M.C. Gannon Hat Company

[JessieJames]

Hi all, I've been communicating with Michael for my new hat and he had sent me some samples. I wasn't sure if they were pounced or not or if they were dress weight or western weight so I asked some questions. I don't know if it's just how he writes being on the safe side, but any time I ask a question about the quality or the hand or a different shape he tells me he's never done it before or doesn't want me to be disappointed etc. A lot of people have hats from him here, I assume they are good. He keeps telling me don't expect it to be anything like your vintage Stetsons, and I don't but I imagine it won't be ridiculously amateur and unsoft either. Wondering what are your thoughts are?

I was looking forward to my hat and the shaping I had no issue with I'm pretty sure he'll do it just fine. But now with everything else I am feeling less certain because he keeps making me doubt how it'll turn out.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Hi all, I've been communicating with Michael for my new hat and he had sent me some samples. I wasn't sure if they were pounced or not or if they were dress weight or western weight so I asked some questions. I don't know if it's just how he writes being on the safe side, but any time I ask a question about the quality or the hand or a different shape he tells me he's never done it before or doesn't want me to be disappointed etc. A lot of people have hats from him here, I assume they are good. He keeps telling me don't expect it to be anything like your vintage Stetsons, and I don't but I imagine it won't be ridiculously amateur and unsoft either. Wondering what are your thoughts are?

I was looking forward to my hat and the shaping I had no issue with I'm pretty sure he'll do it just fine. But now with everything else I am feeling less certain because he keeps making me doubt how it'll turn out.

I believe Michael is his own worst critic. The hats I have from him are very nice. Having said that, he does not claim to be a "master hatter" and his prices reflect exactly that.

 

[JessieJames]

I believe Michael is his own worst critic. The hats I have from him are very nice. Having said that, he does not claim to be a "master hatter" and his prices reflect exactly that.

I figure it might have something to do with that. Would you or anyone else be able to take a high quality zoom in photo of the had so I can see what it looks like finely pounced?

I'm sure I'll be more than satisfied with his hat but it's been several times he's been doubting and it's starting to get to my head

 

[Tukwila]

Michael makes a great hat. He is, as stated, his toughest critic, and a perfectionist. Don't hesitate to use him on a custom.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I figure it might have something to do with that. Would you or anyone else be able to take a high quality zoom in photo of the had so I can see what it looks like finely pounced?

I'm sure I'll be more than satisfied with his hat but it's been several times he's been doubting and it's starting to get to my head

We all second guess ourselves.
If you are expecting the felt to be the equivalent of a better quality vintage hat you will be disappointed. This has to do with the available hat bodies and not Michael’s skill. Most of the custom hatters use Winchester felts and there is only so much that can be done. Don’t get me wrong, they can be made into great hats, but they will be a different sort of felt.

As to pouncing, all my Gannons are even and well-pounced. I’ve read his skill has continued to improve. Personally, I wonder if spending $200 more would get you a better hat; Gannons are not compromise hats, they just aren’t expensive.

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[Gannon Hat Company]

First I would like to thank everyone here who has bought one of my hats or shown interest in my work, I know there are a lot of choices for custom made hats these days so I appreciate the support. With regards to the previous post:

I was sent a photo of a hat that the client wanted to be reproduced and anytime I am asked to reproduce a hat in a photo I let the person know I will do my best to make a similar hat but it may not be an exact copy. The hat had a shape that I had never seen before, nothing too unusual, sort of a modified teardrop, but I wanted to be sure they knew that what I did may not look exactly the same.

I was then asked about doing either a leather band or a bandana instead of grosgrain ribbon on the crown. I said that I have never made a hat with either of those materials and that I don't have any leather here but I do have a few bandanas and could give that a try.

I was also shown a photo of a hat with a "hanger" installed in the sweatband and asked if I could include one. I said I had never seen that before or done anything like that before but that I could probably do something similar.

With regards to the felt samples you said you thought they were quite thick and unpounced and wanted to know if they were dress weight or western weight. I let you know they were dress weight and that my samples are usually pounced. My thought was if you are looking at the felt samples and think they are thick and unpounced that you may be disappointed with the felt on the hat because the felt samples are representative of what the overall quality of the felt will be.

