HUFVUD HATMAKER | Lund, Sweden

[scottyrocks]

Remind me, Scotty. Which felt did you get? Hare? 30X, 50X???

I got the rabbit/hare, and it's as luxurious as I could want.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hello Mikael @EinarsM
I’m not in a hurry for the answer and I think others might be curious so I’m making this an open post:

1. Can you offer western hats?
2. What is the largest size brim you can make (let’s assume size 61cm and 6 inch open crown)?
3. Do the 50X and 100X come in the same dimensions?

Thanks,
Brent

 

[tropicalbob]

Hello Mikael @EinarsM
I’m not in a hurry for the answer and I think others might be curious so I’m making this an open post:

1. Can you offer western hats?
2. What is the largest size brim you can make (let’s assume size 61cm and 6 inch open crown)?
3. Do the 50X and 100X come in the same dimensions?

Thanks,
Brent

I hope he makes a 63, at least that's what I'm waiting on.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I hope he makes a 63, at least that's what I'm waiting on.

Yeah, but can he make it with a 3 1/2 to 4 inch brim?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I hope he makes a 63, at least that's what I'm waiting on.

When did you place your order? His queue is much longer than when I bought a hat two years ago.

 

[tropicalbob]

When did you place your order? His queue is much longer than when I bought a hat two years ago.

Last week in April. Should be getting close: I'm thinking about it nine or ten times a day, at least.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Last week in April. Should be getting close: I'm thinking about it nine or ten times a day, at least.

I was quoted “4-5 months” with bound edge hats taking longer. Mikael must hate doing bound edges because they they also cost $100 more! Four months means it might be in time to be a Christmas gift to myself.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Hello Mikael @EinarsM
I’m not in a hurry for the answer and I think others might be curious so I’m making this an open post:

1. Can you offer western hats?
2. What is the largest size brim you can make (let’s assume size 61cm and 6 inch open crown)?
3. Do the 50X and 100X come in the same dimensions?

Thanks,
Brent

Mikael said he could get me a brim approaching four inches from a dress weight felt with a six inch crown in size 62cm! I went with one much small, but nice to know the options are there.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Since the reformulation of Winchester’s black cherry color, this FEPSA felt in oxblood has me interested.

Beautiful color, and Mikael’s work is of high quality.

https://www.hufvud.com/custom


I do wish his brim binding pricing was more in line with domestic hatters who often charge as little as $30.

If you like raw edge fedoras, I think the rabbit and hare blend hat for $250 is one of the real bargains in the custom hat world.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I haven’t received my latest hat yet, but these photos are making me want to place another order:

https://www.hufvud.com/fedoras/harald-fedora

 

[belfastboy]

I haven’t received my latest hat yet, but these photos are making me want to place another order:

View attachment 269449 View attachment 269450 View attachment 269451

https://www.hufvud.com/fedoras/harald-fedora

What colour is this? Is it the 30% beaver?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

What colour is this? Is it the 30% beaver?

I’m not sure what quality the felt is, but it looks like the emerald gray to me. Pretty hat

 

[scottyrocks]

I haven’t received my latest hat yet, but these photos are making me want to place another order:

View attachment 269449 View attachment 269450 View attachment 269451

https://www.hufvud.com/fedoras/harald-fedora

Yeah, this one had me tripping over my eyeballs.

 

[Miles R.]

I've been looking at the hats on the Hufvud Web site and in this thread, as I think about ordering one. But I have never ordered a custom hat before, and the shape and dimensions of the Hufvud hats are not what I am accustomed to. I have several fedoras of recent manufacture (by Dobbs, Stetson, Biltmore, and Borsalino). I have measured the crowns at 11 to 12 cm and the brims at 5 to 6 cm. All the hats on the Hufvud Web site have higher crowns and wider brims than those. I notice also that, whereas the crowns of all the fedoras that I own seem to taper slightly toward the top, the Hufvud fedoras have crowns that go straight up like a stovepipe or even broaden toward the top.

