M.C. Gannon Hat Company

[MattinMD]

I need to take some proper photos, but all are pure beaver 7 3/8 (59cm)

Gannon:
Silverbelly with tonal thin gambler
Putty with tonal ribbon/bow
Natural with 2" dark gray ribbon

Wellema:
Whiskey "satin finish" with thin gambler

Penman:
Indy Raiders w/ turn
brown fedora w/ black 1" ribbon

I'll post these with pics in the classifieds when I get a moment!

 

[jba972]

I just officially got on the list. I'm torn between the light weight vs dress weight beaver felt. I'm leaning towards the dress weight for the sharper creases or structure.

 

[jba972]

If anyone has anything anecdotal to share regarding the differences between light and dress weight, I'd like to hear it. Thanks

 

[belfastboy]

If anyone has anything anecdotal to share regarding the differences between light and dress weight, I'd like to hear it. Thanks

Those terms are subjective and don't mean anything. Ask Michael what the weight differences are between the two. Dress weight can vary from 95grams up to 160grams...plus you have varying degrees of stiffener added. Talk to Michael. Tell him exactly what qualities in the hat you are seeking. Where and when will you wear it? What activities? Give Michael details and he can advise you what felt can best deliver that which you seek.

 

[jba972]

Those terms are subjective and don't mean anything. Ask Michael what the weight differences are between the two. Dress weight can vary from 95grams up to 160grams...plus you have varying degrees of stiffener added. Talk to Michael. Tell him exactly what qualities in the hat you are seeking. Where and when will you wear it? What activities? Give Michael details and he can advise you what felt can best deliver that which you seek.

Yeah I did have a brief exchange and the dress weight is 120g from an American source vs 95g from Portugal. Just looking for others experiences who have handled both.

 

[belfastboy]

Yeah I did have a brief exchange and the dress weight is 120g from an American source vs 95g from Portugal. Just looking for others experiences who have handled both.

Again it can vary. How much stiffness is in each? The 95gram is a FEPSA product and is the closest modern felt that replicates the soft hand of vintage. This felt is soft, yet malleable and takes and holds a dry crease.. I love this felt.

The 120 would be a Winchester product as they are the only USA felt maker. Their felts tend to have more stiffener in them but that can vary. Not much discernable difference in actual weight between the two ...25 grams is less than one ounce so you would be hard pressed to discern the difference even holding one in each hand. Ask Michael about the stiffness level.

 

[jba972]

Again it can vary. How much stiffness is in each? The 95gram is a FEPSA product and is the closest modern felt that replicates the soft hand of vintage. This felt is soft, yet malleable and takes and holds a dry crease.. I love this felt.

The 120 would be a Winchester product as they are the only USA felt maker. Their felts tend to have more stiffener in them but that can vary. Not much discernable difference in actual weight between the two ...25 grams is less than one ounce so you would be hard pressed to discern the difference even holding one in each hand. Ask Michael about the stiffness level.

That's helpful information regarding your opinion of the FEPSA product.
Can you see a difference in the shades of the steel color between the two? Could you tell the two apart visually in the finished product?
Btw thanks for your time to answer

 

[belfastboy]

That's helpful information regarding your opinion of the FEPSA product.
Can you see a difference in the shades of the steel color between the two? Could you tell the two apart visually in the finished product?
Btw thanks for your time to answer

Michael is a true master. His hat finishing is second to none. I own two of his creations. FEPSA is finished to a 1200 finish at the factory while the Winchester comes raw. I use what I call the 6' test....and no visually there is likely no discernable difference between the two...certainly not at 6' away. If you want a nice soft vintage feel Michael can produce that for you whereas the FEPSA will automatically come like that. The Winchester likely will have more stiffness to it as that is a feature of their felts. But Michael can soften and thin it during the pouncing process. Have you only seen the color via email? Colours of felts do not transmit accurately so what you are seeing on your computer might not be the actual colour. Winchester steel is essentially a blue felt with strong gray undertones. The FEPSA is similar

 

[Rmccamey]

Michael is indeed a master hatter and doesn't mind answering questions. I have 8 Gannons; fedoras, westerns, a homburg and even a rare Gannon bowler. From a user perspective, here is my perspective.

Part of your decision really is how you intend to use the hat. I love his lightweight hats for their truly vintage feel. But, over the years, I've come to wear them as the warm weather hats. In cooler weather, I tend to gravitate toward hats with a bit more body, a bit more stiffness, hats that will hold their shape better in damp and windy conditions.

That said, my comments are rather academic and specific to my liking. For occasional wear in both casual and formal venues, I'd opt for the lightweight. For a real daily wear hat, I'd lean toward the dress weight.

You can't go wrong with either felt. Let Michael guide you.

If anyone has anything anecdotal to share regarding the differences between light and dress weight, I'd like to hear it. Thanks

Again it can vary. How much stiffness is in each? The 95gram is a FEPSA product and is the closest modern felt that replicates the soft hand of vintage. This felt is soft, yet malleable and takes and holds a dry crease.. I love this felt.

The 120 would be a Winchester product as they are the only USA felt maker. Their felts tend to have more stiffener in them but that can vary. Not much discernable difference in actual weight between the two ...25 grams is less than one ounce so you would be hard pressed to discern the difference even holding one in each hand. Ask Michael about the stiffness level.

Gannon Gambler

 

[jba972]

Michael is indeed a master hatter and doesn't mind answering questions. I have 8 Gannons; fedoras, westerns, a homburg and even a rare Gannon bowler. From a user perspective, here is my perspective.

Part of your decision really is how you intend to use the hat. I love his lightweight hats for their truly vintage feel. But, over the years, I've come to wear them as the warm weather hats. In cooler weather, I tend to gravitate toward hats with a bit more body, a bit more stiffness, hats that will hold their shape better in damp and windy conditions.

That said, my comments are rather academic and specific to my liking. For occasional wear in both casual and formal venues, I'd opt for the lightweight. For a real daily wear hat, I'd lean toward the dress weight.

You can't go wrong with either felt. Let Michael guide you.






Gannon Gambler
View attachment 788294 View attachment 788296

Those are helpful details for me to think about. I do like the idea of a more robust hat for times of more inclement weather but I don't really find myself exposed to those kinds of elements often. I should probably think a bit longer on that as I do live in Chicago.
That Gambler looks great btw.

 

[tamz0r]

in my own opinion, i really prefer lightweight over the dress weight. i believe the lightweight is fepsa and it more closely resembles those old vintage beaver hats which are thin and dense and malleable. and it can more than handle pouring down rain in my experience.

btw Mr Randy @Rmccamey - whatever became of that granite gannon hat i sold you a while back? did you ever get it restyled by gannon? ive been curious what it looks like now haha

cheers everyone!

 

[Rmccamey]

Oh, yes. I still have it. I'll post a few pictures for you soon.

in my own opinion, i really prefer lightweight over the dress weight. i believe the lightweight is fepsa and it more closely resembles those old vintage beaver hats which are thin and dense and malleable. and it can more than handle pouring down rain in my experience.

btw Mr Randy @Rmccamey - whatever became of that granite gannon hat i sold you a while back? did you ever get it restyled by gannon? ive been curious what it looks like now haha

cheers everyone!