Panama Hat Thread

[Tukwila]

I know you’ve had Mike at NW block Panama hats for you, but have you ever bought a hat body from him? If someone, let’s call him Sam, wanted a nicely shaped medium or slightly higher grade Panama hat where should I...I mean Sam go? Not all of us have access to spectacular hat bodies bought at the source or the discretionary income to call Brent Black.


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Check with Mike (and Art at VS) to see if they have any grade 10-12 grade Cuenca hats/hat bodies on hand.

You recently got a nice basic Cuenca hat. A true grade 10 or 12 hat would be more of a dress hat to wear out on the town or to a garden party, friendly BBQ, etc., when it's not super hot out.

Remember, a tightly woven hat does not breath as well as a looser weave.... or, my favorite, the ventilated or semi-calado weave hat.

I prefer a wider brim, but grabbed this relatively inexpensive semi-calado when I saw it on a back room shelf at Ortega during our last trip to Ecuador in Dec 2018/Jan 2019. It's about a grade 3 or 4 at best and was relatively cheap, but a breeze blows through it like A/C on your head on hot days. The brim is not finished with a weave, either, as this one has a real basic underwelt to finish off the brim. The hat wasn't finished with a crown ribbon either, so we quickly picked out a navy pug to throw on it. I think it was around $45. Take note, however, the only safe way to ship is through DHL and that runs $40 for one hat....

Seriously, check with Art and Mike to see what they have. I know they can order stuff, too... my goal has been to find weavers I can order from in Cuenca but I have not been as successful as we want. Last I spoke with Mike, he has a place to order from and - I think - both Art and Mike have put in orders together.

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[Tukwila]

You might check out Tom Gomez as I think he makes a great Panama hat that won't break the bank. I have a Cuenca semi-calado from him that I've had for 4 years.

https://gomezhatcompany.com/

I meant to include Tom Gomez in my last post. Do check with him as well!

 

[Bill Hughes]

I meant to include Tom Gomez in my last post. Do check with him as well!

So glad you mentioned him as well. I’ve been watching him for a while and have been on the fence. With Art retiring I’ve been checking out new sources for next year and beyond. Vic aka @Gunloader55 recently commissioned a nice Panama from Tom Gomez. It looks very promising.

 

[Tukwila]

So glad you mentioned him as well. I’ve been watching him for a while and have been on the fence. With Art retiring I’ve been checking out new sources for next year and beyond. Vic aka @Gunloader55 recently commissioned a nice Panama from Tom Gomez. It looks very promising.

Tom may also have access to Brent Black hat bodies.... doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[jonbuilder]

After 3 weeks of exchanging emails with Andrea of Modesto Hats I purchased a 35 -36 weave bad body finished to an 11 cm crown and 7 cm brim Andrea uses the term ironed to 23 inches circumference. Once I receive the hat it goes to Art for a teardrop block sweat and ribbon. There is no discount when ordering a hat unblocked and without sweat and ribbon. I was told these services are provided free when buying a hat. Pictures the prior to ironing and finishing the brim. Andrea was precise with all communications. I am the one who got sloppy and extended the process. I told about 3 to 5 days to finish the hat and 3 days delivery through DHL. The hat was $800 plus $40 shipping. I fell a deal; will know best when I receive the hat. I promised Andrea I will do full a review of Modesto Hats. Maybe Art will chime in? View attachment 147019 View attachment 147020 View attachment 147021 View attachment 147022

I recently received two Montecristi hats from Brent Black. One being a hat body I purchased from Modesto Hats in Ecuador.

