Manchester, Vermont · Est. 1980

Turning Wood into Wearable Art

Gallery-grade wooden hats, hand-turned on the lathe to paper-thin walls — where craft becomes sculpture.

View the Work
6,000+
hats turned over a lifetime
HannesTool.com
Pioneer of the Wood Hat Movement

Pioneer of the Wood Hat Movement

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1,879
Studio hats turned
4,000+
Students taught
42
European tours

From Burl to Brim

01
Select the Burl

Freshly cut burls are sourced for their intricate grain — the more complex the figure, the richer the finished piece.

02
Mount & Rough Turn

Wet wood is mounted on the lathe. Working at speed, the rough form is established before the wood has a chance to move.

03
Turn to Translucence

Using light as a gauge, walls are refined to under 3/32" — thin enough to glow, supple enough to shape.

04
Shape & Sign

The still-wet hat is set on forms to dry into its final shape. Every piece is signed, numbered, and its species identified.

Studio Collections

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Acquire a Piece

Each hat is a singular object — unrepeatable in grain, form, and character. To inquire about available work, commissions, or upcoming shows, reach out directly.

Location Manchester Center, Vermont
Instagram @johatman