YOU REALLY NEED A CUSTOM COWBOY HAT
You can try to find a hat (after several stops) at a western wear store or order it online but you will have to pick from standardized sizes, shapes and colors available at the time. On the other hand, you can visit a custom hatter and be fitted individually and tailor the hat to your taste. Not to mention that it is really cool to have a custom cowboy hat. The following includes some interesting facts about custom hats and a list of some of the best know custom cowboy hatters in Texas.
CUSTOM COWBOY HAT FAQ’S
1. What is a custom cowboy hat?
Buying a custom made cowboy hat is much the same as having a pair of cowboy boots custom fitted and made just for you. Included below are some of the best known custom cowboy hatters across Texas. Custom is just better than off the rack.
A good source of information regarding cowboy hats in general is The Cowboy Hat Book written by William Reynolds and Ritch Rand.
2. What are cowboy hats made from?
Most hats are made from leather, wool, straw and fur felt. Fur is generally rabbit, hare, beaver, nutria and sometimes mink or chinchilla. Felt hats are usually a blend of beaver and other furs. Usually wool and straw hats last about two years if worn frequently, a high quality felt hat will last many years. Straw hats are worn in the summer and felt hats in the winter. The change over varies with local custom. For example many wear Straw from Easter thru Labor Day.
3. What are the steps involved in making a custom hat?
Most hats are machine made. Custom hats are made one at a time for an individual customer. There are about 75 individual steps which can be summarized in 6 stages; raw hat body (blank), blocking, pouncing (sanding), sweatband, shaping and finishing (silk liner and hand sew the hatband). Each custom hat takes several days to make.
4. What makes the shape of a cowboy hat?
Crowns, brims, sweatbands, hat bands, lining and front all play a part in the overall look. Brims and crowns vary in size. There are a variety of shapes. Traditional crown shapes include Alpine, Rancher and Cattleman’s. Types of hat bands are endless.
5. What is a hat body?
A hat body, also referred to as blank or capelin, is the basic building block of a hat. A fur felt blank has not been blocked or shaped. Custom hatters buy (or sometimes make their own) blanks and then build the hat according to your specifications.
6. How is the quality of a hat measured?
Felt has traditionally been graded according to its X factor. Originally the X Factor was determined by the density and shape of the felt material. Hats ranged in grade from 1X to 10X. 1X to 5X was generally made of a poor grade of fur and little or no beaver. 10X hat was made of 100% pure beaver. Hats were priced accordingly. Today it is difficult to judge by X factor as many manufactures use different grades. In the end it is based on percentage of beaver. The higher the better.
7. What are some hat body manufacturing companies?
Only a small number of companies specialize in manufacturing hat bodies, capelines and blanks. Some of them include; Sunrise Hat Supplies, Millinery Warehouse, Kopek, Etsy and Townsends. These companies usually specialize in either fur or wool.
8. What are some of the major dealers and hat brands?
Some of the best known brands include; Hat Brands, Inc. (Stetson and Resistol), American, JW Brooks, Lucchese, Bailey, Master Hatters, SunBody and Atwood. Their hats are machine made or in some cases hand made. Their hats are standardized and range in quality, size, shape and color. These companies act as wholesalers shipping to retail stores and also online sales.
WELL KNOWN TEXAS CUSTOM HATTERS
If you read all these folks websites you will have a Phd in the Custom Cowboy Hat world.
Huskey Hat Company
The Rater family bought the Huskey Hat Company in 1976. Their location is 1225 E. Scott Avenue, Wichita Falls, Texas 76301. Give them a call at 940-767-2071.
Huskey Hats is on Facebook
The Best Hat Store
Keith and Susan Maddox operate The Best Hat Store in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Their address is 2739 N. Main Street, Fort Worth,Texas. Give them a call at 817-625-6650.
