Staker Custom Hats

[EricRod]

Greetings:

I'm considering getting a custom hat from Staker Hats (www.stakerhats.com). I was wondering if anyone here was familiar with there work? Their prices and turnaround time seems fair. How is the quality of their work? How is their customer service How to they handle correcting problem issues (ie hat not movie accurate)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Eric

 

[EricRod]

No one, huh?

Eric

 

[RJR]

No one, huh?

Eric

Just a suggestion;you might try your question in the "ask and answer" section of the hats forum.I very seldom look in the artisan area.

 

[khaki8]

I just ordered a hat from Craig and he was great to work with. He is currently running about 9 weeks. I sent him this thread and maybe he can introduce himself and his hats. He does mainly western but also some fedoras. He does a soft felt without shellac stiffening. I ordered a little gus...can't wait to get it

 

[belfastboy]

HEricRod, post: 2260182, member: 9263"]Greetings:

I'm considering getting a custom hat from Staker Hats (www.stakerhats.com). I was wondering if anyone here was familiar with there work? Their prices and turnaround time seems fair. How is the quality of their work? How is their customer service How to they handle correcting problem issues (ie hat not movie accurate)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Eric[/QUOTE]
He seems pretty pricey compared to the custom hatters here in the Lounge. Two to three times the price in fact and I can't imagine the quality being any better than the Lounges master hatters. From his colour descriptions he is using Winchester felts same as the others
R

 

[khaki8]

I don't anyone offering the style of hats as Staker does. His proportions and details are great. His hats are not as pricey as O'ferral in Santa Fe...but they also offer incredible styling on their hats and enormous selection.

 

[EricRod]

Just a suggestion;you might try your question in the "ask and answer" section of the hats forum.I very seldom look in the artisan area.

Thank you sir.

Eric

 

[EricRod]

HEricRod, post: 2260182, member: 9263"]Greetings:

I'm considering getting a custom hat from Staker Hats (www.stakerhats.com). I was wondering if anyone here was familiar with there work? Their prices and turnaround time seems fair. How is the quality of their work? How is their customer service How to they handle correcting problem issues (ie hat not movie accurate)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Eric

He seems pretty pricey compared to the custom hatters here in the Lounge. Two to three times the price in fact and I can't imagine the quality being any better than the Lounges master hatters. From his colour descriptions he is using Winchester felts same as the others
R[/QUOTE]

Hmm. I thought his prices were pretty reasonable, especially when compared to someone like Knudsen Hats, which I love. Staker's "Drover" hat is $245. Are you saying that you think I can get it cheaper?

 

[belfastboy]

I used his website and punched in a Beaver felt fedora..standard trimming and the price came up.at $700
That is 2 to 3 times a custom by Northwest or VS. But at $245 for a custom rabbit it is more in line with their offerings. Does he send you a conformatteur to get your exact head shape and size?

 

[EricRod]

I used his website and punched in a Beaver felt fedora..standard trimming and the price came up.at $700
That is 2 to 3 times a custom by Northwest or VS. But at $245 for a custom rabbit it is more in line with their offerings. Does he send you a conformatteur to get your exact head shape and size?

I have to admit, I've only inquired about the Drover hat that he advertises on Etsy for $245. I have yet to actually place the order. The reason I've been hesitant is because the Drover hat pictured on the Etsy page does not appear movie accurate, specifically the brim. I've mentioned to him that the brim on his hat does not look accurate. I said the actual brim appears to be stiffer, like that of a homburg. He said his brim is stiff. I'm afraid that we're not on the same page, which is why I've been a bit hesitant. Below is a pic of his hat and the actual Drover hat. What do you think?

 

[belfastboy]

T

I have to admit, I've only inquired about the Drover hat that he advertises on Etsy for $245. I have yet to actually place the order. The reason I've been hesitant is because the Drover hat pictured on the Etsy page does not appear movie accurate, specifically the brim. I've mentioned to him that the brim on his hat does not look accurate. I said the actual brim appears to be stiffer, like that of a homburg. He said his brim is stiff. I'm afraid that we're not on the same page, which is why I've been a bit hesitant. Below is a pic of his hat and the actual Drover hat. What do you think?

They look close. The original looks to have more brim curl but that could be just the angle of the pic. How ate his Etsy reviews?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

it seems that we are awash in options for custom hats. Being a cheap guy who learns only from his own mistakes and at his own expense, I’ve given a couple bargain hatters a try. So far I’ve proved that there are no free lunches and that you get what you pay for...someone should write that down.

While trolling Etsy for vintage hats I kept coming across Staker Custom Hats out in Utah. https://www.stakerhats.com/ Seeing how my other two experiences with Etsy customs were rather disappointing I thought the third time would be a charm. I placed an order for a European hare fur felt fedora with a 2 3/4” brim and a 6” open crown. It will be substantially like the Etsy photo below (I chickened out on the 3” brim).

