Greeley Hat Works seems to be a good outfit, though I've got no experience with them. Trent blocks panamas for Brent Black.
-
The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.
The Best Custom Western Hat maker!!!
- Thread starter msm007
- Start date
I have 20+ years of experience with David Johnson at D bar J Hats (702-430-0681) at www.dbarjhats.net. I have had him rebuilt vintage hats, and replicate historic, or movie hats for me. I can recommend his work with out reservation. 
jaymag_87
New in Town
- Messages
- 45
- Location
- Dallas, Texas
I had a custom Fur Felt Fedora made by Peters Brothers in Fort Worth. I am extremely pleased with it. When and if I decide to get a new Cowboy Hat, I'm getting it there. They make some fine hats and do a good amount of business at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
www.pbhats.com
www.pbhats.com
- Messages
- 10,616
- Location
- My mother's basement
You've already made one wise decision, msm007 -- you've come here seeking advice.
You could easily spend two or three times as much with one custom hat shop as you might at another and not have a better hat for it. This seems especially true with Western hats.
The plain truth of it is that there are but a few felt hat body suppliers in the world, and many (most, probably) custom hatters in this country get their bodies from the same source. The difference between one hatter's product and another's is all in how he (or she) finishes that body and trims it out. (And most hatters develop their own signature styles and acquire various pieces of equipment and supplies [ribbon, most notably] that allow them to craft those styles.) Those things can make a BIG difference, for sure, but I've seen hats that sell for six or seven or eight hundred dollars (or more) that aren't any better, and perhaps not even as good, as hats costing a whole lot less.
For a Western hat you'll be happy with -- an all-beaver hat finished and trimmed out right, using nothing but first-rate materials throughout -- I'd recommend Buckaroo Hatters. Mike Moore, the guy who runs the place, is a straight shooter all the way. This is not to even imply that any of the others mentioned is this thread aren't. The posters made those recommendations based on their own experiences, and they're all hat guys, so their opinions count for something. But I know of at least a couple of hatters (who have not been mentioned) who would tell a would-be customer all order of nonsense to justify their wildly inflated prices.
You could easily spend two or three times as much with one custom hat shop as you might at another and not have a better hat for it. This seems especially true with Western hats.
The plain truth of it is that there are but a few felt hat body suppliers in the world, and many (most, probably) custom hatters in this country get their bodies from the same source. The difference between one hatter's product and another's is all in how he (or she) finishes that body and trims it out. (And most hatters develop their own signature styles and acquire various pieces of equipment and supplies [ribbon, most notably] that allow them to craft those styles.) Those things can make a BIG difference, for sure, but I've seen hats that sell for six or seven or eight hundred dollars (or more) that aren't any better, and perhaps not even as good, as hats costing a whole lot less.
For a Western hat you'll be happy with -- an all-beaver hat finished and trimmed out right, using nothing but first-rate materials throughout -- I'd recommend Buckaroo Hatters. Mike Moore, the guy who runs the place, is a straight shooter all the way. This is not to even imply that any of the others mentioned is this thread aren't. The posters made those recommendations based on their own experiences, and they're all hat guys, so their opinions count for something. But I know of at least a couple of hatters (who have not been mentioned) who would tell a would-be customer all order of nonsense to justify their wildly inflated prices.
You might want to check out http://www.nateshats.com/.
The real deal, mostly word of mouth reputation among working cowboys and rodeo types as well as the rich and famous.
Bill
The real deal, mostly word of mouth reputation among working cowboys and rodeo types as well as the rich and famous.
Bill
- Messages
- 10,524
- Location
- DnD Ranch, Cherokee County, GA
My first western custom came from here = http://www.weatherhatco.com/
I have tried to email them but got no reply. It has been quite a few years...
I have tried to email them but got no reply. It has been quite a few years...
Havana
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 249
- Location
- South Carolina
I hesitate to use the word "best" but Ritch Rand is definitely an excellent hat maker.
http://www.randhats.com/
http://www.randhats.com/
feltfan
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,190
- Location
- Oakland, CA, USA
I would find this thread much more interesting if each person who
expressed an opinion were to show a picture of a hat reflecting the
qualities claimed. As it is, I have no way to compare one hat maker
from another. Their web sites certainly aren't much help, since they're
so slick and lack independent evaluation.
There are a lot of interesting posts on this site from Rocky Mountain
Hat Company in Montana, a former member. I can't claim to know
much about modern cowboy hat makers, but I was impressed with
their know how.
expressed an opinion were to show a picture of a hat reflecting the
qualities claimed. As it is, I have no way to compare one hat maker
from another. Their web sites certainly aren't much help, since they're
so slick and lack independent evaluation.
There are a lot of interesting posts on this site from Rocky Mountain
Hat Company in Montana, a former member. I can't claim to know
much about modern cowboy hat makers, but I was impressed with
their know how.
Riot Earp
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 92
- Location
- Rochester, NY
These people are great to deal with: http://www.cmhats.com/
These people powder their felt and aren't the best communicators and so I would avoid them: http://www.texashatters.com/Store/
Your mileage may vary.
These people powder their felt and aren't the best communicators and so I would avoid them: http://www.texashatters.com/Store/
Your mileage may vary.
WH1
Practically Family
- Messages
- 967
- Location
- Over hills and far away
Check out Rodney Allison at North Valley Hatters. He builds a very high quality hat, is honest, the real deal and was a heck of a bareback rider back when we were young.
http://www.northvalleyhatco.com/
http://www.northvalleyhatco.com/
RBH
Bartender
- Messages
- 15,239
Here is the only western Mike Moore has made me, I call it 'The Ranger"msm007 said:
I do have several fedoras from Buckaroo Hatters.
msm007 said:
Outback Explorer in Sahara (one of about 15 colors) from http://www.nateshats.com (Nathaniel's of Colorado)
Bill
leo said:
Outback Explorer in Sahara (one of about 15 colors) from http://www.nateshats.com (Nathaniel's of Colorado)
Bill
Very nice, too!!!
Lefty said:
Greeley Hat Works is about 60 miles south of me. I have no experience with their new hats. I had them do minor rehabs on two vintage Stetsons. Replaced a sweat in an older 3X western and restitched a loose sweat in an Open Road 25. Sloppy work in both cases. They might do better on a new custom.
Similar threads
