Peters Brothers

wayside · Apr 7, 2007

I'm new to the Lounge but have been "snooping" for quite a while. I've been a "hatman" for about 40 years now and have owned my share of lids. One maker that I don't see too much consversation about is Peters Brothers. I purchase a custom "Indy" fedora from the several years back and have gotten outstanding use from it. I'll post some pictures later but it has taken a beating over the years and always comes back for more. I'm wondering if any of my fellow members have the same opinon of the hats from this maker. Incidently, I found them a pleasure to deal with.

Jerekson · Apr 7, 2007

I've never dealt with Peter's, but from what I can gather people typically don't like them.

It looks like you got a good shot with the custom hat, but I've heard that their cheaper ones are not very good at all.

Of course, maybe I'm thinking of MILLER's Brothers. Probably

Jerekson

wayside · Apr 7, 2007

Jerekson said:
I've never dealt with Peter's, but from what I can gather people typically don't like them.

It looks like you got a good shot with the custom hat, but I've heard that their cheaper ones are not very good at all.

Of course, maybe I'm thinking of MILLER's Brothers. Probably

Jerekson

I think you probably are referencing Miller Brothers. I would definitley agree with that opinion. Peters Brothers have been around for decades although most of their hats have been of the "cowboy" variety.

DanielJones · Apr 7, 2007

First off we'll start off on a positive note and say welcome to the Fedora Lounge. You will find a wide range of opinions on many subjects here, but most of them are fairly good natured.

On s slightly sour note, I had gotten an Indy straw from them a couple of years ago. The hat was fairly nice and dependable, but it took forever (8 months) to get and the customer service was less than stellar.

Fortunately for you their customer service was good. You're one of the lucky ones. For me first impressions are everything and customer service is number one. A place can have a so-so product, but if their customer service & relations is top notch that's what sells me. But hey, that's just me and I'm just one guy.[huh]
Now, back to a good note, Happy hat hunting & collecting. We're glad to have you here and can't wait to see the pictures of your PB Indy. As you can tell we like pictures here. Again, welcome & enjoy!:eusa_clap

Cheers!

Dan

Damon Falzone · Apr 7, 2007

Welcome, Wayside...

I purchased a Peters Bros. Indy Custom second-hand a couple of years ago. The felt, as we know, is thick and stiff making it less comfortable than a softer, thinner felt. However, this thing is "bullet-proof" as Peters Bros. attests. So it's the hat I choose when the weather is bad or the going is rough. It's never the worse for wear. And at 1/3 the price of new, it was a bargain.:fedora:

Dixon Cannon · Apr 7, 2007

Peter's Brothers, Fort Worth, Texas

I flew to Dallas to visit Peters in Fort Worth and I went through the whole routine of head measuring and hat selection. I placed my order and paid in advance with a credit card.

Then I waited. ....and waited. ....and waited!

It seems a rodeo came to town and all production stopped while rodeo cowboys placed orders for hats with Peters. Mine never did get made. After considerable rangling and letters to the owner, I finally got a refund to my credit card, but no hat!

I was very disappointed with the experience I had at Peter Brothers. After much bragging and name dropping about whose hats they'd made, they couldn't get around to creating one for little ole me!

That's my experience with Peter Brothers.

-dixon cannon

wayside · Apr 7, 2007

First, thanks for the welcome.

Sorry to hear about the poor experience with Peters Brothers. I guess I caught them on a good day. As I said, the custom the made for me has taken a beating and hangs right in there. I would rate it right up there with my Federation as far as construction. Here's a glimpse.

jeboat · Apr 7, 2007

Peters Bros. Indy

I bought a "used" Peters Bros. Indy on an auction site. It was presented as new, unworn and the seller needed the $. I paid $175.00 and it retailed at just under $300.00. It is supposed to be a collaboration among Borsalino, some Indy fans and Peters Bros.

I like the hat, it is soft and pliable and looks pretty good as an Indy. There is a nick name for the model but I can't remember it. It is definitely good quality, not excellent but good, probably pure rabbit

jeboat

Mark George · Apr 7, 2007

PBHats - OK by me!

Welcome, Wayside! I sent an Open Road to Joe for a reblock recently. He called to verify what I wanted after receiving it. Then, I got it back a little over a week after our conversation, beautifully blocked, shaped, cleaned, and with a new sweat. That was my first experience with PB, and I have to say, I was impressed.

Mark

wayside · Apr 7, 2007

Mark George said:
Welcome, Wayside! I sent an Open Road to Joe for a reblock recently. He called to verify what I wanted after receiving it. Then, I got it back a little over a week after our conversation, beautifully blocked, shaped, cleaned, and with a new sweat. That was my first experience with PB, and I have to say, I was impressed.

Mark

Thanks for the welcome, Mark. I found Joe to be very helpful when it came to discussing dimensionsional cut. He spent a good deal of time on the phone with me. I'm glad to hear you also had a positive experience. The only negative I found on the hat, as compared to the Federation I had was the amount of taper. It's not extreme by any measure but it is a tad more than what I would prefer. Otherwise, as I said, it's a great looking, well made workhorse.

