I bought many, many years ago. I remember it cost me $12.50...and I kept thinking at the time, "Golly, can I afford this?" That shows you how long ago that was. Of course, the quality felt on that old 4x beaver is much better than the 4x beaver hats nowadays. I guess that's what they call progress.

[@sweetdrahthaar7951]

@@bennyblanko3 Randy has another nickname. God. He played the part in a movie. His daughter is an actor and that connection is how he got the job.

[@bennyblanko3]

@@sweetdrahthaar7951 Yeah, he is the only one I know who can control the weather, and make lightning bolts appear on a sunny day ... heh heh - a good friend to know. IBID ... I thought he played dog ... but I have many brain troubles ...

[@ben2jamming]

I live in Spain. But I love these type of hats. I live in Madrid the capital of Spain where no one uses hats like these or likes cowboys or you know any references to America. I want to get a cowboy hat either way. I just Iove the look. And also I've been a fan of westerns and cowboys all my life. I really love your channel. I think you are a good elder to look up to. Please keep making these videos they really mean a lot to me. Much love from Madrid Spain.

[@grassblade63]

I discovered that 'water shaping' method by accident, when I was caught in a driving rain with one of my felt hats on. I kind of reshaped the crown from a cattleman to a mild gus, and wore it dry. Worked like a charm and fits my head a lot better after that, too.

[@dave-d-grunt]

That’s how I’ve “shaped” new boots too

[@lrg613]

Now, you’ll need a rain cover. Haha!

[@Denzlercs]

That’s a great idea that I never thought of before. People do that with ball caps too.

[@Denzlercs]

A man’s hat is an extension of him. It does speak volumes about a man and his personality and attitude. Chivalry is very strong in western cowboy life.

[@dextersuarez9948]

Bought my first Stetson, what a marvel of handmade beauty. Im 30, grew up in the city, serve in the military and probably never would have been the type to wear a western hat had I not walked into my particular profession. Theres something about being in the trades and services that makes you appreciate blue collar handmade and the history behind it. Thank you for sharing, I appreciate everything you put out.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Great info and glad to see you and I feel the same about the Cattleman crease!

[@bungendores_finest]

I am so glad you mentioned Akubra. Being an Australian cowboy myself I have a deep love for that brand in particular. I personally wear a Akubra “rough rider”. It’s in black colour with imperial quality fur felt finish with a beautiful sewn and twined leather band with a tail feather spur on-top. One of my favourite features is the eye opening brand design inside the hat in a white satin finish. It’s my favourite style hat being a rodeo western look aswell. Great video as always, get excited all the time when Aussie things are mentioned in these great videos. Awesome work! One of my top clicked on channels now.

[@evelynmueller6523]

I have 4 myself!! love the akubra!

[@opticalecho119]

My uncle showed up to Christmas in Texas with an Akubra and now I have to have one

[@Jrhnhemp]

How about that Bush Tucker Man’s hat?

[@CristiNeagu]

@@Jrhnhemp Apparently that's an Akubra Sombrero.

[@CristiNeagu]

I've been using a Snowy River for years now. That hat has been with me all over Europe. Really nice hat.

[@wholesome122]

Ever since I started playing red dead 2 I’ve been getting these videos recommended and I love it

[@TimberTramp]

I’ve done lots of searching re: hat shapes. It fascinates me, the personality that bleeds from a hat!

[@robertherronii4773]

God I love your videos, thank you so much. I've worked with cattle on and off most of my life, doing all kinds of things from dairy farm work to working ranches in recent years. Dad used to say I had manure in my blood, lol. I've always bought the cheapest hats I can find because of finances and because I know that it will eventually be completely destroyed at some point, stomped on, covered in manure, even used to water horses in places because of necessity, excetra. That's probably why my hats usually only last a year. When my father passed away a few years ago, I was given his 100x Stetson. He never wore it working, it was his "Town" hat so I'd never gotten the chance to examine it close. When I took it out and looked in it and saw the silk liner with the picture on it of the cowboy watering his horse with his hat, well it brought a tear to my eye. Through snow and rain and dust and mud, a hat definitely becomes a part of you. Your totally right about what a hat says about a person, like working with someone for the first time that shows up wearing a brand new hat with gold or silver bands. Thank you so much for talking about things that I've learned through so many years. Lots of the things you talk about I've always done but also wondered if it i was doing it the correct way. People that have worked in cattle have shared experiences we often don't even realize until your chewing the fat and having a cold one after a long day of working chutes. Thank you sir, and... My hats off to you.

