Abilene People: Damon Albus

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Our guest on the Abilene People podcast today is Damon Albus, owner of 5D Custom Hats and Leather. Born and raised in Abilene, Damon calls himself a “maker” more than an artist, but his artistry in hat making and leatherwork has earned him acclaim from all corners. His creations are worn by those who work hard and those who wear them for style, yet Damon insists that being a maker is not who he is. He describes himself first as a son, husband, father, and grandfather.

For Damon, cowboy hats tell stories, long before anyone ever says a word. The shape of the crease, the way it’s worn, the marks of use—they reveal where someone comes from and the kind of life they’ve lived.

Damon shares how he first got started in leatherwork, the fire that destroyed his first shop, and how that loss revealed what he calls God’s providence and the goodness of people. He also talks about learning the art of hat making from a longtime Lubbock hat maker who, in a twist of fate, had bought his tools years earlier from an Abilene craftsman. Damon brought that same equipment back home to Abilene, where he built 5D Custom Hats and Leather, now located on Oak Street near the courthouse.

Woven through Damon’s stories is a thread of humility, humor, and hard-earned wisdom. He believes that if you say you’re going to do something, you’d better do it and do it right. To him, the cowboy life isn’t something you proclaim; it’s something others see in you. It’s about doing the right thing, living with purpose, and earning respect through how you carry yourself.

Hats may be worn on the head, but Damon’s work comes straight from the heart. Join us for a conversation with a true Abilenean—someone who doesn’t just make hats, but crafts stories, character, and community.