Panama hat questions?

[guillaumeb]

Hat creaking : what can I do ?

I got this brand new Panama hat.

I received it yesterday.
However, it seems to be "creaking" a lot.
I steamed it gently and spray water on it.
It is a bit better but the straw does not seem as flexible as on my other Panama hats which are astonishingly silent

Is this a problem ? Is the straw too dry ? I'm afraid it could break
I would naturally put some sort of cream on it, like sun protection, but I don't know if this is a good idea

 

[belfastboy]

Hat creaking : what can I do ?

I got this brand new Panama hat.

I received it yesterday.
However, it seems to be "creaking" a lot.
I steamed it gently and spray water on it.
It is a bit better but the straw does not seem as flexible as on my other Panama hats which are astonishingly silent

Is this a problem ? Is the straw too dry ? I'm afraid it could break
I would naturally put some sort of cream on it, like sun protection, but I don't know if this is a good idea

Ha, and I thought I had come across everything to do with hats! Have never heard of a 'creaking' hat. How much did you pay for it?

 

[guillaumeb]

It was around 80€. it's a mid quality regular toquilla hat
It's like there is a noise when I press the brim downward for instance, as if the straw was a bit dry.
A bit like when you sit o sorrel chair (well obviously less creaky than that)

 

[belfastboy]

It was around 80€. it's a mid quality regular toquilla hat
It's like there is a noise when I press the brim downward for instance, as if the straw was a bit dry.
A bit like when you sit o sorrel chair (well obviously less creaky than that)

80euro is really a low end panama. I would just wear the heck out of it and when it is worn out shop around and buy a higher quality one. Or if you take long hot showers that create a lot of steam bring the hat into the bathroom (not the shower itself) and create a high humidity environment. If that does not work then just get used to the creaks. Or stop pressing the brim downward.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

It was around 80€. it's a mid quality regular toquilla hat
It's like there is a noise when I press the brim downward for instance, as if the straw was a bit dry.
A bit like when you sit o sorrel chair (well obviously less creaky than that)

Crap!!!
Now i’m gonna be listening to ALL my hats.
First it was voices now….??
B

 

[belfastboy]

Crap!!!
Now i’m gonna be listening to ALL my hats.
First it was voices now….??
B

Just because you are paranoid doesn't make you wrong!

 

[Frunobulax]

First it was voices now….??
B

They've been telling me, "listen to the hat" since I got here.

I have enough now sometimes the racket's a bit much.

 

[guillaumeb]

80euro is really a low end panama. I would just wear the heck out of it and when it is worn out shop around and buy a higher quality one. Or if you take long hot showers that create a lot of steam bring the hat into the bathroom (not the shower itself) and create a high humidity environment. If that does not work then just get used to the creaks. Or stop pressing the brim downward.

OK Fine then
Then should I have a cheap Panama, i'd rather play around with it and test stuff.
it surely won't sound outrageous if i ask you how I could achieve a distressed style like the photo below for a cheap panama hat :

I know crazy people burn fur felt hats !
But how do you achieve fake stains on a Panama hat ?

 

[milandro]

I think you can spray paint it using masking pieces of paper held between the paint source and the hat or use some diluted water paint or ink on a piece of rag and then apply in the areas of your liking.....

that is IF you like that sort of thing ( and you can buy them pre-distressed already)

 

[belfastboy]

OK Fine then
Then should I have a cheap Panama, i'd rather play around with it and test stuff.
it surely won't sound outrageous if i ask you how I could achieve a distressed style like the photo below for a cheap panama hat :
View attachment 533996

I know crazy people burn fur felt hats !
But how do you achieve fake stains on a Panama hat ?

No, I have no idea. It does seem to be the style rage these days so if you look around you may find a video showing how to do it. To me, as a hat maker, it approaches blasphemy.

 

[shopkin]

Option One: Mist it with something that will leave an organic residue as it dries. Many things will work, like milk, your sweat, WD-40, etc. Then, use a hot air gun to gently oxidize the stuff without scorching the straw.

Option Two: Wear it often while doing hard work and living an honest life.

 

[belfastboy]

Option One: Mist it with something that will leave an organic residue as it dries. Many things will work, like milk, your sweat, WD-40, etc. Then, use a hot air gun to gently oxidize the stuff without scorching the straw.

Option Two: Wear it often while doing hard work and living an honest life.

I sweat the hardest when doing something illegal.

 

[Rmccamey]

I'd try coffee.

OK Fine then
Then should I have a cheap Panama, i'd rather play around with it and test stuff.
it surely won't sound outrageous if i ask you how I could achieve a distressed style like the photo below for a cheap panama hat :
View attachment 533996

I know crazy people burn fur felt hats !
But how do you achieve fake stains on a Panama hat ?

 

[CRH]

It's normal for the paja to make sounds when it's flexed. I call it "singing". The real issue is how it feels. If it feels papery and brittle and the sounds are crinkly and brittle then it's too dry.

Healthy paja should have an almost clay like, plasticy hand. Need more snap in your brim? Give it some water slowly by moving a damp finger along the brim.

If you get caught in a rain storm - all is not lost, or maybe it is? Lol

I lost a cheap Cuenca due to a rain storm. I just couldn't bring it back from it's funk. Milans are even worse. Gahh!