Which Custom Hat First???

[LoveMyHats2]

I have been looking at all the great looking Custom made Hats from Art Fawcett, Black Sheep, Optimo, and a place I have not seen anyone (to my knowledge) post or say anything about, North Valley Hat Co.

I like what I see at North Valley on their website, because I like the larger brim width offered. I am sure the other Custom made hat makers can offer a variety of choices on brim size as well, but I have no idea as to how far they could go, and if I want something that wide in a brim? It may be more a personal preference issue, yet I wonder if a brim is getting up there in width size, will it get floppy?

It is a very hard choice to decide what direction to take, and I am sure in the long run I will do as others have done and become a customer of all of these places. Yet I would really like some input as to what opinions as to which is the best bet for a first time custom hat purchase and why. Thanks!

 

[DJH]

There just isn't a single correct answer to this. We have some great custom hatmakers and it all comes down to what you are looking for.

At the moment I have customs from Art Fawcett, TonyB and Optimo (I'm not the original owner of this one) and the quality of all is first class.

If there is an advantage for Optimo I'd say it's the fact Mr Thompson has a bigger selection of felts than most of the other custom guys. Having said that, Bob Jessie (Black Sheep) guy dyes some of his own felts and Dennis Brooks felts his own.

I've invested in 3 each from Art and Tony (3rd Tony one just being finished now) and been thrilled with each one. Not to say the other guys are not great as well, I just don't have the first hand experience. I do have a Black Sheep in line too - one of those hand dyed felt colours.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Thanks, I sure welcome all the input I can get. And yes, it is a hard choice due to the fact the hats each of these Custom makes offer, are so desirable.

 

[gtdean48]

Jimmy the Lid has a custom from North Valley if I am not mistaken, called the Field & Stream.
Do some searching = there are posts & photos out there about it.

 

[Tomasso]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?21783-North-Valley-Fedora

 

[scottyrocks]

I would also recommend the Penman Hat Co. He gets nothing but rave reviews. If this is the type of hat you are looking for (he doesn't make just Indy hats), you might want to check him out.

http://www.penmanhats.com/

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Jimmy the Lid has a custom from North Valley if I am not mistaken, called the Field & Stream.
Do some searching = there are posts & photos out there about it.

Thank you! I just now took a peek at that hat, really nice!

 

[LoveMyHats2]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?21783-North-Valley-Fedora

Just looked at that one, very nice! Thanks!

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I would also recommend the Penman Hat Co. He gets nothing but rave reviews. If this is the type of hat you are looking for (he doesn't make just Indy hats), you might want to check him out.

http://www.penmanhats.com/

Thanks, I was looking at this site, nice hats for sure.

 

[jlee562]

My first Optimo is still about two weeks away, but from what I hear, they are worth every penny. Their blocks do tend to have more taper than some other makers. John Penman, for example, who specializes in the Indy hats, has some very nice straight sided, taper free blocks. And although John does make a lot of Indy hats, his skills are by no means limited to them. I have a great black fedora from him in rabbit felt, modeled on the Public Enemies hat. John's ribbon work is especially precise and he does EVERYTHING by hand, now including bound and welted edges. He is a true craftsman.

I have two hats from Bob at Black Sheep Hat Works, one felt, one Milan. The felt hat is one of Bob's hand dyed felts, and it's fantastic. Bob went to great lengths to ensure that he came up with a felt color that I was happy with. He dyed several felt samples before I had even placed my order, and ended up dying two different full hat bodies for my hat. In the end, I received a gorgeous lid. I just yesterday got a Milan from him as well, which is shown in the Black Sheep thread. He is also, AFAIK, the lowest priced of the custom hat makers listed in this thread, with no sacrifice of quality. His beaver hats start at at a very reasonable $285.

I don't have one of Art's hats, but I admire almost every one of his creations posted by fellow loungers. Although I can't personally vouch for them, I don't think you can go wrong with Mr. Fawcett. He has some stunning looking lids, and his ribbon work is creative and unique.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

As much as I tend to agree with everything stated and very much appreciated, I wanted to share a few pictures from what I may be interested in as far as overall style of a custom hat. I think I desire to break from the normal appearance and go for something simple in lines and hat bands yet have the total hat itself make it stand out.

I have taken some time in looking at the hats you have posted pictures of, jlee, and I do admit they are drop dead nice.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

There just isn't a single correct answer to this. We have some great custom hatmakers and it all comes down to what you are looking for.

At the moment I have customs from Art Fawcett, TonyB and Optimo (I'm not the original owner of this one) and the quality of all is first class.

If there is an advantage for Optimo I'd say it's the fact Mr Thompson has a bigger selection of felts than most of the other custom guys. Having said that, Bob Jessie (Black Sheep) guy dyes some of his own felts and Dennis Brooks felts his own.

I've invested in 3 each from Art and Tony (3rd Tony one just being finished now) and been thrilled with each one. Not to say the other guys are not great as well, I just don't have the first hand experience. I do have a Black Sheep in line too - one of those hand dyed felt colours.

I can understand the "drive" to obtain several from each one of those sources. I myself desire to follow that line of reasoning, and as such am currently trying hard to weed out my closet spaces to make room for new things.

 

[Tomasso]

Smokin'!!!!!!

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Smokin'!!!!!!

Exactly!

 

[johnnycanuck]

I have four Hats made by Art. Two of them have 3" brims. One bound, one raw edge. So I don't know how wide you want your hat but I am sure Art can handle most of Anything. On the otherhand I'd you want something more western maybe stick with one of the western guys. I have been considering going a little more western and seriously considering Jaxonbilt hats.
My two cents worth.
Johnny.

 

[monbla256]

As much as I tend to agree with everything stated and very much appreciated, I wanted to share a few pictures from what I may be interested in as far as overall style of a custom hat. I think I desire to break from the normal appearance and go for something simple in lines and hat bands yet have the total hat itself make it stand out.

I have taken some time in looking at the hats you have posted pictures of, jlee, and I do admit they are drop dead nice.

What you have shown is what is called a Tondo hat as worn by many of the Pachuco's in East L.A. . Try some of the Zoot suit suppliers on the web.

 

[zetwal]

What you have shown is what is called a Tondo hat as worn by many of the Pachuco's in East L.A. . Try some of the Zoot suit suppliers on the web.

What you describe is called a tando not a tondo.

 

[suitedcboy]

The difference between Pachuco style and California and Nevada buckaroo style is slight.
I thought Pachuco hats were flanged to have pronounced "snap". Buckaroo has a slight roll on a flat brim.

 

[monbla256]

What you describe is called a tando not a tondo.

So much for my typing

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Well now, these hats are shown on the NorthValley hat site, and I think they have some "nevada buckaroo" influence. I just placed the pictures to give some sort of idea of what I am wanting to have made. I was not aware that anyone else has the ability to make a wide brim such as shown in these pictures (when it comes to the other custom hatters). But now you can understand why I posted my thoughts and asked for input, as I will learn from each of you and put it all together to make some choice for who to turn to first for a hat.

Not knocking if someone wants to be into a "zoot suit", but that is not what I am into at all. The reason for the desire of a wider brim and simple lines is to just be different than a hat with a 2 1/2 brim and a whole lotta hat band. Both of the pictured hats are very clean simple lines, but have a look (to me) of really saying one-of-a-kind in appearance.

I do thank all the input and welcome all the more that can add to this....thanks!