Reviewing a Captain Jack’s Pirate Hat is always a treat. For one, it’s a safe bet I’ll be able to write a favorable review (certainly more fun than the alternative.) But also, it’s always a treat to bask in the details of the new hat in question. While nearly every hat by Captain Jack starts its life as a near identical round felt blank, and the initial structuring and weatherproofing (optional) remains reassuringly consistent; the variations in color, style, and accessories make for a mind-bogglingly diverse range of end-products.

The Captain Kidd style is a definite classic, with its upturned front creating a distinctive pirate look. Tricorns are can be worn by colonial soldiers, cavaliers can be worn by musketeers – but really, who but a pirate wears a front fold? Nobody, that’s who. And that makes the Captain Kidd really special.

For some events I like to get away from the “typical” pirate look of black boots, black hat, black heart, black everything, and so I opted to order my Captain Kidd in basic brown, along with a couple of custom embellishments (the black stripe around the edge, and the pheasant feather pin in the front.) As has always been my experience with Captain Jack’s, the hat arrived well packaged and in perfect condition. The fit was perfect, as was the craftsmanship. The oil/wax treatment wasn’t as tacky as it’s been in the past, although the hat was certainly well coated and should handily weather all but the worst of conditions. The only concern I had was the length of the pheasant feathers, which rigidly stuck out what seemed a full foot and a half to my left – I was concerned I’d blind anyone standing next to me if not careful. But this was easily remedied – I simply broke the feathers off at what I determined to be the optimal length. While at it I also ruffled them up a bit, and put some subtle and not-so-subtle cuts along the hat’s brim to lend the effect of this hat being a true combat veteran.

This has quickly become my favorite – and most often worn – hat from my Captain Jack’s collection. This isn’t because it’s inherently superior to the others – indeed, every Jack’s Hat I own is of the highest quality. But rather, it’s because its style best compliments one of my favorite pirate outfits. And this is perhaps one of Captain Jack’s greatest strengths – that each hat carries its own unique flavor and can create a wildly different effect depending on your clothing, face, and attitude. Purchasing a Captain Jack’s hat is more like acquiring a loyal sidekick than an article of clothing, and so I’d always encourage potential customers to think hard and choose carefully. You can’t really go wrong with a Jack’s Hat, but if you take your time and exercise some creative foresight you can select a hat that will convert a typical pirate look into one that’s uniquely extraordinary.

The debate is never ending: Who’s better, pirates or ninjas?

Obviously I fall wholeheartedly into the pirate camp, and the reasons are many. I won’t bore you with the full list, but one of the key points is that as pirates, we get to customize our look to fit our own personal prefences. Where ninjas wear black pajamas, pirates can choose from a multitude of colors and styles with regards to their wardrobe. In this respect, Captain Jack’s Pirate Hats has been a longtime friend of pirates everywhere with their wide assortment of pirate hats in many cuts and styles, and in a seemingly endless variety of colors.

But should you be on the fence between pirates and ninjas, Captain Jack’s now has your back as well. Their new “Singapore Pirate Hat” boasts a strong asian influence that’s sure to turn heads in pirate and ninja circles alike. Made entirely of asian seagrass, folded into a distinctly oriental shape, and punctuated with a small feather assortment attached with an antiqued pin, this is certainly a hat like no other.

Like any piece of truly original clothing, the Singapore Hat requires some fearlessness and creativity to properly wear. Adding some additional asian elements to your pirate garb helps, and nicely lends to the impression that you’re truly a pirate that’s been to the ends of the Earth and back. Actually *being* asian may also prove helpful, but is hardly a requirement (and generally speaking, outside of our control.)

The festivals are full of Caribbean pirates sporting tricorns. Be bold – wear a Singapore hat to stand from the crowd and tell the world that you’re strong enough to bear a musket, yet nimble enough to pluck the coin purse from a Dutchman with a pair of chopsticks.

note: This hat is displayed on a skull hatstand, also available from Captain Jacks.

The Bilgemunky Logo is a trademark of Bilgemunky Enterprises, LLC

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Pirate Furniture Company
www.thepiratefurnitureco.com

Whether at an encampment or in your office, the downside of accumulating lots of cool pirate booty is having a place to put it. And while some would argue that any old shelf or table would serve just fine, I’d submit that the only proper place to store your pirate booty is on a proper pirate table.

