Panama Hat Thread

[Lukacs]

Thank you! PHD states that their Super Fino hats range from 230 - 399 WPI with an average of 330 WPI. (I think they mean WPSI). Therefore, this hat fits into that range.

Yes. I want to care for the brim properly. The back end of the brim was turned up nicely. The front was a little flat, partly because of the room in the shipping box. William suggested that I spray the front and hang it off a table until dry with a little weight to add to the depth of the snap. I used an ironing board. It worked... maybe too well, but I can always flatten it, if needed. William also told me that if it flattens, I can call him for a homemade stiffener recipe. We used no stiffener on the first attempt. I was very careful when attaching the weight and didn't let it there long. Also, the ribbon got wet with the spray. I noticed it and dried it quickly.

I want to keep it on a hat stand, possibly like the attached picture when I'm wearing it during the warm months and in a hat box for the winter. I'm thinking it'll keep the brim in good shape. I know there are entire threads on this subject. Any quick thoughts?

Never mind. This product is not made for that purpose.

 

[Tonio]

Here’s a very fine hat I picked up recently. There’s some pencil markings inside I can’t decipher (looks like “M/C 2500”). Either way I find the weave really impressive.

 

[Lukacs]

Here’s a very fine hat I picked up recently. There’s some pencil markings inside I can’t decipher (looks like “M/C 2500”). Either way I find the weave really impressive.

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Beautiful find.

 

[Bill Hughes]

Here’s a very fine hat I picked up recently. There’s some pencil markings inside I can’t decipher (looks like “M/C 2500”). Either way I find the weave really impressive.

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Love this hat. Looks like the MC 2500 is for Montecristi 25.00 as in price. Just my guess.

 

[carouselvic]

Everyone who worked on the hat made their mark in it, so that they would be paid for their work.

 

[Tonio]

Thanks, that makes sense. There’s also some writing hidden under the sweatband.

 

[steur]

Here’s a very fine hat I picked up recently. There’s some pencil markings inside I can’t decipher (looks like “M/C 2500”). Either way I find the weave really impressive.

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Superb find, Tonio. Congrats.

 

[alanfgag]

Agree... a beauty.

 

[alanfgag]

A few photos to compare and contrast the weave characteristics of different types of straw hats. Posted here instead of the Side By Side thread in hopes that it might help you to identify some straw puzzlers of your own.

First a parabuntal straw in a finely woven and very light hat. I purchased this antique unblocked body rolled in a bamboo tube. It was shaped and finished by Graham Thompson at Optimo.

Leghorn straw in a Stetson hat. This was sold at the Stetson factory store c.1940 - marked inside the sweatband as a factory reject. I've never figured out the flaw.

"Genuine" Panama - origin (Cuenca or Montecristi) unknown but made in different qualities and sold by most of the major manufacturers post WWII with the marking "genuine Panama." This hat was sold by Lee.

Milan - a hat constructed of sewn plaits (braids) traditionally made from wheat straw as this example, they can be made from other materials. Many modern versions likely are.

Baku - the lightest of the lightweights - open and airy weave. A relative of sisal.

"Bangkok", but this is a guess - an early (c.1920) straw hat sourced from Asia with the sweatband imprint "genuine mikado." Quite heavy for straw. (Shown outside and inside.)

Brighton "Rain-Leigh" - an example of a machine made "straw" (material unknown) that has been coated to make it weather resistant. These were marketed with different names by many companies during a brief period (c.1938) before WWII. This one is formed and styled as a pseudo-montecristi.

The real thing... Montecristi - the legendary hand woven toquilla straw hat from Ecuador. This is a good quality example sold by Cavanagh in c.1940s. The inside view shows the circular "vueltas" created by the addition of straw during the weaving process.

 

[hatsRme]

A few photos to compare and contrast the weave characteristics of different types of straw hats. Posted here instead of the Side By Side thread in hopes that it might help you to identify some straw puzzlers of your own.

First a parabuntal straw in a finely woven and very light hat. I purchased this antique unblocked body rolled in a bamboo tube. It was shaped and finished by Graham Thompson at Optimo.

Leghorn straw in a Stetson hat. This was sold at the Stetson factory store c.1940 - marked inside the sweatband as a factory reject. I've never figured out the flaw.

"Genuine" Panama - origin (Cuenca or Montecristi) unknown but made in different qualities and sold by most of the major manufacturers post WWII with the marking "genuine Panama." This hat was sold by Lee.

Milan - a hat constructed of sewn plaits (braids) traditionally made from wheat straw as this example, they can be made from other materials. Many modern versions likely are.

Baku - the lightest of the lightweights - open and airy weave. A relative of sisal.

