So, I want a custom fitted hat -Edit to add, looks like looking Dapper is back on the menu, boys!

[Dapper Dave]

I want a custom-made bowler hat - nothing off the shelf fits my weird head. This is not nearly exclusively for single action shooting - I intend to wear it around and get some miles on it.  Always liked a good-looking hat.  Anyone know where a good place would be in AZ? Suggestions? Amusing anecdotes?
Thank you for your reply. 

 

Edit to add, my hat from Mikes Custom Hatters showed up tonight - whaddya think?
 

 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Well if you are going to wear it out and about then you need a bowling shirt to go with it.

[Slow Mo Dern]

Bowling shoes too!

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

Las Vegas is just a hop and skip...

https://www.dbarjhats.com/

 

I have a couple of their custom hats - very pleased.

[Cholla]

There is a hatter in Cave Creek, just north of Phoenix. Last I checked he is not open on weekends.

http://www.hallys-custom-hats.co/hell_on_wheels

[Dapper Dave]

Thank you, sent an email to Hallys.

Sorry, guys, I haven't been bowling in decades. I just like the look of the hat, and it's useful in more than one situation.  Can't be Dapper without a dapper hat!

[Too Tall Bob]

There’s a guy (Cholla) up there who can make you a rattlesnake hat band for it too!

[Sawhorse Kid]

I had a good shopping and fitting experience at Heritage Hats in North Phoenix.

Heritage Hats :  https://www.heritagehatshop.com/

 

[Totes Magoats]

Not in AZ, but check out Hats by Grizz.  He makes a bowler and a darn good custom hat as a reasonable price.  I have 2 and I am very happy with them.

 

Totes

[Stump Water]

https://www.optimohatworks.com/

 

I have two of Grant's creations.

 

[Dapper Dave]

Well, most everyone I've contacted said they can't help me. Hmm. 

[Rip Snorter]

Try Randy at Law Dog Hats, Billings, MT - A good guy and I've gotten several excellent hats from him.

[Marshal Stone, SASS #53366]

1 hour ago, Dapper Dave said:

Well, most everyone I've contacted said they can't help me. Hmm. 

 

D Bar J will make you anything you want.

I have 3 of their hats and am most pleased with them.

 

Marshal Stone

[Dapper Dave]

I got a call back from Optimo - VERY nice lady on the phone, very knowledgeable. I think the wife unit and I may end up taking a stroll down there sometime in the future.  I was shocked at how much prices were up over what I was paying elsewhere, but when you want quality, you gotta pay for it. She also had some observations from a few photos on why off the shelf hats don't work well for me. 

Now off the blood plasma place, gotta get funds.  

[Stump Water]

1 hour ago, Dapper Dave said:

She also had some observations from a few photos on why off the shelf hats don't work well for me. 

 

Yeah, I have a dent-head too.  

 

Off-the-peg hats that I can wear aren't made.  That is, a hat I can wear and look at my boots and it doesn't fall off... or blow off my head if someone just says "wind".

 

Grant measured my noggin in his shop.  And I don't mean just the tape measure around the head.  

 

Mike's Custom Hatters makes a fine hat too.  I have one of his also.  They came to our state match and, again, he took detailed punkin' measurements.  But Longview, TX is a bit of a "stroll" from AZ.  

[Hashknife Cowboy]

These folks in Cave Creek do great work, you will not be disappointed.....

 

 

https://watsonshatshop.com/

 

 

 

https://watsonshatshop.com/shop/the-bowler-2/

 

 

 

[Ambush]

If you are looking for a hat from Tombstone, the movie and/or much more check out Tom Hirt. Buck Taylor recommended Hirt to me at an EOT. It was a good recommendation and appreciated.

 

Hirt made me an exact copy of Turkey Creek Jack Johnson’s hat. And, a beautiful 100 X older style hat. Both of these hats were fitted, ordered and delivered from afar. Both are very nice hats. In regards to pricing, you can pick your own level of comfort. If you are uncomfortable with ordering from afar, you have a good excuse for a roadtrip to Colorado. However, I’ve been warned - just don’t wear a baseball hat into his shop.

 

I wear a cowboy hat everyday and wish more people did as well. Living in Wisconsin I could use a few more cowboy hat wearers here. Good luck in your quest...

[Dapper Dave]

16 hours ago, Stump Water said:

 

Yeah, I have a dent-head too.  

 

Off-the-peg hats that I can wear aren't made.  That is, a hat I can wear and look at my boots and it doesn't fall off... or blow off my head if someone just says "wind".

 

Grant measured my noggin in his shop.  And I don't mean just the tape measure around the head.  

 

Mike's Custom Hatters makes a fine hat too.  I have one of his also.  They came to our state match and, again, he took detailed punkin' measurements.  But Longview, TX is a bit of a "stroll" from AZ.  

I have been out there twice - I have friends who live out there and I am considering retirement out there. 🙂 Mike's has a nice small shop.

[Oak Ridge Regulator]

I have to second Watsons hat shop, not exactly cheap but great quality and they can make it EXACTLY fit your head if you go to there shop

[Doug E Turtle]

Went hat shopping today myself, and boy, none of the higher end felt Stetsons fit my head...they are so stiff and the round oval crown left gaps along my temples.  The best fitting hats were the crushable wool Stetsons, so I'll probably go with one of those for now, and maybe custom fit later on.

[Dapper Dave]

I got a call- the bowler I had most forgotten I had ordered is on its way!

[Shooting Bull]

It’s a bit of a trip, but they invented the Bowler hat. 
 

Lock & Co

[Hells Comin]

2 hours ago, Shooting Bull said:

It’s a bit of a trip, but they invented the Bowler hat. 
 

Lock & Co

With your hat size u could just float back in it to the good Ole USA.

 

Anonymous 

[Marauder SASS #13056]

A good hatter has that strange looking hat fitting device - looks like it came from a torture chamber.  Then the hat can be made just for your head.  Most often times, a good hatter can make a "proper" sized hat and stretch/mold it to fit our strange heads - some heads are rounder, some oblong, long-oblong, etc.

[Dapper Dave]

It hasn't arrived yet, but looking forward to trying it on. 

Yes, English bowlers are nice, but that's a REALLY long trip for a hat! This was long enough, 17 hours one direction!

[Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118]

Here is another custom hatter in AZ, Double H Custom Hats, Wickenburg, AZ 408-630-6979.

 

TB

[Johnny Buck]

D Bar J

Panama

[Dapper Dave]

My hat is delayed for the Watermelon Crawl. Well, due to the Clinton, Arkansas Chuck Wagon Races the store is closed from noon on August 23rd to Sept 3rd.  The day after I paid off my bill. OK, so I guess I'll see it sometime in the middle of September. Sounds like hatters can have some serious fun!

Edit to add - I looked it up - THAT looks like it could be a lot of fun! They cram a lot of stuff in nine days.

National Championship Chuckwagon Race | National Championship Chuckwagon Races | Bar of Ranch in Clinton, Arkansas

[Jefro, SASS#69420]

Colorado Mike if he's still around. Once he puts that gizmo on your head the hat will be custom all the way. I think I'm a long oval Good Luck

[Dapper Dave]

I think it fits quite well, even though it looks a bit tall. 
 

 

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

Looks great. I like that height. I think it looks better then some that look like they're practically shaped to the top of your head.

[Assassin]

Almost everyone wants to be taller. 

[Dapper Dave]

I'm OK with being just under 6ft.

[watab kid]

thats a nice look on you , not everyone can wear it well , but then i suspect folks back then had to settle for what they found available/reasonable too 

[Dapper Dave]

Thank you! My wife likes it too.