Brent does not generally block other vendors hat bodies if I purchased a hat body from him He suggested a body that been in his inventory of ten years block by “the second best weaver at the time” The weaver is no longer producing hats of the same quality. So I agree to purchase a finish hat from his hat body at a discount. The body has a color irregularity call it a flaw or character. Brent called the spot a flaw I see it as character. Bottom line he sold me the hat that otherwise would have been north of $5,000 for $1,750

Here the ten year old body I purchased from Brent finished

Now the Modesto Hat finished total cost including blocking and shipping $1,150

 

[jonbuilder]

More pictures of the Modesto hat. Comparing the two hat I find the hat I brought from Brent to be a nicer weave for practical purposes the both hats have the same weave count. Brents hat was been beached. If I has to chose to keep one hat I would pick Brents is it wroth an additional $600 I can't say

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[Tukwila]

You have 2 very nice Panama Montecristi hats now. Congrats!

 

[jonbuilder]

Here are pictures of the Brent Back Montecristi body. Brent sent me these prior to the sale. Brent did a quick block and slipped the ribbon on for the sales pictures

 

[jonbuilder]

One more montecristi I have this hat over 10 years have worn it on the deck of a ship off the coast of Cuba with 65 knots apparent wind. These are old pictures the inscription on the sweat are now faint or gone

 

[alanfgag]

I would keep this one for high wind days.

 

[alanfgag]

The Brent Black hats look very nice.

 

[Tukwila]

Here are pictures of the Brent Back Montecristi body. Brent sent me these prior to the sale. Brent did a quick block and slipped the ribbon on for the sales pictures View attachment 159836 View attachment 159837 View attachment 159838 View attachment 159839

What block/style did you have Brent use for the 2 new hats?

 

[jonbuilder]

What block/style did you have Brent use for the 2 new hats?

Classic Fedora and Gatsby. The Modesto got the Gatsby block because of slightly more volume, also I thought the color of Brent's hat would work better in the classic Fedora
,

 

[jonbuilder]

If you have been there yet follow this link to more than you ever need to know about the process to a finished Montecristi hat
https://www.brentblack.com/pages/tour2_page_01.html

 

[johnnycanuck]

I recently received two Montecristi hats from Brent Black. One being a hat body I purchased from Modesto Hats in Ecuador.

Brent does not generally block other vendors hat bodies if I purchased a hat body from him He suggested a body that been in his inventory of ten years block by “the second best weaver at the time” The weaver is no longer producing hats of the same quality. So I agree to purchase a finish hat from his hat body at a discount. The body has a color irregularity call it a flaw or character. Brent called the spot a flaw I see it as character. Bottom line he sold me the hat that otherwise would have been north of $5,000 for $1,750

Here the ten year old body I purchased from Brent finished




View attachment 159740 View attachment 159749 View attachment 159750 View attachment 159755 View attachment 159752 View attachment 159753

Now the Modesto Hat finished total cost including blocking and shipping $1,150

View attachment 159756 View attachment 159757 View attachment 159758

Great looking hats. Quick question for you. The pin, is it gold? Metal? Plastic?
Johnny
Wear your hats in good health.

 

[jonbuilder]

Great looking hats. Quick question for you. The pin, is it gold? Metal? Plastic?
Johnny
Wear your hats in good health.

the hat pins are metal. My thoughts are to remove the pins

 

[The Jackal]

It was nice and warm today, so I wore my stingy for the first time.
Considering picking up one with a larger brim next time I'm in Atlanta

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[Bushman]

I found this Goodfellow & Co panama hat at Target. Despite being from China, it has a good sturdiness to it that I found acceptable. I was surprised to actually find a decent quality panama hat in a store like Target:

 

[Tukwila]

I found this Goodfellow & Co panama hat at Target. Despite being from China, it has a good sturdiness to it that I found acceptable. I was surprised to actually find a decent quality panama hat in a store like Target:

Can you take a picture of the inside, including the tags? The weave is noticeably different from any hand woven Panama hat I've seen. Could be stiff from shellac or similar.

 

[The Jackal]

Can you take a picture of the inside, including the tags? The weave is noticeably different from any hand woven Panama hat I've seen. Could be stiff from shellac or similar.

The ones I've seen from target say 100% paper. That's all I recall of them

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