Wolfbrae Custom Hatters

[JakeHacker]

Hello Gregory here....All..I am a new member..no idea if I am posting in the right place or not...I know this the Wolfbrae Custom Hatters Thread.

I have many hats....been wearing a fedora pretty much since the age of 10 with my Dad..who also wore a fedora for years..

However...I have never purchased a bespoke hat before....but many other nice hats including Panamas etc...A hat I always considered to be something you tried on...and if it fit and you liked the quality then you buy it.

I saw an article in the Tri City BC papers on line that talked about Robert Gault who you on the Lounge know as....the proprietor of Wolfbrae.. Custom Hatters in Port Coquitlam BC...Then I saw a Global news video showing Robert and a customer I believe at his BC workship..... I was very impressed to know that his hats were done entirely by hand..no machinery..

Sooo I took the plunge...and .put down a deposit and then the collaborative effort began.

I ordered my first ever bespoke fedora hat..in beaver fit to my exact proportions..I had to measure my face...and provide pictures etc...We talked about the height of the crown..the color..the width of the brim and the width of the contrasting grosgrain chestnut hat band. It came with a satin liner and large leather sweatband to boot!

Then one day Robert said the hat was done...and he would be shipping it last Monday...I was nervous...however when the hat arrived on my birthday of all days..it made my day even more special..Why? Robert nailed it...he had the right height of the crown (we were going for a nineteen thirties look)....the right width of brim with tone on tone finishing...the right grosgrain contrasting chestnut brown..His bashes and crease on the front were deftly done.

In short the hat is perfect. (How many things in life are?..Very few)....fits me like a glove and I was totally blown away by the quality and craftmanship. ..I would highly recommend Robert to anyone as he provides the best advice all along the path...I was smart enough to listen to him...that payed off big time.....and his work was beyond my expectations! ..The kicker..Of course I will be getting another...It's hard to argue with perfection...

Hello Gregory here....All..I am a new member..no idea if I am posting in the right place or not...I know this the Wolfbrae Custom Hatters Thread.

I have many hats....been wearing a fedora pretty much since the age of 10 with my Dad..who also wore a fedora for years..

However...I have never purchased a bespoke hat before....but many other nice hats including Panamas etc...A hat I always considered to be something you tried on...and if it fit and you liked the quality then you buy it.

I saw an article in the Tri City BC papers on line that talked about Robert Gault who you on the Lounge know as....the proprietor of Wolfbrae.. Custom Hatters in Port Coquitlam BC...Then I saw a Global news video showing Robert and a customer I believe at his BC workship..... I was very impressed to know that his hats were done entirely by hand..no machinery..

Sooo I took the plunge...and .put down a deposit and then the collaborative effort began.

I ordered my first ever bespoke fedora hat..in beaver fit to my exact proportions..I had to measure my face...and provide pictures etc...We talked about the height of the crown..the color..the width of the brim and the width of the contrasting grosgrain chestnut hat band. It came with a satin liner and large leather sweatband to boot!

Then one day Robert said the hat was done...and he would be shipping it last Monday...I was nervous...however when the hat arrived on my birthday of all days..it made my day even more special..Why? Robert nailed it...he had the right height of the crown (we were going for a nineteen thirties look)....the right width of brim with tone on tone finishing...the right grosgrain contrasting chestnut brown..His bashes and crease on the front were deftly done.

In short the hat is perfect. (How many things in life are?..Very few)....fits me like a glove and I was totally blown away by the quality and craftmanship. ..I would highly recommend Robert to anyone as he provides the best advice all along the path...I was smart enough to listen to him...that payed off big time.....and his work was beyond my expectations! ..The kicker..Of course I will be getting another...It's hard to argue with perfection...

Great acquisition, I am certain. I am still working toward getting one. Enjoy, he has made many nice hats and they keep getting better.

 

[Gregory Wilde]

Hi Who...I am pleased and proud of the collaborative effort with Robert who crafted precisely what I envisioned.

Gregory E.

 

[Gregory Wilde]

.....Nothing like the pleasure of wearing something new....that harkens back to the most stylish period in North American and European history imo...the thirties.....the world was in the grip of the Great Depression and yet some of the most stylish clothing and architecture as well as beautiful vehicles made their way into the light of day...

So my top quality thirties new
Wolfbrae bespoke beaver hat represents that vintage...a intriguing period in history for certain.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My latest Wolfbrae: FEPSA 95g pure beaver felt with a 6 1/4” open crown and a 3 1/8” bound brim…and the color!

The felt is wonderful and the build quality is top notch. The felt needed a bit of steam to hold a shape, but it’s thin and easily creased. Cowboy he color is spectacular! Robert has some inventory of these FEPSA beaver hat bodies in various colors…I’m back in his queue for one in green.

