Opinion on a Straw

[Uberneot]

What do you all think of this...

http://www.hatsinthebelfry.com/page/H/PROD/sfed/p138

I really like the style; its the same dimensions as my felt. It says its not Shantung, and made by a reputable company (Scala, they're reputable, right?) but at $70 US (for a hat that doesn't come in real sizes, only sm, med, lg, and xl) its tripping my "You-Get-What-You-Pay-For" alarm. What do you all think? Can anyone suggest a better choice similar to this one? (4 inch crown, 2 1/2 inch snap brim, center dent with the bashes in the front, etc.) I wasn't planning on needing a straw this soon but I was just informed that my whole family is going on vacation to the Dominican Republic in January. Thanks!

 

[android]

My first Panama was similar to this. It's a Cuenca that's been machine blocked. That's means it'll last about two summers of regular wear before it cracks, unravels and becomes generally useless except for the lake.

Buy it if you need it in a hurry, but your $70 + shipping would be much better spent getting something from Bob.

 

[Michael D]

Fiest Hats

Checkout Fiesta hat company for a wide variety of Cuenca machine-blocked panamas at even better prices.

http://www.fiestahatcompany.com/

Mike

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Just my opinion! Why buy a Cuenca when you can have a Montecristi

For that kind of money you can buy yourself a nice Monrecristi Panama hat styled just like the picture. You will have a Panama that will last you a lifetime. Just give Fedora Lounge member Panamabob a call.

http://www.panamas.biz/hats.html

 

[art92101]

Scala??

I have one and its an Ok hat. It shrank after repeated wearings and I have to keep it in a stretcher. Also the sweatbands are some cloth material, they will soak and could bleach into the body of the hat. save your money, the Scalas are turista hats. At 70 bucks its too pricey for what you get.

 

[stylin]

I have one and its an Ok hat. It shrank after repeated wearings and I have to keep it in a stretcher. Also the sweatbands are some cloth material, they will soak and could bleach into the body of the hat. save your money, the Scalas are turista hats. At 70 bucks its too pricey for what you get.

Art, how about Scala fur felts? Any good? Do they shrink like the daisys too?
Better wuality than their straws??

 

[Grimstar]

I have a scala "havana" style....not a bad hat, I haven't had any shrinkage problem, but maybe I just haven't worn it enough I also have two Dorfman Pacific hats, in natural (tan ) colored straw...bought the second after getting caught in the rain with the first...'nuff said...not bad for the price (about $35 ) but you get what you pay for. Just don't get caught in the rain! lol

 

[Magus]

Or...try the dreded "E" place. I have a vintage baily off there that I LOVE. it was like...$12.

M

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Go with Panamabob

I have / had a cuenco that floored me in terms of quality. At $70, you can get a hell of a nice hat from Bob.
NB

 

[Aaron Hats]

Scala and Dorfman are the same thing. You're better off with a Bailey though, http://www.getahaton.com/products.php?cat=28

 

[Panamabob]

If you want to spend $60-70, you'd be better off with a Montecristi.

 

[Aaron Hats]

If you want to spend $60-70, you'd be better off with a Montecristi.

Yes Bob, we all know that a Montecristi is best and nobody sells them for less than you do. But for the person who wants a nice panama hat this week they can buy a Brisa or Cuenca from nearly any hat retailer.

 

[Panamabob]

We almost always have Cuenca Brisas and Llano Lisos in stock for a nice price. However, if they don't mind waiting a bit, they can have a much better Montecristi.

 

[gekisai29]

Panama bob, i checked out your site. Its very informative but i still don,t understand the price bump from $89 to $249. is there really almost a 300% difference in quality?

 

[Panamabob]

I guess it depends on where you are standing. I guess I underprice our lowest end hat for some reason. Come to think of it, it looks like I underprice all of the hats.

www.brentblack.com

www.montecristihats.com

 

[SHARPETOYS]

3 years ago...

I did a experiment and ordered a Montecristi from Brent Black $425.00. and one from http://www.montecristihats.com/ $350.00. Well when I got the hats I compared them to Robert Weber's Montecristi that I had bought and it had more weaves per square inch and the back weave on the brim was nice and even. A much better Montecristi than the $350.00 hat and the $425.00 that I had purchased.. I had paid only $89.00 for the Montecristi from Robert Weber... http://www.panamas.biz/

It cost me a few dollars on postage to send these over priced hats back but I learned where to buy my Montecrist's hats from....:eusa_clap I hope this helps!!

"Buy the hat not the story"

 

[gekisai29]

No doubt your prices are fab compared to others ... but do you think my spending the extra $$$ will give a quantum leap in quality/

 

[astaire]

vintage vs. new panama

I know that for fur felt, vintage is the way to go.

what about for panama? is it not recomended to buy vintage, since age will weaken the straw?

Thanks All.

 

[PeeWee]

I think a whole lot of my new Bailey "Austin" from the Fedora Store. Love that golden straw.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

You can get a "colored" Cuenca Panama hat for around $30.00 from Panamabob. Just ask him...
I like the natural off white color it will take on a nice patina over time and the hat has no stiffner in it to crack the straw.