The Jackal
One of the Regulars
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- 210
After months of trying, I think I've determined that my black rimmed panama just flat out doesn't fit like I want it too and never will, so I'm on the hunt again for a daily wear straw hat.
I'm a new member I stumbled on this site while looking for info on Panama hats.
The body itself looks decent enough. Nice. You can check out how tall the hat body us and estimate how much brim you'll get by setting it gently on your head.I'm a new member I stumbled on this site while looking for info on Panama hats.
Well, today I pulled the trigger on a Craigslist item. Pictures below.... View attachment 173269 View attachment 173270 View attachment 173271
Now my questions.... Is it worth spending, whatever it may cost, to have this blocked professionally?
Would it be a good project hat for getting my blocking feet wet? I've never done anything like that.
Should I find a hobbyist hat blocker and let them have a crack at it? How do I go about finding someone that can block a hat?
Did I basically buy a cool balsa wood stash box?
P.S. @humanshoes I'm in Knoxville too
Your thought, comments, concerns, etc are welcome. Thanks
@Bill I might have your mate. It's on the block at Brent Black now getting resized and finish into a Monte CarloSo I sent an email to Custom Hat Works, Santa Fe and asked about this hat. Here is the reply. Seems I did better than I thought!
Good morning Bill,
That’s a nice hat you’ve found there. This is what we consider an Extra Fino calado weave, which is more valuable than the Fino Select. From what I can see in the photos, we would probably sell that weave brand new for somewhere between $1,000-1,500. I cannot tell if there are breaks in the straw, but I can see definite age in the wear of the leather and we changed leathers several years ago as well, so I’d estimate that this hat has been around for at least 15 years. The crown style is called a Teardrop, although it has lost some of its structure over time, along with the brim. Overall though, the hat seems plenty wearable and we hope you can give it an even longer life! Just handle it by the brim, and remember not to pinch the crown!
Cheers,
Diana Dubuque
MONTECRISTI CUSTOM HAT WORKS
505 983 9598
montecristihats.com
hats@montecristihats.com
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@jonbuilder I agree they are very close. I think yours will look great as a Monte Carlo. The brim on mine is only 3 1/4”. I just didn’t think that wide enough to do a curl so I didn’t. Mine is currently at Northwest. Mike said he was working on it. So it shouldn’t be long. And congratulations on a fantastic Montecristi.@Bill I might have your mate. It's on the block at Brent Black now getting resized and finish into a Monte Carlo
View attachment 173471
Very nice Alan, suits you !
Thank you Manfred... it's good to hear from you!
Very nice. Yeah, don't roll it up. You'll get creases that never go away.Used some credit from a return to pick this inexpensive panama up off amazon. It's a Tumia, reported to be made in Ecuador and tweaked in England. Its a nice light golden brown with a brown band. A little bigger than I expected, its at least a 3 1/4" brim. Smushed a bit from the box. Steamed it and it's responding, may take a couple of sessions to find the shape I want and to get it to stay. Seems really nice and lightweight and kind of flexible. This is my first traditional looking panama so I don't know how to judge but its nice enough that I will keep it despite it's large brim. Description said non rollable but had instructions for rolling. Probably won't try it. Might steam an roll the edges up since there is so much brim to work with.
View attachment 173842
Lightweight (2.0 ounces) baku straw. I think.
Got this back today from Mike at Northwest Hats. As you can see I had him re-block, replace the sweat, and replace the ribbon. The treatment is a bit different and some won't like it. But it's exactly what I asked Mike to do and I absolutely love it.So I sent an email to Custom Hat Works, Santa Fe and asked about this hat. Here is the reply. Seems I did better than I thought!
Good morning Bill,
That’s a nice hat you’ve found there. This is what we consider an Extra Fino calado weave, which is more valuable than the Fino Select. From what I can see in the photos, we would probably sell that weave brand new for somewhere between $1,000-1,500. I cannot tell if there are breaks in the straw, but I can see definite age in the wear of the leather and we changed leathers several years ago as well, so I’d estimate that this hat has been around for at least 15 years. The crown style is called a Teardrop, although it has lost some of its structure over time, along with the brim. Overall though, the hat seems plenty wearable and we hope you can give it an even longer life! Just handle it by the brim, and remember not to pinch the crown!
Cheers,
Diana Dubuque
MONTECRISTI CUSTOM HAT WORKS
505 983 9598
montecristihats.com
hats@montecristihats.com
View attachment 170540 View attachment 170541 View attachment 170542
I love it, Bill!Got this back today from Mike at Northwest Hats. As you can see I had him re-block, replace the sweat, and replace the ribbon. The treatment is a bit different and some won't like it. But it's exactly what I asked Mike to do and I absolutely love it.
View attachment 174280 View attachment 174281 View attachment 174282 View attachment 174283 View attachment 174284 View attachment 174285 View attachment 174286 View attachment 174287 View attachment 174288 View attachment 174289
Got this back today from Mike at Northwest Hats. As you can see I had him re-block, replace the sweat, and replace the ribbon. The treatment is a bit different and some won't like it. But it's exactly what I asked Mike to do and I absolutely love it.
View attachment 174280 View attachment 174281 View attachment 174282 View attachment 174283 View attachment 174284 View attachment 174285 View attachment 174286 View attachment 174287 View attachment 174288 View attachment 174289
You are talking gibberish! What is not to like??? I love it! Stunner!Got this back today from Mike at Northwest Hats. As you can see I had him re-block, replace the sweat, and replace the ribbon. The treatment is a bit different and some won't like it.