Hornskov Hats - custom Danish hatter

[LinoleumBonypart]

I have 5 green hats: FEPSA Commando and a Flagstone.

Ukraine in their Military, 2 Winchester, one beaver in Moss and a nutria also in a Moss.

Id like to see these ….can you tell I’m a total newbie only owning a well worn Akubra lol

 

[belfastboy]

Id like to see these ….can you tell I’m a total newbie only owning a well worn Akubra lol

I have a dedicated thread in the Lounge: Wolfbrae Custom. Or go to @gaultrobert on Instagram. I think most of the green hats are shown there.

 

[Coler]

Well I had been admiring these and had decided to go for one. I was comfortable with 500 euros or so for what I wantes in pure beaver but his prices have gone way up - over 800 euros for what I had in mind.

I like quality clothes especially outerwear but that's way over what I would spend on a hat. Just me?

 

[belfastboy]

Well I had been admiring these and had decided to go for one. I was comfortable with 500 euros or so for what I wantes in pure beaver but his prices have gone way up - over 800 euros for what I had in mind.

I like quality clothes especially outerwear but that's way over what I would spend on a hat. Just me?

In his defense the price of beaver felt has almost tripled in the last 3 years. But yes, I have limits on what I will spend on any one hat.....and 800euros is well over it.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Well I had been admiring these and had decided to go for one. I was comfortable with 500 euros or so for what I wantes in pure beaver but his prices have gone way up - over 800 euros for what I had in mind.

I like quality clothes especially outerwear but that's way over what I would spend on a hat. Just me?

It’s not just you. There has been an increase in the price of felt, but I think there has been some disproportional increases in profit margins too.

I’d give Hufvud a look and see what he can make you. Personally, I’ve think they are better hats too.

https://hufvud.com/pages/custom-order-pricing

In his defense the price of beaver felt has almost tripled in the last 3 years. But yes, I have limits on what I will spend on any one hat.....and 800euros is well over it.

Unless Hufvud is selling at a loss, I don’t see the HUGE increase in beaver from hatters who get felt directly from FEPSA. I don’t think all of the price increases we’ve seen can be attributed to raw materials or what the factory is charging. Personally, I think profit margins on hat bodies have gone way up with some distributors. Winchester’s prices have gone up, but not terribly so, and certainly nothing like FEPSA felt.

 

[belfastboy]

It’s not just you. There has been an increase in the price of felt, but I think there has been some disproportional increases in profit margins too.

I’d give Hufvud a look and see what he can make you. Personally, I’ve think they are better hats too.

https://hufvud.com/pages/custom-order-pricing







Unless Hufvud is selling at a loss, I don’t see the HUGE increase in beaver from hatters who get felt directly from FEPSA. I don’t think all of the price increases we’ve seen can be attributed to raw materials or what the factory is charging. Personally, I think profit margins on hat bodies have gone way up with some distributors. Winchester’s prices have gone up, but not terribly so, and certainly nothing like FEPSA felt.

Beaver pricing is a mystery. Beaver pelts, at auction, have more than doubled in price in the last 2+ years. 2021 - $12 per pelt, 2022 -$25 and then at auction this spring a pelt commanded $30. The good news is that at $30 a pelt a trapper can actually earn a living!

Perhaps Winchester has forward purchased (are there beaver pelt futures contracts?) their supply that gives them certain immunity from the increases?
@purebeaver is now asking $300 for their 140gram FEPSA dress weight beaver. He is not planning to bring in any dress weight 100% beaver due to price. He has orders placed at the factory for Dec/Jan delivery on 10% beaver blends and is not sure what his costs will be. But that will be his dress weight top line offering as his customers can't compete with competition with access to Winchester's prices.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Beaver pricing is a mystery. Beaver pelts, at auction, have more than doubled in price in the last 2+ years. 2021 - $12 per pelt, 2022 -$25 and then at auction this spring a pelt commanded $30. The good news is that at $30 a pelt a trapper can actually earn a living!

Perhaps Winchester has forward purchased (are there beaver pelt futures contracts?) their supply that gives them certain immunity from the increases?
@purebeaver is now asking $300 for their 140gram FEPSA dress weight beaver. He is not planning to bring in any dress weight 100% beaver due to price. He has orders placed at the factory for Dec/Jan delivery on 10% beaver blends and is not sure what his costs will be. But that will be his dress weight top line offering as his customers can't compete with competition with access to Winchester's prices.

I have no idea what the breakdown is on costs. How much of the wholesale cost is attributable to the cost of the raw materials/beaver pelts?

It just seems odd that some European hatters can offer 100% beaver hats from FEPSA felt for $440 US that includes shipping if they are paying similar prices that North American hatters are for felt. My understanding is that the beaver used in hats is the least expensive of the beaver too.

https://www.trappingtoday.com/2022-2023-fur-prices-trapping-todays-fur-market-forecast/

 

[belfastboy]

I have no idea what the breakdown is on costs. How much of the wholesale cost is attributable to the cost of the raw materials/beaver pelts?

It just seems odd that some European hatters can offer 100% beaver hats from FEPSA felt for $440 US that includes shipping if they are paying similar prices that North American hatters are for felt. My understanding is that the beaver used in hats is the least expensive of the beaver too.

