Looking for hat information?

[moehawk]

Well, I did say it was growing on me as a western hat. And, I really don't mind the bunny fur felt too much, especially as I did not pay for a beaver hat only to receive rabbit. I do have a nice 100% rabbit / wild hare blend Borsalino that I like a lot.

Of course, finding a beaver hat would be nice...

 

[YouWontKnow]

New to the hat lifestyle, Willard Hat Co. (Pictures)

As the title says, I am completely new to this entire topic and style of dress and living (I'm only 23), so forgive any ignorant statements I may make.

Looking into vintage hats I found one I liked generally and decided to buy it. Looking at the hat it says it is made by the Willard Hat Co., so I began researching said company. While I tried to search into the history of the hat I began to realize that there is little information I can find on the Willard Hat Co. I have found the name of the founder and that it was established in Dallas, Texas.

I started this thread to ask if any of you fine people would be able to enlighten me about this hat, or this company.

Thank you!

 

[fedoracentric]

"While I tried to search into the history of the hat I began to realize that there is little information I can find on the Willard Hat Co."

Welcome to hat collecting. Trying to pin down info on hats is as hard as researching the ancient Germanic peoples. We know they existed, we have evidence they were here, but we really don't know too much about them! Hat making companies were ubiquitous for a long time, but not so "special" as to have become well documented in many ways. I think this is one of the reasons Stetsons are so popular. We know more about Stetson than nearly any company. Finding solid info on other companies is difficult, to say the least, especially the smaller local, mom and pop hat companies.

Anyway, good luck on the search and maybe someone here will have some info on Willard.

 

[YouWontKnow]

Okay, I did not realize this was a common problem. I thought I had stumbled upon a rarity of a company I couldn't find. Thank you for the response! I look forward to digging to find anything I can about this company!

 

[besdor]

One of the biggest problems in finding information about these older smaller companies is that there is realy no place to look. The internet can be helful on the bigger companies such as Dunlap, Knox, Portis ect.... but unless you have access to the old Hat Life magazines information is scarce. A number of year ago there was an auction of the National Hatters Supply Company . They used to make all of the linings and leathers for all of the smaller companies When they closed , all of their valuable information dissaperared .

 

[YouWontKnow]

Wow, that's really unfortunate. I have found a book that makes a reference to The Willard Hat Co., I'm considering buying it. Just knowing there may be another sentence of history about the company there is driving me crazy.

 

[WesternHatWearer]

I would recommend taking a look at Stetson's Rancher 10X Straw hat. It has a 5" crown with the option of a 3.5" brim. You may find it at:
http://www.stetsonhat.com/collections.php?prod_id=112

It may not be exact but it may help a hatter produce the look you desire, if you have one made.

You may also look at Montecristi small frame western panama hats at http://www.montecristihats.com/panama_sf.htm The Kingland hat may be along the same pattern as the one you seek.

All the best.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Dont quite know why they change the "quality" nomenclature but my "Sovereign" Whippet from abt 2 years ago is fine. Dense but not stiff like some of my Akubras. Factory bash.
I really detest! all their name changes. Excellent/Premier/Royal/Sovereign etc. etc.

 

[LuvMyMan]

The hat "suffers" from being "stiff"....bad Scotch can do that at times....hahaha

Soak the hat is some water and then block it again. Might wash out some of that stiffener they used.

 

[Bob Roberts]

I don't sell very many Whippets so I never paid any attention to the stiffness.
I just went and checked my inventory and found them to be a bit stiff.
Not as stiff as the OR but a bit stiffer than the Royal Deluxe Strats.
I can't say that I found it to be disagreeable.
Bob, you should be a vendor and have to try and explain the changes when they're made.

Lol. Wouldnt dare and nevermind their "Western" vernacular.

 

[Bob Roberts]

That and the fact their website looks like it was designed by the CEOs 17yr old kid. For a company allegedly steeped in tradition do they really know their core customer?

I dont even bother going there. I dont really care abt current production Stetson. Yes a big open crown Stetsonian and the top of the line Whippets and Strats with open crowns are pretty much their only worthwhile offerings but not in my world for any reason. For that kind of money I'll design my own custom beaver fedoras and get one of our bespoke hatters to make a better quality, nicer hat for equall or less money and Stetson can keep playing the name game all they want.

 

[Bob Roberts]

the NY LE is a wonderful soft hat... really nice.
I just cannot get myself to spend $365 plus shipping on a modern mass produced hat .
Been talking to a place in Minnesota who has them in stock in a couple colors and I'm tempted but…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeh you can add that one to the list of Stetsons Im not gonna get.

 

[Urbex]

I'm going to Crater of Diamonds in Arkansas for a few days and I'd like to find a hat to take. I'd like something with a good brim, rugged, but doesn't make me look like a cheesy tourist or like I'm trying to be Indiana Jones. I shave my head, so I'm counting on it for sun protection in the field. My budget is around $40. I'm not a fan of cowboy hats or military boonies

 

[DocCasualty]

My first thought is a Filson Tin Bush or Packer hat, though both are more than your stated budget.

 

[tropicalbob]

Sunbody Straw Hats. Solid straws that can take all kinds of abuse and won't get ruined by the occasional shower. Around $50.00 and they'll get it to you in a couple of days.

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

https://www.sunbody.com/index.cfm/category/17/open-crown-hats.cfm

 

[OC Fry]

I'm looking for a whitewater river hat. I had a passenger on a Grand Canyon trip and I think he had a palm hat that could be soaked, stepped on, etc. & survive. Waterproof & crushable, are the Sunbodys up to that?

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

I'm looking for a whitewater river hat. I had a passenger on a Grand Canyon trip and I think he had a palm hat that could be soaked, stepped on, etc. & survive. Waterproof & crushable, are the Sunbodys up to that?

I have wet mine many times without ill effect. As to crushable, I am not at all sure of that. Mine has been bent and reshaped, but crushing a palm hat that costs $40 is a bit of a stretch.

 

[Zombie_61]

Real Deal Brazil Tarp Hat. Made from recycled truck tarps, with wire in the brim so you can shape it somewhat. $39.99 and free shipping (for the time being) if you use the code "MEMORIAL". It has a cloth sweatband that helps to absorb perspiration (a little, anyway), and you can put sizing tape behind it if needed. I wore mine on a trip to Alaska in 2011 and it helped to keep my head dry and warm...well, warmer. Downside--they aren't ideal if you're going to be near water because they sink like a rock, but you can always order a wind/chin strap to help keep it on your head.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I'm going to Crater of Diamonds in Arkansas for a few days...

Been there, done that. Be prepared for lots & lots of physical labor with nothing to show for it. Your best chance to find a diamond on the surface will come after a couple of days or hard rain. If you like gems there is a nearby gem & mineral park that will produce better results for the time spent. Good luck though.