How to count weaves on a Panama

[Prydonian]

Hello, all! I’m trying to make sure I’m measuring correctly on a llano/montecristi. This picture is an inch square… are these the correct fibers to count? It seems to be the only way, and I’ve read the vertical count will generally be higher than the horizontal, which would be inevitable counting this way, but only by one or two, so... Anybody know?

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Prydonian; Check out the link here for details and pics explaining the weave count. https://www.brentblack.com/panama-hat-grades-explained.html

Cheeers, Eric -

 

[Prydonian]

Prydonian; Check out the link here for details and pics explaining the weave count. https://www.brentblack.com/panama-hat-grades-explained.html

Cheeers, Eric -

Many thanks for the link, but I’ve seen it, haha. The issue I’m having is that none of the articles I’ve found describing the process address the way the herringbone pattern of the llano weave makes it so you can’t count the vertical the same way as the horizontal. With the horizontal you can just count the fibers lined up next to each other, but with the vertical you have to decide whether to include both of the opposing diagonals. That said… I can’t think of any other reason the vertical would always come out a higher count than the horizontal, so I think that must be right. I’d just love to get confirmation…

 

[JC Montecristi Hat]

Hello,

* You can use a ruler to count the weaves vertically.

* Generally, Montecristi hats have more weaves in the horizontal direction, and Cuenca hats in the vertical direction.

* The WPSI method was designed to classify or grade Montecristi hats. It is Brent Black’s sales method, a way to get better value for your investment. It works best with Montecristis.

* The WPI is the best way to grade a hat, because it is the buying method created by Brent Black, and you can apply it to any Panama hat.

 

[rogueclimber]

The issue I’m having is that none of the articles I’ve found describing the process address the way the herringbone pattern of the llano weave makes it so you can’t count the vertical the same way as the horizontal

If you read the article linked you'll find an example of a vertical count. It states 27 rows which can only be achieved by counting as you illustrated in your first post

"The second photo shows the vertical measure of the same hat in the same area of weave. The vertical count would be 27.

It is not unusual for the vertical and horizontal counts to be different. Actually, it’s unusual for them to be the same. Usually, the vertical count is a larger number."