List of Custom, made-to-order, Fur Felt Fedora hatmakers and hatters

[GlamRockCowboy]

Is there a list of custom bespoke WESTERN hat makers on this site?

 

[Frunobulax]

Is there a list of custom bespoke WESTERN hat makers on this site?

Most of the custom hatters can make a western, as well.

 

[jlee562]

Is there a list of custom bespoke WESTERN hat makers on this site?

Off the top of my head (and no particular order)
Knudsen Hats/Golden Gate Western Wear, Jaxonbilt, Last Best West, O'Farrell, Smithbilt, DbarJ, Heritage Hats, Baron Hats, Buckaroo Hatters

 

[belfastboy]

Off the top of my head (and no particular order)
Knudsen Hats/Golden Gate Western Wear, Jaxonbilt, Last Best West, O'Farrell, Smithbilt, DbarJ, Heritage Hats, Baron Hats, Buckaroo Hatters

And Rand's out of Billings does amazing work.

 

[belfastboy]

And Rand's out of Billings does amazing work.

I am struggling with selling or renting out one of my kidneys so I can spring for either a Rand or an Optimo. They are both in the stratospheric price range.......but I am curious.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I am struggling with selling or renting out one of my kidneys so I can spring for either a Rand or an Optimo. They are both in the stratospheric price range.......but I am curious.

I’ve had a few Optimos come my way. Some were not my size and some were not my style. Aside from one exceptional Panama hat, I can’t say that I’m all that impressed with Optimo. Nothing bad to say about them, but nothing exceptional either. Three of four Gannons etc. or one Optimo...easy decision for me.

 

[Lefty W.]

Is there a list of custom bespoke WESTERN hat makers on this site?

Off the top of my head (and no particular order)
Knudsen Hats/Golden Gate Western Wear, Jaxonbilt, Last Best West, O'Farrell, Smithbilt, DbarJ, Heritage Hats, Baron Hats, Buckaroo Hatters

And Rand's out of Billings does amazing work.

Add to this list:

- Texas Hatters, https://texashatters.com/ originally from Austin, then Buda, and now located in the BBQ capital of the world, Lockhart, Texas
- Standard Hat Works, https://standardhatworks.com/ of Waco, Texas
- Tatton Baird, https://www.tattonbaird.com/, of South Springville, Utah
- Nathaniel's Custom Hats https://www.nathanielsofcolorado.com/, Georgetown, Texas
- Herring Custom Hats https://herringcustom.com/, Fort Worth, Texas

 

[Mustang Mike's Hats]

Hi guys! Just checked the thread. It's been awhile for me to pop in for a lot of good "Real Life" reasons. Looks like the thread went a little sideways and then back on track, but to add my take, a lot depends on where you live. Out here in SoCal, we have several really good hatters. Joyride (does a great fedora!!) and mine, Mustang Mike's Customer Hats (mostly Modern and Vintage Western) both of us are in Orange. Actually about two blocks from each other. Plus Wellema (another awesome Fedora maker) in Alta Dena. Hope this helps!!

 

[Rmccamey]

A general statement, and for what it's worth, most custom western (cowboy) hats are considerably more expensive than the custom fedoras and homburgs and western styles Open Road hats you will see here on the Lounge - thus part of the reason for asking about your budget. Many 100X beaver cowboy hats I am familiar with run near the $1000 mark. Many 100X beaver dress weight hats will be in the sub $400 range.

Is there a list of custom bespoke WESTERN hat makers on this site?

 

[belfastboy]

A general statement, and for what it's worth, most custom western (cowboy) hats are considerably more expensive than the custom fedoras and homburgs and western styles Open Road hats you will see here on the Lounge - thus part of the reason for asking about your budget. Many 100X beaver cowboy hats I am familiar with run near the $1000 mark. Many 100X beaver dress weight hats will be in the sub $400 range.

Yes, Rand and Greely publish price lists on their websites and can hit close to the $2000 mark for their premier felts.

