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[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

They look good in the pics but at the price of a Valencia you are approaching the price for a custom rabbit felt hat.

Fortunately I purchased them on sale. BUT from the education that you are providing, I best ask advice here for my next custom hat.

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

If you can pick them up at a 50% discount it makes more sense. But at $400 for a beaver felt mass produced hat you can commission a custom hat.

I purchased them under 200. Do you think that was unreasonable?

 

[belfastboy]

I purchased them under 200. Do you think that was unreasonable?

I am not a fan in general of factory made hats. I would rather risk the vintage market or go custom as I think it is money better spent. Under $200 is waaay better than the $400 for the Valencia but as a relatively new custom hat maker it is my goal to make a custom hat for less than what Stetson charges for theirs. In factory made hats I think Akubra represents the best value out there. I am down to just two modern Stetsons....Stetsonian model.....great felt, generally well made but shoddy ribbon work and it hasn't worn well. But I did buy it on sale. If I had paid the full $275 I would be disappointed in the value.

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

I am not a fan in general of factory made hats. I would rather risk the vintage market or go custom as I think it is money better spent. Under $200 is waaay better than the $400 for the Valencia but as a relatively new custom hat maker it is my goal to make a custom hat for less than what Stetson charges for theirs. In factory made hats I think Akubra represents the best value out there. I am down to just two modern Stetsons....Stetsonian model.....great felt, generally well made but shoddy ribbon work and it hasn't worn well. But I did buy it on sale. If I had paid the full $275 I would be disappointed in the value.

Wow you are a custom hat maker! How fortuitous. How about posting a link please?

 

[belfastboy]

Wow you are a custom hat maker! How fortuitous. How about posting a link please?

Don't have one yet. I am busy with just word of mouth and repeat business. Thinking of an Etsy site when I get caught up but fearful of being over whelmed.

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

Don't have one yet. I am busy with just word of mouth and repeat business. Thinking of an Etsy site when I get caught up but fearful of being over whelmed.

Sounds like you are intent on quality craftsmanship

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Sounds like you are intent on quality craftsmanship

I’m one of his repeat customers. His hats are great, and I have a few more in the works with him...and a few more on the horizon.

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

I’m one of his repeat customers. His hats are great, and I have a few more in the works with him...and a few more on the horizon.

And you have impeccable taste DH. BTW I just installed the Akubra kangaroo chinstrap in the hat on my Avatar. It’s the one that I blocked yesterday and modeled after your moonstone Akubra.

 

[TheOldFashioned]

I'll second DH and vouch for @belfastboy as he made me this hat this past summer:

Wow you are a custom hat maker! How fortuitous. How about posting a link please?

Don't have one yet. I am busy with just word of mouth and repeat business. Thinking of an Etsy site when I get caught up but fearful of being over whelmed.

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

I'll second DH and vouch for @belfastboy as he made me this hat this past summer:
View attachment 300878 View attachment 300879 View attachment 300880 View attachment 300881

That is quite an original work of art

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

I'll second DH and vouch for @belfastboy as he made me this hat this past summer:
View attachment 300878 View attachment 300879 View attachment 300880 View attachment 300881

Would you mind describing that hat please?

 

[riffraff]

Good morning, all,
I need some opinions on brands/models for a replacement hat. My new dog tore up my favorite Akubra (chewed it into confetti) which, naturally, is no longer being produced. So, trying to find something similar.

Picture a Fed IV in dark blue made with the felt weight and brim size of a Stockman.

My hat lost its sweatband years ago but pretty sure it was a Weekender. No idea when it was produced as I bought it used.

Any suggestions? I do have a Fed IV but I don't think it's going to be to the task of outdoor ranch work. I had a Stockman rebashed to a center crease for a while but didn't really care much for the taper of it.

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

Good morning, all,
I need some opinions on brands/models for a replacement hat. My new dog tore up my favorite Akubra (chewed it into confetti) which, naturally, is no longer being produced. So, trying to find something similar.

Picture an Fed IV in dark blue made with the felt weight and brim size of a Stockman.

My hat lost its sweatband years ago but pretty sure it was a Weekender. No idea when it was produced as I bought it used.

Any suggestions? I do have a Fed IV but I don't think it's going to be to the task of outdoor ranch work. I had a Stockman rebashed to a center crease for a while but didn't really care much for the taper of it.

So sorry for your loss! The bushman and cattleman are tougher western felt. Although that being said my Black Stetsons crown was pretty firm compared to the softer crown on my new bushman seen in the avatar. The bushman’s brim was quite stiff. They are advertised as rugged western felt by Akubra. Sorry that I don’t know more about the Fed IV. I read about a week ago that the Indiana Jones model, I think called the adventurer was taking the Fed IV place. It has a 3 inch front and back brim that tapers to 2 3/4 on the sides as I roughly recall. I think the crown was about 5.5 inches and open. Hope that helps.

 

[riffraff]

Thanks for your comment! I have a Fed IV (carbon grey) as my 'nice/dress' hat. Not sure how well it would hold up as a outside-all-the-time working hat. Maybe okay but who knows?

