MississippiLong
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 187
- Location
- Atlanta, GA/Columbus, MS
smithbilt seems to have it together. I may have to give those guys a call about a dress hat!
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Making a New Hat
- Thread starter mark alan
- Start date
fletch31
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 73
- Location
- Rexburg, ID
Pretty cool seeing a picture of the singeing process. Thats high percentage alcohol or methanol in the spray bottle. I see they also use a sweatband cutter purchased from JW Hats as that is his design and identical to the one posted earlier. He sells them to other hatters and there is quite a bit of machine work in one. Thanks for posting these Dav3!
- Messages
- 10,950
- Location
- My mother's basement
Dav3, you're a professional photographer, right?
retro50
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 61
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta
Yes, I know Smithbilt Hats well. Years ago they were on my customer list when I was in coatings sales and hat sizing was one of the products I sold. More recently, I had them clean and put a new ribbon and binding on a Stetson Deluxe I picked up. Their new location is actually just down the road from my shop.
I wanted to revive this thread, as I just picked up my latest JW hat. Like other reputable hat makers we all know and love, JW uses the finest quality Winchester felt rawbodies. He offers 100% rabbit, 100% beaver, or a 50/50 blend. He mostly does western hats, but offers dress hats as well. I wanted one of his 100% beaver hats to round out my collection, so now I have a Steve Delk, an Art Fawcett, and a J.W. I wanted a nice dark gray, and I was very taken by the color "Steel". The ribbon and brim binding are a matching gray, as I like to keep my hats simple and subtle. The specs are as follows:
5 1/2 open crown, with front crease set at 4 1/2.
2 1/2 brim.
Standard teardrop, or C-crown bash.
Turn around time on this hat, 16 days.
I told my wife I was going for something similar to the old Stetson Whippet, modified for my own personal specs.
Pics!!!
Liner
Front view
Side view
On my unshaven mug (Hey, it is Saturday!)
Thank you for your consideration
5 1/2 open crown, with front crease set at 4 1/2.
2 1/2 brim.
Standard teardrop, or C-crown bash.
Turn around time on this hat, 16 days.
I told my wife I was going for something similar to the old Stetson Whippet, modified for my own personal specs.
Pics!!!
Liner
Front view
Side view
On my unshaven mug (Hey, it is Saturday!)
Thank you for your consideration
randooch
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,869
- Location
- Ukiah, California
fascinating process
(almost) makes me want to chuck it all and apprentice. keep up the steps, and thanks!
(almost) makes me want to chuck it all and apprentice. keep up the steps, and thanks!
- Messages
- 11,579
- Location
- Covina, Califonia 91722
That J W sure is a beaut!
ken100
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 90
- Location
- Sydney Australia
Fantastic
What a great journey, thank you! Now to find a custom hattery here in Sydney.
What a great journey, thank you! Now to find a custom hattery here in Sydney.
Zeropositive
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 57
- Location
- London UK
I just wanted to say this is an amazing thread, I love the step by step photos in the making of process.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Chinaski
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,045
- Location
- Orange County, CA
A very fun, informative thread. Thanks to the folks who generously posted photos for our enlightenment. Anyone else care to visit another hatmaker and post? I believe there would be interest from the group!
mtechthang
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 184
- Location
- Idaho
Sure- but . . .
Chinaski
Indeed, I'd love to go over to Oregon to visit Vintage Silhouettes and watch him build my next one. But, given current uncertainties, I doubt the spouse would approve since I already have one coming from Steve Delk. :cheers1:
Chinaski said:
Chinaski
Indeed, I'd love to go over to Oregon to visit Vintage Silhouettes and watch him build my next one. But, given current uncertainties, I doubt the spouse would approve since I already have one coming from Steve Delk. :cheers1:
Chinaski
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,045
- Location
- Orange County, CA
Mtech, please, who wears the pants around that house?? Now get thee to Oregon, tout suite! We need some more cool pictures in this thread!
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mtechthang
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 184
- Location
- Idaho
Indeed!
We live in Idaho- one of the states known as "community property" - so we both do! Uhhhh- not the same ones. shakeshead Seriously, I do hope we can make it over there this summer- but best clear it with Art first!
Chinaski said:
We live in Idaho- one of the states known as "community property" - so we both do! Uhhhh- not the same ones. shakeshead Seriously, I do hope we can make it over there this summer- but best clear it with Art first! Prairie Shade
A-List Customer
- Messages
- 394
HOWDY after long absence
JW's has made two hats for me plus reconditioned another. Very good work and excellent communication. If I have some more work that needs done, I will call them. It seems stupid to send a hat so far, but I dont know anyone else who does this work so well!!! Thanks Big Jim and Little Jim!!
JW's has made two hats for me plus reconditioned another. Very good work and excellent communication. If I have some more work that needs done, I will call them. It seems stupid to send a hat so far, but I dont know anyone else who does this work so well!!! Thanks Big Jim and Little Jim!!
Chinaski
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,045
- Location
- Orange County, CA
Prairie Shade, I think pictures would be most appropriate.
freehandbash
New in Town
- Messages
- 34
- Location
- alapaha ga.
Wow! reading about Jw hats after the fact that I've bought sweatbands and ribbon from them is Awsome! Joyce is very nice over the phone. Great thread! THANKS.
feltfan
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,190
- Location
- Oakland, CA, USA
New article on J. W Hats:
http://www.viamagazine.com/attractions/utahs-fab-hatmaker
Unfortunately, not a very good article. Always hard to tell what the subject said and what the
reporter distorts. This one contains the claim that he has made more hats, "than any other shop in the country"
and seems to claim that he makes his own felt: "Using rabbit or beaver pelts, or a combination, I use the process
of felting to make the hairs align and hook together". Somehow I suspect the latter at least was a misunderstanding
on the part of the reporter.
http://www.viamagazine.com/attractions/utahs-fab-hatmaker
Unfortunately, not a very good article. Always hard to tell what the subject said and what the
reporter distorts. This one contains the claim that he has made more hats, "than any other shop in the country"
and seems to claim that he makes his own felt: "Using rabbit or beaver pelts, or a combination, I use the process
of felting to make the hairs align and hook together". Somehow I suspect the latter at least was a misunderstanding
on the part of the reporter.
Chepstow
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,406
- Location
- Germany/ Remscheid
Mark, that is a great and informative thread and a great write up too. Thanks for that!
- Messages
- 17,549
- Location
- Maryland
I bought some leather sweatbands from them this past spring.