We’ve previously reviewed the folding Camp Stool from the Pirate Furniture Company – an invaluable item that still serves me well today. And now we have a second opportunity to view their work with their Crate Table – a small table suitable for an endtable, or well matched to sit at as a makeshift desk when combined with the afformentioned Camp Stool.

With most items of this nature, the review is pretty straighforward – the table is small but sturdy, lightweight and attractive. It offers ample space for rum, magazines, pistol-cleaning supplies, or whatever else your piratey heart desires. But what makes this table actually piratey?

It’s construction, for starters. The Pirate Furniture Company specifically designed this table to appear as though it was constructed from an old storage crate – arguably similar to a table that would be found in a shipwrecked pirate encampment. But if that’s not quite piratey enough for you, they also paint the table top in your choice of piratey designs. You may choose from a selecton of designs (Jolly Roger, East India Co. Logo…), or submit your own. Which is where the *real* test is.

My first and foremost concern when submitting original art is whether or not the craftsman will be able to properly recreate my design. In this case, as usual, I submitted the Bilgemunky Logo. I know this logo like my own hand, so if it’s off even a little, the end result looks weird to me. But happily, The Pirate Furniture Company perfectly captured my logo and flawlessly transfered it to my table. Actually, flawlessly isn’t quite accurate – it does in fact have just enough irregularities to look natural on a table of this sort (a laser-perfect image would infact seem out of place), but not so many flaws as to no longer look “quite right.” So in short, it’s perfectly imperfect, if there is such a thing.

A gorgeous little table; useful, attractive, and piratey.

I’ve reviewed Captain Jack’s Pirate Hats before, and now I do so again. This may seem odd, in that most of his hats are essentially similar – all that usually changes is the shape, the color, and options regarding waterproof treatment. Being as these are matters of taste rather than quality (which is always exceptional in my experience with Jack’s Hats), it’s of little point for me to review each and every hat he makes. But there are a few styles and lines that bear particular mention, and the Skallywagg Limited Edition is one such hat.

The Skallywagg is an extra-thick hat with an extra-wide brim. Formed into a traditionalish tricorn fashion with a rolled back, it is then beat up and (yes) shot with a musket – and this makes the Scalliwagg special. Most of Captain Jack’s Pirate Hats are essentially infants – crisp and new, ready to grow, wear, and age with their new owner. Heck, they even have a “new hat” smell. I love a new Jack’s Hat, but I love old ones even more. But the Skallywagg is different. From the box, this is a hat that’s already seen more adventure than most landlubbers could dream, and it has the scars to prove it. Not unlike inheriting a hat from a retired (loose translation for deceased) buccaneer, this is a hat that’s already journeyed, and is ready to journey some more.

What also makes the Skallywagg special is its personality. With its extremely high front end, this is a hat with a commanding presence, and not all heads are up for the challenge. If your face is at all plain, this hat just might mutiny and take over. But if you boast striking features, brutal scars, an impressive beard, or just a aura of fearlessness, then this is a hat that shows you’ve been places, kicked some spaniard ass, and taken names.

note: This hat is displayed on a skull hatstand, also available from Captain Jacks.

It was a warm spring eve when the first speck of daylight peaked out from behind the stormclouds what bombarded us throughfore the day. The landlocked crew was emerging from a long afternoon bunkered beneath the shelters, and most figured it was time to enjoy some grog beneath this small sliver of sunlight we was granted before nightfall. I myself was of like mind, and led the way to the makeshift bar that had been erected. But once the rum was poured, we realized the tragedy of our situation – we’d nowhere to rest ourselves. The ground was all but saturated, puddled and muddy, yet nary a chair was in view. And while pirates don’t think much of a little dirt, sitting in a pool of slimy muck is best left ta pigs and spaniards. One by one, the swabs around me resigned themselves ta standin while they drank, except for the remote few that just gave up and settled their flanks inta the muck beneath their toes. But as for me own self? I charted a different course.

I reached inta me haversack, and pulled out a small wooden contraption no larger than a logbook. A few quick maneuvers, and I was holding a stool, which I placed firmly on the ground. The seat was embelished with the logo of the infamous East India Company, and I took great delight in setting me hindquarters upon it, even as the rest of me crew sighed in jealousy.