[@MLukacs]

Great video! Thank you! I have an old felt hat that I reshaped into a Gus style with a rattlesnake hatband that I’ve had since the 70’s. Two years ago, I bought a Sunbody palm leaf straw hat in a Gus style with a 6” crown & 5” bound brim. It’s a big ol’ hat, and I added a 7-strand horsehair band from Knot-A-Tail with double tassels. This year, I bought a Montecristi Panama hat. When you said that your hat is like your signature, you ain’t a kiddin’. Sure appreciate all your wisdom and advice. I’m subscribing!

[@heathersletters6491]

Fascinating. I’ve always had an iinterest in millinery. Just started cutting a few patterns and have some wool roving to work into shape. So this was timely for me in terms of thinking ahead to making adjustments to the hats once they are made. I would love to be apprenticed to a hat maker. Anyway, this is my favorite video of yours so far and I very much appreciated the discussion of the hat as signature/extension of someone’s actual person.

[@reskridge]

I get my hats made at the Standard Hat Company in Waco, TX....they really hold up well. I always suggest getting a step up from what you think you can afford if possible....never regretted it.

[@Backwater-wanderer]

Sir, you have a great channel. Wonderful content for folks of all backgrounds and skill sets, I just wanted to say thanks and let you know how much I enjoy it

[@frankherbert6476]

As a country fur buyer, I heartily encourage everyone to buy a beaver felt hat!

[@rwfoxtrot]

G’day from Australia! I had an Akubra “Man form Snowy River” that I bought when I was 18. 35 hard working years later it’s finally been retired as the holes are almost bigger than the felt! Australian sun is just as nasty in the cities as the country so I now wear a 50X custom beaver hat I purchased from O’Farrell Hat Company of Santa Fe NM. It was expensive but very much worth it! Cool in summer and warm in our mild winters (not even a frost here in Brisbane!). Just discovered your channel and am enjoying it very much. Stay safe on the trail. Cheers!

[@phyllisoconnell2050]

My grandfather wear his Akubra hat everyday, when he passed away, he was buried with it on

[@jessehawkes1298]

I’ve got my 3 hats. My ranchin hat, good hat, and Cav hat. My ranchin hat was given to me by a dear friend and has been everywhere. My good hat I got made while I was in Montana, 50X wide brim it’s great. And my Cav hat is what I wear in uniform. I’m a cavalry scout in the army and the Stetson with the gold ropes, cross saber, and unit crest is just part of tradition

[@donaldkissler4676]

What unit are you currently with? I have served (retired now) with 2/1 Cav, 1/10 Cav, and 3/4 Cav.

[@jessehawkes1298]

@@donaldkissler4676 2-13 CAV out of Fort Bliss

[@lowes891646]

@@jessehawkes1298 & Donald Kissler: Thank you BOTH for your Service to our Country. You're BOTH true Hero's. Thanks again.

[@bluelionsage99]

My main wear cowboy hat is straw, but I have my son's Cav Stetson he gifted me when he changed units. Pulled the unit crest as on the rare occasions I do wear it I don't want to accidentally misrepresent I served in that unit.

[@cupboard_raider]

Cav Stetsons are fantastic hats. My dad had one for his dress uniform as a Game Warden and the quality was good as all get out

[@andrewjost6714]

I visited Powder River hats in Elizabeth, Colorado where the owner/proprietor makes custom cowboy hats of all shapes and sizes, and he gave me a tour and education on hat making. Said he custom made cowboy hats for several movie stars for their westerns. Showed me the beaver felt, described the different felt contents (1x, 2X, 3X etc) ,the head molds (whatever they are called), and mentioned he makes recommendations to the customer based on personal features (height, head/face shape, etc) on what styles to consider. Never knew their was so much involved! Very interesting tour!

[@roymahaffey6987]

My first experience with you sir, I liked it. I don’t usually thumbs up a video because most content providers start off by begging for likes and subscribe before you even see the content you however happen to be covering a topic I’m interested in (hats). I liked your style so I just went on and hit thumbs up and I think I’ll subscribe.

