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parbuntal straw hats

moehawk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,847
Location
Northern California
Thanks, Mike. Sonetimes the buyer doesn't know what he's got either! Good thing that there is The Fedora Lounge and all these knowledgeable Loungers to help out. :)
 

moehawk

I'll Lock Up
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5,847
Location
Northern California
Just out of curiosity, anyone know about what one of these old parabuntal bodies sells for? Ballpark figure works for me. I'm not planning on parting with it, just wondering.
 
Messages
15,089
Location
Buffalo, NY
Just out of curiosity, anyone know about what one of these old parabuntal bodies sells for? Ballpark figure works for me. I'm not planning on parting with it, just wondering.

They haven't come up often enough to plot a curve. I believe the one I purchased in a bamboo tube was less than $50 but I've forgotten.
 

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
When one is lucky enough to find an original seller, they do not seem to value them high. I have now found and resold two souvenirs that were marked and dated WWII era with a military name & rank, one for $25 and the other about the same. The one I found recently was just $9.99 but has a broken tube and no cap - also no marking. Discretion dictates we don't mention collector prices here! PM sent.
 
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moehawk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,847
Location
Northern California
Well, after a very gentle blocking and flanging, I got my hood to this stage. Almost have the ridge from where it was folded gone.

b124b5fe74b1e7887d3cd3b1b81c45c1.jpg


It will stay like this for a while, until I can do more research on working straw. That research will also include getting quotes from some of the pros to finish the thing in case I decide I don't want to take the risk of screwing it up. It does seem easy to work with, and a big part of my enjoyment of my hats is that, clumsy as it may be, all the work done on them is my own.
Well, off to research...
 

moehawk

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,847
Location
Northern California
TY, RJR. I am leaning more and more towards just going ahead and finishing it. The DIY'er in me just won't let me turn something ths neat over to someone else to have all the fun.:)
Just have to decide on the details now.
 

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
Here's a more modern parabuntal women's hat that I found recently and will someday convert to a summertime fedora.

0f8d8d5fbf27c56b7af85da9942646f2.jpg


The pattern is unique, and not as tight as the tube hats, but the straw is exceptionally light and durable.
 
Last edited:

RBH

Bartender
Well, after a very gentle blocking and flanging, I got my hood to this stage. Almost have the ridge from where it was folded gone.

b124b5fe74b1e7887d3cd3b1b81c45c1.jpg


It will stay like this for a while, until I can do more research on working straw. That research will also include getting quotes from some of the pros to finish the thing in case I decide I don't want to take the risk of screwing it up. It does seem easy to work with, and a big part of my enjoyment of my hats is that, clumsy as it may be, all the work done on them is my own.
Well, off to research...

The fold crease...in my opinion is what makes most panamas unique.

I use one of Alans photos as an example.

eric_optimo1.jpg
 

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
FYI, the old hat books describe using a piece of blocking cord pinned to a standard open block to create the center ridge for this "Optimo" Panama crease if you do not have a custom block.
 

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