Northwest Hats, Eugene, Ore.

Bill Hughes said:

Silverbelly from Mike Miller arrived today. A thing of beauty. It's been in the mid 90s here. May have to wait a couple of months before wearing it out for the first time. But, as I enter this post, it feel very good on my bald head.

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Bill Hughes said:

Silverbelly from Mike Miller arrived today. A thing of beauty. It's been in the mid 90s here. May have to wait a couple of months before wearing it out for the first time. But, as I enter this post, it feels very good on my bald head.

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Bill Hughes said:

First outing for my first felt from Mike Miller. My second felt from Mike is in the queue.

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Bill Hughes said:

I had a similar hat with a bit narrower brim that I sold to the good doctor Max aka @drmaxtejeda. I wanted a taller crown and wider brim. So I shamelessly stole (with permission) this combo from Doug aka @Tukwila. I find I really like Doug's collection.

It was finished today and will ship Friday. Silverbelly with copper ribbon. 5 3/4" crown, 3" brim front and back, 2 7/8" sides.

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Doug in his silverbelly. When I was describing what I wanted, as soon as I mentioned Doug, Mike Miller knew exactly what I wanted.
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Bill Hughes said:

Here are some pictures from Mike of my latest custom. It’s rust with a treetan ribbon treatment. It should be shipping in the next few days.
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Bill Hughes said:

Here are some pictures from Mike of my latest custom. It’s rust with a treetan ribbon treatment. It should be shipping in the next few days.
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Bill Hughes said:

Dressed it up for the first time today with a sports coat and tie.

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Tukwila said:

Classy, Bill!

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Bill Hughes said:

Dressed it up for the first time today with a sports coat and tie.

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Bill Hughes said:

Fooling around last night and made this meme using my latest from Mike Miller.

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Bill Hughes said:

This arrived today. It's a Fepsa beaver felt made for Engel & Co. Hatters in slate-blue. It started out with a 6 1/2" crown (open) and 2 5/8" brim. I sent it to Mike Miller to work his magic. The result is a complete refurbishment. The crown is now 5 1/2" open and the brim is 2 3/4". He had to trim the brim to make it even all around. Before it was 2 5/8" in front and on one side. It was 2 1/2" on the back and the other side. I supplied the 1 5/8" striped gray ribbon.QUOTE]

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Bill Hughes said:

This arrived today. It's a Fepsa beaver felt made for Engel & Co. Hatters in slate-blue. It started out with a 6 1/2" crown (open) and 2 5/8" brim. I sent it to Mike Miller to work his magic. The result is a complete refurbishment. The crown is now 5 1/2" open and the brim is 2 3/4". He had to trim the brim to make it even all around. Before it was 2 5/8" in front and on one side. It was 2 1/2" on the back and the other side. I supplied the 1 5/8" striped gray ribbon.

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This was how it looked originally.
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deadlyhandsome said:

very nice, Bill. Can we ask you to compare the felt to Winchester’s?

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Bill Hughes said:

I bought this used directly from Nicholas Engel. He said it is approximately 20 years old. According to him the fur used is the same as is used in the Optimo 1000 hoods. Of course, I have no way of proving this one way or another. But, I will say that this Fepsa hood seems to me to be of better quality than the Winchester hats I have. (I have 7 beavers from Art Fawcett, 2 from Black Sheep, 2 from Gannon, 2 from Northwest, and 1 Penman). I assume all of those are Winchester hoods.

I talked with Mike Miller about the hat when he first received it. He agreed it seemed to be nicer than the Winchester counterparts. I don't know the price difference between a beaver Winchester hood and a beaver hood from Fepsa. But, since they aren't used that much in the USA, I would think the hatters don't think the price justifiable. It does have a nice hand and color is unique. It is lighter in weight than all the custom beavers I have except the ArtLite. Max aka @drmaxtejeda recently bought one used directly from Nicholas Engel. Maybe he can chime in with his opinions. He has way more hats to use for comparison.

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