New Montecristi Fino

[rayk]

Just received my new Montecristi hat from Panama Bob, blocked and finished by Art Fawcett, and I can't begin to express my satisfaction and delight. Regrettably, I'm not much of a photographer, so you won't be able to really see the quality of this hat from the picture; however, it's of extraordinary fineness, and something that I'll always treasure.

For any members who are considering the purchase of a Montecristi fino fino, the combination of Panama Bob and Art Fawcett can't IMHO be beat.

[URL=New Montecristi from Panama Bob] [/URL]

 

[Andykev]

Very Nice

Please post a picture of this nice hat on you!!!!!!

And if you can a close up of the weave qality!


Set for summer, No?

 

[rayk]

I've tried to accommodate the request for additional photos, but as you can see, I don't take very good pictures. I suppose that the better part of a bottle of Moulin-A-Vent, and the 3:30 AM hour don't help. I'll try to get better photos tomorrow.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Moulin-A-Vent

Thanks for the endorsement Ray, it looks good on you!! NOw...what the heck is Moulin-A-Vent..

 

[rayk]

Thanks, Art. A BB hat that I acquired from my father cost more years ago than my Panama Bob hat did recently, and is not, IMHO, as fine a hat. In fairness to Brent, though, I've seen a few of his hats purchased by others, and they were very beautiful.

As you can undoubtedly tell from my submitted photos, I'm still learning to use my new digital camera, especially the macro function. I have another hat in process, this one a 500X Sterling beaver, which I'd like to show everybody when it arrives. Perhaps by then I'll be rather more proficient with my camera.

FYI, Moulin-A-Vent is a French cru Beaujolais: simply a wonderful wine. If you're a "winer", you might consider giving it a try.

 

[Panamabob]

RayK,

I'm glad you like the hat. Looks like a winner.

 

[Imahomer]

Very nice. I'm on board!!! I'm waiting for Art to receive my hat now so he can put the finishing touches on it! Yea.....

 

[SHARPETOYS]

The fedora looks great on you. Is that one of Arts antique blocks? Do you know what the block style is called. These hats are just great. I enjoy all of mine as i'm sure you do as well .

 

[rayk]

SHARPETOYS, thank you for your kind words. I wish that I were able to provide the information that you requested. Perhaps Art would kindly agree to provide information RE the block.

I've been a fan of Montecristi hats since my college days, and have for a few years worn a relatively inexpensive BB Montecristi given to me by my father; but I've only recently purchased. I must say that I've become very beguiled and bewitched by these hats, and take every opportunity to wear mine, even in the house and to the vexation of my girlfriend.

I've discussed with Panama Bob the possibility of buying yet another of even higher quality, just to be sure that I'll always have a fine Montecristi at hand.

 

[Art Fawcett]

"SHARPETOYS, thank you for your kind words. I wish that I were able to provide the information that you requested. Perhaps Art would kindly agree to provide information RE the block."





Roger, Ray's hat was made on a 1940s teardrop fedora block that I have had for years. Unfortunately I have only 2 sizes of this block at the moment and Ray's was one of them. I have been purchasing on Ebay some terrific blocks this last week and unless I'm mistaken, I have purchased your size. I don't have it yet so I can't be sure, but I'll keep you posted. HeHe..been spending Janene's money like crazy but I HAVE to buy when they become available.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Art, I love that block. I wear a 7 3/8 I bet you have fun blocking these hats on Vintage Blocks! Takes you back to another era doesn't it.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Ray
On your next hat from PanamaBOb Are you going for a higher weave count or a different style of Montecristi hat like a Planter style etc. Just curious.:cool2:

 

[rayk]

SHARPETOYS: I'm not yet sure. I'm a classic fedora sort of guy, although I love my Indy-style hats, as well. It's my guess that this next hat will be the most that I'll ever spend for a hat, so I'm considering it carefully. Bob can't get the super high wpi hats in Indy-style...the weavers just don't do them. While I'd love to add a planter to my collection, I don't know that this is the hat for that style. I'll probably wind up with a classic fedora with a C-crown. If I get anything even near to the qualilty of the hat that you have, I'll be thrilled. My girlfriend is about to expel both me and my hat collection: I've been buying heavily. I'm also anticipating receipt of my 500X sterling beaver. Funny, the things that excit us in middle age

 

[Art Fawcett]

"Funny, the things that excit us in middle age"

Boy can I relate to that!! Things like "WOW..look at the color of that felt under all that dirt" or " OH my gosh..look at that weave!" or simply getting a good haircut...

 

[Panamabob]

True. We are stuck on the huge Indy hats at the moment. Economics isn't a strong suit in Ecuador...I keep telling the lady who weaves the huge Indy hats to just up her pricing to make up for the time...she'd rather have hat output.

The weavers in Pile and Pampa seem to cut the hats off at between 7 and 7.5 inches in total...that would be 4.5 crown, 2.5 brim or 4 crown, 3 brim...you see what I mean. They think in cm, so a hat of 18 cm is between 7 and 7.5 inches of what you can use. When I ask for 2 more inches that is a jump of 5 cm and that gets expensive...just think about the jump up to 10 usable inches on a fino fino hat...it is expensive...not as bad as I was thinking, but it is costly the finer the hat.

I can probably get the Indy hat done big fino fino, but it would cost so much more than a hat of say, 5 inch crown, 3 inch brim. Maybe up to 50% more counting time and materials.

 

[SHARPETOYS]

PanamaBob Wrote,

I can probably get the Indy hat done big fino fino, but it would cost so much more than a hat of say, 5 inch crown, 3 inch brim. Maybe up to 50% more counting time and materials.

Thats sounds like The hat Fedora has been looking for!!

 

[rayk]

Bob: I can only speak for myself, but I'd be willing to pay a 50% premium for an Indy-style super fino. What's most important to me is getting the hat that I want. What ever your price, its bound to be far less than what would be asked by other hatters offering a comparable product.