Alley Kat Hat Co

[Gabe Long]

His work has been phenomenal lately. Just wonderful.

 

[tropicalbob]

The great thing about this thread (and this website) is that you can watch an artisan develop his talent and deepen his knowledge.

 

[RJR]

The great thing about this thread (and this website) is that you can watch an artisan develop his talent and deepen his knowledge.

+1

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

I want to thank you all, for the good words.
I don't come on to the thread all that often, to make remarks. But I see a few new faces/names of people; and I thank you all for the likes, and comments too. I have been using Instagram as a way to easily post my work. And what I like about that social medium, is the ease and freedom in using it .
And it is not time consuming.

Something I love to do is capture my "handcrafting" I enjoy showing detailed photos in segments of my process. Not many hatters do this.

Later I'll be posting 1Mach1, which is a hat I'm finishing up for Harvey.

But in these photos, you'll see my process, you see my hand work, and even if you do not own my work, the pictures tell a story about a guy who builds with "no machine" eccept for closing a loop prior to binding it to a brim. That is the only machine work.

Nobody really documents up so close and shares so much, but that isn't a bother to me, because it isn't something anyone is going to take from me in any short explanation or photo, it isnt any trade secret. This work, it takes time to master. And I do not consider myself a master, just a guy who can make an exceptional product by hand as good as the Masters who have all the bells and whistles in the perfect shop enviroment. I don't have that, but my product is right there. And I love nothing more, than to see people like and enjoy, what I share on IG.

Follow along if so inclined at #alleykathatco

Happy holidays to everyone.

Tim

 

[tropicalbob]

I am really blown away by the fact that Tim has gone out and gotten a block in my size. What better example could there be of the difference between a single artisan who cares about what he does and, well, Hatco.? Thank you, Tim.

 

[RJR]

I am really blown away by the fact that Tim has gone out and gotten a block in my size. What better example could there be of the difference between a single artisan who cares about what he does and, well, Hatco.? Thank you, Tim.

Plus his work is outstanding.

 

[1mach1]

Tim has been working on a recreation of my Stetson Bantam.

Silvermist beaver, 1" charcoal crown ribbon, tonal brim binding, and 2 5/8" brim.

More to come....

Thanks Tim!

 

[moontheloon]

Tim has been working on a recreation of my Stetson Bantam.

Silvermist beaver, 1" charcoal crown ribbon, tonal brim binding, and 2 5/8" brim.

More to come....

Thanks Tim!

that looks ridiculously amazing

 

[Bob Roberts]

Oh BOY!

 

[philosophy101]

Tim has been working on a recreation of my Stetson Bantam.

Silvermist beaver, 1" charcoal crown ribbon, tonal brim binding, and 2 5/8" brim.

More to come....

Thanks Tim!

Outstanding!

 

[Gabe Long]

Holy moly, harv has a beaut coming.

All things serve the Beam.

 

[LuvMyMan]

Harv, that is one razor sharp Fedora....wow! I am still waiting for my first custom made for myself from Esther...it should arrive fairly soon...a few days I hope...and of course I have one on Tim's work bench yet for Daniel. I originally was going to have Tim make a hat I would coin the name, Sally Port...but no...I had to change it somewhat. NO Sally Port. Tim was willing to make it....but Daniel would have just looked at the hat and liked how it looked without actually wearing it...long story short, Daniel is not going to wear a hat with a curled up brim! I have no idea why he does no like how they look...but you have to like a hat to wear it and like how you look while wearing it. That really is what hats are all about. But I can tell you this much...my sally port idea would be a hat unlike anything any hatter has made so far. Well at least for hatters here and perhaps any hatter since around the Civil War. Now the amazing thing is, Tim could have made it with ease.

Daniel will love the hat Tim is working on now. That is all what matters. I am thankful Tim could change directions on the hat as it was not too far along to do that for my order. Just in case some do not realize, Tim had someone order a hat or so to be made and after Tim busted his "..." making and changing it around the customer left Tim holding the bag so to speak...and did not have Tim send it to him...so he had to EAT the cost. I am so sad about that...yes I know I should have kept my mouth shut, but hey, we are all like family here...Tim is most sure considered family as far as we are concerned...it was a sad thing that anyone would do something like that...but it happens. Hat making is Tim's vocation...his income...his job...how he pays the bills.....and to get "stiffed" is a costly thing. OH well...live and learn.