I've written DM to see if they ever offered a blue Adventurer. It would at least help figure out what model I had. I don't recall mine having a fedora-style ribbon but it could just be something else that came off over the years.

I definitely know the Weekender was made in blue because I was able to find a photo of one. Just not sure when they were produced?

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

Thanks for your comment! I have a Fed IV (carbon grey) as my 'nice/dress' hat. Not sure how well it would hold up as a outside-all-the-time working hat. Maybe okay but who knows?

I've written DM to see if they ever offered a blue Adventurer. It would at least help figure out what model I had. I don't recall mine have a fedora-style hatband but it could just be something else that came off over the years.

I definitely know the Weekender was made in blue because I was able to find a photo of one. Just not sure when they were produced?

Best of luck in your search.

 

[srcphoto]

Well I s'poze this is the spot to both ask for, and maybe even receive, advice...
Mr. deadlyhandsome, you appear to have amassed a sizeable collection of felts over your tenure in this joint. Ive been looking at going the custom route for a new hat, and would love your take on the makers out there, such as the quality v price ratio.

Here's some context:
I currently live in my modified akubra fedora (size 60), a regency fawn coloured one that was a replacement that was made for me by Akubra. ( I had the brim trimmed to 2 1/4, as it suits my profile better) I initially bought one new in the fall of 2019, but had a severe fault in the structure of the sweat (it was stitched in askew and off center, to the point that after a month of wearing the hat warped)

I love the replacement hat, and wear it all the time. Like pants for the head, and would feel naked without it.

I have been looking to get a similar hat for warmer weather travel, and been seeking a lighter weight felt. My living in Canada, I started by looking to Leon Drexler as a starting point. I reached out to Stephen but he has since retired this year. So I have to look further afield, and I know of no other canadian custom hatters.

Basically I am looking for a felt hat that is strong enough for travel, robust enough to handle the elements, and light enough for summer wearing or hot climates. Mikael at hufvud wrote to me that a beaver blend would be best suited, as its dense enough, but more flexible than pure beaver.

Well, you have some recent detailed opinions of some of the custom hatters (Hufvud, Hornskov, Agnoulita, or others...)

How do you find they all compare? I am partial to the idea of the 50x re-shapable felts I saw online for Hornskov, but I am unsure of the ribbon work. Im not fond of the rough scalloped trim of petersham.
Likewise, I've been looking at Hufvud, as he too uses a 50x fepsa blend, but I am less keen on the stove-pipe blocking. He does have a vintage 52s block, though) And then there was Agnoulita, who has listed both a hat named in your honour, and one named in honour of this site, though he does not appear to carry that 50x felt, rather rabbit or hare.

Anyhoo, I know it's long missive, but I would love to hear your perspective in comparing these makers. Likewise, if you know of any comparable hatters more local...(i just read further up that belfastboy from vancouver hats folk)

Cheers

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

Well I s'poze this is the spot to both ask for, and maybe even receive, advice...
Mr. deadlyhandsome, you appear to have amassed a sizeable collection of felts over your tenure in this joint. Ive been looking at going the custom route for a new hat, and would love your take on the makers out there, such as the quality v price ratio.

Here's some context:
I currently live in my modified akubra fedora (size 60), a regency fawn coloured one that was a replacement that was made for me by Akubra. ( I had the brim trimmed to 2 1/4, as it suits my profile better) I initially bought one new in the fall of 2019, but had a severe fault in the structure of the sweat (it was stitched in askew and off center, to the point that after a month of wearing the hat warped)

I love the replacement hat, and wear it all the time. Like pants for the head, and would feel naked without it.

I have been looking to get a similar hat for warmer weather travel, and been seeking a lighter weight felt. My living in Canada, I started by looking to Leon Drexler as a starting point. I reached out to Stephen but he has since retired this year. So I have to look further afield, and I know of no other canadian custom hatters.

Basically I am looking for a felt hat that is strong enough for travel, robust enough to handle the elements, and light enough for summer wearing or hot climates. Mikael at hufvud wrote to me that a beaver blend would be best suited, as its dense enough, but more flexible than pure beaver.

Well, you have some recent detailed opinions of some of the custom hatters (Hufvud, Hornskov, Agnoulita, or others...)

How do you find they all compare? I am partial to the idea of the 50x re-shapable felts I saw online for Hornskov, but I am unsure of the ribbon work. Im not fond of the rough scalloped trim of petersham.
Likewise, I've been looking at Hufvud, as he too uses a 50x fepsa blend, but I am less keen on the stove-pipe blocking. He does have a vintage 52s block, though) And then there was Agnoulita, who has listed both a hat named in your honour, and one named in honour of this site, though he does not appear to carry that 50x felt, rather rabbit or hare.

