Phoenix Hat Company

[humanshoes]

I'm guessing you are referring to the one you did for me a few months ago? I had nearly forgotten that had happened. Thanks again for sending pics of what you were referring to. It was unfortunate that I had to wait just a little longer for a new hat body, but the wait was well worth it in the long run. Thank you for having high standards!

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Yours was one of them Ryan. Oddly, I've only had trouble so far with the granite bodies. I might be picky, but I don't feel I can afford to have one strike against me before I even come to the plate.

 

[humanshoes]

I have a nice, modern production set of hat brim curling shackles from JW Hats in Utah. They're good, sturdy tools and more than enough to meet my needs for a lifetime. That being said, I have a deep love and appreciation for the old things and have been searching for the "real deal" for many years with no success. Needless to say, when this little beauty showed up on ebay I couldn't hit the BIN button fast enough.

 

[T Jones]

I have a nice, modern production set of hat brim curling shackles from JW Hats in Utah. They're good, sturdy tools and more than enough to meet my needs for a lifetime. That being said, I have a deep love and appreciation for the old things and have been searching for the "real deal" for many years with no success. Needless to say, when this little beauty showed up on ebay I couldn't hit the BIN button fast enough.
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Nice! Really nice! I'm looking for some of those, myself.

 

[humanshoes]

Nice! Really nice! I'm looking for some of those, myself.

I highly recommend the shackles from the good folks at JW. The set includes 1/8", 3/8", and 5/8" which pretty much covers all the bases. Not cheap, I paid $300 some years ago, but they're well built cast iron tools that should last many lifetimes. Btw, I'm looking forward to seeing your first scratch made hat.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

The set includes 1/8", 3/8", and 5/8" which pretty much covers all the bases.

What width brim would you use each on?

 

[T Jones]

I highly recommend the shackles from the good folks at JW. The set includes 1/8", 3/8", and 5/8" which pretty much covers all the bases. Not cheap, I paid $300 some years ago, but they're well built cast iron tools that should last many lifetimes. Btw, I'm looking forward to seeing your first scratch made hat.
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$300 really isn't that bad considering how long they'll last and that a hatter will make his money back many times over. Thanks Rick. Those are some real nice looking shackles. I definitely need some.

I have some hat making tools coming sometime in the near future, so, hopefully, making hats from scratch is something I can catch onto. I'm always impressed with what you create.

 

[humanshoes]

What width brim would you use each on?

I'm not sure there's any set formula for brim width to curl size Jack. I guess it just depends on your personal preference. I'm still pretty much a rookie in the brim curling department. Hell, it took me awhile just to figure out that the shackles would subtract double their size in brim real estate.

 

[humanshoes]

$300 really isn't that bad considering how long they'll last and that a hatter will make his money back many times over. Thanks Rick. Those are some real nice looking shackles. I definitely need some.

I have some hat making tools coming sometime in the near future, so, hopefully, making hats from scratch is something I can catch onto. I'm always impressed with what you create.

It isn't bad Terry, considering it's a one time investment, but I'm a cheap ba***rd so you can bet I tried every homespun method I could think of before I finally broke down.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I highly recommend the shackles from the good folks at JW. The set includes 1/8", 3/8", and 5/8" which pretty much covers all the bases. Not cheap, I paid $300 some years ago, but they're well built cast iron tools that should last many lifetimes. Btw, I'm looking forward to seeing your first scratch made hat.
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What size did you use on the Arizona? Just for my future reference.


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[Cornshucker77]

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/hufvud-hatmaker-lund-sweden.93584/page-3



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Love the tall crown and wide brim on that hat Brent.

 

[T Jones]

It isn't bad Terry, considering it's a one time investment, but I'm a cheap ba***rd so you can bet I tried every homespun method I could think of before I finally broke down.

Ha! Guess I'll skip the homespun method and get straight to the investment part! That's the good thing about learning from someone else's experience!

 

[humanshoes]

What size did you use on the Arizona? Just for my future reference.


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I use the 1/8" on the Arizona Brent. With a 3 1/4" starting point it leaves the brim pretty close to 3".

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Love the tall crown and wide brim on that hat Brent.

Thanks, Scott. I wish Winchester made a beaver felt in a similar color. Light taupe or mid-gray are such versatile colors.


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[Rmccamey]

I'm always surprised there is not many taupe, tan, coffee colors out there.

Thanks, Scott. I wish Winchester made a beaver felt in a similar color. Light taupe or mid-gray are such versatile colors.


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[humanshoes]

Special order for a large, straight-side, brass foot, oak and antler foot tolliker. Also wanted it configured to press against the crown base as well as the brim break. Dude! (says I) Do you want me to put a motor on it, too? Anyway, with a solid 1/4" brass foot plate and weighing in at a hefty 12.8 ounces, this tool should whip that felt into submission in short order.

 

[kltrns]

It's the lighting on fire that would be the most worrisome part to me.

Speaking of this, does anyone know what the best method is for burning felts? I've tried with alcohol and it just doesn't seem to want to light up. Also, is setting hats on fire such an important part? None of my old hatting books mention it, but I know it's good for sizing and getting rid of any dust and fuzzies. Just curious to know what people spray on their hats to get the fire going? Thanks guys!

 

[humanshoes]

Speaking of this, does anyone know what the best method is for burning felts? I've tried with alcohol and it just doesn't seem to want to light up. Also, is setting hats on fire such an important part? None of my old hatting books mention it, but I know it's good for sizing and getting rid of any dust and fuzzies. Just curious to know what people spray on their hats to get the fire going? Thanks guys!

99% Alcohol. You definitely won't have any problem getting this stuff to fire.
https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Isopropyl-Alcohol-percent-Pint/dp/B00ZCCYTWG

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Special order for a large, straight-side, brass foot, oak and antler foot tolliker. Also wanted it configured to press against the crown base as well as the brim break. Dude! (says I) Do you want me to put a motor on it, too? Anyway, with a solid 1/4" brass foot plate and weighing in at a hefty 12.8 ounces, this tool should whip that felt into submission in short order.
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Beautiful work of art, Rick!

 

[humanshoes]

Beautiful work of art, Rick!

Thanks HJ. Definitely a foot tolliker with attitude. You know I had to make one for myself.

 

[Scooterz]

Ok thinking back on the tri color hatband discussion and being a cheapskate.....

$1 package of rubberized headbands. They look like leather.