Panama Hat Thread

[Aureliano]

I might be crazy, but I'm sure this was aimed at me. I sent the quote down to Montecristi to the hat finishers and told him it came from Palacios' customer. This man sells hats to Palacios. His quote back was : "Usted sabe que los sombreros son hechos de manos y las calidades son originales..." You know that the hats are hand made and that they are of original quality.

I asked him to take more care and to find another backweaver for the hats I buy, clearly offending him. "...pero vamos a tomar muy en cuenta su referencia." But we'll take account of what you've stated.

I'm certainly not a Spanish major, so feel free to interpret his words as you see fit.

As it seems customary, Mr Weber. You found an attack to your persona where there wasn't one. I am, as most of us here in this forum and thread, aware that these hats are hand made; an artisan product, and as such will never be perfect. Montecristis are beautiful with their subtle imperfections. You contacting people in Ecuador to validate this, seems a bit unnecessary and has offended an artisan as you state. My comment was about my particular hat and Mr Palacios' ability to select well finished hats. The fact that you took that as an attack on your persona says more about you, I think, than what it says about Palacios and hat finishing in general. For the record, you too, I wholeheartedly believe, are capable of picking beautifully finished hats. You are a man with a lot of experience and your words and knowledge are highly regarded by folks who come to this thread. I want to ask you, publicly, to please stop feeling attacked by me. I have nothing against you. I only wish you well. I wish you success and prosperity. We have had discrepancies and disagreements, sure, but that's all and it is valid. Nothing else. Nothing beyond. Nothing in between. Believe me, If I have something to tell you or if I ever wanted to "attack" you, I will do it directly and not camouflaging words.

That being said, I also have to add that posting in this thread, because of this type of paranoia, is becoming increasingly unpleasant. I love this joint but I'm seriously considering stepping out for good. All this distasteful stuff is just disappointing. Bartenders, if I may beg you, please leave this statement here for all to read as I want folks to know my standing in regard to Mr. Weber. Thank you.

[Rick Blaine]

Anyone else see this?

...looks sweet but a plastic sweat?...I dunno. I do like the bound brim, you don't see that much, eh?
Any guess regarding its' vintage? Christys' offers nothing like it now. But A. Baker & Sons, Nassau, The Bahamas still is still a going concern.
And a plastic sweatband (?without elastic?) would not argue a great age, but the patina looks genuine, as though it has some real years on it.

[Shangas]

I know Panamas are supposed to be light and floppy, but this is ridiculous! Mine blew off my head yesterday right into the middle of a busy crossroad! And it was barely a strong wind. Fortunately, the traffic and wind cooperated enough for me to run out and snatch it up again without damage to me, or the hat.

Methinks a wind-trolley might be a necessity here...

[Panamabob]

As it seems customary, Mr Weber. You found an attack to your persona where there wasn't one. I am, as most of us here in this forum and thread, aware that these hats are hand made; an artisan product, and as such will never be perfect. Montecristis are beautiful with their subtle imperfections. You contacting people in Ecuador to validate this, seems a bit unnecessary and has offended an artisan as you state. My comment was about my particular hat and Mr Palacios' ability to select well finished hats. The fact that you took that as an attack on your persona says more about you, I think, than what it says about Palacios and hat finishing in general. For the record, you too, I wholeheartedly believe, are capable of picking beautifully finished hats. You are a man with a lot of experience and your words and knowledge are highly regarded by folks who come to this thread. I want to ask you, publicly, to please stop feeling attacked by me. I have nothing against you. I only wish you well. I wish you success and prosperity. We have had discrepancies and disagreements, sure, but that's all and it is valid. Nothing else. Nothing beyond. Nothing in between. Believe me, If I have something to tell you or if I ever wanted to "attack" you, I will do it directly and not camouflaging words.

That being said, I also have to add that posting in this thread, because of this type of paranoia, is becoming increasingly unpleasant. I love this joint but I'm seriously considering stepping out for good. All this distasteful stuff is just disappointing. Bartenders, if I may beg you, please leave this statement here for all to read as I want folks to know my standing in regard to Mr. Weber. Thank you.

