Life of a Panama Hat?

[Historyteach24]

Hey guys! If this is a thread I apologize but I have a few questions about the life of a Panama hat. I have a Stetson Panamania that they do not make anymore. I never could get a solid answer on the grade but many here feel it was a 3 or a 4. I paid decent money for this hat last year. It has been my go-to hat for the muggy WV summers. After only a year of heavy use the pinch is tearing apart and I almost have a hole in it! I do NOT grab it by the pinch so I really dont know what is causing this? Also there is a random slit in the side under the hat band that can be seen from the inside. Is it common for a Panama to start falling apart after a year? Or is it just a cruddy product? I have cheap Panama Bob hats that have lost their hatband but can still be worn no holes like this hat. Any information is appreciated!

 

[Art Fawcett]

It sounds like you got a bad product HT. Panamas, if taken care of, can last for years and years.

 

[Historyteach24]

Thank you Art. I assumed this but just wanted confirmation

 

[job]

I leave the brim snapped down in front of mine and leave it alone. I would hate to have the straw crack or wear out.

 

[Tomasso]

I have a vintage Panama that had a small hole when I bought it at an estate sale. I wear it for knocking around town and it doesn't bother me in the slightest. In fact I think it adds a little charater to the lid. When people sometimes point out the flaw I tell them that they'd be a little frayed if they were 80 years old.....

 

[seabass]

I have some very old Panamas 40's 50's Knox,Dobbs,Ecuadorian. that take a beating well & they still have that squishy springy feel
I have a few real old examples that were made for export to Columbia they have Higher Crowns just in great shape still squishy

man the optimo used in that movie Paper Moon should have been wasted from its abuse but kept springing back for more

Just proves they dont make em like they used too,

New factory store panamas feel hard too,
so maybe they stiffen them in the mass production hat factories & by doing that they crack easy due to its natural springy squishy feeling is restricted

Panama Bobs hats are good deals because there not processed like a factory hat,, I have one thats gets palm tree & cactus abuse & no problems at all. matter of fact i gave it to my cousin & he uses it at work Carpenter & its still holding up...
No its not a zillion count weave but its a good hat that can take abuse

newer Stetson hats are not cheep but feel cheep if you know a bit about straws or had a few vintage straws

 

[Historyteach24]

Seabass, it is a shame Stetson has gone the way it has. I bought it before really knowing much about Panama hats (I still don't know much). It is much HARDER than the cheapo Panama Bob's that I spent like 30 bucks on. Its a shame.

 

[hatguy1]

Greetings, History Teach. Can't speak much re straw panamas/fedoras, but the canvas panama/fedora in my Avatar literally went all round the world with me over about a 7 year period. I've replaced it just last year as my main "gone walkabout" hat (can't get myself to truly throw it out). But despite the pinch having had to be sewn in wishbone fashion on the front to hold together and some serious fraying on the brim front and back (the front was recovered/patched a few years back) it's still around and could be worn as a knockabout hat just fine.

I bought an el cheapo straw panama/fedora about 4 years ago at a flea market. I only wear it to church once in a while in the summer and keep it on a shelf otherwise, but it's still going and looking great. Would love to buy a higher quality straw fedora/panama but our local hatworks professional says that can only expect even that quality straw hat to last a year or 2, so I haven't broke down and spent the bucks on one.

Hope that's not TMI and answers your question. Always good to chat with a fellow history buff and hat lover.

 

[job]

There are many loungers with great looking vintage straw hats that post them regularly.
Mine are a few years old and look as new as when they were made.
I don't know why your local hatworks professional would feel that way unless the person worked outside in the rain or otherwise.
I think most of us try to avoid the rain which can be hard on straw hats.

 

[Historyteach24]

HatGuy I would think a good straw should last a while that is why I was pissed when my Stetson started falling apart. Seems they have very very low standards today

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

The new models that get a dunk of stiffener and then put in a hydraulic press for the crease are very brittle hats.

 

[Historyteach24]

The new models that get a dunk of stiffener and then put in a hydraulic press for the crease are very brittle hats.

This I can attest to lol

 

[jkingrph]

I have an old Stetson, dark tan straw of some kind in an Open Road size but more of a rancher crease that's over 30 years old.