I know that one can order whatever dimensions one wants, but I don't want to order a set of dimensions that might spoil the design of the hat, just because they are the dimensions to which I am accustomed. On the other hand, I have never had a chance to put a hat of the sort shown in Hufvud's photos on my head (my hufvud!), so I don't know whether I would like the novel dimensions and proportions or not.

I'm sorry that I don't have a definite question to pose. I'm just hoping that some people, whether Mikael of Hufvud or those who have bought hats from him, may be able to offer observations or advice that can help me to figure out what sort of hat I should order.

 

[belfastboy]

I've been looking at the hats on the Hufvud Web site and in this thread, as I think about ordering one. But I have never ordered a custom hat before, and the shape and dimensions of the Hufvud hats are not what I am accustomed to. I have several fedoras of recent manufacture (by Dobbs, Stetson, Biltmore, and Borsalino). I have measured the crowns at 11 to 12 cm and the brims at 5 to 6 cm. All the hats on the Hufvud Web site have higher crowns and wider brims than those. I notice also that, whereas the crowns of all the fedoras that I own seem to taper slightly toward the top, the Hufvud fedoras have crowns that go straight up like a stovepipe or even broaden toward the top.

I know that one can order whatever dimensions one wants, but I don't want to order a set of dimensions that might spoil the design of the hat, just because they are the dimensions to which I am accustomed. On the other hand, I have never had a chance to put a hat of the sort shown in Hufvud's photos on my head (my hufvud!), so I don't know whether I would like the novel dimensions and proportions or not.

I'm sorry that I don't have a definite question to pose. I'm just hoping that some people, whether Mikael of Hufvud or those who have bought hats from him, may be able to offer observations or advice that can help me to figure out what sort of hat I should order.

This is a tough one. There is the question of what your height, weight, face shape and that determines what profile of hat would look best on you. Then there is the question of what would you feel comfortable wearing. There is an arc here that I have witnessed in myself and others . We begin with lower/tapered crowns and narrower brims but are gradually emboldened to taller, boxier crowns and wider brims. I think it grows as our confidence as hat wearers grows.
I would suggest you peruse the "What Hat are You Wearing Today" to see various hats on human heads to get an idea.
What type of hats do you presently own? What hats that you wear are you most comfortable wearing? Until you are clear on what you want, what you are comfortable wearing I would hold off buying a custom hat. It is a lot of money to risk on a style crap shoot.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I've been looking at the hats on the Hufvud Web site and in this thread, as I think about ordering one. But I have never ordered a custom hat before, and the shape and dimensions of the Hufvud hats are not what I am accustomed to. I have several fedoras of recent manufacture (by Dobbs, Stetson, Biltmore, and Borsalino). I have measured the crowns at 11 to 12 cm and the brims at 5 to 6 cm. All the hats on the Hufvud Web site have higher crowns and wider brims than those. I notice also that, whereas the crowns of all the fedoras that I own seem to taper slightly toward the top, the Hufvud fedoras have crowns that go straight up like a stovepipe or even broaden toward the top.

I know that one can order whatever dimensions one wants, but I don't want to order a set of dimensions that might spoil the design of the hat, just because they are the dimensions to which I am accustomed. On the other hand, I have never had a chance to put a hat of the sort shown in Hufvud's photos on my head (my hufvud!), so I don't know whether I would like the novel dimensions and proportions or not.

I'm sorry that I don't have a definite question to pose. I'm just hoping that some people, whether Mikael of Hufvud or those who have bought hats from him, may be able to offer observations or advice that can help me to figure out what sort of hat I should order.