Cody’s Hat and Boots
Custom hats and boots business located at 703 N. Main Street, San Angelo, Texas 76903. Call them at 325-340-3371
You can find Cody’s Hat and Boots on Facebook
The Hat Store
These folks have been in business since 1915 starting out as the original American Hat Company. Family members still operate The Hat Store. They are located at 5587 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77056. 713-780-2480
Biggar Hat Store
Jeff beggars started his hat business in 1996. He is located at 103 US 287, Decatur, Texas 76234. 940-627-4287
Paris Hatter
Abe and Myrna are third generations owners of Paris Hatters started in 1917. They are located just around the corner from the Alamo at 119 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78205. 210-223-3453
Catalena Hatters
Sammy and Carolyn Catalena open their business in 1983. They are located at 203 N. Main Street, Bryan, Texas 77803. 979-822-4423
JW Brooks Custom Hat Co
JW and Jody Brooks started the business in 2006 after years of experience in the hat business in Arizona. They are located at 510 Natty Flat Road, Lipan, Texas 76462. 817-771-7446
Mike’s Custom Hatters
Mike Helms is the long time owner of this east Texas hat shop business. He is located at 1700 North Eastman Road, Longview, Texas 75601. 903-753-8991
Flint Boot & Hat Shop
Flint Custom Hats was established in 1996. Jared and Kelsi bought the business in 2011. They are located at 3035 34th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79410. 806-797-7060
Spradley Hats
Spradley Hats is part of the BigBend Saddlery opened in 1905. The store is located at 2701 US 90. Alpine, Texas 79830.1-800-634-4502
Nathaniel’s Master Hatmaker
Native American Master Hatter Nate Funmaker has been making hats for 30 years. He is located at 111 E. 7th Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626. 512-948-7524
Manny Gammage’s Texas Hatters
Marvin and Leonora Gammage founded Texas Hatters in 1927. David and Joella (Gammage) currently operate the business. The store is located at 911 S. Commerce Street, Lockhart, Texas 78644. 512-398-4287
Peters Brothers Hats
Originally started by Jim and Tom Peters in 1904. Currently operated by great grandson Joe Peters, Jr. It is located in downtown Fort Worth at 909 Houston Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. 817-335-1715
Connect with Peters Brothers Hat on Facebook
Capital Hatters
James and Kim Andrae started Capital Hatters in their garage in 2004. As business grew they moved to a 5,000 sq. Ft. facility located in Stephenville, Texas. 254-965-5678
Johnny’s Custom Hatters
Established in 1934 and bought by Ronnie and Drenda in 1978. The business is located on E Cotton Street, Longview, Texas 75601. Give them a call at 903-753-4600.
Look for Johnny’s on Facebook and Instagram
Limpia Creek Hat Company
Ben medley started Limpia in 1994 and now owned and operated by his daughter Kelly and her husband Zol Owens. The business is located at 200 State Street, Fort David, Texas 79734. 432-426-2130
Michael Malone Handmade Hats
Michael started making hats in 1978 and is located at 132 Adolf Stieler Road, Comfort, Texas 78013. 817-233-7417
Michael is on Facebook, instagram and linkedin
Standard Hat Works
Standard Hats was established in 1909 in New York City but relocated to Waco. Cameron Morris bought Standard in 2013 and is located at 1304 New Road, Waco, Texas 76710. 254-754-4287
Herb’s Hat Shop
Herb’s has been in business for over 35 years. They are located at 4922 Rigsby Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78222. 210-648-9242
Summary
I have limited my comments to Texas based custom cowboy hatters. You can buy a nice hat at a western wear store or online but if you want the real deal get one made. I recommend The Cowboy Hat book by Ritch Rand and William Reynolds if you are interested in some great cowboy hat background.
Let us hear from you
If you notice I have missed some custom hatters in Texas please let me know and I will add them to my list.
CHECK IN WITH US
Allen Realty Advisors represents buyers and sellers of fine quality rural land near Houston. We specialize in weekend retreats, country estates, farms and ranches, recreational property and investment land. Our market area is generally within 100 miles (two hours) of Houston.
We are members of the RLI
We support the 4H and FFA
You might enjoy some of the following blog posts:
Making a Profit Improving Raw Land
Checklist for Buying in a Rural Subdivision
Brokers Price Opinion of Rural Property
Why You Need a Buyers Representative When Buying Rural Land Near Houston
Selling Landlocked Rural Texas Property
Appraising Rural Land Near Houston
Guide to the Rural Land Closing Process in Texas
40 Essential Books About Texas
Checklist for Buying Rural Land Near Houston
Checklist for Selling Rural Land Near Houston
Things to Consider Before Buying Rural Land Near Houston
Choosing a Land Broker For Rural Land Near Houston
Easements Across Rural Land Near Houston
Texas History and Land Intertwined: 20 Books
Impact of Rights of Way Across Rural Land Near Houston
What is a Land Survey and When Do You Need One?
15 Common Questions About The Hemp Industry
Future Farmers of America: Pathway To Success
50 Great Time Saving Resources For Rural Land Near Houston
Country Fairs within 100 Miles of Houston
Country Lifestyles within 100 Miles of Houston
20 Questions (At Least) You Should Answer Before Buying (Or Selling) Rural Land Near Houston
Why Your Texas Broker Should Be A Member of the Realtors Land Institute
Financing Rural Land Near Houston
Road Trips within 100 Miles of Houston
Great Barbecue Joints within 100 Miles of Houston
100 Miles from Houston: Rural Land Near Houston
Ag Exemptions, Wildlife Exemptions, and Rollback Taxes for Rural Land Near Houston
From Contract to Closing
THANKS FOR SHARING OUR POSTS