 

[Rmccamey]

...not to say that we are a cheap bunch around here, just sayin'.........

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Unless I missed it I don't think D Bar J is on anyone's list above. Shorty's, etc.

Most of the custom hatters can make a western, as well.

I would just say it depends on what you want in a Western hat.

And Rand's out of Billings does amazing work.

For a vintage style Western hat Ritch Rand builds the best.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

A general statement, and for what it's worth, most custom western (cowboy) hats are considerably more expensive than the custom fedoras and homburgs and western styles Open Road hats you will see here on the Lounge - thus part of the reason for asking about your budget. Many 100X beaver cowboy hats I am familiar with run near the $1000 mark. Many 100X beaver dress weight hats will be in the sub $400 range.

I’ve often wondered why, generally speaking, western hatters charge so much compared to “soft felt” custom hatters. I also scratch my head when a custom rabbit is $350 and a pure beaver is $1250. The difference in cost of materials sure doesn’t account for it.

Of course the answer is to have one of the hatters better known for soft felt hats make you a western: I have one that should ship next week from Northwest and another from Gannon that should be here in time for Christmas, and my flawed but still prized nutria from Rick at Phoenix that should ship soon too.

 

[belfastboy]

I’ve often wondered why, generally speaking, western hatters charge so much compared to “soft felt” custom hatters. I also scratch my head when a custom rabbit is $350 and a pure beaver is $1250. The difference in cost of materials sure doesn’t account for it.

Of course the answer is to have one of the hatters better known for soft felt hats make you a western: I have one that should ship next week from Northwest and another from Gannon that should be here in time for Christmas, and my flawed but still prized nutria from Rick at Phoenix that should ship soon too.

Yes, I have 2 westerns or at least crossover/country gentlemen's hats. One 50/50 western weight from NWHats and the other 100% western weight beaver from Haven Bros Hats. Both are brilliant and both under $300.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Yes, I have 2 westerns or at least crossover/country gentlemen's hats. One 50/50 western weight from NWHats and the other 100% western weight beaver from Haven Bros Hats. Both are brilliant and both under $300.

My Northwest is a couple months behind what I was quoted, but it should be here next week! I went with his Riley with a few small changes. I can’t wait to see it. The US election has really got me down and I’m counting on this hat to make me smile.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I guess until the day comes where we have a monetary policy of redistribution of income and wealth in this country, there will continue to be a market for both Kias & Cadillacs.

 

[Robieman]

There is Staker Hats. He has some good looking western hats and a few fedoras. I've not bought one, but I have ordered one of his hat bands.

 

[Frunobulax]

I’ve often wondered why, generally speaking, western hatters charge so much compared to “soft felt” custom hatters. I also scratch my head when a custom rabbit is $350 and a pure beaver is $1250. The difference in cost of materials sure doesn’t account for it.

Of course the answer is to have one of the hatters better known for soft felt hats make you a western: I have one that should ship next week from Northwest and another from Gannon that should be here in time for Christmas, and my flawed but still prized nutria from Rick at Phoenix that should ship soon too.

I guess until the day comes where we have a monetary policy of redistribution of income and wealth in this country, there will continue to be a market for both Kias & Cadillacs.

In the case of Westerns, I just think it's a different market. The western market, which also entails such things as rodeos and other competitions, is a very hat-friendly market, and one in which the consumers not only value their hats, but there is a certain amount of competition and bragging rights, not unlike Nike shoes and the like among some of the younger set. So a higher price can be realized because the market supports it. There isn't a similar market for soft felt hats.

And while I assume the very expensive westerns are "better" in some ways (sometimes just because of the bling added), I think the Cadillac prices don't necessarily get you a quality level that much better than the Kia-level hats. At least as far as the value per price difference goes.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Now this is a duplex! Shorty's Cowboy Hattery.

 

[Bamaboots]

Now this is a duplex! Shorty's Cowboy Hattery.

View attachment 274548

Wonder what that one weighs?