If I wanted a wide-brimmed Western fedora a la Doc in “Tombstone” …

[PRW94]

… what are my options?

I have messaged Agnoulita about possibly doing one, and I have found a few options online that are either approaching or at four figures which ain’t happening. I basically have Stetson/Akubra/Agnoulita money to scratch my cosplaying Val Kilmer itch LOL. Miller offers one in that range but I am leery of dealing with them after seeing some posts here. Just wanted to see what else might be available out there. Thanks!

 

[Trouser Bark]

No clue what the actor’s hat looked like but do have a wide(r) brim fedora from JBS. Model name is Dexter.

 

[jlee562]

They used to sell a replica through Val's official website, but looks like it's been taken down after his passing. The original maker is Tom Hirt. https://hatsofthewest.com/movies.htm

Knudsen also offers one: https://www.knudsenhats.com/doc-holliday

 

[PRW94]

They used to sell a replica through Val's official website, but looks like it's been taken down after his passing. The original maker is Tom Hirt. https://hatsofthewest.com/movies.htm

Knudsen also offers one: https://www.knudsenhats.com/doc-holliday

I found Hirt’s website but the link on it goes to Kilmer’s website and as you noted that link is dead. Plus I used Archive’s Wayback Machine to retrieve it and the price was $895 and that ain’t happening.

I sent Knudsen a request for an estimate.

I am hoping that I hear from Agnoulita because my wife who also likes hats got them to make a bolero hat for her that was superb, very nice quality work.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi, Mike Moore of Buckaroo Hatters made me a Doc hat in Tan with a brown ribbon. I would hope that most hatters could make you one. I'd go local if you can, that way you could hopefully tweak it as he builds it.

Later

 

[PRW94]

Hi, Mike Moore of Buckaroo Hatters made me a Doc hat in Tan with a brown ribbon. I would hope that most hatters could make you one. I'd go local if you can, that way you could hopefully tweak it as he builds it.

Later

Unfortunately the only local hatter that I know of doesn’t deal in fur felt. I looked at Buckaroo and I am betting he’s out of my price range.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi, I haven't purchased a hat anywhere in 3-4 years and prices have gone up on everything. I'm paying just under double for my apartment that I moved in to 12 years ago. If you're in North Alabama, then Covington TN is at least decently close, and he was less expensive than other places last time I bought something.
Later

 

[Who?]

To pose the eternal question, how much are you willing to pay?

 

[Trouser Bark]

I feel like I've missed a meeting here. That term, "western fedora" in the title is new to me and the hat being referred to looks like a cowboy hat to my eye. I'd have never guessed it might be thought of as a fedora.

I've thought of a fedora in terms of a snap down or snap up brim up front and the same out back. Less a working tool and more an expression of style but this Kilmer hat doesn't fit that bill. I don't want to seem like the hair splitting goofball here but what makes this a fedora?

 

[jlee562]

I found Hirt’s website but the link on it goes to Kilmer’s website and as you noted that link is dead. Plus I used Archive’s Wayback Machine to retrieve it and the price was $895 and that ain’t happening.

I sent Knudsen a request for an estimate.

I am hoping that I hear from Agnoulita because my wife who also likes hats got them to make a bolero hat for her that was superb, very nice quality work.

A 7x Knudsen will set you back $360 according to what's currently on their site. I've only ever seen their fur felts from across the counter and at that distance, they look pretty good. I have handled one of their wool felts and was actually surprised to see it was a wool hat when I flipped it over. Seemed like a well put together hat. The hat I have from them is a semi custom Stetson BOP, so I can't speak for all their detail work, but they are a real brick and mortar store with a good amount of their own stock on the wall.

 

[rogueclimber]

I sent Knudsen a request for an estimate.

I (my first ordered hat) was not happy with Knudsen's work on my "Justified" hat

Feel they simply slapped a new band on a stock Stetson and never cut down the brim nor shaped it to look more like Raylan's hat...

 

[PRW94]

To pose the eternal question, how much are you willing to pay?

I said above, Stetson/Akubra off the shelf money.

 

[PRW94]

I feel like I've missed a meeting here. That term, "western fedora" in the title is new to me and the hat being referred to looks like a cowboy hat to my eye. I'd have never guessed it might be thought of as a fedora.

I've thought of a fedora in terms of a snap down or snap up brim up front and the same out back. Less a working tool and more an expression of style but this Kilmer hat doesn't fit that bill. I don't want to seem like the hair splitting goofball here but what makes this a fedora?

I saw it described as a “Western fedora” on some websites.

 

[PRW94]

Hi, I haven't purchased a hat anywhere in 3-4 years and prices have gone up on everything. I'm paying just under double for my apartment that I moved in to 12 years ago. If you're in North Alabama, then Covington TN is at least decently close, and he was less expensive than other places last time I bought something.
Later

I will reach out to them. (And I am 324 miles from Covington.)

