Cowboy Hat Stampede Strings

Whether you're chasing cans, running poles, going out down the trail or shooting at your local cowboy match, chasing your Best Stetson hat under your horse's feet is never any fun.

However, Properly installing the stampede string on you Cowboy Hat will guarantee to keep that costly Western Cowboy Hat of yours where it belongs, on your head

A stampede string not only looks great, but their main purpose is to keep your hat from blowing off. We all know that on a gusty windy day or a fast run to how will send you good hat for a re-run of "Gone With the Wind".

What I am referring to by a Cowboy Hat stampede string or cord is the braided horsehair that is attachment to a Cowboy hat, or other styles of hats as well, to secure the hat on your head. The stampede string usually hangs down nearly to the belt buckle and often ends with a horsehair tassel dangling on the end of the strings.

We have all seen the stampede string at a horse show or Trail ride where the rider has tied the Cowboy Hat on with Baling twine. But trust me, you do not have to settle for twine.

If you have ever lost points at a horse show for losing you hat, which I do believe is a 5 second penalty, then you also might consider using a Cowboy Hat stampede string.

These cords earned their name from their ability to hold a Cowboy Hat in place ever in the middle of a cattle Stampede. Cowboys learned a long time ago, that they do work.

Knot-A-Tail has 15 different styles of Cowboy Hat stampede strings and each style has at least 2 to 3 color combinations. The stampede strings ranging from horse hair stampede strings or leather stampede strings.

So even for the most discriminating Horseman, there is quite a lot of different and beautifully styled Cowboy Hat stamped string styles available to choose from.

However, there are mainly just two types of stampede strings: the looped stamped string. and the cotter pin style stampede string.

You will want to know which type will work best for you and how it is installed before you make your finale decision on which stampede string to purchase.

The first type is the looped stamped string.

I guarantee that the looped style Cowboy Hat stampede string will never, and I mean absolutely NEVER pull out of your Cowboy Hat. It will be with you until both you and your Cowboy Hat retire.

Actually installing the looped style is easy but it does requires two holes be place in the brim of the hat. The holes should be as close to the lining of the hat as possible just behind the ears, or wherever you find the stampede string the most comfortable.

I usually place the hat on the customers head and them I can see just where the stampede string should rest.

If you are going to wear the stampede string in front, then place the holes in just in front of your ears. Some Cowboys like to have the strings hang in the back, not sure why, however if that is the way you are going to ear it, then place the holes so the string hang behind your ears.

Check to make sure the hat is on correctly before you punch the holes, the label goes in the back.

Once you find exactly where you want the stampede string, you will have to place two small holes in the hat. I like using an awl, which is a tool that has a small sharp point and the shaft gradually gets thicker.

The awl easily spreads the hat material apart and if you are carefully, the awl will not cut through the material but just separate the material.

Again, make sure you know the exact spot for the holes before you start.

Next, start slowing pushing the awl upward. You want to make the hole from the bottom of the brim towards the top. After countless times of installing a looped stampede string, I have found that the awl goes easier through the material from the bottom to the top and the hat holds it's shape better.

Do not force the awl though, just gently and with a standing push let it work its' way through the material.

Now test the size of the hole, by sliding one of the end loops of the stampede string though the hole. (the end loops are the loops that are on the opposite ends of the tassels) There is one loop for each side.

The end loops just loop back through themselves, so don't worry if the loops come un-looped. Just note how the loops are done, so you can redo them once you have slide the loops through the holes.

You want the fit to be tight. It is best if you actually make the hole too small and redo it a few time, rather than making one big hole the first time. Once you have threaded the end loops you are basically done.

If the end loops still have the loops just open the end loops bigger, because they form a Hat Band around the crown of the hat.

If you un-did the loops, just make the loops again. The loop is like the loop on a Lariat.

Don't worry, you can basically, not harm the stampede string unless you cut it somehow. Anyway, the looped stampede string are so long because the loops are made to become a Hat Band. So just cross the loops over the crown of the hat. Push the strings down on the crown where a hat band would rest and you are all done.

That's it for the looped stamped string. Just adjust the slider under your chin and you are ready to go.

The cotter pin type is by far the easiest to install, perhaps that is why it is so popular ones that we sell.

Again, just start by placing the hat on your head and hold the stampede string to the spot that fells the most comfortable.

If you wear you cowboy hat slightly tilted back on your head, then you might want to put it behind the ear for better balance.

Just mark the spot with your finger. Place the hat on upside down on the crown. You will see that the lining has threads where the lining is sewn into the hat.

Pick a gap between two of the threads that comes as close as possible to where you want the Cowboy Hat stampede string to be placed. Now just slip the cotter pin carefully between the treads.

On the better made hats the threads are close together, but just wiggle the cotter pin through carefully. You do not want to cut the thread on the lining, because it could cause more threads to unravel.

Push the cotter pins all the way trough just to the end of the cotter pin, but not any of the stamped string.

Next flip the lining, inside out. Now, you can easily see the cotter pins. Just spread them apart until they rest flat against the lining. Turn you lining back to the inside of the hat and you are all done: simple and easy.

Wouldn't it be perfect if after a long day's ride, if you never once had to get off your horse to chase you Cowboy Hat?

Still more importantly, you will not have to watch your good Cowboy Hat hit the dirt ever again. No more hoof prints, no more dirt, no more slapping against your jeans to get the dust off of it: Imagine that.

Not only are stampede strings one of the most particle items you can add to your western outfit, but I have to admit, I think that they are rather sexy.

Once you have installed that brand new Cowboy Hat stampede string or perhaps you prefer that Braided leather ones with horse hair tassels, you will want to learn how to take care of your new treasures.

Knot-A-Tail offers a complete Free eBook on the Care of your Horse Hair Products.
Why not STAMPEDE on over to Knot-A-Tail and take a look at some of our Hand made, Cowboy Hat stampede strings.

You will find that Knot-A-Tails,Cowboy Hat stampede strings are made from the Highest quality materials by the industry best Master braiders.

Happy trails
and may your Cowboy Hat never be "Gone with the wind "again.

Roberta Edstrom

CEO
Knot-A-Tail