I try to be upfront and honest about everything and if there is something I don't have experience with I let people know.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

First I would like to thank everyone here who has bought one of my hats or shown interest in my work, I know there are a lot of choices for custom made hats these days so I appreciate the support. With regards to the previous post:

I was sent a photo of a hat that the client wanted to be reproduced and anytime I am asked to reproduce a hat in a photo I let the person know I will do my best to make a similar hat but it may not be an exact copy. The hat had a shape that I had never seen before, nothing too unusual, sort of a modified teardrop, but I wanted to be sure they knew that what I did may not look exactly the same.

I was then asked about doing either a leather band or a bandana instead of grosgrain ribbon on the crown. I said that I have never made a hat with either of those materials and that I don't have any leather here but I do have a few bandanas and could give that a try.

I was also shown a photo of a hat with a "hanger" installed in the sweatband and asked if I could include one. I said I had never seen that before or done anything like that before but that I could probably do something similar.

With regards to the felt samples you said you thought they were quite thick and unpounced and wanted to know if they were dress weight or western weight. I let you know they were dress weight and that my samples are usually pounced. My thought was if you are looking at the felt samples and think they are thick and unpounced that you may be disappointed with the felt on the hat because the felt samples are representative of what the overall quality of the felt will be.

I try to be upfront and honest about everything and if there is something I don't have experience with I let people know.

Great response, Michael!

 

[deadlyhandsome]

First I would like to thank everyone here who has bought one of my hats or shown interest in my work, I know there are a lot of choices for custom made hats these days so I appreciate the support. With regards to the previous post:

I was sent a photo of a hat that the client wanted to be reproduced and anytime I am asked to reproduce a hat in a photo I let the person know I will do my best to make a similar hat but it may not be an exact copy. The hat had a shape that I had never seen before, nothing too unusual, sort of a modified teardrop, but I wanted to be sure they knew that what I did may not look exactly the same.

I was then asked about doing either a leather band or a bandana instead of grosgrain ribbon on the crown. I said that I have never made a hat with either of those materials and that I don't have any leather here but I do have a few bandanas and could give that a try.

I was also shown a photo of a hat with a "hanger" installed in the sweatband and asked if I could include one. I said I had never seen that before or done anything like that before but that I could probably do something similar.

With regards to the felt samples you said you thought they were quite thick and unpounced and wanted to know if they were dress weight or western weight. I let you know they were dress weight and that my samples are usually pounced. My thought was if you are looking at the felt samples and think they are thick and unpounced that you may be disappointed with the felt on the hat because the felt samples are representative of what the overall quality of the felt will be.

I try to be upfront and honest about everything and if there is something I don't have experience with I let people know.

So much better than over promising. I have hats from six custom hatters and none are better than yours despite a few costing much more.


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[Rmccamey]

+1

So much better than over promising. I have hats from six custom hatters and none are better than yours despite a few costing much more.


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[Tukwila]

I count my natural beaver custom from Michael as one of my very best. I also have hats from 6 custom hatters, and still recommend Michael highly.

 

[Bill Hughes]

I count my natural beaver custom from Michael as one of my very best. I also have hats from 6 custom hatters, and still recommend Michael highly.

I agree. I think your natural from Michael is one of the best looking custom hats I’ve ever seen.

 

[belfastboy]

Hi all, I've been communicating with Michael for my new hat and he had sent me some samples. I wasn't sure if they were pounced or not or if they were dress weight or western weight so I asked some questions. I don't know if it's just how he writes being on the safe side, but any time I ask a question about the quality or the hand or a different shape he tells me he's never done it before or doesn't want me to be disappointed etc. A lot of people have hats from him here, I assume they are good. He keeps telling me don't expect it to be anything like your vintage Stetsons, and I don't but I imagine it won't be ridiculously amateur and unsoft either. Wondering what are your thoughts are?

I was looking forward to my hat and the shaping I had no issue with I'm pretty sure he'll do it just fine. But now with everything else I am feeling less certain because he keeps making me doubt how it'll turn out.

I have 8 hats made by Michael, each one has been flawless in quality. I go to Michael as he is a master at making a hat that meets my specs, design etc. All I have to do is send him a pic of the hat along with the dimensions/profile etc. He has always come through with a stellar product. That is why I continue to have him as my goto custom hatters. And I have customs from 8 other makers, Canada, USA and Europe.