[@zaledalen9931]

Thank you for this video. I really appreciate a well done video that teaches me something about a subject I knew diddly squat about and presents it in a calm, laid back way. You have just taken my understanding and appreciation of cowboy hats, and beaver hats in general, from zero to a level somewhat higher. This has set me up for the whole day. Now I'm off to find the big bag of hats I've collected over he years and check out my old cowboy hats to see how much information the labels hold, if any. Eventually I'm going to make myself a hat. A personal hat. A hat that is exactly what I want to wear and be seen in. When I achieve that, I'll have a lot more to thank you for. This is a great start.

[@nmelkhunter1]

Great discussion on hats. You’re right about a hat being a personal choice and an appendage of the man wearing. You do you is the way to go. God bless.

[@jeffreyp.powers2320]

Someone posted a video on KZbin a year or so ago of Roy Rogers shaping his signature hat. He used the shower method but used hot water and really steamed up the bathroom while shaping. I grew up watching Roy. He was definitely the King of the Cowboys in his day.

[@FREEMAN....]

I now know where Sam Eliott found inspiration.

[@lonnieeichele2498]

I've waited over 40 years for a Rand Hat. I'm very impressed with the quality and the company (under new ownership since Nov.2020). Enjoying your videos. Straight up-no BS. Thanx

[@jamesevans9007]

There are a number of good hat makers across the country. My preference is Watson's Hat Works in Arizona, but there are others I've bought from and like.

[@greyghost1101]

I had Rands build me one when I was with 1st cav . Best one I ever had and still have. Great company still even agree m after the youngsters took over.

[@matthew7489]

These are great info. I’m in middle Tennessee. A lot of folks around here don’t understand the benefits of straw and felt hats. I am a farm manager at a wedding venue and I’m outside a lot. I wear a straw cowboy hat in summer and a 100 percent beaver cowboy hat in winter. They have many benefits as keeping weather off of you and can protect your head if you fall on ice in winter lol. Anyway most people wear them for look’s around here. Maybe you could do a video talking about the benefits of wearing a cowboy hat.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

Nothing beats a nice wide brimmed straw hat for doing work in the summer. The only thing better is probably a soaked pith helmet but then you look like you are on a safari.

[@melodikos]

Have a good trip,your content is gold!!! Best wishes from Greece!

[@erichernandez2398]

Thank you. I am happy to learn this. Can't wait to watch more of your videos.

[@keiththomas3867]

Thank you for making these videos! It is nice to find someone on youtube who has the right perspective on life and promotes the cowboy way of living. I hope you are able to continue making them and know that we really appreciate your sharing of the wisdom you have gained through the years. I am currently dealing with cancer and your videos provide a nice change of pace for me when I can't be active. Like you, I too am a Christian and I admire your willingness to share your faith in the videos you make.

[@briandrum2418]

Keith I'm sad to hear that you're battling cancer. As a fellow brother in Christ I will most certainly keep you in my thoughts and prayers. God bless and You can do all things through Christ who gives You strength (Philippians 4:13, one of my favorites) 👍✝️

[@lowes891646]

Hey, Keith. Our Lord has the last word on our health as in everything else in life. I'm sure you know this. I was diagnosed with a terminal illness in 2007. The doctor said if I took chemo, I'd have a 33% chance of survival. If not, I had two years to live. I took 11 months of chemo, and at the end of treatment the doctor said it didn't work and asked me if I wanted to go again. I said, "nope, I'll trust my Lord and my God... 13 years later, I'm as strong as ever, inside and out. Jesus is Lord of everything, including our health. Ecclesiastes 3:2 is quite clear. He's Lord of our birth, Lord of our lives and Lord of our death... God has you in the Palm of His hand... and remember, 1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, those things which God has prepared for those who love Him." There is wonderworking Power in His Blood! God Bless you Brother. You're in my prayers for sure.

[@WolfRanger2008]

I don't know what I was expecting but I thoroughly enjoyed what I found. Consider me enrolled. Thank You.

[@lynwilson3174]

Glad to hear you mention Rands. I got my hat several years ago from Rich Rand. Best hat Ive ever owned. One of the. best hat makers in the world. Sounds like a commercial for Rands it's not it's just that the quality and service you get there is awesome. Love your videos.

[@doublet630]

Great stuff here. Many questions answered. Especially the shaping technique. Thank you Sir!!

