Tim Allen Hats?

[robwall1861]

Is Tim Allen Hats still in business and if so what is his website address? I was unable to find it. Also, is he of the same quality as Tim Bender and Clearwater?

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

[westcoastcampaigner]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

Sadly, Tim Allen no longer makes hats.

Josh Sawyer
LibertyRifles

[tsgalloway]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

Tim Allen retired from hat-making not too long ago.

[Dignann]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

The announcement from last year:

Tim Allen retiring from hat making

Eric

[3alabama]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

I would recommend Tim Bender. He is an approved vendor here, makes great hats and is a great guy to deal with.

[Marc29thGA]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

Yes - Tim is great to deal with and helped me with all the questions I had. In fact, my new hat is in the mail and I hope it will be here tomorrow (Monday.)

[robwall1861]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

I"m looking at getting a Tim Bender one myself (Tan or Dk. Brown) and was wondering what a good choice would be? I already have a Mosby from Clearwater (see aviator picture) but would like another hat:).

Any opinions out there (my picture is there to try and compare)

PS: To put this from a different angle, since Tim Bender doesn't do events any more, how can you decide what style hat you like since you can't try them on at events like with Clearwater or Dirty Billy

Thanks in advance for the help....

[Peachfuz]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

One great thing about Tim is you are not limited to what is listed on his web-site or catalog. I’d suggest looking at originals (either photos or first hand) and looking at period photos. I have two hats from Tim, a Beard (English import) and a custom. Here is a cool looking hat on one bad MF, Lewis Payne.

[csabugler]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

Got a bell crown from TB a couple weeks ago. Can't wait for a chance to wear it! I got a stretcher also. excellent investment. I've stretched two other hats already that had drawn up too small.

[Marc29thGA]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

My Flat Top Bowler came today and I love it! I was torn between three hats (Flat Top Bowler, Med Crown Bowler and Flat top Crown) and Tim offered this advice:

“Something to think about as to the "flat top crown". That particular hat has a piece of hard pasteboard glued into the top of the crown to keep the shape. This is something you would not want to break or otherwise miss-shape. If you're using the hat in a military impression, and tend to take hard hits, you may want to steer away from it. Either the Med Crown bowler or the flat top bowler would be great choices, though I personally tend to favor the flat top bowler. You can even wear this hat in a modern setting and not pull a second look from anyone.”

Tim was a nice person to work with, told he his expected completion time frame and he let me know when the hat shipped. Basically, it was about two weeks from emails & phone call until it was in my hands. I have to admit, I was as impressed with his packaging job as the work he did on the hat! Oh – don’t forget to get a hat stretcher too.

Y.O.S.,

[robwall1861]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

Marc,

Yeah I had a Bender Flat Top Crown and the hard pasteboard in the top of the hat annoyed the heck out of me, which is one of the reasons I just sold it. I do like the flat top bowler though.....I THINK my friend bought the medium crown bowler from Bender during a Bully Buy sell and he loves it. It's nice and soft after he wore it in a rainstorm one weekend at an event.

(Funny, I was looking at the same two hats you were....)

[robwall1861]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

Does anybody have any opinion on the quality of Dirty Billy's Hats? I had a bad customer relation experience with him back in 1999, but he did help me out with my hat a few years later when I saw him at a local event. I was wondering how his hats are now quality/authenticity, etc.

Thanks in advance....

[lthull3rdla]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

I have a beehive in a soft grey that I bought from Tim some 14 years ago. I pushed the top in and made a flat top out of it and it looks soooo good. Lots of sweat stains, a powder burn, a moth hole or two, one burn from an ember. Hell it looks great! Think I'll keep it another ten years LOL

Ronnie - Shreveport

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

Does anybody have any opinion on the quality of Dirty Billy's Hats? I had a bad customer relation experience with him back in 1999, but he did help me out with my hat a few years later when I saw him at a local event. I was wondering how his hats are now quality/authenticity, etc.

Thanks in advance....

If my two choices were Dirty Billy, and Tim Bender, I would go with Bender every time!
Quality of the hat is outstanding, and his customer service is excellent.

If you want a Tim Allen, (outstanding hats as well), check with the buy, sell and trade folder and every once in a while, you'll see one go up for sale.

[elcid01]

Re: Tim Allen Hats?

Agree with Aaron on this. Tim Allen produced a great hat, but you will have to look at a second hand purchase for this. Im holding on to the 3 that I have..

also agree on the Tim Bender choice..

A hat can make or break a impression.