"Bangkok", but this is a guess - an early (c.1920) straw hat sourced from Asia with the sweatband imprint "genuine mikado." Quite heavy for straw. (Shown outside and inside.)

Brighton "Rain-Leigh" - an example of a machine made "straw" (material unknown) that has been coated to make it weather resistant. These were marketed with different names by many companies during a brief period (c.1938) before WWII. This one is formed and styled as a pseudo-montecristi.

The real thing... Montecristi - the legendary hand woven toquilla straw hat from Ecuador. This is a good quality example sold by Cavanagh in c.1940s. The inside view shows the circular "vueltas" created by the addition of straw during the weaving process.

SUPER post, Alan. This certainly sorts out the straws.
Thank you!

 

[alanfgag]

Thank you Chas...

 

[Bamaboots]

A few photos to compare and contrast the weave characteristics of different types of straw hats. Posted here instead of the Side By Side thread in hopes that it might help you to identify some straw puzzlers of your own.

First a parabuntal straw in a finely woven and very light hat. I purchased this antique unblocked body rolled in a bamboo tube. It was shaped and finished by Graham Thompson at Optimo.

Leghorn straw in a Stetson hat. This was sold at the Stetson factory store c.1940 - marked inside the sweatband as a factory reject. I've never figured out the flaw.

"Genuine" Panama - origin (Cuenca or Montecristi) unknown but made in different qualities and sold by most of the major manufacturers post WWII with the marking "genuine Panama." This hat was sold by Lee.

Milan - a hat constructed of sewn plaits (braids) traditionally made from wheat straw as this example, they can be made from other materials. Many modern versions likely are.

Baku - the lightest of the lightweights - open and airy weave. A relative of sisal.

"Bangkok", but this is a guess - an early (c.1920) straw hat sourced from Asia with the sweatband imprint "genuine mikado." Quite heavy for straw. (Shown outside and inside.)

Brighton "Rain-Leigh" - an example of a machine made "straw" (material unknown) that has been coated to make it weather resistant. These were marketed with different names by many companies during a brief period (c.1938) before WWII. This one is formed and styled as a pseudo-montecristi.

The real thing... Montecristi - the legendary hand woven toquilla straw hat from Ecuador. This is a good quality example sold by Cavanagh in c.1940s. The inside view shows the circular "vueltas" created by the addition of straw during the weaving process.

A much needed post with some great examples. Thanks, Alan.

 

[AnalogLife]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a Modesto Hats Montecristi yesterday. Hat requires a little more weaving (I'm getting a wider brim) so it will be a couple weeks at least before it's shipped. 26 tpi.

Modesto himself helped me....communicating via video in WhatsApp. Nice guy. The fascinating thing too, is I'm not required to pay...until they're ready to ship it. I assume I can see it by video them.

Good price, and it's nice to know you're helping an actual Ecuadorian, rather than just a middleman.

 

[Lukacs]

A few photos to compare and contrast the weave characteristics of different types of straw hats. Posted here instead of the Side By Side thread in hopes that it might help you to identify some straw puzzlers of your own.

First a parabuntal straw in a finely woven and very light hat. I purchased this antique unblocked body rolled in a bamboo tube. It was shaped and finished by Graham Thompson at Optimo.

Leghorn straw in a Stetson hat. This was sold at the Stetson factory store c.1940 - marked inside the sweatband as a factory reject. I've never figured out the flaw.

"Genuine" Panama - origin (Cuenca or Montecristi) unknown but made in different qualities and sold by most of the major manufacturers post WWII with the marking "genuine Panama." This hat was sold by Lee.

Milan - a hat constructed of sewn plaits (braids) traditionally made from wheat straw as this example, they can be made from other materials. Many modern versions likely are.

Baku - the lightest of the lightweights - open and airy weave. A relative of sisal.

"Bangkok", but this is a guess - an early (c.1920) straw hat sourced from Asia with the sweatband imprint "genuine mikado." Quite heavy for straw. (Shown outside and inside.)

Brighton "Rain-Leigh" - an example of a machine made "straw" (material unknown) that has been coated to make it weather resistant. These were marketed with different names by many companies during a brief period (c.1938) before WWII. This one is formed and styled as a pseudo-montecristi.

The real thing... Montecristi - the legendary hand woven toquilla straw hat from Ecuador. This is a good quality example sold by Cavanagh in c.1940s. The inside view shows the circular "vueltas" created by the addition of straw during the weaving process.

Alan, thanks for the education! That really helps someone who's new to this like me. Can you explain what vueltas are? Are they the concentric rings? If so, is there a name for the other patterns you see inside a Montecristi hat, when you hold it up to the light? Thanks!

