Anyone owned a Texas Hatters Statesman?

[Atticus Finch]

Hi Folks,

I've always wanted a Stetson Open Road. Sadly though, I have a 7 7/8 head and ORs are made only up to size 7 3/4. But a friend told me about a company called Texas Hatters that makes something like an Open Road called a "Statesman." I found their web site and sure enough their Statesman looks for all the world like an OR and it comes in my size.

Has anyone here had any experience with Texas Hatters? Is the Statesman a good quality hat?

Atticus

 

[RBH]

Texas Hatters

I ordered a straw western hat from them last year. I have a felt western [same style as the straw] that I got from them around 30 years ago.
I had a little trouble getting my hat. But I think it was mostly my fault. I ordered to cheap of a straw.
I think I would give them a try. David Torres is a real nice guy and if you work with him I believe you can get what you want.
But as a warning you may have to wait for the hat.

P.S. Will you get it blocked in the fedora style?

 

[tonyb]

If you're expecting a fat tax return this year, you may wish to check out Optimo's website (www.optimohats.com). There you can see a model they call "The 4 X 4," which looks quite a bit like an Open Road. Its dimensions are perhaps a tad more generous than your standard OR's, but the proportions look right.
The Peters Bros. Shady Oaks is quite Open Road-ish, too.
Yours is the first mention I've ever heard of the Texas Hatters Statesman, so I checked out their website. When I see what they and the aforementioned hatmakers charge for their hats (especially the all-beaver offerings), I can't help but think it might be better get in touch with one of the custom makers to be found on this forum.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Texas Hatters

Hi RBH,

Thanks for the info. I am a big fan of many of the old political giants who wore the Open Road---LBJ, Harry Truman, Huey Long and here in North Carolina, Jim Graham and Bob Scott. I expect that I will opt for one in that "traditional" style as opposed to fedora.

Atticus

 

[Atticus Finch]

Texas Hatters

Hi Tonyb,

Yes, Texas Hatters is pricey. As best I can determine, about twice what Stetson would charge for a comparable hat. But right now the only half-way decent hat I have is a Quaker Marine Ridge Walker. So you can see my plight.

I had not thought of a custom hat. Now that you mention it, that may be a better option. I'm new here, so I don't know any of the custom hat makers. Any suggestions?

Atticus

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Two fine custom hatters

Here you go.

Steve Delk..http://www.adventurebilthats.com/

Art Fawcett..http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/

 

[Atticus Finch]

Custom Hat Makers

Thanks, Sharpetoys!

Atticus

 

[John in Covina]

Open Road Fedora Style?

One of our intrepid custom makers has done a similar hat that is like the gray one Bridges wears in Seabisquit, which is very similar to an Open Road with the thin ribbon, bashed to a fedora style. So there's the expertice out there. It was Art, he has some cool pix of the hat, the original I think!

 

[Uncle Vern]

If I were going for a custom hat, I'd call Steve Delk. I asked about a basic Open Road-style hat with a taller crown and wider brim, and he can do it. The ony drawbaxck is that he doesn't offer a ribbon brim--you'd have to take the hat somewhere else to get that done.
Texas Hatters makes a very nice hat, and they're pricey, but their basic rabbit hat is much nicer than anything Stetson has to offer in the lower range. Some of that new Stetson stuff is pure junk. I saw Stetsons for sale at Christmas that were so thick and stiff they could barely hold a block. If I really liked a particular style, I wouldn't hesitate to spend a bit more if I thought I was going to like the result. I also like the idea of buying from the little guys, whether it's Steve or any other independent hatter.

 

[tonyb]

If I were going for a custom hat, I'd call Steve Delk. I asked about a basic Open Road-style hat with a taller crown and wider brim, and he can do it. The ony drawbaxck is that he doesn't offer a ribbon brim--you'd have to take the hat somewhere else to get that done.
Texas Hatters makes a very nice hat, and they're pricey, but their basic rabbit hat is much nicer than anything Stetson has to offer in the lower range. Some of that new Stetson stuff is pure junk. I saw Stetsons for sale at Christmas that were so thick and stiff they could barely hold a block. If I really liked a particular style, I wouldn't hesitate to spend a bit more if I thought I was going to like the result. I also like the idea of buying from the little guys, whether it's Steve or any other independent hatter.

You nailed it, Vern. Send your business to the people who care enough about hats to make a decent one. A new custom is easily worth thrice what the new Hatco junk costs. Hatmaking is a craft, so buy from craftsmen. They will stay around only so long as those of us who appreciate their work keep sending business their way.
My favorite hat is my newest hat, an Art Fawcett creation. And that's saying quite a bit, considering my collection of vintage and more modern lids.
I've gotten over the inclination to leave the Art hat in its box. I'll wear that babe in all kinds of weather and then I'll buy another. Unless you just happen to have access to a cache of 60-year-old hats in excellent condition, you just plain can't beat a new, 100-percent beaver felt creation from a custom hatmaker, especially when that hat can be had for less than $300.

 

[Uncle Vern]

I'm not ready to buy right now, but as soon as I am, Steve will get my money. Hatco makes rodeo hats for high school kids. Go look in a western store--they're all the same model hat in different colors. I'm really interested in vintage, dress-weight western hats. I've got a Resistol Fort Worth from the 50's, with a nice, thin 3-inch brim and a reasonably pliable crown, really a lovely hat, not to mention the feel of the felt itself. I'd like one with a taller crown and wider brim, but they're not made anymore, regardless of the dimensions, at least, not of that quality. The new models all feel like they're made out of casting plaster. I have a few other old Stetsons and Resistols like that, really, western-style businessman's hats. They look and feel great with a traditional Texas brim, but they also look very nice with a fedora-style dip in the front. They're versatile. That's why I'll have Steve make me that hat (or hats!) They no longer exist anywhere else, and certainly not in that great price range.

 

[jpdesign]

There is some debate as to wether the Open Road was actually a Stetson invention, or if it was first made at Peters Bros. Amon Carter, big oil, land, and cattle man in Fort Worth, commissioned that particular style from Peters Bros, around the same time Stetson Started making the Open Road. Knowing Stetson and the way they work, I would bet that the hat became popular in Fort Worth, and they stated to make it. Resistol also made a San Antonio model that was the same for many years. the difference between the Peters Bros. Shady Oaks(or the Stetson Open Road) and those that came before was the stiff brim. Designed not to flop around in the Texas Winds.

Jimmy

 

[Atticus Finch]

Thanks

Hi Folks,

I was away from my office (and my computer) for the weekend, so I haven't had the chance to thank everyone for the good advice in my quest for an Open Road. I've yet to decide about Texas Hatters vs. a custom hat, but I now know that there are some very good alternatives to Stetson.

Thanks for the good info!

Atticus

 

[Atticus Finch]

New Open Road On The Way!

Hi Folks,

Well, I had my tailor measure my head---twice to be sure. Twenty-four and a quarter inches for a normal to loose fit. Lord, I wish more things about me were that big. Anyhow, that's the bad news. The good news is that this translates to a size 7 3/4 as opposed to the whopping size 7 7/8 that I had originally thought. The even better news is that, while Open Roads are not made in 7 7/8, they are made in size 7 3/4.

So at least for now, Texas Hatters is on hold because my new Stetson Silverbelly Open Road is on its way!

Atticus