I understand your nervousness as a fedora custom made is an investment of no small $$$ but perhaps your anxiety is being picked up by Mike and he is being careful as he may sense you are a picky client or your uncertainty/or lack of clarity gives him pause about meeting your unclear expectations.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I agree. I think your natural from Michael is one of the best looking custom hats I’ve ever seen.

I don’t know, I think the Gannon that @FedOregon had was nicer. The guy was a jerk, but he had some nice hats.


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[Frunobulax]

I don’t know, I think the Gannon that @FedOregon had was nicer. The guy was a jerk, but he had some nice hats.


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LOL

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[Tukwila]

I don’t know, I think the Gannon that @FedOregon had was nicer. The guy was a jerk, but he had some nice hats.


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Truer words were never spoken. I have it on pretty good authority that he's a dirty rat desgraciado.

 

[JessieJames]

I have 8 hats made by Michael, each one has been flawless in quality. I go to Michael as he is a master at making a hat that meets my specs, design etc. All I have to do is send him a pic of the hat along with the dimensions/profile etc. He has always come through with a stellar product. That is why I continue to have him as my goto custom hatters. And I have customs from 8 other makers, Canada, USA and Europe.

I understand your nervousness as a fedora custom made is an investment of no small $$$ but perhaps your anxiety is being picked up by Mike and he is being careful as he may sense you are a picky client or your uncertainty/or lack of clarity gives him pause about meeting your unclear expectations.

I never doubted his skills and I understand he just wants to manage my expectations and that's why I wanted to go with him ultimately, but I was starting to wonder if I should be worried or it was just "we are our own worst critic/managing expectations". It's also very subjective because what I think is nice and soft and has great hand could be different to other people, but I know that if people on the fedora lounge are recommending it, it must be good. thanks all, back on track.

I don't expect them to be like my vintage 3x or 7x Stetsons. But I have touched and seen modern Stetsons in a store and I loved it. If we can say it's comparable to that I'm sold (in terms of hand feel).

 

[suitedcboy]

I am borderline OCD, certified squirrelly. Every car or truck I have ever bought got door, trunk, hood or bed alignments done by me because I know the dealer would never do it to my satisfaction. My Gannon has straight stitching on the brim edge binding, no loose threads, and was excellent in every way. It was not pounced to a velvetty finish that I have on some western hats and maybe two of my vintage hats. None of those hats are 100% beaver either. I found nothing not to my liking on the hat. You'd have to be OCD on the heavy meds to not like his hats. I had an Optimo 100% beaver and Gannon hat is nicer (I have not touched or looked at the newer 3 times the money Optimos so my comparison is dated).

 

[JessieJames]

I am borderline OCD, certified squirrelly. Every car or truck I have ever bought got door, trunk, hood or bed alignments done by me because I know the dealer would never do it to my satisfaction. My Gannon has straight stitching on the brim edge binding, no loose threads, and was excellent in every way. It was not pounced to a velvetty finish that I have on some western hats and maybe two of my vintage hats. None of those hats are 100% beaver either. I found nothing not to my liking on the hat. You'd have to be OCD on the heavy meds to not like his hats. I had an Optimo 100% beaver and Gannon hat is nicer (I have not touched or looked at the newer 3 times the money Optimos so my comparison is dated).

For me it's just mainly the finish of the hat I want something nice and soft, doesn't have to be to the degree of my Vintage Stetsons which seem so to be impossible anyway to achieve nowadays due to felt quality but something that's not hairy either.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

For me it's just mainly the finish of the hat I want something nice and soft, doesn't have to be to the degree of my Vintage Stetsons which seem so to be impossible anyway to achieve nowadays due to felt quality but something that's not hairy either.

The hairiest ones are often the softest. Also, being “well pounced” doesn’t mean short hairs anymore than a you getting a great haircut means your hair is short.

This is a well-pounced long hair hat:

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[Bill Hughes]

@JessieJames here are my only Gannon hats. The natural is one of my favorites. The whiskey is also a hat I don’t ever see parting with. When it comes to making new hats, Michael is a fantastic source. As you can see, I like them tall.