Thanks for the kind words. It's not paranoia. You have a habit of criticizing the remate (back-weave) on many hats that have been posted here that happened to have run through my hands. You critique that remate and then tell me that I don't have good quality control. You then post this quote: "Brim edge finished to perfection, round and symmetrical, as they certainly can be made/commissioned and picked by careful/OCD hatters" with a little smiley face. Yes, I think it was intended for me. I'm entitled to that opinion. Why else would you write it that way and put the little smiley face there?

You can stay, I'm happy to answer emails.

[Aureliano]

The smiley face was because I was proud of my hat. If I wanted to attack you I would have used this much more appropriate. Also if you go back, you can see that I edited the post and removed said smiley the day after, anticipating this sort of stuff from you. I "criticize" sloppy brims from you and any other hatter who shows them if I feel that it's relevant to the conversation. I, on a private message to a fellow lounger, just criticized a brim by Graham Thompson (yes, the fella from Optimo). From one of my own Montecristis, that came a bit sloppy. I made sure Mr Thompson knew about it as well.
I've removed all pictures--from this thread and every other-- so you don't feel attacked by me any longer. End of the story, at least from my end. I'm on my way out. I also ask you, publicly, to refrain from writing to my personal email address as you have done in the past, in any way and specially using the kind of disrespectful, derogatory language you have applied. Please do not do it. This ends here.

[RBH]

OK gents....lets let it end.
Robert, I have met you and consider you a 'friend'.
Ale, I have not met you yet but also consider you a friend as we have had several 'deals' together.
I do not want either of you to leave this joint.
Please consider all both of you have 'given' the Lounge and try to not poke [a good southern term] each other to anger.
I say this to both of you on behalf of the Lounge in general.
You both are well respected and are needed here.
Thanks for hearing me out.

[Panamabob]

The smiley face was because I was proud of my hat. If I wanted to attack you I would have used this much more appropriate. Also if you go back, you can see that I edited the post and removed said smiley the day after, anticipating this sort of stuff from you. I "criticize" sloppy brims from you and any other hatter who shows them if I feel that it's relevant to the conversation. I, on a private message to a fellow lounger, just criticized a brim by Graham Thompson (yes, the fella from Optimo). From one of my own Montecristis, that came a bit sloppy. I made sure Mr Thompson knew about it as well.
I've removed all pictures--from this thread and every other-- so you don't feel attacked by me any longer. End of the story, at least from my end. I'm on my way out. I also ask you, publicly, to refrain from writing to my personal email address as you have done in the past, in any way and specially using the kind of disrespectful, derogatory language you have applied. Please do not do it. This ends here.

I'll post my emails on the website so it is public. It's much more benign than you're implyhing. I pointed out that you called a Montecristi a Cuenca and I called you a jerk.

[Atticus Finch]

Being today is May the 15th (isn't that the traditional day we go from felts to Panamas?) I just ordered a couple of nice little center dents from PanamaBob's ebay page...one for me and one for my paralegal. You gotta love PanamaBob. Great hats for a very reasonable price. Wear them with a summer suit or mow the grass in them. No worries...just wear the heck out of them all summer, like our grandfathers did...

AF

[Rick Blaine]

Being today is May the 15th (isn't that the traditional day we go from felts to Panamas?) I just ordered a couple of nice little center dents from PanamaBob's ebay page...one for me and one for my paralegal. You gotta love PanamaBob. Great hats for a very reasonable price. Wear them with a summer suit or mow the grass in them. No worries...just wear the heck out of them all summer, like our grandfathers did...

AF

I have always (well- for five years) been happy as a clam when ordering from PB. Never a disappointment. In fact his "Indiana" model of a few years back is my 'go to' Panama..

For instance - a few years ago I ordered a grey Cuenca, when he found he was unable to find a gray in my size- he sent me enough Panamas to give one to my entire family!

In my humble opossum, he is on the bubble (level), a straight shooter & a good egg.

And, honestly, I didn't see Mr. Gold's (Aureliano) comment as a slam- but there is clearly a history here.

At any rate- both of ya'll are significant & informative members- please don't decamp.

[barrowjh]

Agreeing with Mr. Blaine - value you both. I've never bought a hat from PB that was not a fair deal, and sometimes a downright 'steal.' PB is the only resource that allows us some flexibility to experiment; a precious resource for many of us.