Blessed is the day that this handsome device appeared at me door. While only a smidge under a foot tall, it affords a mighty comfortable seat, and suprisingly sturdy ta boot. And what’s more, if the ground is dry enough ta sit on direct, ya can instead use the stool for a makeshift table. A full foot in diameter, it allows plenty of room for eatin, drinkin, and even playin cards (though not all three at once, mind ya.)

Pirate Furniture Company is from the same minds what brought us Captain Jack’s Pirate Hats, and the very same cleverness and dedication ta quality is more than apparent. The story I just told is true, so far as it goes, and it happened at the Port Washington Pirate Festival just this past weekend. And I don’t exagerate in the least when I say I was mighty glad ta be armed, as I’m certain that had I been defenseless, my stool woulda been pried out from beneath me cold, dead buttocks by some covetous guppy. ‘N ya may lay to that!

A collapsed view of the stool, folded up and ready for transport.

“Little Pirate and His Pirate Hat” is a cute tale in which Little Pirate explains and demonstrates all the many uses for his pirate hat (perhaps the most indispensible tool in the pirating trade.) From gathering scurvy-preventing fruit to protecting from sunburn, from bailing water to hiding treasure maps, there is little that a pirate can’t do if he or she is armed with a proper hat.

The writing in “Little Pirate” is simple and easy to follow. It contains a few piratey words here and there, but it’s high time your kids learned what “lubber” and “booty” mean anyway – a handy glossary is included in the back just for this purpose. The illustrations are cute and colorful, and each page features Little Pirate (and in most cases, his parrot) smiling ear to ear as he demonstrates why his hat is so wonderful. It also bears mention that the artwork is done almost entirely in crayon, which might spur young barnacles to break out their own Crayolas and sketch out some pirate adventures of their own.

Now for the million-dollar question. “Little Pirate and His Pirate Hat” is written by Rebecca Ann MacKay, wife to the owner of the much loved “Captain Jack’s Pirate Hats.” So being as this book, written by the wife of a pirate hatcrafter, is a beginning-to-end journey about the benefits of a good pirate hat, it really begs the question as to whether this book is merely a clever (but shameless) plug for her husband’s business. Gladly, I don’t think that’s the case at all. While the virtues of pirate hats are prominently touted throughout, nowhere does it say “go out and buy one.” Rather, the tone of this book is more about the versatility of everyday objects – parents could just as easily use this to kick off a discussion about creative uses for blankets or shoelaces. The significance of pirate hats to the MacKays does strike a humorous tongue-in-cheek tone for those of us already familiar with Capt. Jacks. But the uninitiated will hardly be the wiser.

A very fun pirate book for the buccaneer toddler in your life. One that promotes creative problem solving, crayon-drawing, and a love of pirate hats. Who could ask for more?

Until recently, quality pirate hats seemed to come in only two styles – the stylish working class pirate, and that of the pirate king. Capain Jack’s, who has handily redifined the market for the working class hat, has now gone one step better and created a third style – the pirate tradesman, perhaps?

Jack refers to it as his “18th Century Cocked Hat” series – quality cashmere hats with fine metal buttons, softer and in a wider range of colors than his original series. And where his original series of hats is perfect for the rough’n'tumble variety of pirate, these new 18th century hats would seem the ideal choice for the slightly more educated scalliwagg – the navigators and surgeons, for instance.

The 18th Century series is a mix of old and new, featuring some styles from his original series, and a couple unique to this new line. For myself I chose “The Buccaneer” It’s a take on the standard tricorn, except that the back section is left free rather than being pinned up or rolled, and creating a novel effect that I’ve not seen before in pirate hats (and providing a nice outlet down your back for rainwater, I might add.) As promised by Jack’s description, the cashmere felt is indeed very soft, although the reverse side is noticeably rougher. As I’ve come to expect with Captain Jack, it’s sturdily built, and the attention-to-detail is beyond reproach. In my hat pictured you’ll notice a smart pair of pheasant feathers tucked into the left button – this is not standard, but feathers are available for purchase seperately (and always remember that Jack can do custom work upon request!)