Now this is a company who specializes in western hats but after a few email exchanges I was willing to give them a try at making me a fedora. As we progressed with the specifics I was asked if I wanted it made from a western blank or a fedora blank. I almost asked for a western, but ended up with a fedora since I already have several western conversions.

The price was a very reasonable $205 including shipping (included a bound brim). This is a custom at a production hat price. I hope my bad luck with bargain custom hats has come to an end. The beaver and blended fur hats are much more expensive and, for me, are not a very good value compared to other options.

They offer lots of western style hats including movie reproduction hats. These are a few of my non-fedora favorites:

They are a true custom shop and will build a hat to your specifications. I was quoted an eleven (11) week delivery time. I’ll post photos and write a review when I receive the hat. Wish me luck.


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[RJR]

it seems that we are awash in options for custom hats. Being a cheap guy who learns only from his own mistakes and at his own expense, I’ve given a couple bargain hatters a try. So far I’ve proved that there are no free lunches and that you get what you pay for...someone should write that down.

While trolling Etsy for vintage hats I kept coming across Staker Custom Hats out in Utah. https://www.stakerhats.com/ Seeing how my other two experiences with Etsy customs were rather disappointing I thought the third time would be a charm. I placed an order for a European hare fur felt fedora with a 2 3/4” brim and a 6” open crown. It will be substantially like the Etsy photo below (I chickened out on the 3” brim).

Now this is a company who specializes in western hats but after a few email exchanges I was willing to give them a try at making me a fedora. As we progressed with the specifics I was asked if I wanted it made from a western blank or a fedora blank. I almost asked for a western, but ended up with a fedora since I already have several western conversions.

The price was a very reasonable $205 including shipping (included a bound brim). This is a custom at a production hat price. I hope my bad luck with bargain custom hats has come to an end. The beaver and blended fur hats are much more expensive and, for me, are not a very good value compared to other options.

They offer lots of western style hats including movie reproduction hats. These are a few of my non-fedora favorites:

They are a true custom shop and will build a hat to your specifications. I was quoted an eleven (11) week delivery time. I’ll post photos and write a review when I receive the hat. Wish me luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm sure that all will be interested in your review when the hat is in hand.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I just ordered a hat from Craig and he was great to work with. He is currently running about 9 weeks. I sent him this thread and maybe he can introduce himself and his hats. He does mainly western but also some fedoras. He does a soft felt without shellac stiffening. I ordered a little gus...can't wait to get it

We’d love to hear your review of the hat and the process (photos are always a huge plus too). I’m still waiting on my hat and his current wait is 11 weeks.

Brent

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My rabbit fur felt whiskey Staker Custom Hats fedora arrived today. It came packaged in a proper hat box:

A glimpse of the felt told me this was not going to be a finely pounced hat. One touch and I thought it was made with a western hat body. The proprietor, Craig, offered me the option of a western felt or a fedora felt. I chose the fedora, so I wonder just how hard the western would have been.

You can usually get a good idea if you’re going to like a hat with one look and one touch. My first thought was “if all I have to do is eat the shipping maybe I can send it back.” Not a good start.

The brim is stiff and only very lightly flanged. I requested 2 5/8” width and it is just about exactly that. The brim binding is alright and where it is butted together it’s not great but not terrible. About what you’d expect at this price.

The sweatband is soft and appears to be of excellent quality.

The rabbit fur felt is coarse, but free of tool marks.

The liner is functional, but nothing special.

The size is about true, but it was not the long oval that I requested, or at least not a long enough oval. With the stiffness of the felt this will take some work to get it to fit properly.

The crown is my biggest disappointment. I asked for a full six inches and I wanted it straight sided with minimal taper. The crown as received is about 5.75” but it’s the taper that I immediately noticed. LOTS of taper despite what I ordered.

So, do I crease it or not? Not only does creasing it mean I can’t return it, it also means I will have to convert a gallon of water into steam to shape the thick, firm and coarse felt. Of course I couldn’t resist the challenge:

Due to the taper and lower than requested crown height the crease wasn’t as deep as I would have preferred. The pinches were a SOB to put in and then they were too deep and too pronounced once they were in and are resisting my efforts at moderation.

I might even wet it and let it sit a couple of days on my block to get some of the taper out.

This is Staker’s cheapest hat. He also offers blends and 100% beaver. The problem is that he’s charging Optimo money for his beaver and it looks like poor value for the money.

I suppose if you wanted a western weight rough use fedora and didn’t want to convert a western this rabbit fur felt fedora is an option. I am not impressed with the felt and even more disappointed in the hatter for his poor communication and failing to make the hat that I requested. I wouldn’t have a problem if he had said he didn’t have the block shape I was looking for or if he otherwise let me know he couldn’t make the hat I was after.

