How to Count Weaves Per Square Inch?

[Panamabob]

Judging from my own Montecristi, the weaves nearer the center of the hat are significantly smaller than the weaves outside.

The only times I see this is when the hat was passed from one weaver to another or when a Cuenca is passed off as a Montecristi. With a couple of photos, I should be able to tell.

 

[pplepic]

As I mentioned previously, I just received my Stetson Centerdent hat.
They don't confuse people with stuff like tuis,
jipijapa,toquilla, llano, brisa, Cuenca, Montecristi and grades fino, 7/8, or
how many weaves to the inch or anything else. I'm already confused anough They did state that the hat was woven in Ecuador and blocked in the US. I think it's a very nice-looking and comfortable hat, although clearly not one of those famous museum-quality hats we read about. I've never seen one up close, much less handled one, but I can certainly imagine the look and feel of such a sombrero.
Although "soft touch" was mentioned on Stetson's site, it's about as stiff at any other straw hat I've ever had. I believe they spray it with something to make it water-resistant. But overall, considering price, looks and fit, I'm quite satisfied. If my ship doesn't flounder before coming in, I may go for a really dandy Panama. I like their look more than the look of any other hat.
May it has something to do with the fact that my dad always wore one.

 

[Panamabob]

Post a picture, and we'll tell you the details. As far as confusion, I don't understand. By telling people what they are buying, you consider that confusion? I think Stetson omits on purpose. At least they don't mismark hats on purpose.

 

[pplepic]

I wanted to post pics. I uploaded two on photobucket, but for some reason, I can't get the image thingy to do anything for me. Maybe I'm just doing something dumb. But you're right about the Stetson; they don't make a lot of promises about weave, etc. In my case, my wife ordered it as a surprise after my disappointment with PH Direct. This definately looks more like something off the hat assembly line, but it does look nice. I dampened the brim a little on either side now, and have the brim really well-shaped.

 

[pplepic]

PS, I say confusion because it seems every site has its own set ratings and methods of describing hats. I always thought x meant a beaver fur. I have two vintage hats, one a Towncraft from Penney and the other a Resistol from the defunct Weinstock's Department Store. The Towncraft says xxxx Beaver and the Resistol (with a braided felt band) says 5x Beaver. The Towncraft is showing wear (mostly from me), but both are still very nice hats and I wear them a lot. Maybe one of these days I can post them at the Lounge too.

 

[NonEntity]

OK, I think that we've established that so-called "objective" measures of hat quality leave so much variability as to be anything but.

I think the lesson here is, if you are not yourself an expert, always do business with a reputable merchant who is--like Panama Bob.

Of course, if you are buying a pre-owned hat on E-Bay and the like, you have no choice but to take the risk that it is what they say it is.