Panama Hat Thread

[The Jackal]

After months of trying, I think I've determined that my black rimmed panama just flat out doesn't fit like I want it too and never will, so I'm on the hunt again for a daily wear straw hat.

 

[desktopgrass]

I'm a new member I stumbled on this site while looking for info on Panama hats.

Well, today I pulled the trigger on a Craigslist item. Pictures below....

Now my questions.... Is it worth spending, whatever it may cost, to have this blocked professionally?

Would it be a good project hat for getting my blocking feet wet? I've never done anything like that.

Should I find a hobbyist hat blocker and let them have a crack at it? How do I go about finding someone that can block a hat?

Did I basically buy a cool balsa wood stash box?

P.S. @humanshoes I'm in Knoxville too

Your thought, comments, concerns, etc are welcome. Thanks

 

[The Jackal]

I'm a new member I stumbled on this site while looking for info on Panama hats.

First of all, welcome. I've no doubt you will find a lot of really useful and fun information on here.

I don't have any experience with packable hats, but I'm sure someone will pipe up here soon to give you the low down.

 

[Tukwila]

I'm a new member I stumbled on this site while looking for info on Panama hats.

Well, today I pulled the trigger on a Craigslist item. Pictures below.... View attachment 173269 View attachment 173270 View attachment 173271

Now my questions.... Is it worth spending, whatever it may cost, to have this blocked professionally?

Would it be a good project hat for getting my blocking feet wet? I've never done anything like that.

Should I find a hobbyist hat blocker and let them have a crack at it? How do I go about finding someone that can block a hat?

Did I basically buy a cool balsa wood stash box?

P.S. @humanshoes I'm in Knoxville too

Your thought, comments, concerns, etc are welcome. Thanks

The body itself looks decent enough. Nice. You can check out how tall the hat body us and estimate how much brim you'll get by setting it gently on your head.

That's the only thing I see... but it's hard to tell just looking at a picture. I had Mike Miller at NW Hat Co. make me a hat from a Cuenca grade 12 hat body and it turned out really nice... although I generally prefer a hat with a touch more crown and a wider brim.

 

[jonbuilder]

So I sent an email to Custom Hat Works, Santa Fe and asked about this hat. Here is the reply. Seems I did better than I thought!

Good morning Bill,
That’s a nice hat you’ve found there. This is what we consider an Extra Fino calado weave, which is more valuable than the Fino Select. From what I can see in the photos, we would probably sell that weave brand new for somewhere between $1,000-1,500. I cannot tell if there are breaks in the straw, but I can see definite age in the wear of the leather and we changed leathers several years ago as well, so I’d estimate that this hat has been around for at least 15 years. The crown style is called a Teardrop, although it has lost some of its structure over time, along with the brim. Overall though, the hat seems plenty wearable and we hope you can give it an even longer life! Just handle it by the brim, and remember not to pinch the crown!
Cheers,

Diana Dubuque
MONTECRISTI CUSTOM HAT WORKS
505 983 9598
montecristihats.com
hats@montecristihats.com

View attachment 170540 View attachment 170541 View attachment 170542

@Bill I might have your mate. It's on the block at Brent Black now getting resized and finish into a Monte Carlo

 

[Bill Hughes]

@Bill I might have your mate. It's on the block at Brent Black now getting resized and finish into a Monte Carlo
View attachment 173471

@jonbuilder I agree they are very close. I think yours will look great as a Monte Carlo. The brim on mine is only 3 1/4”. I just didn’t think that wide enough to do a curl so I didn’t. Mine is currently at Northwest. Mike said he was working on it. So it shouldn’t be long. And congratulations on a fantastic Montecristi.

 

[jonbuilder]

here what the seller said about the hat "It was purchased at Newt, at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu." He has another montiscriti for sale from the same collection size 7 1/8 but the weave is not as fine and the sweat is not leather like the sweat was on the hat I purchased. I am changing the sweat but I took the leather sweat to indicate a step up in grade of the weave.
Brents' last comment "It is on the first block. Changing size by almost an inch and also changing style is a challenge."

 

[alanfgag]

 

[Chepstow]

Very nice Alan, suits you !


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[alanfgag]

Very nice Alan, suits you !

Thank you Manfred... it's good to hear from you!

 

[Chepstow]

Thank you Manfred... it's good to hear from you!

