Phoenix Hat Company

[deadlyhandsome]

Many years ago on a flight back from the UK I sat beside an 80 year old retired cabinet maker. He regaled me with stories of his youth. He began his career as a cabinet maker as a 12 year old tea boy in a wood work shop.
His job was to make tea for the men, clean the glue pots, sweep the floor and any other crap job that no one else would perform. That era is long gone and much has been lost in the loss of that coming of age process. I say this is a guy who began his work life as a 12 year old working the carnival. Many days were hard and crappy but I would not trade those days/that experience for anything.

Too few people now grow up knowing how to work hard. Work is a blessing, and there’s a satisfaction that can only be found work. I’m ready to retire, but I’m not ready to stop “working.”

 

[belfastboy]

Great story bb. I won't go so far as to say that this type of work ethic is completely absent in the modern world, but the dynamic definitely seems to have changed.

I agree. After coaching 15 year old boys elite baseball I can fully attest to their work effort...many of them have gone on to fine careers. My comments were more directed to the 'apprenticeship' model and paying one's dues.
I think that is an aspect that has lessened in importance and many want positions without having had to pay their dues. Once I set the culture of having to earn your place the process of wanting/expecting things was turned around. But it did have to be turned around. Their expectations needed some course correction. But once corrected they responded very positively.

 

[T Jones]

I wish I could say yes to that Brent, but I'm not quite there yet. The search is still on, though, for a committed apprentice. Hats, brooms...whatever, straw is straw.
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Dang! If the 'missus' and me could afford to move to Tennessee I'd fill out my application for that apprentice job!

 

[belfastboy]

Dang! If the 'missus' and me could afford to move to Tennessee I'd fill out my application for that apprentice job!

I understand housing is a relative bargain in Tennessee!

 

[T Jones]

I understand housing is a relative bargain in Tennessee!

Yeah, but too many other things have us anchored here in the Buckeye State.

 

[belfastboy]

Yeah, but too many other things have us anchored here in the Buckeye State.

When Mike at NW Hats opened his shop I entertained the idea of asking him if he would let me be a volunteer 'shop boy'. I could live in my motorhome so would have a bed each night. I could sweep the floors, answer phones etc in exchange for watching him and learning the craft of hatting. But never took the step of asking. Some regrets around it but my life, my wife, my home is here. Life is a series of choices....some harder than others.

 

[T Jones]

When Mike at NW Hats opened his shop I entertained the idea of asking him if he would let me be a volunteer 'shop boy'. I could live in my motorhome so would have a bed each night. I could sweep the floors, answer phones etc in exchange for watching him and learning the craft of hatting. But never took the step of asking. Some regrets around it but my life, my wife, my home is here. Life is a series of choices....some harder than others.

Yup. Definitely true...and some choices take priority over others. The trick for us all is figuring out the difference between what we want to do and what our priorities actually are.

 

[Scooterz]

Navy Phoenix just arrived from Rick. 2 5/8" brim, 5/8" navy binding and crown ribbon. Winchester beaver. I would call it more of a midnight blue in most light. Rainy and overcast today so maybe when the sun comes out I will get more accurate and better photos. To my eye the felt looks almost black and the ribbon is a dark navy (the ribbon is not the bright neon blue it is looking like in some of the photos.) A bit hard to capture the real colors today.
The crown is soft and easily shaped. The brim is going to take a little handling to get it where I want it but its already coming around. Really a nice hat.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Navy Phoenix just arrived from Rick. 2 5/8" brim, 5/8" navy binding and crown ribbon. Winchester beaver. I would call it more of a midnight blue in most light. Rainy and overcast today so maybe when the sun comes out I will get more accurate and better photos. To my eye the felt looks almost black and the ribbon is a dark navy (the ribbon is not the bright neon blue it is looking like in some of the photos.) A bit hard to capture the real colors today.
The crown is soft and easily shaped. The brim is going to take a little handling to get it where I want it but its already coming around. Really a nice hat.
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What a beautiful hat. Now you’ve got me thinking about navy....

 

[Scooterz]

Sorry for making you think even more about navy. Finally the sun is out. Here are some daylight photos. With one in indirect light.
The blue shows up stronger in the light. The camera sees more blue but, in good light to the eye it looks blue grey and shifts to dark blue with changes in light or angles. Bashes pretty easy and a spritz of distilled water makes any spots that want to bounce back stay put. A really nice hat!

 

[humanshoes]

An interesting little addition to the arsenal. This early 1900's electric brim curling iron needed some TLC, but, after a quick rewire with a NOS vingage appliance cord, we're good to go. I think I can achieve a variety of brim curl configurations without ever having to break out a flange block.

 

[humanshoes]

OPEN NOTICE: To all my wonderful Fedora Lounge hat customers. If you have an order with me for a future custom hat, and your circumstances/priorities have changed due to the challenging times we find ourselves in, please feel free to request an immediate refund of your deposit. Just PM me here or email me at phoenixhats@outlook.com and we'll arrange it. I hope you all stay safe and healthy.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

OPEN NOTICE: To all my wonderful Fedora Lounge hat customers. If you have an order with me for a future custom hat, and your circumstances/priorities have changed due to the challenging times we find ourselves in, please feel free to request an immediate refund of your deposit. Just PM me here or email me at phoenixhats@outlook.com and we'll arrange it. I hope you all stay safe and healthy.

That's First Rate!

 

[Woodtroll]

That's First Rate!

Agreed! That's a very compassionate offer, Rick.

 

[jonesy86]

Hmmm, maybe it's a good time to jump in the cue. I'm on a cowboy theme lately. What do you think Rick?

 

[humanshoes]

Hmmm, maybe it's a good time to jump in the cue. I'm on a cowboy theme lately. What do you think Rick?

Always room in the queue for you Jonesy. I think you have the makings of a first rate paniolo. Just don't do the boots man. Not the boots. Ever.

 

[1961MJS]

Always room in the queue for you Jonesy. I think you have the makings of a first rate paniolo. Just don't do the boots man. Not the boots. Ever.
View attachment 225902

O.K. That's just wrong, WRONG, Very Very Wrong on like 19 levels. I grew up in Southern Illinois, in a farming community, I was NOT allowed to wear cowboy boots because my parents were teachers and we did NOT own horses. Own a horse, wear cowboy boots, ride a dirt bike wear Wellingtons, otherwise Converse tennis shoes.

It's STILL WRONG.

Later

 

[jonesy86]

Not too many cowboys around here, but all da bruddahs wear slippah wen drive da pickup to da beach wen go surf.

 

[Bamaboots]

Always room in the queue for you Jonesy. I think you have the makings of a first rate paniolo. Just don't do the boots man. Not the boots. Ever.
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I posted about this before in the cowboy boots thread. I’ll burn my boots before I’ll let any of them to be repurposed in such a fashion.

http://redneckbootsandals.com/

 

[Hurricane Jack]

E="Bamaboots, post: 2665068, member: 34877"]I posted about this before in the cowboy boots thread. I’ll burn my boots before I’ll let any of them to be repurposed in such a fashion.

http://redneckbootsandals.com/[/QUOTE]

I wonder where you put the kitchen match sticks?