 

[PRW94]

I (my first ordered hat) was not happy with Knudsen's work on my "Justified" hat

Feel they simply slapped a new band on a stock Stetson and never cut down the brim nor shaped it to look more like Raylan's hat...

Good to know.

 

[PRW94]

Following up, I have heard back from Agnoulita/HNC, Buckaroo and Knudsen. Will consider my options. As noted I have held an example of Agnoulita’s work in my hands, albeit my wife’s hat, so I have seen the quality of their work.

Any input on who’s most likely to produce the most exact copy? Mr. Pappa said he’s made them before but asked for photos.

 

[PRW94]

Following up one more time … and I hope the next followup will be a New Hat Day … I have solid quotes that are literally within spitting distance of each other from the two Mikes, at Buckaroo and Northwest. From everything I’ve seen here, I can’t go wrong with either of them, so it’s going to be a tough choice.

 

[Rmccamey]

I'm sure Buckaroo or Northwest can make you an excellent hat, so you have two great choices. A word of advice, however, and that is to have realistic expectations. Over the years there have been several people post (usually newer members) about their disappointment in a custom hat they ordered because it was not perfectly identical to the hat they copied. The brim curl was not "exactly " the same or there was a wrinkle or twist in the bow that did not match the model perfectly or the ribbon color was a shade lighter or darker or the crown was slightly shorter or taller than they expected or the crease was slightly different. Even the same hat will look different based on the surroundings, lighting, clothing, and even facial features and face or head shape. So, again, be realistic. A custom hat won't make you look like Val Kilmer and it is unlikely people will stop you on the street and comment that your hat "looks just like the one in Tombstone".

Best of luck. I look forward to seeing your new hat.

Northwest bowler in Steel

Following up, I have heard back from Agnoulita/HNC, Buckaroo and Knudsen. Will consider my options. As noted I have held an example of Agnoulita’s work in my hands, albeit my wife’s hat, so I have seen the quality of their work.

Any input on who’s most likely to produce the most exact copy? Mr. Pappa said he’s made them before but asked for photos.

Following up one more time … and I hope the next followup will be a New Hat Day … I have solid quotes that are literally within spitting distance of each other from the two Mikes, at Buckaroo and Northwest. From everything I’ve seen here, I can’t go wrong with either of them, so it’s going to be a tough choice.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

A word of advice, however, and that is to have realistic expectations.

This is my fav pic of Jack Daniel & the only pic of this hat. Originality, dimensions & blocking are always critical to me. A hatter would say he could clone this hat but the truth is there is simply not enough in one pic to do it. You can’t even see the hatband. So I have never gotten serious about having a clone made because it most likely would not meet my expectations.

 

[PRW94]

I'm sure Buckaroo or Northwest can make you an excellent hat, so you have two great choices. A word of advice, however, and that is to have realistic expectations. Over the years there have been several people post (usually newer members) about their disappointment in a custom hat they ordered because it was not perfectly identical to the hat they copied. The brim curl was not "exactly " the same or there was a wrinkle or twist in the bow that did not match the model perfectly or the ribbon color was a shade lighter or darker or the crown was slightly shorter or taller than they expected or the crease was slightly different. Even the same hat will look different based on the surroundings, lighting, clothing, and even facial features and face or head shape. So, again, be realistic. A custom hat won't make you look like Val Kilmer and it is unlikely people will stop you on the street and comment that your hat "looks just like the one in Tombstone".

Best of luck. I look forward to seeing your new hat.

Northwest bowler in Steel
View attachment 712132

Totally understand everything you said. Bottom line I want to add a Western hat to my collection but not a “cowboy hat” per se. I thought a Doc hat would be a good choice and if someone gets close ... and photos I have seen from NW and Buckaroo are REAL close … I am good. I can’t afford Tom Hirt money for the real thing.

I'm sure Buckaroo or Northwest can make you an excellent hat, so you have two great choices. A word of advice, however, and that is to have realistic expectations. Over the years there have been several people post (usually newer members) about their disappointment in a custom hat they ordered because it was not perfectly identical to the hat they copied. The brim curl was not "exactly " the same or there was a wrinkle or twist in the bow that did not match the model perfectly or the ribbon color was a shade lighter or darker or the crown was slightly shorter or taller than they expected or the crease was slightly different. Even the same hat will look different based on the surroundings, lighting, clothing, and even facial features and face or head shape. So, again, be realistic. A custom hat won't make you look like Val Kilmer and it is unlikely people will stop you on the street and comment that your hat "looks just like the one in Tombstone".

Best of luck. I look forward to seeing your new hat.

Northwest bowler in Steel
View attachment 712132