Making Felt Hat Bodies at Winchester Hat Corporation

See the felt hat body making process in action as Richard Beene takes the Hatted Professor on a tour of the Winchester Hat Corporation's felting plant in Winchester, Tennessee. Starting with raw fur, Winchester makes felt hat bodies for Western and Dress hat custom hatters all over the United States. Richard Beene started with Hat Corporation of America in the mid-1960s, and continued on with Winchester Hat Corporation after HCA closed their hat business in 1972. Includes a brief discussion of the forming of the Cavanagh Edge for hats.
Because the factory noise is so loud, the Closed Caption transcription is a close as it can be, and it a good way to watch this video the first time through.

[@TheGingersnap33]

If I could, I'd hug or shake every employee's hand in this presentation.I as a mater of fact now know where my Brim Started. My builder said it would come from from you outfit at Winchester. That was 2004 as Silver Belly Beaver Blank. I appreciate kniowing your hands righ along with that Beaver Build that felt blank.

[@scarlett.126]

My Grandma works here! It takes a lot of work to get the job done

[@RawUndergroundMusic]

This was great, thanks for sharing! 🤠

[@sigvr4]

Thank you for posting this video!

[@samuelcarodelcastillo3500]

Me gustaría comprar las campanas de que son de LANa o pelo de conejo

[@eugeniosolari]

Never expected to be such a long process, absolutely amazing

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

Surprising none of the workers are wearing ear protection.....It's as noisy as hell in that factory.

[@rayrock23]

what?

[@MacEstelle]

That was great thank you

[@blakesby]

Brilliant and informative. Thanks!

[@mariachiblues]

blakesby is that you? lol

[@MattDeckard]

Great vid! Good jobS

[@5naxalotl]

when was this shot? my information was that nobody made Cavanagh edges after the late eighties

[@bradbowers5306]

2017. You’re right, they haven’t been made since the ‘80s, except for the samples Richard Beene made for me about 20 years ago.

[@secretagentmandanV2]

Very cool and informative. He said they have some chinchilla fur and other exotic fur they make felt. I wonder where the beavers come from? Farmed or hunted in the US? Beaver is native to the Americas

[@Cosmicnomadzaa]

No hearing protection ?

[@edwardcooper6016]

Would like to make a fur hat some day

[@crunchnmunch500]

Thanks, Ive been looking for a video like this for a long time. Does this company sell blanks?

[@bradbowers5306]

Yes, that's their primary business. They sell blanks to custom hatters around the country.

[@brokesaturdays8347]

Brad Bowers I intended to ask if they sell non bulk to individuals?

[@faitan8800]

Brad Bowers So they didn't sell blanks to other countries?

[@user-im9xq7fp5r]

100 percent of staff have preconditions. wow.

[@nahimnalieldelacruzdelfin]

Please contact us to ask if they sell the pure hair per kilo, for the manufacture of handmade hats. In addition to the bells to make hats. I am very interested please. Thanks good video ..

[@bradbowers5306]

The fur they bring in from Europe, so I don't think they would sell it. They don't keep blocks (bells) at this factory, other than the initial formers

[@claudiopellerito2878]

How can I contact them?

[@skumbuzomnisi8809]

I would like to learn how to make beaver felt hats, any schools you can recommend?

[@curtisgibbs8529]

ask TRUMP

[@Beef5]

Im way into bleached beavers!

[@pickingflowers]

This Factory is an imposition for the workers . 🥺

[@Deploracle]

How can you tell? They keep coming back the next day ... despite the imposition.

[@johnfurr8779]

No longer taking on new customers. A huge shame... It looks like I'll have to buy European made bodies

[@Liehsc]

That work area looks pretty dirty.