[@deanc8077]

Good info spot on with what has happened to the quality of hats over time. I tend to stay in the 7X lane these days cuz I like my hats to last. Like your shaping concept. I'll spray them down with water maybe steam them a bit with a steam iron. Once shaped though I may give the brim especially a shot of spray starch to firm everything up as it dries. Works wonders especially on a real old hat. Always more than one way to skin a cat.

[@maxbelflower4981]

Outstanding info Thank ya much...now I'm gonna watch part 2

[@diamondranch44]

Great video. I love my felt hats but their too hot in the summer so I wear a heavy vented straw hat in the summer or a palm leaf. The palm leaf hats shape getting soaked and wear dry as well. I pretty much stick to Easter to Labor Day is straw hat weather.

[@dmjhotense]

Awesome info on the iconic American western hat! Thank you sir! God bless the American cowboy!

[@BadnewsCrews]

Man that hat shaping tip did the trick. That's what I've been looking for. A lot more time to be able to shape it the way I want

[@josie4065]

Thank you, Dwayne. I'm thinking about getting my first hat and pretty self conscious about it. I'm definitely going to be taking my time in finding a good one.

[@jerryaldridge6174]

WEALTH OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND EASY FOR ANYONE CAN COMPREHEND KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING

[@marktaylor8659]

Nothing like a cowboy hat with good character.

[@walkersasha7722]

Super useful information. Makes it easier to search my perfect hat now. Thank you.

[@jordanmiller9807]

Very informative video. I appreciate you taking the time to explain. Thank you, Sir!

[@bear9020]

I've shaped a number of hats, standin' at the stove, over a pot of boiling water. Finally got fancy, a few years ago, and bought a brass tube contraption that plugs into the end of a Revere Ware kettle. It directs the steam really well, for shaping.

[@shadowulf]

I'm with you on 4x or better when it comes to the felt. I thought it was just me thinking the quality had dropped off through the years. I had a 5x Bailey in silverbelly for a lot of years. Lining "rotted out", so it became my flyfishing hat. The stitching finally gave out between the brim and crown. Never replaced it. Never found another that fit like it.

[@rossdrayton5476]

G’Day Mate from Central Australia. Loved the video. Many Thanks and God Bless

[@oldhollywoodbriar]

Clint Eastwood has his hats made at Baron Hats in Los Angeles. They’re all 100% beaver if you want to get something quality. They worked on all of the Indiana Jones hats and even made hats for Elvis, The Rifleman and Bonanza.

[@mildbill2806]

Mighty fine group of outstanding hats. Many thanks for letting us get a better look at them. Your sure right, the 100 percent beaver is the only way to go. My everyday wear is a Stetson made in 1955 I found on e-bay, after a long time search. It had a cattleman crease, but I reshaped it to an open crown. After many years of daily use, it is sweat stained, and battered, but no amount of money offered could wrench it from me.

[@sonofslade8235]

Only way to go!

[@josephfortner4500]

I wanna thank you for this video. I just got my first "real" quality cowboy hat. I usually go to tractor supply and get those straw Justin hats. Long story short there really ain't no real hat shops around me so I had to order me a hat. It came in and it's the hat I ordered it just looked alot more dressy than it did in the picture. I wanted a nice quality hat for everyday use and not a dress hat. Well I tried your shower trick and now it's absolutely perfect. I love your channel, and thanks for helping me solve my hat issue.

[@Believer1427]

Thank you for these videos. Very entertaining and informative

[@charlesschenck911]

Now I know a lot more about hats. Thank you for doing this video.

[@LarryGenePate]

I Really enjoy the video. Thanks so much for sharing. Its great to find someone that shapes thsir hats the way i do. I subscribed to your channel. Keep up the wonderful job you do on these!!!

[@aureliobrighton1871]

I highly appreciate your genuine and firm conduct of the video ... living in Bavaria the style of hat do differ considerably though there are a lot of cows and farms close by :) .. so I wanted to share my notion that someones 'tools' in general can tell a lot, that is for things having gained patina from work . Thanks and all the best from Munich

[@craig5477]

Dewayne is real. I don’t own a tv so I do spend some time on you tube. If I run across something interesting I might subscribe. But almost without fail over time I will either discover things I’m not comfortable with or just get bored & drop my subscription. But the more I learn about Dewayne the more I enjoy it here. Partly cause he’s a good story teller & partly because I learn about something thats really interesting. But also because I think he’s a good man. Just my opinion but I think that’s a rare thing.

