Leon Drexler - Toronto Opinions?

[Daniele Tanto]

It is quite a lot of time that I observe carefully the site of Leon Drexler a hatter based in Toronto - Canada. Too far from home to be accessible without too much additional cost
It has an excellent assortment of hats, some very beautiful with an eye to the European tradition.
Very elegant and with forms of undoubted class
I wonder why (it's just a curiosity) is never mentioned by LF posters so in love with customized hats and even see his hats worn by loungers, even if they have considerable appeal (to my eyes and taste).

No one among many readers have a hat to show made by Leon Drexler or some opinion about?
Thanks a lot!

 

[Bob Roberts]

I'd love to hear abt other hatters.

 

[hatsRme]

I have spoken to Steve several times over the years, but he has yet to possess a block the size of mine, so no buy. I can say that he is a gentleman, detail oriented, and committed to his craft. Art Fawcett once told me he has tremendous respect for Steve due to his intellectual approach and passion for detail (correct me if I'm wrong, Art). Moreover, his styles seem to have a somewhat European influence, so I can understand your curiosity, Daniele. I still wish he had big, extra long oval blocks and flanges!

 

[-30-]

You can rest assured that Leon Drexler hats by Steve Temkin are of First Quality and Style; he having made me a Fine Example, two years past.

It fits; it looks the way it was to supposed to; it is 100% beaver; it has a reeded, roan sweatband; it has both a vintage silk grosgrain hatband and bound edge;

it has a "my" custom bow; it has a sewn-in, silk liner.

It Doesn't Have poor workmanship; it Doesn't Have any mixed content fur felt; it Doesn't Have a reconstituted leather hatband; it Doesn't Have a persham hatband

or bound edge; it Doesn't Have stitching showing or any "tails thereof"; It Doesn't Have any glue.

Put another way, the Borsalino that I had just previously bought, Appalled me; that of the Leon Drexler, bought soon after, I Applauded!

Steve is easy to work with and although we are not neighbours, we do live in the same town.


Regards,
J T

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Thanks for you replies and contribution.
I was hoping for more participation and in some customer of Leon Drexler show his hat
The time will give some further response so I hope

 

[-30-]

"I was hoping for more participation and in some customer of Leon Drexler show his hat "
Daniele Tanto.

Although I have tried to post pics on this forum, no success;

although another member of this forum and I have tried to post pics on this forum, no success;

although he, alone, has tried to post my pics on this forum, no success!

Both he and I have given-up! lol

It must be that of the way I have my confuser configured.


Regards,
J T

 

[Bob Roberts]

Took me almost a year! Lol. Try Tapatalk.

 

[-30-]

"Took me almost a year! Lol. Try Tapatalk."
Bob Roberts.

Glad to know that I am not alone! lol

(I haven't even bothered to programme my new, seven month old BB Classic to take pics,
if indeed, it even requires programming to do so.)


Regards,
J T

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Thanks again JT and on the "Ask a question have an answer" there is all the instructions to post photos.
It is simple enough to play with......
If you needs helps let me know with a PM I helped Bob Roberts too.....
I really like to see Leon Drexler creations

 

[hatsRme]

I think you need to come visit this side of the water, Daniele. A tour de cappelli, so to speak...

 

[-30-]

"I really like to see Leon Drexler creations "
Daniele.

Private 'mail sent.

Regards,
J T

 

[Leacock]

I have been wanting to get a good look at his work too, they are pricey, but I am tempted.

I've also been wondering if it wouldn't be better to wait until some time when I go to Toronto, though I'm at the other end of the continent it shall happen some day and I've always thought I would probably get a better fit (and possibly a more suitable hat) if I actually visited him rather than tried to do it all via online.

 

[belfastboy]

At first I was shocked at his pricing until I noticed that they are in Canadian dollars. That brings his pricing into line with most custom hatters. I live on the west coast but the next time I am in Toronto I plan to check him out.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Thanks again JT and on the "Ask a question have an answer" there is all the instructions to post photos.
It is simple enough to play with......
If you needs helps let me know with a PM I helped Bob Roberts too.....
I really like to see Leon Drexler creations

That you did Mr Tanto. Thx.

 

[Bob Roberts]

"Took me almost a year! Lol. Try Tapatalk."
Bob Roberts.

Glad to know that I am not alone! lol

(I haven't even bothered to programme my new, seven month old BB Classic to take pics,
if indeed, it even requires programming to do so.)


Regards,
J T

You are NEVER alone here on The Lounge!

 

[-30-]

"At first I was shocked at his pricing until I noticed that they are in Canadian dollars."

The product that Borsalino so-called a hat, that I bought a number of years ago, was priced, after local taxes, only slightly $75.00 less than

the Leon Drexler offering. I hadn't been a member of FL more than one month, when after having had a better and more informed inspection,

I was appalled by it's construction; see my above posts. It's make-up was so bad that I went to see Steve at Leon Drexler and after having his

in-hand and on-head, I never wore the Borsalino again, finally giving to a friend of mine; more than $400.00 down the drain, Foolishly, I bought

another Borsalino, it requiring a good cleaning/blocking, sight unseen, from another friend, $50.00; what could go wrong? It was a Como, it being

somewhat similar in style with it's previous brother. Upon close inspection, it, and it's previous ugly twin, differed in only one way, cleaning/blocking

aside, the Como has a supposed decorative stitch around the periphery at the edge; the sewing thereof being not of one continuous thread, but composed

of three separate threads joined to form the offering and at each juncture, a knot with it's surplus thread waving in the breeze! It was afterwards given

to gentleman who lived down the street.

End of Rant.


Regards,
J T