View attachment 537313 View attachment 537314
https://www.trappingtoday.com/2022-2023-fur-prices-trapping-todays-fur-market-forecast/

From what I have read it takes upwards of 4 pelts to make a capeline so yes, they must be using the lower grade pelts. Perhaps Graham at Optimo is paying for the higher grade pure beaver belly fur for his hats.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

From what I have read it takes upwards of 4 pelts to make a capeline so yes, they must be using the lower grade pelts. Perhaps Graham at Optimo is paying for the higher grade pure beaver belly fur for his hats.

I watched a Resistol video on YouTube where the beaver pelts graders referred to the lowest grade of pelts as “hatters.” As it’s bleached and dyed and no guard hairs are used, it makes sense that the lower grade pelts are used for hats.

I would link the Resistol video but it’s full of factual errors.

 

[The Shoe]

My Christmas present came up on the Hornskov Facebook and Instagram pages today.
“Custom 'Emissary' in Black Cherry pure beaver fur felt with a Midnight vintage Grosgrain ribbon & a wind cord.”

It’s on its way to Japan, but I still have to wait for over a month before I get it on my head.

 

[Rmccamey]

A very classic hat, Gary. I know it will be tough to wait for it!

My Christmas present came up on the Hornskov Facebook and Instagram pages today.
“Custom 'Emissary' in Black Cherry pure beaver fur felt with a Midnight vintage Grosgrain ribbon & a wind cord.”
View attachment 563011 View attachment 563012 View attachment 563013
It’s on its way to Japan, but I still have to wait for over a month before I get it on my head.

 

[The Shoe]

A very classic hat, Gary. I know it will be tough to wait for it!

The hardest part will be having the box sitting around the house for three weeks and not being allowed to have a peek.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My Christmas present came up on the Hornskov Facebook and Instagram pages today.
“Custom 'Emissary' in Black Cherry pure beaver fur felt with a Midnight vintage Grosgrain ribbon & a wind cord.”
View attachment 563011 View attachment 563012 View attachment 563013
It’s on its way to Japan, but I still have to wait for over a month before I get it on my head.

That is a beautiful hat. It’s a fantastic version of black cherry too.

 

[RBH]

The hardest part will be having the box sitting around the house for three weeks and not being allowed to have a peek.

You do know you will need to check it to be sure it fits!!!!!!

 

[Pellie]

My Christmas present came up on the Hornskov Facebook and Instagram pages today.
“Custom 'Emissary' in Black Cherry pure beaver fur felt with a Midnight vintage Grosgrain ribbon & a wind cord.”
View attachment 563011 View attachment 563012 View attachment 563013
It’s on its way to Japan, but I still have to wait for over a month before I get it on my head.

Nice hat and great color! Enjoy it!

 

[BobHufford]

Custom 'Emissary' in Black Cherry pure beaver

I dig it! Merry Christmas Gary!

 

[Rmccamey]

That's one of those hats I may have to copy! Would you PM me the specs, Gary?

My Christmas present came up on the Hornskov Facebook and Instagram pages today.
“Custom 'Emissary' in Black Cherry pure beaver fur felt with a Midnight vintage Grosgrain ribbon & a wind cord.”
View attachment 563011 View attachment 563012 View attachment 563013
It’s on its way to Japan, but I still have to wait for over a month before I get it on my head.

 

[The Shoe]

That's one of those hats I may have to copy! Would you PM me the specs, Gary?

I didn’t adjust the specs from the Hornskov page. Tall crown and 7cm brim. The only things I changed were to use vintage grosgrain ribbon rather than petersham, and to add a wind trolley. The Hornskov customisation page defines a tall crown as 12-15cm.
Sadly, this will be my last Hornskov. I’ve just checked the price and to get the same hat made again would cost me almost three times what I paid. In fact, I don’t see another custom hat in my future (though Steve’s @Steve1857 Wolfbrae pork pie does give me pause…I seem to recall that was a Tonak felt, right Steve?). I think I’ll just rely on the likes of Stefan, Brent, and Daniele from here on in.

 

[Steve1857]

I didn’t adjust the specs from the Hornskov page. Tall crown and 7cm brim. The only things I changed were to use vintage grosgrain ribbon rather than petersham, and to add a wind trolley. The Hornskov customisation page defines a tall crown as 12-15cm.
Sadly, this will be my last Hornskov. I’ve just checked the price and to get the same hat made again would cost me almost three times what I paid. In fact, I don’t see another custom hat in my future (though Steve’s @Steve1857 Wolfbrae pork pie does give me pause…I seem to recall that was a Tonak felt, right Steve?). I think I’ll just rely on the likes of Stefan, Brent, and Daniele from here on in.

A Tonak felt it was, Gary. I can recommend Robert at Wolfbrae. A great guy to work with in lots of ways.

I'm Looking forward though to my first Hornskov. Still working on it

 

[StoryPNW]

I put in my deposit this summer, but I still haven't placed my order yet. Decisions, decisions!

I understand what you mean about prices, I think this will likely be my only Hornskov with the way prices are.