[@joycemartin4889]

Thank you sooooooo much for this video. Learned so much. I LOVE wearing hats!!!!!!!

[@JJ-ez8fd]

Thank you. That information was special.

[@johnolson7319]

Enjoyed your video. I shape my own hats also. I use a steamer or the shower method you mentioned but I call it the bathtub method. When I was living in New Mexico I did some rodeoing and some old west reactments. I have 5 different hats I built myself that I use in the reenactments. Since I moved back home to Montana I still do reenactments and use the same hats I had in New Mexico, added a couple more since then. A couple of the hats I had to replace the sweat bands because the originals got to dry and cracked up to use. So I replaced it with a sweat band from a regular cap and stitched it in with unwaxed dental floss. I forgot to mention that I also remove the silk liner when I do the bath tub treatment and put the liner back in the hat when I finished shaping the hat. I do my own hat bands, Stampede draw cords too. All my hats are 4 and 5 X quality and found them used at thrift stores and yard sales. Well before I bore you to death LoL 😆 keep up the good videos and take care.

[@colemanwads]

As a trapper I’ve always been proud to know the beaver pelts I harvest go to make some of the best cowboy hats in the world.🤙🏽 great video! And great channel! Other than riding broncs in high school rodeo I am not anything of a horseman, I can stay on and spur a the wild ones but I know very little about horses and how to actually ride a normal horse. but I love listening to you and appreciate you taking the time to produce these videos. Stay safe out there and keep up the good work!

[@jimf3932]

You're right about spending the money to have a hat made. Worth every penny. Rand's is probably the dominant real hatter but there are smaller one man/lady shops out there in places like Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arizona, New Mexico and California. I've got two beaver felt hats. Both 100% beaver. One with a Montana style/Gus crown from a shop I think is now defunct, Colorado Mountain Hat Co. out of Fairplay, CO. They made it for me back in 2004. No conformateur fitting, just off a tape measurement yet they pretty well nailed it with a long oval that pretty well shaped to my head in short order and has held up wonderfully over the years with being worn in African desert sun and heat, Central Asian and Caucasian snows and southeast U. S. rains. My other is a charcoal grey Montana peak crown with a pencil curled brim by Fred Schafer out of Noble, OK. Was able to get measured by him when I visited his shop. Spec'ed the hat out as to material (100% beaver), brim size, crown height and shape and he had it made within two or three months. It's just terrific. Despite costing twice as much as my CMH hat from 18 years ago thanks to china/the weaker dollar, I still consider these hats a bargain for their quality and durability for regular wear. I doubt you'll find the factory made hats lasting past a year, maybe two, with daily wear in the weather.

[@haroldhudson748]

Just stumbled upon your channel a couple days ago. Golden content keep it up.

[@jgcelliott1]

It seems like cowboys, trappers, and miners might all wear similar hats, but with different choices or changes for different reasons. It would be interesting if you might talk about why someone might choose one hat over another. These videos really are gems, thank you for making them. .

[@VchaosTheoryV]

As a Trucker, i wear one and it helps keep the sun out, and the water off my shoulders when dropping trailers.

[@ChrisSmith-jcs1111]

LOL. I cowboyed with an old hand when I was in college back in the 70s in north central Oklahoma and he told me the best way to shape a hat was to soak it. Glad to hear someone else does the same. Also, I agree about not letting anyone touch or wear your hat. Lost mine to a pretty girl at a David Allan Coe concert Memorial Day weekend in 1978. I asked her to dance and after a few beers she wanted to wear my hat. Went to the restroom and when I came back, she and my hat were gone.

[@stephencunliffe3879]

Excellent , thanks for the info.

[@leroymorris6036]

sure appreciate your ideas and stories...

[@softballsoccerball]

Thank you. I'm so glad I found you. Better late than never.

[@richardsweat9315]

Good teaching video. I purchased a hat in Dallas Texas in 1964 from the shop that provided JFK with the hat he was presented when he arrived in Dallas, and the Texas governor with his hats. Like your experience...the measuring, lining with my initials in gold made it an 'experience' That hat cost me $200 then, almost a months pay, which as a single guy working was tough on the budget...but that hat lasted over 15 years. Your right about the hat defining you. it was as much a part of me as the hair on my head.