 

[belfastboy]

My latest Wolfbrae: FEPSA 95g pure beaver felt with a 6 1/4” open crown and a 3 1/8” bound brim…and the color!

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The felt is wonderful and the build quality is top notch. The felt needed a bit of steam to hold a shape, but it’s thin and easily creased. Cowboy he color is spectacular! Robert has some inventory of these FEPSA beaver hat bodies in various colors…I’m back in his queue for one in green.

Thank you. I have some stock coming in and will pick up next week. I bought a colour selection so I can see them in person and not just online swatches. I love these felts and if I can land them at a reasonable price so I don't have to charge stupid money for a hat made from one I am thinking to make this a standard offering. I love these felts.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Thank you. I have some stock coming in and will pick up next week. I bought a colour selection so I can see them in person and not just online swatches. I love these felts and if I can land them at a reasonable price so I don't have to charge stupid money for a hat made from one I am thinking to make this a standard offering. I love these felts.

It’s a great felt and a huge step up from the Millinery Warehouse rabbit felts; although, those are nice for what they are. I’m really glad they are large enough to allow for large hat sizes with large proportions without requiring going with a western weight felt.

 

[belfastboy]

It’s a great felt and a huge step up from the Millinery Warehouse rabbit felts; although, those are nice for what they are. I’m really glad they are large enough to allow for large hat sizes with large proportions without requiring going with a western weight felt.

Yes, Tim @purebeaver went the extra step and brought in varying sizes of the felts....XL, L and downward. This felt is an XL and we got the dimensions we were after. It was tight.....very very little cutting off the brim but we did it.

 

[belfastboy]

It’s a great felt and a huge step up from the Millinery Warehouse rabbit felts; although, those are nice for what they are. I’m really glad they are large enough to allow for large hat sizes with large proportions without requiring going with a western weight felt.

My cost on this felt is a full 3X that of Millinery Whse Suede finish rabbit.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My cost on this felt is a full 3X that of Millinery Whse Suede finish rabbit.

It shows too. I think there is a place for both types of felt, but this FEPSA is truly great stuff.

 

[belfastboy]

It shows too. I think there is a place for both types of felt, but this FEPSA is truly great stuff.

Yes, Tim has some 'Special pounce 600's' coming in next but he has yet to set the pricing.

 

[Darrell2688]

That is really a nice looking hat. Robert's work is outstanding, the best that I have seen in a long time.

 

[Blare]

My latest Wolfbrae: FEPSA 95g pure beaver felt with a 6 1/4” open crown and a 3 1/8” bound brim…and the color!

View attachment 445111 View attachment 445112 View attachment 445113 View attachment 445114 View attachment 445115 View attachment 445116


The felt is wonderful and the build quality is top notch. The felt needed a bit of steam to hold a shape, but it’s thin and easily creased. Cowboy he color is spectacular! Robert has some inventory of these FEPSA beaver hat bodies in various colors…I’m back in his queue for one in green.

That is a real thing of beauty there Brent. What a fantastic job by Robert!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

That is a real thing of beauty there Brent. What a fantastic job by Robert!

Thanks, Joe. Robert hit it out of the park.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

1970s Stetson that Robert gave a new lease on life.

It didn’t lose its character it obtained over four decades of use.

 

[ILB Frank]

1970s Stetson that Robert gave a new lease on life.

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It didn’t lose its character it obtained over four decades of use.

I dig that "corded" style ribbon and I never met a red liner I didn't like.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I dig that "corded" style ribbon and I never met a red liner I didn't like.

I replaced the liner myself:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/986398...-1-1&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&bes=1&sts=1

 

[belfastboy]

Here is a picture of fun hat made from the Tonak heathered felt in a dark grey. I talked the client into this style and away from his usual pork Pie. It has a little wider brim and a Fedora bash instead of the Telescope.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I sent Robert a Panama body and he worked his magic. The open crown is 6 1/2” and the brim is about 5 1/4 to 5 1/2” after the curl. I received it open crown and used a Hat Shapers block I bought from Art Fawcett to shape the crown. I might change it to a Gus. I’m not sure that Robert will be keen to take on more Panama projects.

 

[Who?]

Wow!

 

[Blare]

I sent Robert a Panama body and he worked his magic. The open crown is 6 1/2” and the brim is about 5 1/4 to 5 1/2” after the curl. I received it open crown and used a Hat Shapers block I bought from Art Fawcett to shape the crown. I might change it to a Gus. I’m not sure that Robert will be keen to take on more Panama projects.

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What a brim!! That is @Yahoody level!