The Lost Cowboy
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,696
- Location
- Southeast Asia
Thanks! Except now I’ll have that in my head all morning. And I only know the one line!
Thanks! Except now I’ll have that in my head all morning. And I only know the one line!
Do you have a particularly large head?
So is Mike still making only firm felt hats? I was thinking to add another bespoke to my collection but would rather get a soft one.
I adore mine, it’s definitely my most worn hat. I travel a lot and it travels with me all the time.I’m a size 7 ¾ long oval…sometimes a 7 ⅝ will also work, but it’s a crapshoot.
I have no reason to believe that the stiffness of Mike’s hats has changed. A lot of people like them that way too. I’ve used Gannon a lot because he makes a fedora that is way less stiff and has more of the vintage properties I’m looking for.
https://fb.watch/lc6VynLvvq/?mibextid=cr9u03
I should have a new Northwest western by the end of the month. I think I’m going to like it a lot, but it’s not going to much like vintage felt. I’ve found that I have a place in my rotation for a few very firm western hats, but they are not what I prefer outside of a few specific applications. Northwest makes a great hat as long as it’s the type of hat you want.
Testing. It is currently 11:12 am on Friday June 16. I am curious what time the forum will say this comment was posted.
my screen states 29 minutes ago!Testing. It is currently 11:12 am on Friday June 16. I am curious what time the forum will say this comment was posted.
I’m waiting until it gives a time, then I was going to delete it. I posted something this morning around 9am and the time stamp reads “Yesterday at 10:12pm.” ??my screen states 29 minutes ago!
Fixed it. I didn’t realize I had control of my clock in preferences - it’s accurate now.I’m waiting until it gives a time, then I was going to delete it. I posted something this morning around 9am and the time stamp reads “Yesterday at 10:12pm.” ??
Wow, that hat looks like summer felt quality - maybe even too soft. Does it stiffen up under steam? I have a wonderful Mallory summer felt from the early fifties but the bash will throw out if I blow on it hard.
Also, 7 3/4 doesn’t strike me a strange size. Is it the long oval part that keeps Mike from making a straw for you?
Yes it is crazy that they don’t have blocks. Is 7 3/4 that unusual of a size?Mike makes felt hats in my size, but he doesn’t have a set of Panama blocks in 7 ¾. Gomez Hat Co. Also doesn’t make them in my size, and the same goes for others. I’ve actually bought blocks, and I’m ordering more, so my hatters can borrow them to make me hats. Crazy, right?
I have blocks up to 63cm which is about 7 7/8". Brent is my only client at that size. However they are open crown blocks. Panama hats to be done correctly need a block with the fedora bash carved into the block . I guess many hatters don't want the added expense of an expensive block so seldom used.Yes it is crazy that they don’t have blocks. Is 7 3/4 that unusual of a size?
So whenever you want a new Panama, you intend to ship out the block to the maker?
That is a solution, no doubt, but those things can’t be cheap to buy, let alone ship!
It’s an impressive relationship with a client to have him ship out his own blocks. That’s a lot of trust and also appreciation of the hat maker’s work!I have blocks up to 63cm which is about 7 7/8". Brent is my only client at that size. However they are open crown blocks. Panama hats to be done correctly need a block with the fedora bash carved into the block . I guess many hatters don't want the added expense of an expensive block so seldom used.
Yes it is crazy that they don’t have blocks. Is 7 3/4 that unusual of a size?
So whenever you want a new Panama, you intend to ship out the block to the maker?
That is a solution, no doubt, but those things can’t be cheap to buy, let alone ship!
Great information about blocks!A lot of the blocks hatters have are vintage sets and the larger sizes are less common. The blocks I’ve bought have all been for fur felt fedoras and it’s not just for my hat size but for my preferred shape and height(s). I figure $60 shipping for the block to a hatter and then back to me. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than nothing.
For Panama blocks, you not only have the size, height, and “ovalness” of blocks, you also need to have them in the crown shapes you want to offer. I like the Havana the best, but not everyone has the same preferences. I don’t blame these smaller volume hatters for not having all the tooling/blocks. It’s a big investment if you’re willing to pay, and lots of what they are looking for hasn’t been made in decades.
I have blocks up to 63cm which is about 7 7/8". Brent is my only client at that size. However they are open crown blocks. Panama hats to be done correctly need a block with the fedora bash carved into the block . I guess many hatters don't want the added expense of an expensive block so seldom used.
Yes, I should have added that it is my most used block!I may be your only customer who uses that block but I do my best to keep it in constant use!
There are more? LOLThanks! Except now I’ll have that in my head all morning. And I only know the one line!
I vaguely recollect there being an actual verse, but I never knew the words.There are more? LOL
I vaguely recollect there being an actual verse, but I never knew the words.
Do you have a particularly large head?
So is Mike still making only firm felt hats? I was thinking to add another bespoke to my collection but would rather get a soft one.