Hello Miles,

I have an early Hufvud and I have another on order. The wider on top look is what we call reverse taper, and usually it’s more camera angles as the blocks they are made on do taper slightly toward the top. You can also induce reverse taper by how you shape the crown. If you don’t like that look then it’s easy to remedy. The blocky stovepipe crown is another matter. To get more taper (tapering in toward the top) you would have to have the hat made on a different block and most hatters starting out don’t offer multiple block profiles...but it’s worth asking Hufvud about.

It sounds like you hat some great hats already. If you want to proceed with a Hufvud I would highly recommend contacting Mikael. He’s normally freakishly fast at answering emails and you can also give him a call. Good hatters will work with you and get you the hat you want or tell you that they can’t make what you’re after. There’s nothing wrong with ordering a Hufvud with more modest dimensions if that’s your preference. Work with Mikael and I’m sure he’ll make you a hat you will really like. Let me also say that I don’t think you will regret if you pay a premium for beaver or a beaver blend rather than the less expensive rabbit. The rabbit is fine (it’s what I have), but the felt quality isn’t as nice as I had hoped.

I’m sure Mikael will gladly work with you, answer all your questions, and remove your fears. Ordering a custom hat isn’t as daunting as it seems before you place your first order. You can also let the hatter have more of a free hand: some of my nicest customs are the hats that I provided minimal input in. It’s a fun experience, but be warned after your first you’ll want another.

 

[scottyrocks]

What DH (Brent) wrote is true. Mikael is extraordinarily easy to work with, yada yada yada.

Mikael does make hats with less reverse taper than my hat, for instance (see avatar). Go to his website and look at the Olav, for example. Although his trademark has become the reverse taper, he can alter the designs of hats he makes to suit your needs. Me? I need reverse taper. hahahahaaaa

https://www.hufvud.com/fedoras/olav

 

[Rmccamey]

A very nice Whippet style, Brent, and a good color combo.

I haven’t received my latest hat yet, but these photos are making me want to place another order:

View attachment 269449 View attachment 269450 View attachment 269451

https://www.hufvud.com/fedoras/harald-fedora

 

[Miles R.]

I thank you all for your thoughtful replies. A theme that runs through all of them is that I should write to Mikael. I was actually thinking of doing that before I decided first to look for a thread on Hufvud on this site and see what guidance I could get here. But writing to Mikael will be my next step.

There is an arc here that I have witnessed in myself and others . We begin with lower/tapered crowns and narrower brims but are gradually emboldened to taller, boxier crowns and wider brims. I think it grows as our confidence as hat wearers grows.
I would suggest you peruse the "What Hat are You Wearing Today" to see various hats on human heads to get an idea.

I have often considered this possibility. That's why I don't assume that I should just ask for a hatmaker to reproduce the sort of dimensions that I have become comfortable with. Maybe I shall like something different. But, as you also observe, one should not spend several hundred dollars to have a hat made without having a better idea of how it is likely to suit one. Seeing hats of various designs on other people's heads gives an impression of the hats, but I don't think it gives a reliable idea of how the hats will look on one's own head. For example, I have admired some pork pie hats worn by other men, but when I try one on and look in the mirror, I think I look like a complete dork.

The wider on top look is what we call reverse taper, and usually it’s more camera angles as the blocks they are made on do taper slightly toward the top. You can also induce reverse taper by how you shape the crown. If you don’t like that look then it’s easy to remedy. The blocky stovepipe crown is another matter. To get more taper (tapering in toward the top) you would have to have the hat made on a different block and most hatters starting out don’t offer multiple block profiles...but it’s worth asking Hufvud about.

Thanks for the information. I suspected that the shape was to some extent dependent on how the crown is finished, but this makes clear that to some extent also it is unalterable, so that one had better know which sort of shape one wants before ordering a hat made.

Go to his website and look at the Olav, for example.

Is the Olav available in olive? (Not a serious question; just couldn't resist saying it.)

 

[deadlyhandsome]

A very nice Whippet style, Brent, and a good color combo.

I’ll confess: I had Mikael change my order from the green to this hat. The green will have to wait.