[@tedabott7253]

Excellent advice on hatsI couldn’t agree more!

[@davebarr9378]

Just found this channel a couple days ago. Really enjoying it. You're right about a hat being a signsture...I'm sort of a blue collar guy in a white collar industry. People say my hat(s) are distinctive to me..they are somewhat like yours. BTW, I live not far from you..over in Benton County. Thanks for the great content.

[@jeanmorin3247]

Man, this is good! I'm going to re-shape my hat as I always wished it would look. Wish me luck!

[@robswett3816]

I loved this video! Great information.

[@stevebuckskinner5482]

Being into hats as I am also, I have never known a beaver to be mixed with wool. I know that they mix beaver with English hare. That is rabbit/hare. They also make them out of Buffalo wool of which I have a couple of. Love watching your videos!!!

[@deanmacka4975]

I got my hat when I was 17 , took me about 2 years to get the right shape but yeah I did the shower thing at first , then kept on shaping the thing every time it rain on the thing. I still have that same old hat . Yes she's been repaired but it's the perfect shape and hat for me. Great stuff mate 👍

[@anoldmaninthewoods2548]

Your method of shaping your hat is the same as how I "shape" my cowboy boots. I like your vids!

[@jimmorrison306]

I checked out Rands website. They look awesome. I’m sure good hats were as expensive in the old west as good hats are today. Thanks for sharing.

[@beeamerica5024]

Used to have a 4X black with Teton creases love that hat now you make me want to get another one 🤠💯🐝

[@alayaheart7384]

Great video and advice! Been wearing a cowboy hat last 3 decades working on the ranch in Rockies! Women wear them to work too! :)

[@ggnutsc]

A tea kettle with about an inch of water set to a weak boil on the stove top is about as good a way I’ve ever found to shape/crease a hat.

[@renrakudo]

Thank you for the information. I have two hats one is a 3x and the other is a 5x.

[@curtispollay9939]

Thank you for your experteace and knowlage on all your vidios it greatly needed today.

[@johnwolfen4243]

Thanks much, I picked up a 6X Serratelli broken arrow (Wyoming Slope) in Casper Wyoming last year. The guy looked at me a bit odd when he asked to trim it down. I explained nope I live in a very rainy place and use my hats as shelter. The only thing I did was turn the rim up a bit.

[@bigalsoutdoorexcursions1885]

Awesome tutorial on felt hats

[@samualstanley8671]

Dude your awesome brother...just found your channel...love it!!!🐴🐂🏇

[@davidjaeger1791]

Taylor Park and Taylor Canyon are MAGICAL !!!! Been there many times over the years.

[@CaptainCowboy476]

I have been looking for a video like this . Thanks for the info

[@comesahorseman]

Chris Ledoux had a song about "This Cowboys Hat", didn't he? Good stuff.

[@Cubestone]

One of the toughest outdoors hats (not a dressy National Western Stock Show hat) I've ever had is my Stetson Buffalo fur hat. It's a little heavy for the heat of summer, but it turns rain and snow away great. The worst that's happened from water is a bit of starch surfacing when it dries. It's taken a beating and holds up.

[@garyj2101]

Great information thanks for sharing. Enjoy your ride next 3 days.🇺🇸👍👍🤠

[@aztecgold8997]

Thank you sir.....great info. I know about caps, now I know hats

[@clarkstone-bear7742]

This is a good video sir. Thanks for the upload

[@montanamountainmen6104]

I have several Stetsons `10X and a few Bailey's. I wear them a lot in the field. But lately I found favor in the tried and true Fedora of the 1930 -1940's era. They are beaver and rabbit . I actually enjoy them and the fit almost any attire.

[@robin7623]

My father taught me how to steam hat's so since I was around 11 or 12 I've have happily sorted my own style out, now at 71 I still wear daily , in fact if I'm seen without one of my Stetson's people ask " where's the hat ! "

[@1madhatter363]

This was great info! Thank you 😉👌🏻

[@eliegbert8121]

The world needs more men like you

[@xochj]

Love your work!

[@jefferyvollers2705]

Thanks for the video man. Helpful content. I have a Resistol 6x beaver cattleman, in beaver color.