LET ME INTRODUCE YOU to a great character," Perk" Perkins, a guy who does everything. He is the master laser man who lasers the pinecone designs into my peg heads, and the g into the pegheads of my tenors. But he also sells fly fishing gear, and dozens of other products and he is a master craftsman in the making and restoring of western hats.
Here is Perk as he contemplates the wood I brought him to make the g's from. I want a darker wood for the letter and so I brought him some Australian Blackwood and some Honduran Rosewood. Also lots of figured maple to cut the peghead plates from. It is always great fun to visit Perk at his North Pole Products loccation because he always has numerous things going.
Here is Perk at the old stove in his hat shop. Several years ago he bought out An old hat making company and now he uses their old 1800 tecnology and equipment to make and restore western hats. His new company is The Pendleton Hat Co.
He has dozens of old wooden hat molds that date to the 1800s. Any size, any shape, Perk can make it for you.
Just look at these classic old had making machines, all still turning out classic Western hats.
Here is a brim mold used to shape the brim after steaming. Perk gave me a demonstration.
Steam is pouring out of this spout, softening and heating the brim
Now Perk is able to shape it around the mold. An amazing process and great fun to watch.
Just more of the antique hat making tools in this incredible shop. If you ever had a hankering for an authentic cowboy hat, the Pendleton Hat Company is the place to go. Google Pendleton Hat Company and Perk will build you a hat from beaver felt.
And to think that he also does terrific laser cutting and so much more. it was a fun visit.
And to think that he also does terrific laser cutting and so much more. it was a fun visit.