It‘s good to hear you too,Alan. [emoji1360]


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[alanfgag]

Lightweight (2.0 ounces) baku straw. I think.

 

[Scooterz]

Used some credit from a return to pick this inexpensive panama up off amazon. It's a Tumia, reported to be made in Ecuador and tweaked in England. Its a nice light golden brown with a brown band. A little bigger than I expected, its at least a 3 1/4" brim. Smushed a bit from the box. Steamed it and it's responding, may take a couple of sessions to find the shape I want and to get it to stay. Seems really nice and lightweight and kind of flexible. This is my first traditional looking panama so I don't know how to judge but its nice enough that I will keep it despite it's large brim. Description said non rollable but had instructions for rolling. Probably won't try it. Might steam an roll the edges up since there is so much brim to work with.

 

[Tukwila]

Used some credit from a return to pick this inexpensive panama up off amazon. It's a Tumia, reported to be made in Ecuador and tweaked in England. Its a nice light golden brown with a brown band. A little bigger than I expected, its at least a 3 1/4" brim. Smushed a bit from the box. Steamed it and it's responding, may take a couple of sessions to find the shape I want and to get it to stay. Seems really nice and lightweight and kind of flexible. This is my first traditional looking panama so I don't know how to judge but its nice enough that I will keep it despite it's large brim. Description said non rollable but had instructions for rolling. Probably won't try it. Might steam an roll the edges up since there is so much brim to work with.
View attachment 173842

Very nice. Yeah, don't roll it up. You'll get creases that never go away.

You just might come to appreciated that wide brim on hot , sunny days!

 

[Steinbockhase]

Lightweight (2.0 ounces) baku straw. I think.

Looks nice

 

[Bill Hughes]

So I sent an email to Custom Hat Works, Santa Fe and asked about this hat. Here is the reply. Seems I did better than I thought!

Good morning Bill,
That’s a nice hat you’ve found there. This is what we consider an Extra Fino calado weave, which is more valuable than the Fino Select. From what I can see in the photos, we would probably sell that weave brand new for somewhere between $1,000-1,500. I cannot tell if there are breaks in the straw, but I can see definite age in the wear of the leather and we changed leathers several years ago as well, so I’d estimate that this hat has been around for at least 15 years. The crown style is called a Teardrop, although it has lost some of its structure over time, along with the brim. Overall though, the hat seems plenty wearable and we hope you can give it an even longer life! Just handle it by the brim, and remember not to pinch the crown!
Cheers,

Diana Dubuque
MONTECRISTI CUSTOM HAT WORKS
505 983 9598
montecristihats.com
hats@montecristihats.com

View attachment 170540 View attachment 170541 View attachment 170542

Got this back today from Mike at Northwest Hats. As you can see I had him re-block, replace the sweat, and replace the ribbon. The treatment is a bit different and some won't like it. But it's exactly what I asked Mike to do and I absolutely love it.

 

[Tukwila]

Got this back today from Mike at Northwest Hats. As you can see I had him re-block, replace the sweat, and replace the ribbon. The treatment is a bit different and some won't like it. But it's exactly what I asked Mike to do and I absolutely love it.

View attachment 174280 View attachment 174281 View attachment 174282 View attachment 174283 View attachment 174284 View attachment 174285 View attachment 174286 View attachment 174287 View attachment 174288 View attachment 174289

I love it, Bill!

 

[Dlaniger]

Got this back today from Mike at Northwest Hats. As you can see I had him re-block, replace the sweat, and replace the ribbon. The treatment is a bit different and some won't like it. But it's exactly what I asked Mike to do and I absolutely love it.

View attachment 174280 View attachment 174281 View attachment 174282 View attachment 174283 View attachment 174284 View attachment 174285 View attachment 174286 View attachment 174287 View attachment 174288 View attachment 174289

That hat is on a different level, Bill. It’s absolutely stunning.


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[M Hatman]

Got this back today from Mike at Northwest Hats. As you can see I had him re-block, replace the sweat, and replace the ribbon. The treatment is a bit different and some won't like it.

You are talking gibberish! What is not to like??? I love it! Stunner!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I found the his hat for sale. All the seller knows is that it was “hand woven in Ecuador.””

Lacks the size and a solid brim that I’d need, but a neat hat all the same. Reasonably priced too. I guess there are women who like Panama hats but don’t care about sun protection.

Maybe the crown for a Duplex / Dualist?

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