TheSocialHat
New in Town
- Messages
- 4
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
Preserving Hatmaking History: Batsakes 1907 and a New Family Chapter
Hello, fellow hat friends!Although I'm relatively new to participating here on The Fedora Lounge, I've spent much of my life immersed in the wonderful world of hats. I thought this would be a great opportunity to introduce myself and share something very special, something that fills me with tremendous excitement, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for the history of our craft.
I have had the great pleasure and privilege of acquiring the hat making equipment from Batsakes Hat Shop, a historic name in the hat trade dating back to 1907, located in the wonderful city of Cincinnati, Ohio.
And what a remarkable collection it is!
Among the equipment are two original Doran crown irons, two sandbags, more than 900 hat blocks and flanges, countless sets, vintage hat ribbons, and an extraordinary assortment of traditional hat making tools and materials.
For the past 25 years, I have immersed myself in the fascinating world of hats, developing a deep appreciation for exceptional quality, traditional craftsmanship, and the remarkable skill that goes into creating a truly fine hat.
My journey began in hat retailing, where I developed a passion not simply for hats themselves, but for understanding what distinguishes an ordinary hat from an extraordinary one.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of learning directly from talented hatmakers, spending countless hours inside hat factories, observing traditional production methods, studying materials, and developing a profound appreciation for the artistry and precision behind every stage of hat making.
From the selection of fine felts and fabrics to blocking, shaping, ironing, finishing, and all the little details that often go unnoticed, I have always been fascinated by the knowledge, patience, and experience required to create a truly beautiful hat.
But there is one particular material that has always held an especially meaningful place in my heart: Ecuadorian toquilla straw, also known as jipijapa.
My father was Ecuadorian, and perhaps that explains why I feel such a natural connection to this extraordinary material and the centuries-old tradition of weaving what the world knows as Panama hats.
There is something incredibly beautiful about working with genuine Ecuadorian toquilla straw—the delicacy of the weave, the character of the material, and the remarkable craftsmanship behind every hat body.
My love for toquilla straw goes beyond an appreciation for fine hat making. It's part of my heritage. It's in my blood.
Whenever I work with one of these beautiful woven hat bodies, I feel a connection not only to the artisans who created it, but also to my father's Ecuadorian roots.
Working with this remarkable material is one of the greatest pleasures of my hat making journey, and something I look forward to exploring even further.
Perhaps the greatest lesson these 25 years have taught me is that there is always something more to learn.
Even today, after all these years surrounded by hats and the remarkable people who make them, I continue learning something new every single day.
Now, having the opportunity to preserve this extraordinary collection of equipment and eventually put these historic tools back to work is incredibly meaningful.
Just imagining the number of hats that may have been shaped, blocked, ironed, and finished over the decades with some of these tools gives me a profound appreciation for the generations of craftspeople who came before us.
But perhaps the most exciting part of this new chapter has nothing to do with the equipment itself.
It's about my teenage kids.
They have expressed a genuine interest in learning the art and craft of traditional hatmaking, and I cannot begin to describe how much that means to me.
I'm looking forward to organizing this extraordinary collection, setting up the equipment, and, most importantly, spending time with my children as we learn, explore, and create hats together.
I hope to share with them everything I've been fortunate enough to learn throughout my journey, while continuing to discover new techniques and traditions alongside them.
And perhaps one of my greatest joys will be introducing them to the beauty of Ecuadorian toquilla straw, sharing the story of their grandfather's heritage, and helping them appreciate the extraordinary hands and traditions behind each woven hat.
There is something deeply rewarding about the thought of passing along not only knowledge and craftsmanship, but also the patience, creativity, attention to detail, and respect for tradition that make hatmaking such a special art.
These tools have a past. My hope is that, together with my children, we can give them a wonderful future.
I'll be sharing photographs and updates as we organize the blocks, flanges, crown irons, ribbons, and the many other treasures in this remarkable collection.
I would also enjoy hearing from fellow members who have experience with vintage hatmaking equipment, especially Doran crown irons and historic block and flange sets.
There is so much collective knowledge in this community, and I would be delighted to learn from your experiences and perhaps uncover more about the history and use of some of these wonderful tools.
For me, this is about much more than making hats.
It's about honoring a tradition, preserving a craft, bringing generations together, and creating memories that I hope my children will carry with them for a lifetime.
After 25 years in the world of hats, I find myself just as curious, enthusiastic, and eager to learn as I was when my journey began.
And now, I have the wonderful opportunity to share that journey with my children.
As someone just beginning to participate here, I'm looking forward to getting to know fellow hat enthusiasts, exchanging knowledge, learning from your experiences, and sharing this new chapter as it unfolds.
If any of you have worked with vintage Doran equipment, collected historic blocks and flanges, or have memories or stories about Batsakes Hat Shop, I would genuinely love to hear from you.
After all, I believe some of the best things about hats are not just the hats themselves, but the people, stories, friendships, and traditions that connect us.
Hat People Always Shine!
Pablo Alvarez
The Social Hat
