What do the X’s Mean on cowboy hats?
Noble Boots. The “X” markings in a felt cowboy hats indicates how much fur content is included in the fur blend used to make the cowboy hat. The more wild fur included in the fur blend used to make the cowboy hat, the higher the “X” marking for that cowboy hat.
What is the difference between 2x and 100X cowboy hats?
The more wild fur included in the fur blend used to make the cowboy hat, the higher the “X” marking for that cowboy hat. A 2X hat has the lowest content of fur felt for a cowboy hat - a 100X cowboy hat has a much higher content of fur felt.
How do you know if a cowboy hat is real?
The more beaver fur that’s in the hat, the better a hat it is, and the more X’s it is labeled with. One thing that many people don’t realize is that there is actually no standard or rule when it comes to labeling the quality of a cowboy hat!
What is a X Factor hat rating?
X Factor Hat Rating was originally determined by the density and shape of the material, and ranged in grade from a low of 1X to a high of 10X. Hats made of material rated below 5X generally contained a poorer grade of fur and little or no beaver fur. A 10X hat was made of 100% beaver fur.
Why The X System Can Be Confusing, Part 1
Even though rating the quality of a felt or straw cowboy hat by using Xs is common, there isn't an industry wide standard for its use.
Why The X System Can Be Confusing, Part 2
Not too many years ago the X rating system for cowboy hats applied to felt cowboy hats only. At that time the Xs indicated the amount of beaver felt content in a hat: The more Xs a hat had, the more beaver felt was used in its making.
What does the X mean on a cowboy hat?
As far back as the 1930s, the X rating system applied to felt cowboy hats. Back then, the X indicated the amount of beaver fur felt content in a hat. Beaver is one of if not the best quality fur for hat making. Beaver hats are durable, water-resistant, light-weight and thin.
What is a beaver hat?
Beaver hats are durable, water-resistant, light-weight and thin. In addition to cleaning up better and lasting longer, they hold their shape better than most other materials. As such, More X’s meant more beaver felt used in the hat’s making.
What is a good felt hat?
But ultimately, the real test is the look and feel of the hat: a good quality felt hat is soft and silky rather than hard and dry. When all is said and done, the X system can still be useful when comparing different hat models from a particular maker.
Is there an industry standard for X factor?
And the confusion stems primarily from the fact that there’s no industry standard for the X rating system. In theory, a higher X factor should denote a higher beaver content. Hat makers use the system as a relative rating of quality for their own line of hats, but the system used by one manufacturer may or may not be comparable to another maker’s ...
What does the X in a cowboy hat mean?
The X’s stand for the amount of beaver that is in a hat. The more beaver fur that’s in the hat, the better a hat it is, and the more X’s it is labeled with. One thing that many people don’t realize is that there is actually no standard or rule when it comes to labeling the quality of a cowboy hat! For example, diamonds are measured in carats ...
What is the difference between 10X and 40X hats?
A 10X hat is great if you’re getting your first hat and still deciding where you want to go long-term with all your future hats, or if you don’t wear one very often. A 40X is going to be the first hat that has a really good amount of beaver in it.
What is a 200x hat?
A 200X hat is pure beaver back. This is the first hat that is 100% beaver. A 500X hat is also a pure beaver, but it is beaver belly. A good comparison is that of full-quill ostrich and smooth-quill ostrich. Both options are GREAT leather options, but full-quill is just a little higher quality. Same thing with a 500X and 200X!
What is the X factor of felt hats?
Well, according to a book called “The Cowboy Hats” it explain that in the hat making field, felt has traditionally been graded according to its X-factor. X Factor Hat Rating was originally determined by the density and shape of the material, and ranged in grade from a low of 1X to a high of 10X. Hats made of material rated below 5X generally ...
What is a 10x hat made of?
Hats made of material rated below 5X generally contained a poorer grade of fur and little or no beaver fur. A 10X hat was made of 100% beaver fur. The X-factor was also a fairly reliable price guide, with a 3X hat costing $30 and a 4X hat costing $40 and a 5X hat costing $50 and so on.
What does the X on a cowboy hat mean?
The “X” markings in a felt cowboy hats indicates how much fur content is included in the fur blend used to make the cowboy hat. The more wild fur included in the fur blend used to make the cowboy hat, the higher the “X” marking for that cowboy hat.
What is the X mark on a cowboy hat?
The higher the “X” marking the better quality of the straw cowboy hat. All natural straw materials are from plants that are grown and cultivated at the proper time. The straws need to be prepared properly before the weaving process begins. Some process include stripping, washing, cooking, dyeing, and drying.
What is the lowest fur felt for a cowboy hat?
A 2X hat has the lowest content of fur felt for a cowboy hat - a 100X cowboy hat has a much higher content of fur felt. Fur felt cowboy hats are also available in 200X and up.
What is the difference between 2x and 100x felt?
A 2X felt will have a rough and stiffer feel and look vs a 100X which will have a soft silky feel and look.