 

[Lukacs]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a Modesto Hats Montecristi yesterday. Hat requires a little more weaving (I'm getting a wider brim) so it will be a couple weeks at least before it's shipped. 26 tpi. Modesto himself helped me....communicating via video in WhatsApp. Nice guy. The fascinating thing too, is I'm not required to pay...until they're ready to ship it. I assume I can see it by video them. Good price, and it's nice to know you're helping an actual Ecuadorian, rather than just a middleman.

That is fascinating. Please update us and post finished pics. I hope it's exactly what you want!

 

[alanfgag]

Alan, thanks for the education! That really helps someone who's new to this like me. Can you explain what vueltas are? Are they the concentric rings? If so, is there a name for the other patterns you see inside a Montecristi hat, when you hold it up to the light? Thanks!

I'm glad you found the photos helpful. Here is a thread that discusses vueltas in more detail:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-in-panama-hats-the-higher-the-quality.40297/
As always, accept the info with a small grain of salt. Older hats present a different inside view - the vueltas are easy to see and circular. In modern Montecristi hats the inside appears more translucent when held to the light and the vueltas appear more as a ring of chevron shapes. They are said to be created by the addition of straw during the weaving process, with more vueltas generally indicating a finer weave.

 

[Lukacs]

I'm glad you found the photos helpful. Here is a thread that discusses vueltas in more detail:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-in-panama-hats-the-higher-the-quality.40297/
As always, accept the info with a small grain of salt. Older hats present a different inside view - the vueltas are easy to see and circular. In modern Montecristi hats the inside appears more translucent when held to the light and the vueltas appear more as a ring of chevron shapes. They are said to be created by the addition of straw during the weaving process, with more vueltas generally indicating a finer weave.

Alan, thank again for the schooling. There is much to learn.

 

[AnalogLife]

Well then, they delivered the hat. BETTER than what I anticipated. I'll post detailed photos later. I think at 26 tpi it qualifies as a "Fino Fino." VERY smooth, even weave, really is a very light, comfortable, lovely hat. Arrived in about 4 days (Paid, via Moneygram...). Shaped in a long oval.

Modesto himself was way more than helpful. Sent me videos and photos throughout the finishing process, communicating through What'sApp. As I understand it--his shop receives the unfinished bodies, and someone there will weave the edges, and then trim it, and block it ,and do all the finishing in shop. It's a "Diamante" crown (which I really like) and fits perfectly.

It does have a cloth sweat-band--which I prefer. I didn't ask him if they can put in a leather one, for those who like that--but I suspect they could. The box was pretty ratty...but, I ordered a slightly oversize brim, so they must have used what they had.

DHL was the deliverer--and I tracked the package when sent--which was less than an hour after I made payment. It was a little nerve-wracking sending cash....to Ecuador--only in a man's name "Washington Modesto Mero Pachay" (no address needed...) but they were true to their word, and like I said, the hat is better than anticipated.

I asked--and it took some 5+ weeks of work to weave this hat.

If this is allowed (and I have no connection to this company--other than being a happy 1st time customer), here's the link: https://modestohats.com/

 

[Lukacs]

Well then, they delivered the hat. BETTER than what I anticipated. I'll post detailed photos later. I think at 26 tpi it qualifies as a "Fino Fino." VERY smooth, even weave, really is a very light, comfortable, lovely hat. Arrived in about 4 days (Paid, via Moneygram...). Shaped in a long oval. View attachment 340221

Modesto himself was way more than helpful. Sent me videos and photos throughout the finishing process, communicating through What'sApp. As I understand it--his shop receives the unfinished bodies, and someone there will weave the edges, and then trim it, and block it ,and do all the finishing in shop. It's a "Diamante" crown (which I really like) and fits perfectly.

It does have a cloth sweat-band--which I prefer. I didn't ask him if they can put in a leather one, for those who like that--but I suspect they could. The box was pretty ratty...but, I ordered a slightly oversize brim, so they must have used what they had.

DHL was the deliverer--and I tracked the package when sent--which was less than an hour after I made payment. It was a little nerve-wracking sending cash....to Ecuador--only in a man's name "Washington Modesto Mero Pachay" (no address needed...) but they were true to their word, and like I said, the hat is better than anticipated.

I asked--and it took some 5+ weeks of work to weave this hat.

If this is allowed (and I have no connection to this company--other than being a happy 1st time customer), here's the link: https://modestohats.com/

Looks great, AnalogLife! I agree and would've been nervous too until it arrived. Can't wait to see the detailed pics.

 

[AnalogLife]

OK, here's a few more detailed photos. Please forgive the photo quality--they're just from my phone, and the lighting isn't the best. I'll try to take a photo of the vueltas in the sun. They are clearly visible by eye.

I'm still thrilled by the quality of this hat. My head has never worn such before....