Alley Kat Hat Co

[Landman]

Thanks Lando. That is a great color combination. I know what you mean about the Black Cherry color. It looks black in low light but put it against another color or take it outside and it totally changes. It is one of my favorite colors. Tim did a great job on that one!

 

[Tedquinton]

I do love black cherry and there do seem to be a number of different shades out there. I have Art's light weight, which is very dark and have seen other dress weight felts that are several shades lighter, this seems to be another shade again. Is it winchester felt?

Looks great and a really interesting ribbon choice.

 

[Lando]

This is my hat when we were still discussing ribbons. We tried out a few different ones, and ended with the brown. But I was very taken with how the blue looked against the Black Cherry and it will probably be on my next hat from him. I've been wondering how a cream or a tan would effect the color but havent had the chance to see the combination yet. The blue ribbons seems to almost make it look navy at first, so I wonder if a tan would make it look brown. Just a very strange color lol.

 

[bowlerman]

Incredible, lando! The last pic does look positively blue on my screen. Beautiful hat no matter what spectrum it reflects.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[ManofKent]

Incredible, lando! The last pic does look positively blue on my screen. Beautiful hat no matter what spectrum it reflects.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

+1

 

[Landman]

Wow, that does make the felt look blue! It is almost like the blue of the ribbon reflects on to the felt.

I have one in Art Fawcett's lightweight black cherry. Art put a basic Open Road style ribbon on mine but the bow keeper is a dark shade of maroon. Just that little bit of maroon changes the color of the felt dramatically in the right light. I wonder, since the maroon is only on one side, if the other side would appear to be black while the bow side is a different shade. I've never looked for that effect on it. I'll see if I can take some pictures to capture the effect on both sides.

Also, my black cherry felt feels much softer than my other lightweight beaver bodies from Art. I remember reading somewhere that for a light colored felt Winchester had to bleach the fibers first and then dye them. For dark colored felt they don't bleach the fibers, they just dye them. Skipping that step I think explains why the darker Winchester bodies feel much softer and more luxurious to me than the lighter colored bodies.

 

[Lando]

Bunny Black Cherry on its way to me! Hazzah!

 

[ManofKent]

Looks great Lando.

 

[Landman]

Great looking hat Lando. The highlighted bow keeper is a very classy touch. Great job Tim!

 

[Preacher Man]

Lando that's a great looking hat, ribbon, bow, and bash!! Well chosen and Tim, well done my friend!!! I'm sure you will wear it well Lando!!

 

[Lando]

Tim's 31st hat arrived today. I'm really amazed that it's only his 31st hat because it's a beautiful piece. He managed to get a nice wide brim out of the bunny black cherry body and the lighter ribbon draws some great tone out of the already lighter black cherry color. I'd love to see how good his work's going to get when he hits 100 one day, but for now, this is a really great hat. The furfelt has a nice smooth light feel to it and the stitching is tight through out , without any inconsistencies. Great pricing, good communication, solid construction: it's just a great package over all. You know that feeling you get when you pull a new hat out of a box and just need to stare at it for a while, turning it in your hands. Then you put it on and just leave it there while you go about your day until eventually your wife asks if you're going out lol.

I'm very happy with Tim's work and I will do business with him again. If you're unsure, try him out, you won't be let down by his skill or enthusiasm.
I've tinkered with hats but I'm just no good. My passions for hats does not translate into a skill to make or manipulate them very well.
In Tim's case, his passion for hats has clearly translated into a skilled ability to create them.
I said this in another thread, but I'll reiterate it here; I feel very lucky to have found so many great hat makers. Most of them by the direction of you folks here, so thanks for that.

 

[ManofKent]

That looks great Lando.

I can second your comments on Tim's communication and enthusiasm. I've placed an order with him and his communication has been first rate.

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Thank you for the kind words everybody.
Lando. The hat looks very good on you. Glad to have you advocate for me here. I only know one way to do things; something my dad instilled in me. Do it right or don't do it at all. I take pride in every thing I do. Most importantly my having work out there long after I am gone is a satisfying thing for me. Enjoy!!

Tim's 31st hat arrived today. I'm really amazed that it's only his 31st hat because it's a beautiful piece. He managed to get a nice wide brim out of the bunny black cherry body and the lighter ribbon draws some great tone out of the already lighter black cherry color. I'd love to see how good his work's going to get when he hits 100 one day, but for now, this is a really great hat. The furfelt has a nice smooth light feel to it and the stitching is tight through out , without any inconsistencies. Great pricing, good communication, solid construction: it's just a great package over all. You know that feeling you get when you pull a new hat out of a box and just need to stare at it for a while, turning it in your hands. Then you put it on and just leave it there while you go about your day until eventually your wife asks if you're going out lol.

I'm very happy with Tim's work and I will do business with him again. If you're unsure, try him out, you won't be let down by his skill or enthusiasm.
I've tinkered with hats but I'm just no good. My passions for hats does not translate into a skill to make or manipulate them very well.
In Tim's case, his passion for hats has clearly translated into a skilled ability to create them.
I said this in another thread, but I'll reiterate it here; I feel very lucky to have found so many great hat makers. Most of them by the direction of you folks here, so thanks for that.

 

[pjt113]

Beautiful hat!

 

[bolthead]

Tim is a personal friend of mine. I feel responsible for getting him involved in Fedoras to begin with. I never in a million yrs thought he'd be making/selling his own. I think its awesome, so much so, that I'm hoping to get one from him myself, but I want it to be special......maybe his "50th"? You listening buddy? :becky:

 

[hatophile]

That hat looks great with the jacket, too.

Nice to see Duane resurrected, Tim.

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Kurt. #50 is yours. It's on me. You gave me a kick in the ass 2 years ago when I needed it the most. Thanks brother!

QUOTE=bolthead;1776117]Tim is a personal friend of mine. I feel responsible for getting him involved in Fedoras to begin with. I never in a million yrs thought he'd be making/selling his own. I think its awesome, so much so, that I'm hoping to get one from him myself, but I want it to be special......maybe his "50th"? You listening buddy? :becky:[/QUOTE]

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

That hat looks great with the jacket, too.

Nice to see Duane resurrected, Tim.

Such a great photo....i could not resist. Thanks!

 

[ManofKent]

Tim - that number 50 can't be that far off at this rate. You'd better get planning

 

[gear-guy]

At this rate Tim might start doing this full time. My order is in the works and can't wait to see it. A man who can make hats, fly rods, and likes the blues, I call that awesome.