Anybody ever hear of Otter's being used for felt? They are like rodents here in Virginia and they are like beavers in the sense that they are in the water as much as on land. I was just curious if their fur could possibly have the same qualities as beaver.
Beaverlid
Otter Fedora
Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Dalexs
Otter Fedora
Last edited by beaverlid on Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Michaelson
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Re: Otter Fedora
Apparently they USED to be, as I found reference to a 1917 article in a hunting/trapping magazine on how much they liked otter fur for felt hats, and used to blend them with beaver fur in the felting process.
I imagine, like alligators, once otters were put on the protected wildlife list for a while, their population went through the roof as no one was hunting/trapping them anymore.
So, the answer seems to be 'yes', but they're only collected in a controlled number, and not that much for fur felt anymore.
I did find a LOT of Canadian companys who sold otter fur hats, and a VERY few who DID sell otter fur felt ladies hats in a cursury search, but nothing big.
Regards! Michaelson
I imagine, like alligators, once otters were put on the protected wildlife list for a while, their population went through the roof as no one was hunting/trapping them anymore.
So, the answer seems to be 'yes', but they're only collected in a controlled number, and not that much for fur felt anymore.
I did find a LOT of Canadian companys who sold otter fur hats, and a VERY few who DID sell otter fur felt ladies hats in a cursury search, but nothing big.
Regards! Michaelson
Re: Otter Fedora
Michaelson, thanks for the reply. 
I have often wondered about it. I would be curious about the quality of felt their hides would produce. Maybe they will make a comeback one day. I doubt very seriously that they are still endangered. I live near a mountain called the peaks of otter and they are like I said above everywhere like rodents. They are fun to watch in the water playing and I have no desire to put them back on the endangerd list.
I have often wondered about it. I would be curious about the quality of felt their hides would produce. Maybe they will make a comeback one day. I doubt very seriously that they are still endangered. I live near a mountain called the peaks of otter and they are like I said above everywhere like rodents. They are fun to watch in the water playing and I have no desire to put them back on the endangerd list.-
binkmeisterRick
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Re: Otter Fedora
"Which hat will it be, then, sir, this one, or the otter one?"
Re: Otter Fedora
binkmeisterRick wrote:"Which hat will it be, then, sir, this one, or the otter one?"
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Hollowpond
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Re: Otter Fedora
One bad pun deserves an otter.binkmeisterRick wrote:"Which hat will it be, then, sir, this one, or the otter one?"
travis
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Michaelson
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Re: Otter Fedora
Travis, I think what you REALLY meant was that we 'otter' smack bink up the side of the head for that one. ](./images/smilies/Indy_wall.gif "Brick wall")
Regards! Michaelson
Regards! Michaelson
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Hollowpond
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Re: Otter Fedora
Michaelson wrote:Travis, I think what you REALLY meant was that we 'otter' smack bink up the side of the head for that one.
Regards! Michaelson
Now, now Michaelson, do unto otters as we would have them do unto...second thought, yeah go with the smacking! 
Travis
Re: Otter Fedora
Yeah, I think any fur that would "felt" has been used at one time in hat history. I recall talking to the owner of Optimo, prior to Graham buying the biz. Think his name was Mike. When I asked him of fur content in his hats, he mentioned everything but rabbit. " I use a variety of different furs, but no rabbit" or something like that. I would think that otter would make a great hat, afterall, it's a water rodent.
Re: Otter Fedora
Theoretically if you happened to find a dead one...
Uhhh
It would in theory be shame to let the fine specimen decompose if "said" incident happens you could
ummmm...
Preserve him.
Yes thats it. So that you would not let this fine specimen escape the viewing of this generation and not let it go to waste.
You'd be surprised the actual odds of this happening.
This is on the off chance you happened to to find a deceased otter.
Uhhh
It would in theory be shame to let the fine specimen decompose if "said" incident happens you could
ummmm...
Preserve him.
Yes thats it. So that you would not let this fine specimen escape the viewing of this generation and not let it go to waste.
You'd be surprised the actual odds of this happening.
This is on the off chance you happened to to find a deceased otter.
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binkmeisterRick
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Re: Otter Fedora
Travis, Michaelson, I'm gonna leave this plane on otter pilot and jump out with the last parachute, leaving both of you to your fate.
Re: Otter Fedora
Moderators lets get this thread back on topic.
Sorry I always wanted to say that.
Sorry I always wanted to say that.
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Hollowpond
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Re: Otter Fedora
Oh, just hang out in the posts that Bink lurks in and you'll get to say it plenty!beaverlid wrote:Moderators lets get this thread back on topic.
Sorry I always wanted to say that.
I'd love to carry this on all night, but I'm otter time and I have otter things to do.
Travis
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binkmeisterRick
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Re: Otter Fedora
Alright, Michaelson, start the car up. We got some huntin' to do!beaverlid wrote:Moderators lets get this thread back on topic.
Sorry I always wanted to say that.
Re: Otter Fedora
I'm otter here!! 
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DR Ulloa
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Re: Otter Fedora
I've wondered bout this too. Nutria felt is great too. Any water rodent will make good felt, I'd imagine. Anywaym glad I could get this thread back on topic...that otter direction it was going in was stupid.
Dave
Dave
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Hollowpond
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Re: Otter Fedora
How bout duck-billed platypus?
Travis
Travis
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Michaelson
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Re: Otter Fedora
Locked and loaded!binkmeisterRick wrote:Alright, Michaelson, start the car up. We got some huntin' to do!beaverlid wrote:Moderators lets get this thread back on topic.
Sorry I always wanted to say that.
Regards! Michaelson