Newbie buys New Hat

[NewMexExpat]

Howdy, I'm new here (officially - I've been a "lurking" guest for months), my 3rd post I think.

I've just ordered a Montecristi Panama from Panamabob. After Hours of reading posts here, I had e-mailed him a couple of times with questions on different hats, and tried to call (left message). He returned my call this evening and was quite patient and helpful with my novice/buy-on-a-budget "what if" this and "what about" that questions. So far a very good experience.

Many thanks to members here who have helped "educate" me (enough to be dangerous?). I'll post again in 2 or three weeks when it arrives.

Regards,

Mark

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Like a cloud on your head...

Welcome to the Montecristi hat club... I bet it won't be your last. :eusa_clap

 

[Prairie Shade]

First Time at Bat!!

You hit a homer in my opinion. I have 3 of his hats and am very happy with them. Two Monti's and one Cuenca. Exactly what I expected and reasonable considering!!!!!

 

[GentlemanFarmer]

Welcome

Welcome to the Lounge. Where in NM? I was born in Roswell, 1953, St. Mary's Hospital. Parents live in Santa Fe now.

 

[NewMexExpat]

Oh, Fair New Mexico...!

Hello GF, good to "meet" someone else from God's Country.

I was born in Alamogordo, 1957. UNM, '75 - '79. I taught school in Roswell, '70/'80 - my first job after college. We moved to Lubbock in 1980, spent two years there, then moved to Illinois when we joined the USAF. I sure miss the dry air, the mountains and the beautiful skies.:cry: (I even miss the desert.) [huh]

Regards,

- Mark

 

[Jake Sullivan]

Welcome Sir. I have heard a lot of good things about the Panama.

 

[NewMexExpat]

Just as you said...

Welcome to the Montecristi hat club... I bet it won't be your last.

..." Like a cloud on your head... ", SHARPETOYS


Mine arrived yesterday. It fits perfectly, is very light and soft.

It is an Ecuadoran block, and hand shaped (I believe). I used a steam iron, towel and spray starch to build up the snap a little, and tried to sharpen the joint between brim and crown in front. Results in bottom picture (pardon all below the brim).

(Whaddaya mean, "Can you smoke a cigarette in the rain"? Wise guy!)

Comments first, more details later.

Now I can put my felt away. Happy day,

- Mark

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Very nice

Looks real good... Have you ordered another one yet in a different block ? :eusa_clap

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Have you ordered another one yet in a different block ?

In other words, "You might consider ordering another one that's blocked with a higher crown." Practice makes perfect!

That said, felicitaciones for entering a most entertaining world: el mundo de los panamás.

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[RedPop4]

Which block do y'all recommend?
It'll be a while before another good hat can be purchased. I probably can't spare the money for an Art block, either.

 

[Lieutenant]

I'm with Marc about the higher crown and I think a hat that fits lower also looks and feels better. WELCOME to the FL.

 

[Panamabob]

In other words, "You might consider ordering another one that's blocked with a higher crown." Practice makes perfect!

A Montecristi comes from Montecristi with a 4 inch crown. That is the standard. When you block that out you might have 4 1/4 peak or 4 1/2 depending on the type of block. If you want to pay more, which most people do not, you can get it as big as you want.

Be sure to check all of the experts and look at the the crown heights.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

In other words, "You might consider ordering another one that's blocked with a higher crown." Practice makes perfect!

That said, felicitaciones for entering a most entertaining world: el mundo de los panam?°s.

.

If I thought he needed a higher crown I would say so... I don't need you twisting my words...In other words post your thoughts!

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Here's a little link, Sharpetoys. Feel free to say something nice about it -- I'll be very (pleasantly) surprised if you do:


http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=125889&postcount=65




.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Now, back to NewMexExpat's panama.

Again, the photos show (and the provenance makes clear) that your hat is a really good one. Does it suit your head? Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... and it varies among beholders. This particular "beholder" feels that a higher-crowned panama would look especially appealing on you. Now, as Panamabob has informed us, Montecristi doesn't really give you that option. It's a question, then, of whether you'd prefer the quality of a Montecristi over the benefit of a higher crown, or vice-versa. Now that you have one, you can certainly go for the other.

And Sharpetoys is quite right: these words and the opinions behind them are mine, not his. I apologize to him for having intimated otherwise.


.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Thank you, Sharpetoys. Your words are to be respected and in the future I won't co-opt them. That's a promise.


.

 

[Panamabob]

Now, as Panamabob has informed us, Montecristi doesn't really give you that option.

It is an option, ask around. The only thing is that you have to pay more money or you get a larger hat with less quality weave....it comes down to what you are willing to spend as far as the height, crown length and fineness.

The standard is 4 inches...because the horma is that size.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

My misunderstanding. Sorry about that, Panamabob!


.

 

[Panamabob]

I should have added that the Optimo is high because there aren't any indentations.

The Cuenca Optimos are especially high.


I've been all over Peru, too. Love Arequipa. Between Cuenca and Arequipa, it would be a tough place to choose to retire.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Peru is fantastic. I'll never forget Cuzco and Macchu Picchu. Too bad I didn't go on the Inca Trail! :eusa_doh:

Anyway, thanks as always for the ongoing panama education. There's always more to learn about these fascinating hats.

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