M.C. Gannon Hat Company

[Rmccamey]

Reflections of my recent Gannon Playboy;

The silverbelly felt sounds common until I open the hat box. The silverbelly with a matching mid-ribbon is not boring or even common. The hat, while silverbelly, has enough gray tones to the felt to have it pair up well with almost all outside attire. The hat came open crown and it is easy to crease. It creases either into narrow thin creases or the gentle rolls of a thicker felt. On rare occasions do I choose to create narrow creases, dents or peaks. This felt is well pounced and as thin as I wanted. The felt is close to my 50's Stetson Playboys. Not the thin 40's hats, but the 50's. To my experience I have to be more cautious with the older versions so as not to create shadows of old creases or to break or thin the felt bringing the hat to an early demise. Over time I see the felt being able to be re-creased time and again without those felt lines or remnants of old creases.

Vent - CHEERS! The vent is eye catching and is a welcome warm weather feature. To my experience the vents do not have air passing through it to create a breeze for my bald pate. I have stood at the lakes edge during strong winds and faced the vents into the wind to see if I could feel air moving. Only in the harshest of winds could I feel the air moving. What I do notice is that some of the humid air created by my wearing and efforting in the hat is released through the vents. The vents make the hat more comfortable on my head. By a lot - no, but enough that I can notice during a long hike or walkabout and during outside efforts.

It has been said many times in this thread that Michael Gannon's felt skills are improving. I resoundingly echo the improvement comments.

Ribbon, wind cord, brim - exactly what I wished for. The craftsmanship is top notch. It stands supremely tall when compared to other customs, vintage hats I have on my hat rack. I asked for the decorative ribbon in the sweat band. I love it. Eye appeal out the whazoo. The ribbon work is not a faithful re-creation of the Playboy, but an interpretation. It is excellent and fits the hat.

The hat has a removable liner. Mr.Gannon provided a tip in (cut-out logo) that I can glue or tape in. This is what I plan to do when my neighborhoods weather warms up and the vents begin to be a useful characteristic.

The hat is outstanding! I am glad to be a client in good standing with Mr.Gannon.

Cheers, Eric

Upcoming: Gannon Beachcomer

I am in que for a very unique hat. I am taking inspiration from a 40's Stetson Beachcomer, the 40's Stetson Buckaneer and the 40's Stetson Hempstead.

Commisioned is a Winchester Bone beaver felt hat with spiral stitching, vent, tip in liner and a pug ribbon. Here are mock-ups of the ribbon options I am considering. Mr.Gannon has gone to big efforts with the pleated ribbon work.

I have been hesitant to share the ideas of this hat. It is not going to be a subtle hat for me. Additionally, Mr.Gannon has agreed to some big efforts. This will certainly be a departure from his previous hats.

My expectations are high. I do enjoy my vintage hats, but Imy wearing habits are bringing them to an early demise.

Thanks for letting me share my upcoming hat. I hope it inspires you to create your dream hat. Cheers to all, Eric -

Wow! I think several of us will take inspiration from this hat…some of us might just copy it completely! Can’t wait to see it.

I’ve spent hours over the last couple of days, perusing these pages without getting closer to a decision on felt colour. I don’t have a grey hat, but I think both steel and granite are darker than what I had in mind.
In some shots I’ve seen, the Sahara looks greyish, but I suspect that’s just a trick of the light.
I also love the look of Eric’s @Short Balding Guy silvermist hats. Do I see a hint of blue in the silvermist, Eric?
One thing I have decided on is beaver felt with brim binding. I suspect I’ll go for tone-on-tone binding with some degree of contrast in the ribbon.

Eric, you are indeed, inspiration central! I am definitely incorporating some of your ideas into my next Gannon! And, to restate the obvious, my most recent Gannon (an open crown, wide-brimmed western) is a better hat than my first Gannon, but I'd still stack my first one up toe-to-toe with a lot of other hats, new or vintage. Thanks for continuing to inspire us, Eric.



A few years back I, too, was looking for a mid-grey hat. Steel was definitely too dark for me, so I went with the Granite. To my eyes, it is right in the middle of grey. I used a Commando ribbon (light purple) and the hat goes really well with light or dark attire.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Eric, you are indeed, inspiration central! I am definitely incorporating some of your ideas into my next Gannon! And, to restate the obvious, my most recent Gannon (an open crown, wide-brimmed western) is a better hat than my first Gannon, but I'd still stack my first one up toe-to-toe with a lot of other hats, new or vintage. Thanks for continuing to inspire us, Eric.

View attachment 498740

A few years back I, too, was looking for a mid-grey hat. Steel was definitely too dark for me, so I went with the Granite. To my eyes, it is right in the middle of grey. I used a Commando ribbon (light purple) and the hat goes really well with light or dark attire.

I have three hats made from Winchester’s beaver felt in the color Granite. They all vary, but none come close to looking as light as yours.

VS:

Phoenix:

Gannon:

Sometimes it’s brown with grey undertones and sometimes it’s gray with brown undertones. It’s a difficult color to capture and it seems to have a lot of variation one dye lot to the next.



Another Phoenix in Granite (obviously not mine):

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Like Brent I see the granite as a changling. The attached pic is in mid-day sun in October.

Granite late day sun in November.

Here the granite Gannon Wanderer is worn with a cool palette of attire.

Worn with a pallet of earthy toned attire.

I hope this contributes to the conversation.