Anyhoo, I know it's long missive, but I would love to hear your perspective in comparing these makers. Likewise, if you know of any comparable hatters more local...(i just read further up that belfastboy from vancouver hats folk)

Cheers

Pants for the headbrilliant! Take it away DH and help this guy

 

[jlee562]

Well I s'poze this is the spot to both ask for, and maybe even receive, advice...
Mr. deadlyhandsome, you appear to have amassed a sizeable collection of felts over your tenure in this joint. Ive been looking at going the custom route for a new hat, and would love your take on the makers out there, such as the quality v price ratio.

Here's some context:
I currently live in my modified akubra fedora (size 60), a regency fawn coloured one that was a replacement that was made for me by Akubra. ( I had the brim trimmed to 2 1/4, as it suits my profile better) I initially bought one new in the fall of 2019, but had a severe fault in the structure of the sweat (it was stitched in askew and off center, to the point that after a month of wearing the hat warped)

I love the replacement hat, and wear it all the time. Like pants for the head, and would feel naked without it.

I have been looking to get a similar hat for warmer weather travel, and been seeking a lighter weight felt. My living in Canada, I started by looking to Leon Drexler as a starting point. I reached out to Stephen but he has since retired this year. So I have to look further afield, and I know of no other canadian custom hatters.

Basically I am looking for a felt hat that is strong enough for travel, robust enough to handle the elements, and light enough for summer wearing or hot climates. Mikael at hufvud wrote to me that a beaver blend would be best suited, as its dense enough, but more flexible than pure beaver.

Well, you have some recent detailed opinions of some of the custom hatters (Hufvud, Hornskov, Agnoulita, or others...)

How do you find they all compare? I am partial to the idea of the 50x re-shapable felts I saw online for Hornskov, but I am unsure of the ribbon work. Im not fond of the rough scalloped trim of petersham.
Likewise, I've been looking at Hufvud, as he too uses a 50x fepsa blend, but I am less keen on the stove-pipe blocking. He does have a vintage 52s block, though) And then there was Agnoulita, who has listed both a hat named in your honour, and one named in honour of this site, though he does not appear to carry that 50x felt, rather rabbit or hare.

Anyhoo, I know it's long missive, but I would love to hear your perspective in comparing these makers. Likewise, if you know of any comparable hatters more local...(i just read further up that belfastboy from vancouver hats folk)

Cheers

You might try reaching out to David Gibson at VS hats. Under its former proprietor Art Fawcett, they offered a lightweight beaver felt from Winchester.

 

[belfastboy]

Well I s'poze this is the spot to both ask for, and maybe even receive, advice...
Mr. deadlyhandsome, you appear to have amassed a sizeable collection of felts over your tenure in this joint. Ive been looking at going the custom route for a new hat, and would love your take on the makers out there, such as the quality v price ratio.

Here's some context:
I currently live in my modified akubra fedora (size 60), a regency fawn coloured one that was a replacement that was made for me by Akubra. ( I had the brim trimmed to 2 1/4, as it suits my profile better) I initially bought one new in the fall of 2019, but had a severe fault in the structure of the sweat (it was stitched in askew and off center, to the point that after a month of wearing the hat warped)

I love the replacement hat, and wear it all the time. Like pants for the head, and would feel naked without it.

I have been looking to get a similar hat for warmer weather travel, and been seeking a lighter weight felt. My living in Canada, I started by looking to Leon Drexler as a starting point. I reached out to Stephen but he has since retired this year. So I have to look further afield, and I know of no other canadian custom hatters.

Basically I am looking for a felt hat that is strong enough for travel, robust enough to handle the elements, and light enough for summer wearing or hot climates. Mikael at hufvud wrote to me that a beaver blend would be best suited, as its dense enough, but more flexible than pure beaver.

Well, you have some recent detailed opinions of some of the custom hatters (Hufvud, Hornskov, Agnoulita, or others...)

How do you find they all compare? I am partial to the idea of the 50x re-shapable felts I saw online for Hornskov, but I am unsure of the ribbon work. Im not fond of the rough scalloped trim of petersham.
Likewise, I've been looking at Hufvud, as he too uses a 50x fepsa blend, but I am less keen on the stove-pipe blocking. He does have a vintage 52s block, though) And then there was Agnoulita, who has listed both a hat named in your honour, and one named in honour of this site, though he does not appear to carry that 50x felt, rather rabbit or hare.

Anyhoo, I know it's long missive, but I would love to hear your perspective in comparing these makers. Likewise, if you know of any comparable hatters more local...(i just read further up that belfastboy from vancouver hats folk)

Cheers

I am saddened to hear of Steven Temkin @Leon Drexler has retired. I am fortunate to have two of his hats and he is a true master hatter. He does (or did) impeccable work. I hope he has moved on to something even more exciting/rewarding for him.

 

[DBA MD DLFAPA1948]

Pants for the headbrilliant! Take it away DH and help this guy

I am saddened to hear of Steven Temkin @Leon Drexler has retired. I am fortunate to have two of his hats and he is a true master hatter. He does (or did) impeccable work. I hope he has moved on to something even more exciting/rewarding for him.

hey BB good day to you. Why don’t you throw your hat in the ring and see if you can create a custom hat fir SRC here so he won’t feel head naked! Folks are pretty pleased with your skills from what they have shared.