Black Sheep Hat Works

[Hurricane Jack]

I'm in Bob's queue for a similar copy to (jLee562) Jared's BSHW clone of Alan's original Stetson Fray hat (in honor of Wm F. Fray & his Fray sweat leather) which has been discussed here. I see Jared's version as a dress hat for special occasions that a 1920's - 1930's, maybe 1940's successful rancher might have worn when an everyday Stetson cowboy hat might not do.

Now the long wait begins.

 

[mikespens]

Been a bit tardy posting these. Had a typically great visit with Bob & Garrett a few weeks back and brought these projects home with me.

This JC Penney's Hopaka was a bit small and the original sweat was too dry rotted to endure a stretch so Bob added one of his natural vented sweats for me. I love these sweats and Bob has managed to make each of mine unique with a different vent pattern each time. I was only able to find a bit of info about the Penney's Hopaka, it was the bottom of the line in their straw hat lineup and Hopaka is basically woven burlap. I saw adds from 1942 and 1952 for it and it's 1952 price was $1.95. I believe Hopaka was superceded by Dynel which was basically woven fiberglass w/o the resin/epoxy cure. Still looking for a Dynel in my size. Despite the "cheap straw" stigma of the Hopaka, this has quickly become my favorite "straw". It's tough and breathes better than any of my panamas or milans. The day after I picked this up I wore it as my only hat on a Las Vegas vacation. It survived the rough airline routine on my head/lap/anywhere I could find to stick it and helped me endure the high 90's and eventually 100 degree temps while in Vegas. All original except the new sweat.

 

[mikespens]

I also had a NOS vintage Monticristi body that Bob finished for me as well. This one also features a vintage tie which Bob converted into a pug for me. He said this tie was quite a challenge but typically he pulled it off.

The brim looks a bit wonky here but looks fine when noggin'd. I asked Bob to give it the Friedman brim treatment


Once again a different vent pattern


Proof of a non-wonky brim

 

[RJR]

Been a bit tardy posting these. Had a typically great visit with Bob & Garrett a few weeks back and brought these projects home with me.

This JC Penney's Hopaka was a bit small and the original sweat was dry rotted enough to endure a stretch so Bob added one of his natural vented sweats for me. I love these sweats and Bob has managed to make each of mine unique with a different vent pattern each time. I was only able to find a bit of info about the Penney's Hopaka, it was the bottom of the line in their straw hat lineup and Hopaka is basically woven burlap. I saw adds from 1942 and 1952 for it and it's 1952 price was $1.95. I believe Hopaka was superceded by Dynel which was basically woven fiberglass w/o the epoxy. Still looking for a Dynel in my size. Despite the "cheap straw" stigma of the Hopaka, this has quickly become my favorite "straw". It's tough and breathes better than any of my panamas or milans. The day after I picked this up I wore it as my only hat on a Las Vegas vacation. It survived the rough airline routine on my head/lap/anywhere I could find to stick it and helped me endure the high 90's and eventually 100 degree temps while in Vegas. All original except the new sweat.






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http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/mikespens/media/BSHW/DSCF1184_zpslq6ku26c.jpg.html
Nice,I really like the shape.

 

[1mach1]

Mike, two great straws there! Love the pugs. Bob did nice work on these.

 

[mikespens]

Thanks RJR and Harv, couldn't agree with you more!

 

[alanfgag]

Great twosome. Seems a perfect transition for a beautiful tie when the tie days in one's wardrobe come to a close. I am honored to be referenced in the wonky brim that magically becomes non-wonky. Hi to my NW friends.

 

[navarre]

I hope you know that it is with the utmost respect that we refer to this as the "Alan style taco brim".

 

[alanfgag]

Totally. I feel respected.

 

[hatsRme]

Also respectfully known as the "Friedman Front."

 

[shrek]

Love the burlap lid !!! I want one.

 

[mikespens]

Here's a couple pix of a concept hat that Bob recently finished and posted on his Facebook page. I took these before it was finished and you can clearly see the through the crown and sweat vent holes. It's not as simple as it looks

 

[DJH]

Too cool, Mike. Is it for you?

 

[RJR]

Too cool, Mike. Is it for you?

That concept hat is really interesting.

 

[mikespens]

Too cool, Mike. Is it for you?

No it isn't David but I do have something similar w/o the through the sweat vents in the pipeline I'm stoked about

 

[Lotsahats]

I wanted to give a shout-out to Bob for some masterful refurb work. I picked up this 30s Stetson Feather Weight Nutria Quality Stetsonian some time ago, despite the fact that the unreeded sweatband desperately needed to be resown. I wore it nonetheless, until the day that the final thread gave on the band. I talked to Bob about the chances for repair, and he said I should send it on to him; he would do what he could. And what could he do? The man hand-stitched the original sweatband back in using the original stitching holes:

Bob is so wonderful to work with; he's always friendly and patient, and even while running a booming bespoke hat business, he finds the time to act as a conservator on our vintage treasures. What a true artisan!

A

 

[RJR]

I wanted to give a shout-out to Bob for some masterful refurb work. I picked up this 30s Stetson Feather Weight Nutria Quality Stetsonian some time ago, despite the fact that the unreeded sweatband desperately needed to be resown. I wore it nonetheless, until the day that the final thread gave on the band. I talked to Bob about the chances for repair, and he said I should send it on to him; he would do what he could. And what could he do? The man hand-stitched the original sweatband back in using the original stitching holes:

Bob is so wonderful to work with; he's always friendly and patient, and even while running a booming bespoke hat business, he finds the time to act as a conservator on our vintage treasures. What a true artisan!

A

Nice to see the work of an artisan.

 

[hatsRme]

Nice to see the work of an artisan.

Isn't he?!!

 

[Frunobulax]

I wanted to give a shout-out to Bob for some masterful refurb work. I picked up this 30s Stetson Feather Weight Nutria Quality Stetsonian some time ago, despite the fact that the unreeded sweatband desperately needed to be resown. I wore it nonetheless, until the day that the final thread gave on the band. I talked to Bob about the chances for repair, and he said I should send it on to him; he would do what he could. And what could he do? The man hand-stitched the original sweatband back in using the original stitching holes:

Bob is so wonderful to work with; he's always friendly and patient, and even while running a booming bespoke hat business, he finds the time to act as a conservator on our vintage treasures. What a true artisan!

A

That's impressive. And inspiring.

 

[zetwal]

[...] The man hand-stitched the original sweatband back in using the original stitching holes [...] a true artisan!

Good to know ... thanks for sharing