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Czech Republicans: Tonak, Huckel, no name

Messages
17,518
Location
Maryland
Thanks for posting this great extra information, Steve. Hadn't seen that from the transition period from Hückel to Tonak.
Stefan, Thanks! I should probably make a new thread -> Tonak Post WWII to 1960s. I need to take photos of the paper labels in my hats.
 
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Messages
15,083
Location
Buffalo, NY
Extreme softy... manufactured by Anton Peschel for Oviatt's.

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Messages
17,518
Location
Maryland
I hope I have placed this post in the right thread. 20th century European history was never my strong suit.
Alan, Could also be in the German / Austrian thread because there was still a Austrian connection post WWI. They also still use German on the paper label. I just keep them (BB, JHS, AP) in the German / Austrian thread post WWI.

By the way it's a real beauty!
 
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Messages
18,466
Location
Nederland
Superb hat, Alan. Peschel knew how to make these special finish felts.

I hope I have placed this post in the right thread. 20th century European history was never my strong suit.
There were parts of the century when everybody lost track, Alan.
 
Messages
17,518
Location
Maryland
I am sorry I meant the selentino hat
I don't know the model but it's probably from when Selentino (Tonak sourced) brand first started. I can't remember the time but possibly 1990s. You should be able to find something similar. Tonak has a better selection but you would have to order from Europe (assuming they will ship to your location). The other hat is Hückel Weilheim (Germany).

Tonak Online Shop

https://b2b.tonak.cz/
 

Apollo

Familiar Face
Messages
84
I don't know the model but it's probably from when Selentino (Tonak sourced) brand first started. I can't remember the time but possibly 1990s. You should be able to find something similar. Tonak has a better selection but you would have to order from Europe (assuming they will ship to your location). The other hat is Hückel Weilheim (Germany).

Tonak Online Shop

https://b2b.tonak.cz/
How would you compare them to Stetson sovereign?

I wish they could ship to us.
 
Messages
17,518
Location
Maryland
How would you compare them to Stetson sovereign?

I wish they could ship to us.
Tonak has good some felt especially their Velour and other Specialty finishes but the hats will be machine formed so you will not be able to hand crease. I don't have any info of modern Stetsons. I specialize in German and Austrian vintage / antique hats.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
How would you compare them to Stetson sovereign?

I wish they could ship to us.


Comparing hats is tough, but comparing such different hats is impossible. Some of the vintage Stetson Sovereigns are fantastic. Some of the more recent Stetson Sovereigns are quite poor. I’ve owned several Selentino hats, and the felt is decent for modern production, but the construction quality and shape of the hats leaves me cold.

You can contact Agnoulita on Etsy, or now Amazon, and have them make you a custom hat. Their rabbit fur felt, including velour and melusine, comes from Tonak the same as Selentino. Their antelope/suede finish is a favorite of mine.

The current offering from Stetson, Tonak, etc. are quite different from what is found on vintage hats. Most of us here greatly prefer vintage felt, and for Stetson that usually means mid-1950s and earlier (with some exceptions).
 

Apollo

Familiar Face
Messages
84
Comparing hats is tough, but comparing such different hats is impossible. Some of the vintage Stetson Sovereigns are fantastic. Some of the more recent Stetson Sovereigns are quite poor. I’ve owned several Selentino hats, and the felt is decent for modern production, but the construction quality and shape of the hats leaves me cold.

You can contact Agnoulita on Etsy, or now Amazon, and have them make you a custom hat. Their rabbit fur felt, including velour and melusine, comes from Tonak the same as Selentino. Their antelope/suede finish is a favorite of mine.

The current offering from Stetson, Tonak, etc. are quite different from what is found on vintage hats. Most of us here greatly prefer vintage felt, and for Stetson that usually means mid-1950s and earlier (with some exceptions).
Wow, thanks for information. That really helped! If don’t mind, would be willing to share some of your agnoulita custom fedoras?
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Wow, I notice you mention something about not being satisfied with the hat in the first thread. It also mention about seller neglecting your emails until after they sent it. I just want to make sure is this correct hat maker you were talking about.


There’s a reason I haven’t ordered a hat from him in a year and a half. He’s a great guy, and I consider him a friend, but his customer service wasn’t what I needed. I think his readymade hats on Amazon would save you some of the trouble, but then it’s not a custom hat.

if you are patient and can accept his limitations he can make you a decent hat at a fair price.

More recently, I’ve scratched this itch with hats made by Wolfbrae Custom Hatters. The hatter is a regular here and his communication is excellent. You won’t have as many options, but he has the basics covered and then some. He also has some Tonak felt so ask him if that’s what you want.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/wolfbrae-custom-hatters.103637/
 

Apollo

Familiar Face
Messages
84
There’s a reason I haven’t ordered a hat from him in a year and a half. He’s a great guy, and I consider him a friend, but his customer service wasn’t what I needed. I think his readymade hats on Amazon would save you some of the trouble, but then it’s not a custom hat.

if you are patient and can accept his limitations he can make you a decent hat at a fair price.

More recently, I’ve scratched this itch with hats made by Wolfbrae Custom Hatters. The hatter is a regular here and his communication is excellent. You won’t have as many options, but he has the basics covered and then some. He also has some Tonak felt so ask him if that’s what you want.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/wolfbrae-custom-hatters.103637/
Thanks man, I am looking to do a custom. I am looking for a fedora with the thin felt body.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
Thanks man, I am looking to do a custom. But I am looking for a fedora with the thin felt body.


If you want a thin felt custom fedora, I can’t exaggerate how impressed I am with the recent fedoras Michael Gannon has made me. Light and thin and exceeding all my hopes. I have a few customs from a few hatters and if you want a thin classic fedora then he’s the guy I’d go with. He’s Instagram, Facebook, has a website, and and there is dedicated thread here.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/m-c-gannon-hat-company.83744/page-179


https://gannonhatcompany.com/

Michael Gannon is a magician with beaver and nutria felt!
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
I notice a lot the hats the brim is flat horizontal, I am trying to find a hat that looks like this
View attachment 343419


I’m not sure what you are meaning. Gannon’s fedora brims are flanged and not flat. Most all fedoras have brims similar to your photo. Some have more flange, but all snap brim fedoras have some level of flange.

Traditionally, some brims have more/deeper flange. The Stetson Stratoliners are an example of this. Others have less flange such as the Stetson Open Road. Many hatters have a variety of flanges to offer customers a choice.

Here is the hat I’m wearing today. Viewed on the profile you can see the amount of flange it has:

4C06AD1E-5DD5-44CF-9F6C-7912FF281D12.jpeg


The cupped “flange” gives the brim tension and allows it to be worn brim up all around, snapped down in the front (as in my photo) or snapped down front and back in the Outback/adventure style. Some hats are made with flat brims, but the only Gannons I’ve seen that didn’t have a flanged brim have been his westerns, and even most of those have a shallow flange.

One of the great things about commissioning a custom hat is you get to decide all the details.
 

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