 

[Redfokker]

 

[Bob Roberts]

Harv, that is one razor sharp Fedora....wow! I am still waiting for my first custom made for myself from Esther...it should arrive fairly soon...a few days I hope...and of course I have one on Tim's work bench yet for Daniel. I originally was going to have Tim make a hat I would coin the name, Sally Port...but no...I had to change it somewhat. NO Sally Port. Tim was willing to make it....but Daniel would have just looked at the hat and liked how it looked without actually wearing it...long story short, Daniel is not going to wear a hat with a curled up brim! I have no idea why he does no like how they look...but you have to like a hat to wear it and like how you look while wearing it. That really is what hats are all about. But I can tell you this much...my sally port idea would be a hat unlike anything any hatter has made so far. Well at least for hatters here and perhaps any hatter since around the Civil War. Now the amazing thing is, Tim could have made it with ease.

Daniel will love the hat Tim is working on now. That is all what matters. I am thankful Tim could change directions on the hat as it was not too far along to do that for my order. Just in case some do not realize, Tim had someone order a hat or so to be made and after Tim busted his "..." making and changing it around the customer left Tim holding the bag so to speak...and did not have Tim send it to him...so he had to EAT the cost. I am so sad about that...yes I know I should have kept my mouth shut, but hey, we are all like family here...Tim is most sure considered family as far as we are concerned...it was a sad thing that anyone would do something like that...but it happens. Hat making is Tim's vocation...his income...his job...how he pays the bills.....and to get "stiffed" is a costly thing. OH well...live and learn.

Hey Cindy, you got a unusual design idea...? That Daniel doesnt care for? Send me a PM and let me know what's cooking in yer brain. I'm open to your thoughts...

 

[RJR]

Harv, that is one razor sharp Fedora....wow! I am still waiting for my first custom made for myself from Esther...it should arrive fairly soon...a few days I hope...and of course I have one on Tim's work bench yet for Daniel. I originally was going to have Tim make a hat I would coin the name, Sally Port...but no...I had to change it somewhat. NO Sally Port. Tim was willing to make it....but Daniel would have just looked at the hat and liked how it looked without actually wearing it...long story short, Daniel is not going to wear a hat with a curled up brim! I have no idea why he does no like how they look...but you have to like a hat to wear it and like how you look while wearing it. That really is what hats are all about. But I can tell you this much...my sally port idea would be a hat unlike anything any hatter has made so far. Well at least for hatters here and perhaps any hatter since around the Civil War. Now the amazing thing is, Tim could have made it with ease.

Daniel will love the hat Tim is working on now. That is all what matters. I am thankful Tim could change directions on the hat as it was not too far along to do that for my order. Just in case some do not realize, Tim had someone order a hat or so to be made and after Tim busted his "..." making and changing it around the customer left Tim holding the bag so to speak...and did not have Tim send it to him...so he had to EAT the cost. I am so sad about that...yes I know I should have kept my mouth shut, but hey, we are all like family here...Tim is most sure considered family as far as we are concerned...it was a sad thing that anyone would do something like that...but it happens. Hat making is Tim's vocation...his income...his job...how he pays the bills.....and to get "stiffed" is a costly thing. OH well...live and learn.

I believe I read here or on IG that someone else jumped right on that hat.

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

I believe I read here or on IG that someone else jumped right on that hat.

Bob I decided to give it to Kurt aka bolthead. He has been a help to me and is a good friend. However......Kurt came to see me to take some pictures for Harvey. He knows my girl Lisa loved the hat. The hat found its way back home. Lisa will wear it tomorrow with her Roger Dalrtey fringe coat.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Bob I decided to give it to Kurt aka bolthead. He has been a help to me and is a good friend. However......Kurt came to see me to take some pictures for Harvey. He knows my girl Lisa loved the hat. The hat found its way back home. Lisa will wear it tomorrow with her Roger Dalrtey fringe coat.

Sounds like a perfect design to meet a fringe coat...

 

[Bob Roberts]

Ps. Some pics w the fringe coat would be cool.

 

[Zombie_61]

^ Seconded. Pics, or the coat doesn't exist.

 

[RJR]

^ Seconded. Pics, or the coat doesn't exist.

+1