If you are looking for a bargain fedora, Agnoulita is a far better hat and at an even lower price. Maybe Staker makes good westerns, but he also advertises Fedoras and based on this one sample his fedoras are of low quality. Maybe I’ll pounce it and reblock it, but as it arrived it has failed to impress. Gannon also offers a rabbit fur felt at this exact price point and I wish I had gone that route.

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[1mach1]

My rabbit fur felt whiskey Staker Custom Hats fedora arrived today. It came packaged in a proper hat box:

A glimpse of the felt told me this was not going to be a finely pounced hat. One touch and I thought it was made with a western hat body. The proprietor, Craig, offered me the option of a western felt or a fedora felt. I chose the fedora, so I wonder just how hard the western would have been.

You can usually get a good idea if you’re going to like a hat with one look and one touch. My first thought was “if all of have to do is eat the shipping maybe I can send it back.” Not a good start.

The brim is stiff and only very lightly flanged. I requested 2 5/8” width and it is just about exactly that. The brim binding is alright and where it is butted together it’s not great but not terrible. About what you’d expect at this price.

The sweatband is soft and appears to be of excellent quality.

The rabbit fur felt is coarse, but free of tool marks.

The liner is functional, but nothing special.

The size is about true, but it was not the long oval that I requested, or at least not a long enough oval. With the stiffness of the felt this will take some work to get it to fit properly.

The crown is my biggest disappointment. I asked for a full six inches and I wanted it straight sided with minimal taper. The crown as received is about 5.75” but it’s the taper that I immediately noticed. LOTS of taper despite what I ordered.

So, do I crease it or not? Not only does creasing it mean I can’t return it, it also means I will have to convert a gallon of water into steam to shape the thick, firm and coarse felt. Of course I couldn’t resist the challenge:

Due to the taper and lower than requested crown height the crease wasn’t as deep as I would have preferred. The pinches were a SOB to put in and then they were too deep and too pronounced once they were in and are resisting my efforts at moderation.

I might even wet it and let it sit a couple of days on my block to get some of the taper out.

This is Staker’s cheapest hat. He also offers blends and 100% beaver. The problem is that he’s charging Optimo money for his beaver and it looks like poor value for the money.

I suppose if you wanted a western weight rough use fedora and didn’t want to convert a western this rabbit fur felt fedora is an option. I am not impressed with the felt and even more disappointed in the hatter for his poor communication and failing to make the hat that I requested. I wouldn’t have a problem if he had said he didn’t have the block shape I was looking for or if he otherwise let me know he couldn’t make the hat I was after.

If you are looking for a bargain fedora, Agnoulita is a far better hat and at an even lower price. Maybe Staker makes good westerns, but he also advertises Fedoras and based on this one sample his fedoras are of low quality. Maybe I’ll pounce it and reblock it, but as it arrived it has failed to impress. Gannon also offers a rabbit fur felt at this exact price point and I wish I had gone that route.

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Yeah. Winchester felt must be pounced. Pounced! I have Winchesters from Bob and Mike that I love. But they don't compare to the Tonaks. Not even close. Cheap, yes. But you get what you pay for I guess.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Yeah. Winchester felt must be pounced. Pounced! I have Winchesters from Bob and Mike that I love. But they don't compare to the Tonaks. Not even close. Cheap, yes. But you get what you pay for I guess.

There are some decent hats made from Winchester rabbit fur felts but his isn’t one. Pouncing is only one of the many reasons this hat is a fail.

 

[hatsRme]

There are some decent hats made from Winchester rabbit fur felts but his isn’t one. Pouncing is only one of the many reasons this hat is a fail.

Sorry to hear this Brent. I thank you for the time and thought you put into this.
Gotta wonder if the hatter might respond...?

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My disappointing Staker Fedora in whiskey rabbit felt:

I’ve never given a hat this tight of a pinch, but I didn’t like it no matter what I tried and I’m not concerned with damaging the felt. If it was a bit higher crowned and with a LOT less taper I could live with the other flaws.

I started with a teardrop crease since that’s what it seemed to want, but it’s now a diamond. I’ve taken it back to full crown twice, steamed and re-steamed it but it’s just fatally flawed.


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[RJR]

My disappointing Staker Fedora in whiskey rabbit felt:

I’ve never given a hat this tight of a pinch, but I didn’t like it no matter what I tried and I’m not concerned with damaging the felt. If it was a bit higher crowned and with a LOT less taper I could live with the other flaws.

I started with a teardrop crease since that’s what it seemed to want, but it’s now a diamond. I’ve taken it back to full crown twice, steamed and re-steamed it but it’s just fatally flawed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk