Shorty's Caboy Hattery - Custom Western Cowboy Hats

Phone 800.853.4287 Mon-Sat 8:30am - 5:30pm CST

Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ's)

Q: Why should you buy a custom hat as opposed to a hat off the rack?:
A: 1.) First and foremost, the quality of the fur is much greater in a custom hat. The fur is hand picked and is imported from France. Shorty's Custom Hattery's Beaver Blend hats are blended with European Hare which is much better than domestic rabbit fur because the climate is so much colder, making the fur coat much thicker.

2.) At Shorty's Custom Hattery, we do not powder or stiffen our hats. Powdering and stiffening simply breaks down the fur fibers and weakens the hat in the process.

3.) Shorty's Custom Hattery's hats have shellac built into the hat body. As the hat goes through the different procedures, the shellac causes the hat to stiffen NATURALLY.

4.) In bad weather, it is not necessary to wear a "hat cover" on a Shorty's Custom Hattery hat because they are very water resistant naturally and WILL NOT SPOT. If handled properly after getting wet, your custom hat from Shorty's Custom Hattery will not lose its shape!

5.) Shorty's Custom Hattery guarantees that the dyes used in our hats will not run if they get wet. Many of our competitors most expensive hats (especially black hats) will not hold the dye if their hats get wet!

6.) Shorty's Custom Hattery uses the best hat bands available. This is one of the main reasons our hats are more comfortable to wear than our competitor's.

7.) Shorty's Custom Hattery's hats are considerably lighter weight than our competitors hats. For this reason, they can be worn comfortably year-round.

8.) When purchasing a custom hat from Shorty's Custom Hattery, you are given an almost limitless number of options to "personalize" your hat. This simply isn't possible with a hat bought "off the shelf".

Q: I hear some people say "blocking" and others say "shaping". Is there a difference and if so, what is that difference?
A: This is one of the most commonly confused terms. If used incorrectly, you could get yourself into trouble! BLOCKING is when a wooden block is used to completely take all existing crease out of the hat for a different crease or to lower the crown (if it is too tall). SHAPING, on the other hand, is only "refreshing" your hats existing crease and to straighten up your hat's brim. As you can see, if you go into a western store or even a custom hattery, using the correct term in this case can be crucial!

Q: Are cedar balls or moth balls better to protect my new hat?
A: Never use moth balls to protect your hat when it is being stored! Use either cedar balls or even cedar shavings that are available at pet stores (use either of these, but first test to ensure the cedar is treated to prevent sap from escaping from the wood and getting on your hat) . Cedar naturally repels moths, etc., and will prevent your hat from being destroyed. If you use cedar shavings, when you are ready to wear your hat, simply brush any stuck shavings off with a hat brush and you are ready to go!

Q: Do I really need to buy a hat can?
A: It depends on how much you wish to protect your investment! The boxes that hats are shipped in are simply that: shipping boxes. They are not meant for long-term storage of hats. Shipping boxes are designed for the hat to rest upside down. If left in this box for a long period of time, your hat will lose its shape. A hat can will allow you to place your hat the way it sits on your head without destroying the shape of the crown or brim of your custom hat. Hat cans are made of a very durable/sturdy plastic that prevents hats from being crushed. There are even hat can "systems" that will allow you to "stack" multiple hats in a single unit. This is very convenient when traveling and/or showing horses. A good hat can is very small investment to make to protect your custom hat over the long haul.

Q: How often will my new hat need to be reshaped and/or cleaned?
A: Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. If a hat is stored properly (in a hat can with cedar shavings or cedar balls) and is treated with care, it should take years of wear without needing any special attention. Remember that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". This phrase is true of your custom hat, as well.

Q: How long does it take to make a "custom" hat?
A: Excluding drying time, the entire process takes approximately eight hours. That doesn't mean that a custom hat can be completed while you wait! Remember, that each hat is made individually, by hand, and that attention to detail causes the actual time for all orders to take somewhat longer. There is also a "seasonal" factor involved. Our busiest time of year is Fall/Winter. During that time, it may take longer to complete your hat due to a backlog of orders. We encourage our customers to purchase their hat whenever they choose, however, a hat purchased in the Spring/Summer will usually not take as long to deliver.

Q: What do the "X's" inside the hat band really mean?
A: The "X's" inside your beaver fur hat represent the quantity of actual beaver fur in the hat. A 100X hat is guaranteed 100% beaver fur. An 80X hat, for example, is 80% beaver fur and 20% European Hare fur.

Q: How can I tell the difference between a 20X and 100X?
A: A 20X hat is somewhat thicker and the finish is not nearly as "velvety". Also, a 20X hat does not feel nearly as "soft" as a 100X hat. Remember, the higher the number of "X's", the greater the percentage of beaver fur in Shorty's Caboy Hattery Custom Hats. Remember, too, that beaver fur is intended to repel water naturally. The beaver is an animal that spends most of its life in the water. That is why, over the years, western hats have been made of beaver fur.

Q: Are there different hats appropriate for different occasions?
A: ABSOLUTELY! It depends on the purpose for which you are wearing the hat. If you show horses, for example, different hat shapes and colors are more appropriate for different classes. If you are wanting a more "formal" hat, you wouldn't want a "buckaroo" crease. However, for leisure and a night on the town, nothing says "I'm here to have fun!" more than one of our more "buckaroo" styles, which can include special binding, beading, etc.

Q: Why are they called "beaver" hats?
A: Again, they are called beaver hats because they are made from beaver fur. This makes the hat not only water resistant, but more durable and capable of holding its shape.

Q: Can I wear felt year-round?
A: Again, ABSOLUTELY! Shorty's Custom Hattery's hats can be worn year-round because they are lighter weight than most "shelf" hats.