Introducing both "Journeyman" and "Hitchhiker"

[Neophyte]

I rather like the Journeyman as, with the exception of the leather band, it very closely resembles a custom idea I was developing. The lower price point, tougher fur, and more "western" styling make it a rather neat-looking hat.
I like it. Excellent work! :eusa_clap

A leather hatband of the about the same color minus the buckle and it would be perfect.

 

[jbucklin]

Those great looking hats would sell like freakin' hot cakes down here in Texas. Maybe it's time for Stetson to do something smart, like introduce the "Art Fawcett line of crossover hats" or something to that effect. Just dreaming. I'm determined to convert the world into serious hat-wearers.

 

[Art Fawcett]

just foolin around...thoughts?

 

[tonyb]

In a pinch you could smoke it.

 

[Rabbit]

I like it.
An option: braided monochrome brown.

As for the belted hatband, I think a small, simple, inconspicuous brass buckle might work well. Provided it can be sourced.

 

[Link]

I really like the idea. I've already been considering a custom made "crossover" hat, and this looks like just the ticket, especially if there are a few options to choose from. I'm thinking a Hitchhiker with raw edge brim and a not too narrow ribbon, say 1 to 1 1/2 inch.

 

[Neophyte]

I liked the original band on the Journeyman, but I like the Hitchhiker with the new one.

All in all, I want one!

 

[Art Fawcett]

This looks to be pretty interesting Gents. I don't want to jump the gun on the decision but it seems that if I just keep the basic designs, offer different finishing options say, no more than 3 or 4, and we should have a desirable, wearable hat. Very cool.
Keep it coming ...

 

[masiaka]

One of my hobbies involves a lot of braiding and knotting. Might I suggest a "mystery braid" hat band? Woring with seperate strands like in the hatband above, you also have a lot of options to change the look of the hatband (or make it easier to tie) if you're willing to learn more braids. There are 4, 5, 6, 7, and even 8 strand flat braids worked in the same way as the 3 strand braid you already know how to do. Basically, they look harder without actually requiring any more skill. An only slightly more difficult braid is the Latvian braid. I was able to pick it up immediately. There's a list of more braiding resources here.

Another idea: You can link two sections of a braid together by threading the cords of the working end into a section the you've already braided and then braiding through it. Then your hatband won't have a bulky knot, if that bothers you.

 

[frussell]

Art - what about plain old western-style two cord ribbon, like on most cowboy hats? I like to use different hat bands on my westerns, but like most cowboy hat wearers I run around with, I just plop them on over the existing two-cord that comes on them. That way if I get tired of the fancy band, I can just use the plain version that's always there. Got any laying around to play with? Great styles, by the way, and close to some I've made a few of by lucky accident while converting old westerns. I like the dimensions a lot, and like Mr. Dean, I would love to see one in that olive with a 2 7/8 brim for bigger hat wearers. Frank

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thanks Masiaka, this was the idea a few months ago when I started collecting tools & resources for the braiding. unfortunately I am getting stuck with 4band. Now that I see a video on the mystery braid it makes more sense to me. I have two other books on it but still am struggling. Knowing me, if I keep at it, something will click & it'll get easier. If I ever want to grow up & be a cowboy I'm gonna need to know this stuff. ))

 

[Art Fawcett]

Art - what about plain old western-style two cord ribbon, like on most cowboy hats? I like to use different hat bands on my westerns, but like most cowboy hat wearers I run around with, I just plop them on over the existing two-cord that comes on them. That way if I get tired of the fancy band, I can just use the plain version that's always there. Got any laying around to play with? Great styles, by the way, and close to some I've made a few of by lucky accident while converting old westerns. I like the dimensions a lot, and like Mr. Dean, I would love to see one in that olive with a 2 7/8 brim for bigger hat wearers. Frank

Consider the brim width done Frank, this is really all in the prelim stages, no "done deals" What I need to narrow down is options. In order to meet the price point I will have to keep it simple and quick so my fear is getting bogged down with too much "custom" in the hat & not enough "production". Make sense?

 

[tonyb]

Consider the brim width done Frank, this is really all in the prelim stages, no "done deals" What I need to narrow down is options. In order to meet the price point I will have to keep it simple and quick so my fear is getting bogged down with too much "custom" in the hat & not enough "production". Make sense?

Makes perfect sense to me. Elaborate ribbon work can take hours, literally, per hat, provided it's done well. Even simple bows and such can burn up quite a chunk of time. Meeting that 250 or so dollar price point and still making it all worth the time and expense would obviously preclude the fancier stuff.

I gotta say, though, I like Frank's idea of those simple, narrow double-bead (or whatever the heck they're called) ribbons of the type cowboy hats often sport, with a simple knot tied into it and then tacked down, with the ends left long and loose atop the brim. That would be as least as quick and inexpensive as a leather band with a buckle set. Or so I'd think.

 

[RBH]

I underestand exactly what you are after Art.
Good luck in keeping it simple!
I believe you have a winner with both hats.

 

[W4ASZ]

Art - what about plain old western-style two cord ribbon, like on most cowboy hats? I like to use different hat bands on my westerns, but like most cowboy hat wearers I run around with, I just plop them on over the existing two-cord that comes on them. That way if I get tired of the fancy band, I can just use the plain version that's always there. Got any laying around to play with? .... Frank

I agree with the two -or three- cord option, especially for the Hitchhiker. I was looking at my Ft. Worth when Frank posted. It would work well.

 

[J.B.]

I like the Journeyman best -- exactly as presented in the first post.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Thanks I'll play some more tomorrow & see what I can come up with. Stay tuned

 

[Duper]

I liked the original band on the Journeyman, but I like the Hitchhiker with the new one.

All in all, I want one!

I agree with Neo about the band on the Journeyman. The band colour and the hat colour compliment each other very well.

 

[jimmy the lid]

Olive drab khaki felt..........black pleated pugaree ribbon...........Beautiful............

 

[Cliffnopus]

I like the idea Art, the Journeyman is my favorite (except for the strap/buckle). I DO like the idea of a horsehair braid or leather braid as shown. On a recent Western trip, my wife bought a cheapie Stetson and immediately changed to a horsehair braid - she was happy as a clam.

Cliff