Clearwater hats

[hatflick1]

Has anyone ever ordered a hat from Clearwater?
http://www.clearwaterhats.com/Victorian/victorian1.htm
Some of the Old West and Civil War hats look like those I
have seen in films and TV shows like Hell On Wells.

 

[Neophyte]

I believe Bowlerman has a hat from them. I thought about it a while back, but they removed the plantation hat and a BotP style I was interested in years back.

 

[bowlerman]

Yep, good memory, neo. I have a black derby. I had to stretch it a bit, but that's probably because I measured too tightly and cut out my cardboard headform poorly. So I have a bit of front and back taper now but it still wears well. Good quality fur felt, NOT finely pounced (doesn't bother me at all in this case) and an old style very wide and thin leather sweatband. Some o the photos on their website might lead you to believe their hats look like the vintage photos, but if you order a rolled brim, obviously don't expect anything close to a D'Orsay curl.

My only pic handy at the moment (horsehair band bought separately):



Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[Blackthorn]

Has anyone ever ordered a hat from Clearwater?
http://www.clearwaterhats.com/Victorian/victorian1.htm
Some of the Old West and Civil War hats look like those I
have seen in films and TV shows like Hell On Wells.

If you order, let us know how you like their hats. I may end up ordering from them, too, in the future.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

You may also want to check out Tim Bender. I don't own any of his stuff, but he's well respected in the Cowboy Action Shooting crowd.

http://benderhats.com/

Later

 

[bowlerman]

Tim's a great guy to work with. Uses virtually the same materials, and takes a lot of pride in historical accuracy, particularly with regard to the American civil war.
I'll try and get a photo of my Tim bender hat here soon.
Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[Blackthorn]

It appears that Clearwater offers more styles than Bender. I like that, FWIW.

 

[hatflick1]

Thanks, all, for the feedback.
Looks like a safe place to order a
derby for old west shows held locally
and in Nevada.

 

[Pinhead]

I too, have a bowler from them. I'm still a neophyte when it comes to better hats, so I can't add any comparison thoughts.

It is one of my favorites and I wear it often. I've decided to treat it like a real workingman's hat and wear it while camping, and such. When the weather turns chilly again, I'll probably wear it even more.

It took a looong time from ordering it to receiving it, which they clearly explained it would.

(I would order from them again, and I think there may be a top hat in my future.)

 

[bowlerman]

Hey Pinhead, I'd love to see pics of yours if you'd post them here. I didn't think Clearwater had too long of a turnaround time, but then again my basis for comparison at the time was Knudsen Hats and Falcon Park Hattery. Each of those had a long (but expected) wait.

On a side note, I've always kind of wanted one of their "Mosby" style hats. It seems like a very low topper, but others seem to classify it as a flat topped derby. I don't know which is more correct, but I think I like it. Sometimes I wonder whether Tom Petty's old brown one is in this style.

Here are some more shots of my Clearwater, and my Tim Bender below it. The felt bodies seem very similar, and there are some stylistic similarities between sweatband and liners.

This is Tim Bender's "medium crown bowler," in pecan, though others may refer to it as a beehive.

 

[Blackthorn]

Is there anyone else who makes hats like that Shiloh, without having to do the head conformer thing? I know my head measurement and that I'm a long oval, I doubt I could use a paper cutout to make it any clearer.

 

[Haversack]

I've four hats from Clearwater. Two John Bulls, (pecan, tan), a low-crown brown derby, and a black high-crown top hat. Last time I ordered from them was in 2002. The pecan John Bull gets worn a lot. Once after I was caught in a heavy downpour Art reblocked it for me. (That was back when he was still in Rodeo). I've also had the ribbon replaced by the ladies at Paul's Hats. It my go-to hat for when I want to get out of the City. I'll see if I can dredge up a photo or two

Haversack.

 

[Pinhead]

(I would have taken pictures of it on my head, but I had to shave for work recently. Now, instead of looking like the Captain of a fine sailing vessel, I'd just look like a chimney sweep. Give me a few weeks.)

For some strange reason, mine looks exactly like yours. Mine's a bit fuzzy now and a bit ashy
from the bonfire:

I curled the sides of the brim myself because I'm a cocky waif, like that.:

Yours appears to have a different name inside than mine. Imagine that.:

And, speaking of a bit fuzzy, here's my ol' fat cat, for no reason at all.:

 

[Pinhead]

I'll see if I can dredge up a photo or two.

And the Top hat also, please.

I have heavy inclinations to appear Slash rocker'ish before all my hair falls out completely.

(I don't want to be a bowler-guy the whole rest of my life! My ol' leather jacket (with the too short sleeves) requires a suitable accoutrement. (And a cigarette! I have one here somewhere.))

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

Check Buckaroo hatter's facebook page. There is a guy with a full beaver top hat with a leather hat band with silver skulls. Slash is JEALOUS.

Later

 

[bowlerman]

It's a nice bowler, Pinhead, and you're right-- almost exactly the same. The stamp in my liner says "Cyrus Douglas Beaver Hats, St. Louis, MO," or something of the like.

I too would love to see the John Bulls, etc.

1961MJS, I love that Buckaroo topper! If only I could wear something like that out of the house. Then again I did see a dude out in the Black Hills just before Sturgis time wearing a tall brown top hat (probably wool) with a double buckle studded leather band he told me he got in Prescott, AZ. He was built like Ichabod Crane, only with a white beard down to his belly button (Lefty's future self?) and jeans n' cowboy boots. One day I want to sketch a picture of him, how he was sitting in the passenger side of his lady's car, smoking a cigarette with the door half open and one leg up on the window...

 

[mrwilmoth]

Nice hat!

(I would have taken pictures of it on my head, but I had to shave for work recently. Now, instead of looking like the Captain of a fine sailing vessel, I'd just look like a chimney sweep. Give me a few weeks.)

For some strange reason, mine looks exactly like yours. Mine's a bit fuzzy now and a bit ashy
from the bonfire:

I curled the sides of the brim myself because I'm a cocky waif, like that.:

Yours appears to have a different name inside than mine. Imagine that.:

 

[gtdean48]

Is there anyone else who makes hats like that Shiloh, without having to do the head conformer thing? I know my head measurement and that I'm a long oval, I doubt I could use a paper cutout to make it any clearer.

Art can do it. I've got a BotP from him that is very similar.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Clearwater Plantation. I had VS reblock it and replace the sweatband and liner.