Black Sheep Hat Works

[belfastboy]

I have just one of BSHW's, a grey Heathered Tonak felt. Bob Jessie is a top tier hat maker and I echo all of the things that JLee has noted. I had a second hat in the queue but after a year wait and after other buyers were complaining after waiting 2 years still with no firm delivery I asked Bob for a refund. He graciously sent it to me right away. No one seems to know the 'why' of him dropping off the radar.

I do know when he did stop making hats we lost a great one. I visited him at his house in Bremerton WA had a great visit.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Innovator. Student of the art & craft. If you want a clone of say, a 1920’s dress fedora so rare one no longer exists in the wild then that is exactly what you will get & why you’re willing to wait.

If you just want a 20mph fashion fedora in brown with a ribbon to coordinate with your favorite shirt, there are others with no wait.

It would appear that maybe Bob is burned out a bit.

 

[Judgmentalist]

Innovator. Student of the art & craft. If you want a clone of say, a 1920’s dress fedora so rare one no longer exists in the wild then that is exactly what you will get & why you’re willing to wait.

If you just want a 20mph fashion fedora in brown with a ribbon to coordinate with your favorite shirt, there are others with no wait.

It would appear that maybe Bob is burned out a bit.

I have two hats on order with Mike Miller from Northwest. Judging by creativity alone, based on what I can see from all the available photos, I would say he is probably one of the closest competitors to BSHW of the custom batters with which I am familiar. I believe Mike has a lead time of about 6-8 months.

I have a couple other felt hats coming that I got from custom hatters with much shorter lead times that, in my opinion, would stand up against anything I’ve seen quality-wise.

Of course, my opinion is based on photos and admittedly limited experience, which I am in the process of trying to rectify, partly by asking these questions.

Thanks for your help.

 

[belfastboy]

I have two hats on order with Mike Miller from Northwest. Judging by creativity alone, based on what I can see from all the available photos, I would say he is probably one of the closest competitors to BSHW of the custom batters with which I am familiar. I believe Mike has a lead time of about 6-8 months.

I have a couple other felt hats coming that I got from custom hatters with much shorter lead times that, in my opinion, would stand up against anything I’ve seen quality-wise.

Of course, my opinion is based on photos and admittedly limited experience, which I am in the process of trying to rectify, partly by asking these questions.

Thanks for your help.

I have about 10 of Mike's creations. He has been making hats for over 20 years now, give or take. For the first 10 years or so it was a side hustle but 10 years ago he took the leap to open his street front store. He is a great hat maker, with a honed ability to make the hat you describe or picture. He is one of my role models as a hatter. I have watched a lot of hat makers come and go over the years (retired, tired, injured, burnt out etc etc) but Mike is one who has withstood the test and continues to thrive. His prices remain, in my view, as absolute bargains.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Of course, my opinion is based on photos and admittedly limited experience,

One of the things Bob does in talking to you before accepting your order is have you take measurements not only the circumference where you want the hat to sit, but also measurements up over the top from ear top to ear top. He will ask you how you intend to wear the hat; ie with a cant to one side or the other, or level. He will ask if you have a lumpy cranium, etc. Then before he starts to build your hat he will ship to you a box of 3-4 sweats so that you can check for the fit you like best. The hat is built around that fit. It’s truly a soft, thin hat closest to any vintage fedora you will find.

 

[Judgmentalist]

One of the things Bob does in talking to you before accepting your order is have you take measurements not only the circumference where you want the hat to sit, but also measurements up over the top from ear top to ear top. He will ask you how you intend to wear the hat; ie with a cant to one side or the other, or level. He will ask if you have a lumpy cranium, etc. Then before he starts to build your hat he will ship to you a box of 3-4 sweats so that you can check for the fit you like best. The hat is built around that fit. It’s truly a soft, thin hat closest to any vintage fedora you will find.

Very cool. I’ve had a hatter help me get the correct head shape in a plane around my head where I will wear the hat, and another hatter shipped me five sweats to pick from; both methods worked well for me, I think. But I haven’t had anyone ask after the other details you mention.

When I first started getting into hats I was (in my opinion now) a little too obsessed with getting the custom fit thing exactly right, and I would still like to have that experience.

Having said that, I’ve mostly banged my way through it in the school of hard knocks at this point. I’ve had some hats that don’t work along the way, unfortunately, but I think I’ve about got it figured out how I want my hats to fit.

When I eventually get Bob Jessee to make me one, I may find out differently.