The inspiration for this handmade hat in Mink is a combination of hat styles worn by all the amazing men I grew up around. Both my dad, Duane, and my dad, Raymond, had wonderful lifelong friends that I loved hanging out with. Sitting around the kitchen table with Dale Richards, Gilbert Wood, Art Persche, Bud Timm, George Batchelder, Bill Swan, and Archie Keegan listening to all the stories of their crazy adventures and memories I will always treasure! Riding the range in a blizzard with cousin Dale to gather cattle and him telling me to bang my fingers on the saddle horn and wiggle my toes so I didn't freeze them. Going to check horses as we bounced across the prairie in his powder-blue pick-up with matching stock rack and our horses loaded on the back as we looked for the perfect spot to unload. Helping Bud Timm gather cattle and looking forward to the fantastic lunch his wife, Johnnie, would have ready because she was known as the best cook on the prairie. I heard them all talk about how they would ride their horses' extra miles to hit the Timm ranch at mealtime.
George Batchelder would come to the ranch with a horse for me to ride and "get some miles on" or a trailer full of horses or fur coats to do some trading. Running wild horses with Archie Keegan was one of my favorite things to do! I would get them headed down a deep draw towards the corrals while Archie would set up on the divide and yell, "run Dusty run!" He taught me how to drive a team of horses and pull a stock trailer. When people refer to real cowboys, these men are the definition of that. They all taught me the value of a strong work ethic. The next group of men that have had a significant influence on me are my brothers, Dary Davis and Dean Andrews, Gary Donahey, and Scott Wattawa. Gary always took the time to show me ways to be better with horses just as both my dads did. Scott was a kind soul and took time to teach me about leatherworking, riding, and fixing almost anything. Dean and his examples of kindness, forgiveness, and how to treat others. Dary and my first hat shaping experience were very telling of things to come! We filled a pot with water and covered it with a tin foil lid shaped like a funnel. We discussed loudly how that hat should be shaped for an hour! All these years later, I finally talked him out of that black hat! Dary is the one I call when I get stuck and need some advice. I am so blessed to have had them all in my life, and the many hats they have worn through all the life lessons are treasures I will have forever.
20X, Belly Hair, Mink, and Chinchilla are pure fur.
- Crown: 5" hand-shaped
- Color: Chocolate is shown but you can pick your color
- Brim: 4" hand-shaped, un-bound
- Every hat is handmade to order: no mass production, less waste, more love
- Black leather custom sweatband made in the USA
- Hatband: 7/8" velvet ribbon made in the USA the color shown is chocolate brown
- Hats ship in 8-10 weeks
The hat pictured is the basic. While I can make you one just like this style to fit your head, the feather embellishments will vary with each hat as I put them together one feather at a time so that each one will be unique to your hat. If you would like a different knot or color or ribbon on the hatband, please call me, and we will place this order together. This hat is a great style for men and women.
Colors: The colors available shown in images. Along with being a handmade product, the X quality of the hat will affect the color and can cause one hat to be slightly different than the next. Please see individual qualities for color availability.
I use the finest fur/fur blends, which are more durable and more serviceable. The better the fur, the more abuse it will take, and the easier it is to do something with it year after year. Fine fur blends produce a softer refined feel and create a higher quality hat.
ONLY colors available in Belly Hair are Black Cherry, Natural, Pecan, Black, Chocolate Brown, and Charcoal
ONLY colors available in Mink are Black Cherry, Natural, Pecan, Black, Chocolate Brown, and Charcoal
ONLY colors available in Chinchilla are Black Cherry, Natural, Pecan, Black, Chocolate Brown, and Charcoal
Note: These hats will be made as ordered (they are not ready-made), so there is still going to be a lead time of 8-10 weeks for delivery as we will be working them in with all our custom orders.
Prices will change according to the items you add on or change from the basic price.
All my hats are made by hand with love and care in my Sturgis South Dakota location. All hats (shapes, designs, colors, embellishments) only show suggestions. The options and possibilities are endless. The only limitations are your budget and time frame.
If you have decided that you like this hat but want it with a different design or as a custom, one of a kind, I can do that! Just send me an email or give me a call with your thoughts, and I will put them into action.
If you are not able to stop by my Sturgis South Dakota location, I can still get one made for you. I need a couple of pieces of information:
Step 1
Wrap the tape measure (or string) around the largest part of your head until the two ends meet at the center of your forehead just above your eyebrows. Firmly hold the tape or string mid-forehead with your finger, not too tightly or too loose. The goal is to determine precisely where your hat will sit for the most comfortable fit.
If you're using a ruler and string, proceed to step two.
Step 2
Take the string from your head, being careful to hold onto the endpoint, so you have an accurate account of your head size. Measure the string with the ruler.
Even though the hat sizes provided are standard across the USA, various factors can affect the fit, such as the hat maker, the material of the hat, and even how much hair you have.
Handcrafted, wearable art made in the USA!
