Panama hats with folded and sewn brims

[fedoralover]

Okay, I'm no expert on Panama's, too much rain here in Oregon to get too interested in straws. So you guys with more experience handling Panama's tell me this, how good a quality and high priced can a Panama hat be if it has had it's brim edge folded under and just sewn? The reason I ask is I see some on ebay that have been selling for over $200. You can see the sewn edge on the brims, but to me that seems just too high. I'm I wrong on this, please enlighten me you straw afficionado's.

fedoralover

 

[BobC]

I've never seen a panama with a folded and sewn brim. All I've seen were backwoven, even the less expensive panamas.

 

[indycop]

Before I found Panama Bob I got an overpriced one from a Panama hat store in St. Augustine. It had the folded and sewn brim. It looked like they sewed it down then cut the ends with scissors...it was cheap looking.

 

[fedoralover]

Here's a pic of one that just sold on ebay for around $218. You can see the stitching on the edge of the brim. Granted it was a vintage hat but with all due respect to the seller, you got a heck of a sale on that one. IMHO.
So I'm hoping I'm not stepping on any toes here if the seller and buyer are lounge members, but one of the purposes of the lounge is to educate it's members. Now if I'm seeing something in these photos that is wrong, I'll do an honest and humble retraction, but it sure looks like a sewn edge to me.

fedoralover

 

[job]

Some straw hats are cut and sewn to keep an exact size. For an example a 2 1/2 brim on a panama to keep it dressy. If not the brim sizes would be all over the place.

 

[Tomasso]

I wouldn't say that a backwoven brim is a sign of quality in and of itself.

 

[fmw]

I have 3 panama hats, two Stetsons and one from Panama Bob. None of them are expensive but all of them have a sewn over brim.

 

[Panamabob]

On one hand, the folded over brim is a shortcut from some companies in Cuenca....and I tell them that. They try to save $.50 per hat by doing that. Some of the hats we bought from a new supplier this year were about 50/50 folded over/regular backweave. I tried to make it clear to them that I don't want it done that way in the future.

On the other hand, companies like Dorfzaun, use a process that makes the hat look quite nice from the underside and they fold over/sew to bring uniformity to the brims. They finish a nice hat, so compared to the company in the first paragraph, they can put out hats that cost less and look like a million bucks, a la Borsalino.

On the third hand (what?), you've got companies who use the backweave and zigzag sew for strength. These are some of my favorite hats.

I'm with Tomasso on this, you have to know which company you're dealing with to know if it is a cost-cutting or quality measure. I'd ask a few questions about the manufacturer. I would never buy a Montecristi with anything other than a traditional backweave.

 

[Rodkins]

Here's a pic of one that just sold on ebay for around $218. You can see the stitching on the edge of the brim. Granted it was a vintage hat but with all due respect to the seller, you got a heck of a sale on that one. IMHO.
So I'm hoping I'm not stepping on any toes here if the seller and buyer are lounge members, but one of the purposes of the lounge is to educate it's members. Now if I'm seeing something in these photos that is wrong, I'll do an honest and humble retraction, but it sure looks like a sewn edge to me.

fedoralover

If that's the Mallory Cravenette straw that just sold I would have loved to be the owner of that folded and sewn brim. It just went too high for me. What a cool hat, though.

 

[Panamabob]

Wow! For $218, you'd have a whale of a Cuenca Brisa. I can't tell exactly what it is, but that's what it reminds me of.

 

[alanfgag]

If that's the Mallory Cravenette straw that just sold I would have loved to be the owner of that folded and sewn brim. It just went too high for me. What a cool hat, though.

It is a stunning hat, Here is a link to the completed auction listing, which has very good pictures. Congrats to the seller and the purchaser.

 

[Panamabob]

It is a stunning hat, Here is a link to the completed auction listing, which has very good pictures. Congrats to the seller and the purchaser.

Parabuntal? Balibuntal?

I'm sure the seller is a member here...maybe he can 'splain it.

 

[scotrace]

Holy smoke that went high.

 

[Neophyte]

PanamaBob, on your Gambler model it looks like a folded-over brim, but the picture on the website's to small to see it well. Could you give any details on this?

 

[Rodkins]

Holy smoke that went high.

I know. I thought I was going to get that one for under $150 but gave up when it went to $169 where it sat for quite awhile.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

While I would love a Mallory straw its over my budget right now.

 

[Panamabob]

PanamaBob, on your Gambler model it looks like a folded-over brim, but the picture on the website's to small to see it well. Could you give any details on this?

The ebay hat gamblers are with a fold over. I didn't ask for that, but that's what they sent.

Montecristis are never and the Cuenca page Gamblers aren't either.

Someone is working on my site, so we'll see what magic he has in improving the photos.

 

[Neophyte]

Thank you for the information. Looking forward to the revamped site, as I'll need a straw hat for the summer .

 

[fedoralover]

On one hand, the folded over brim is a shortcut from some companies in Cuenca....and I tell them that. They try to save $.50 per hat by doing that. Some of the hats we bought from a new supplier this year were about 50/50 folded over/regular backweave. I tried to make it clear to them that I don't want it done that way in the future.

On the other hand, companies like Dorfzaun, use a process that makes the hat look quite nice from the underside and they fold over/sew to bring uniformity to the brims. They finish a nice hat, so compared to the company in the first paragraph, they can put out hats that cost less and look like a million bucks, a la Borsalino.

On the third hand (what?), you've got companies who use the backweave and zigzag sew for strength. These are some of my favorite hats.

I'm with Tomasso on this, you have to know which company you're dealing with to know if it is a cost-cutting or quality measure. I'd ask a few questions about the manufacturer. I would never buy a Montecristi with anything other than a traditional backweave.

Bob, thanks for the info.

fedoralover

 

[mayserwegener]

On one hand, the folded over brim is a shortcut from some companies in Cuenca....and I tell them that. They try to save $.50 per hat by doing that. Some of the hats we bought from a new supplier this year were about 50/50 folded over/regular backweave. I tried to make it clear to them that I don't want it done that way in the future.

On the other hand, companies like Dorfzaun, use a process that makes the hat look quite nice from the underside and they fold over/sew to bring uniformity to the brims. They finish a nice hat, so compared to the company in the first paragraph, they can put out hats that cost less and look like a million bucks, a la Borsalino.

On the third hand (what?), you've got companies who use the backweave and zigzag sew for strength. These are some of my favorite hats.

I'm with Tomasso on this, you have to know which company you're dealing with to know if it is a cost-cutting or quality measure. I'd ask a few questions about the manufacturer. I would never buy a Montecristi with anything other than a traditional backweave.

This lower end 1960/70s Mayser (Germany) is most likely is a Dorfzaun and it is a cut under welt. I am not sure if it was blocked and finished by Mayser.

This late 1960/70s Wegener (Germany) also is cut and probably a Dorfzaun. This one was probably blocked and finished by Wegener. By the way I know Roberto Dorfzaun.