RBH · Apr 8, 2007

Welcome to the lounge!

wayside · Apr 8, 2007

RBH said:
Welcome to the lounge!
.

Thanks for the welcome. I guess it really does depend on which day you catch these guys! The hat in the picture was my only experience with Peters Bros. and as I said, it was a breeze.

Kim Steiner · Apr 8, 2007

I bought a Borsolino from Joe in Oct. 2005 while in Ft. Worth and found his sales technique to be a bit pushy. I wasn't offended by that because I know I will buy or not buy on my own terms and I tend to have a detached view of such methods.

More recently, I sent a Stetson 100 to them in November to be cleaned and remade into a Shady Oaks. Joe said he could not promise it before January, and it was March when I received the hat. I've waited up to 5 years for custom made rifles, so I tend to be patient when waiting for craftsmen to build things that they are uniquely qualified to make.

I believe it is pretty much a one-man shop. He had a helper in 2005 and may have one now, but I have gotten the impression that he may not hang onto employees very long.

I was about 97% satisfied with the Shady Oaks. I would probably buy from him again depending on the circumstances. Depending on what you want, you might consider Rands in Billings. They are a little more professionally run.

Kim

fastball · Apr 10, 2007

peter brothers

I bought my first cowboy hat at peter brothers in fort worth about 45 years ago
when I was a teenager on my way to the Fat Stock Show. ( I know you are wondering what that is???) It is a great old hat store that I would reccomend to anyone. I don't live in Texas any more, but it is one of the first places I will go next time I am back in Cowtown where the west begins. They make a Shady Oaks that is similar to an open road. It is not cheap, but it is the real deal. An old store, like the old hats, is real jewel and they don't make em like that anymore, as we all know.

CoveredPate · Nov 25, 2010

My 100% Beaver fedora from Peters Bros arrived earlier today. It's my second hat made by Joe. I was fitted for the hat back in September and Joe advised me it would be close to 12 weeks for delivery. All-in-all, it took about nine weeks to be made and delivered. It was well worth the wait!

The Peters Bros story is as cool as the hat I just received. Joe's grandfather, Tom, started the business in 1911 with his brother, Jim. They started off by shining shoes and eventually added hat blocking and cleaning services. Tom left the business for a few years to work for Stetson where he learned the art of making hats. He returned to Ft Worth and Peters Bros eventually shifted away from shining shoes to making hats. Come 2011, the shop will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

If you're ever in Ft Worth, I highly recommend you visit Joe's shop. If for no other reason than to see how hats are made. It's cool to see equipment that's at least 80 years old still making hats. These are the same machines that have made hats for every President since FDR as well as ZZ Top, Jimmy Stewart, the Lone Ranger, and Maverick (James Garner). Simply tell Joe what you're looking for and he'll make it for you. Just be patient. Good things come to those who wait.

danofarlington · Nov 25, 2010

wayside said:
I'm new to the Lounge but have been "snooping" for quite a while. I've been a "hatman" for about 40 years now and have owned my share of lids. One maker that I don't see too much consversation about is Peters Brothers. I purchase a custom "Indy" fedora from the several years back and have gotten outstanding use from it. I'll post some pictures later but it has taken a beating over the years and always comes back for more. I'm wondering if any of my fellow members have the same opinon of the hats from this maker. Incidently, I found them a pleasure to deal with.

I like Peters Brothers. They sold me the first hat I bought on the Internet, a Borsalino Alessandria. They were helpful, sent it quick, and even shaped it for me on my request. So I have a positive impression of them. By the way, I've mentioned their name four or five times on posts here in the past, as I try to talk up the stores I like. But there was no way for you to know that without slogging through a lot of website history, which I wouldn't wish on anyone who wasn't a glutton for punishment.

monbla256 · Nov 25, 2010

My family ( my father and I ) has bought hats from and had hat work done by Peters Bros. in Ft. Worth for over 50 years now and have only one thing to say about them - THEY ARE THE BEST !!

handlebar bart · Nov 25, 2010

danofarlington said:
I like Peters Brothers. They sold me the first hat I bought on the Internet, a Borsalino Alessandria. They were helpful, sent it quick, and even shaped it for me on my request. So I have a positive impression of them. By the way, I've mentioned their name four or five times on posts here in the past, as I try to talk up the stores I like. But there was no way for you to know that without slogging through a lot of website history, which I wouldn't wish on anyone who wasn't a glutton for punishment.

Wayside would also need a time machine..........he made his post three yrs ago.

danofarlington · Nov 25, 2010

handlebar bart said:
Wayside would also need a time machine..........he made his post three yrs ago.

Right you are! Funny, it seems like only yesterday that I read it. But, that's Alzheimer's for you. Can anyone tell me whether Bush or Gore won the election earlier this month?

zetwal · Nov 25, 2010

What? I thought it was Reagan ...

Peters Brothers

New in Town

One Too Many

New in Town

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

My Mail is Forwarded Here

New in Town

One of the Regulars

New in Town

New in Town

New in Town

New in Town

New in Town

New in Town

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Call Me a Cab

Call Me a Cab

My Mail is Forwarded Here

I'll Lock Up

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