The soft cashmere of the 18th Century series, free of the sticky oil/wax treatment offered for Jack’s original series, makes for a hat that is comfortable and stylish right out of the box. These hats won’t weather as well as the treated hats. But that said – like all of Captain Jack’s products – these are hats meant to be worn, meant to share in your adventures, victories, and scars. Any signs of age will only add to their character.

note: This hat is displayed on a skull hatstand, also available from Captain Jacks.

Proving once again why he is amongst “The Enlightened”, Captain Jack’s Pirate Hats now offers the most wickedly perfect hatstand imaginable. If you’re at all like me, then one look at the picture above and you’re instantly salivating, knowing your life won’t be complete without one. All you need is reassurance that it’s all it appears.

So…. let me reassure you. This hat stand is top quality through and through. Not a single sign of plastic or shoddy craftsmanship – like Jack’s hats, it may as well have fallen into your lap from the 17th century. Not that you’d want it to – it’s deceptively heavy, which is good because it will stubbornly display your hat for all to see, defying nor’easterly winds and playful cat paw alike.

The skull is life-sized and highly detailed. It appears to be cast from a sturdy resin – when tapping it sounds lightweight and hollow, but to all appearances it’s as solid as the real thing. Aged and gold-toothed, it sits sinisterly atop its stand, which is turned wood with a padded base (so as not to scratch your piratey bookshelf.) Not nearly as top-heavy as it might appear, the unit is very stable and doesn’t seem at all prone to tipping, even with a gloriously large hat atop it.

Jack’s Hat Stand is delivered bald. It’s up to you to cover complete the look, and I would heartily recommend a Captain Jack’s Pirate Hat. He has an ever growing selection, and you’re sure to find something that will look equally splendid on your hatstand and head alike!

A pirate needs a hat.

Really, it’s just that simple – a pirate needs a hat. It’s only a question of what kind. Some pirates may opt for the frilly, gold-trimmed variety that would seem suitable at the Governor’s ball. If that’s for you, then Captain Jack’s isn’t. But some pirates – indeed, MANY pirates – would seek a hat that’s ready for battle and pig-roast alike, a hat to protect the noggin come rain or shine, and that’ll look good while doing it. And as for the Governor’s ball? Face it mate – you’re not on the guest list.

Captain Jack’s offers a wide selection of classical pirate styled hats. My own choice for this review was the Barbossa – it cuts a dashing figure that’s sure to impress the ladies.

When first removed from the box two things struck me immediately – the hat was surprisingly rigid, and it was slightly tacky to the touch. Both of these are products of Captain Jack’s own wax/oil treatment, which Jack assures will stand up to the harshest of elements. He also assures that that tackiness and rigidity will both fade with use. Time will tell, but I can say right now that the treatment gives the hat a sturdiness that I’d never have expected from felt – I’ve no doubt it will prove to be one of the most durable pirate accessories I could ever hope to wear. And as for the hat itself – it really is a piratey thing of beauty. Handcrafted with the utmost care, it has a true sense of authenticity about it that transcends anything else in my collection. The only way it strays from this authenticity (and I believe this complaint would apply strictly to the Barbossa style hat) is its hatband, which appears to be a modern leather woman’s belt trimmed down to hat-size. This, however, can be easily replaced – and in all other ways the hat could have fallen straight into your lap from the 17th century.

Whenever ordering clothing through the mail, I always worry that the fit or the look won’t be quite what I’m hoping for. With Captain Jack’s, fit wasn’t an issue – he only makes one size. If it’s too small, he provides instructions on how to stretch it. And if it’s too large, wear a bandana underneath (which really adds to the comfort factor, anyways.) As to the look, my hat appears very similar to the one depicted on the website – but as is the nature of any handmade product, each hat is at its core a one-of-a-kind, with its own strengths, beauties, and quirks. Personally, I take great pride in knowing my hat is an original. It fits well and looks great. I’d say more, but we’ve really only just met – I’ll post a supplemental review in the future, after my hat and I have spent some true quality time together.

Update: In my original review I mentioned the rather modern looking hat-band used on the Barbossa style hat. Captain Jack has since informed me that he now makes his own hatbands. He sent me one, and while it’s very similar in style to the old version, it’s rougher and more period. This subtle change nicely completes the look making for a hat that’s about as perfectly-piratey as allowable by law.