I would love to see others granite hats as I am contemplating a granite or natural hat for this coming Fall.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[StoryPNW]

This is my only Gannon and it happens to be a granite with a charcoal ribbon so I have something to contribute. It does change a little with lighting as others have said but it is exactly the color I had hoped it would be.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Thanks for sharing. There is soooo much to like about your Gannon.

 

[The Shoe]

FEPSA has a color called dovetail that might be what you want. They are out of XL but they do have some in large that should work for you. It looks like a great color and the 95g dress weight felt is very nice. It will add $100+ to the price of the hat, but it’s a great gray and fills a gap in the color palette from Winchester that Gannon uses. I’m sure a dovetail FEPSA beaver is in my future too.

View attachment 498732


https://purebeaverhatsupply.com/products/beaver-100x?variant=40410188185705

Eric, you are indeed, inspiration central! I am definitely incorporating some of your ideas into my next Gannon! And, to restate the obvious, my most recent Gannon (an open crown, wide-brimmed western) is a better hat than my first Gannon, but I'd still stack my first one up toe-to-toe with a lot of other hats, new or vintage. Thanks for continuing to inspire us, Eric.

View attachment 498740

A few years back I, too, was looking for a mid-grey hat. Steel was definitely too dark for me, so I went with the Granite. To my eyes, it is right in the middle of grey. I used a Commando ribbon (light purple) and the hat goes really well with light or dark attire.

I have three hats made from Winchester’s beaver felt in the color Granite. They all vary, but none come close to looking as light as yours.

VS:
View attachment 498766

Phoenix:
View attachment 498767


Gannon:
View attachment 498768


Sometimes it’s brown with grey undertones and sometimes it’s gray with brown undertones. It’s a difficult color to capture and it seems to have a lot of variation one dye lot to the next.



Another Phoenix in Granite (obviously not mine):
View attachment 498769

Like Brent I see the granite as a changling. The attached pic is in mid-day sun in October.

Granite late day sun in November.

Here the granite Gannon Wanderer is worn with a cool palette of attire.

Worn with a pallet of earthy toned attire.

I hope this contributes to the conversation.

I would love to see others granite hats as I am contemplating a granite or natural hat for this coming Fall.

Cheers, Eric -

This is my only Gannon and it happens to be a granite with a charcoal ribbon so I have something to contribute. It does change a little with lighting as others have said but it is exactly the color I had hoped it would be.
View attachment 498823

Thank you all for your input. I think I have it narrowed down to granite or silvermist.

Do those of you with silvermist hats find them versatile in terms of wardrobe?

 

[Short Balding Guy]

This is my only Gannon and it happens to be a granite with a charcoal ribbon so I have something to contribute. It does change a little with lighting as others have said but it is exactly the color I had hoped it would be.
View attachment 498823

Thank you all for your input. I think I have it narrowed down to granite or silvermist.

Do those of you with silvermist hats find them versatile in terms of wardrobe?

Silvermist versatile? Silverbelly is versatile. It pairs easily with cool and warm clothing hues. For me the bright white w/slight blue hints of silvermist has me wearing it with cool hues only.

Yesterday I wore a silverbelly and a silvermist. I hope the pics assist.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[The Shoe]

Silvermist versatile? Silverbelly is versatile. It pairs easily with cool and warm clothing hues. For me the bright white w/slight blue hints of silvermist has me wearing it with cool hues only.

Yesterday I wore a silverbelly and a silvermist. I hope the pics assist.

Cheers, Eric -

Thanks Eric.
I have a silverbelly Campdraft and have been comparing it to the Gannon silverbelly (as best I can on a computer screen. I think the Gannon (Winchester) is a bit lighter, more like what I was really after when I purchased the Campdraft.
I wonder if you or anyone else here can confirm that. I’m leaning towards the silverbelly now.

 

[StoryPNW]

Thanks Eric.
I have a silverbelly Campdraft and have been comparing it to the Gannon silverbelly (as best I can on a computer screen. I think the Gannon (Winchester) is a bit lighter, more like what I was really after when I purchased the Campdraft.
I wonder if you or anyone else here can confirm that. I’m leaning towards the silverbelly now.

Have you asked Michael for felt samples? He sent me a few when I was trying to narrow down felt color.

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Thanks Eric.
I have a silverbelly Campdraft and have been comparing it to the Gannon silverbelly (as best I can on a computer screen. I think the Gannon (Winchester) is a bit lighter, more like what I was really after when I purchased the Campdraft.
I wonder if you or anyone else here can confirm that. I’m leaning towards the silverbelly now.

Unfortunately I do not have an Akubra in silverbelly to compare to. I hope others can contribute. This morning silverbelly appears "clay hued" in indirect. It is a late winter morning pic from today.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[Short Balding Guy]

New Hat Day coming later this coming week! Here are a couple of preview pics from Mr.Gannon.

I tip my hat this morning to all Gannon hat folks.

Cheers, Eric -

 

[jdouglasj]

Behold my first Gannon hat below (second hat is on the way). I ordered the hat shipped unsteamed with an open crown. I recommend the same for other buyers. I have tinkered with the bash a lot since I got it, and doing so has been an education. I really like the not-from-the-factory, asymmetrical, slightly crumpled look. It is that type of hat in the old movies that always catches my eye. Michael is great to work with. I have purchased hats from four high-end hat makers so far, and in my opinion, no one has come close to Michael's work. Going forward I have one hat maker only.

 

[belfastboy]

Thank you all for your input. I think I have it narrowed down to granite or silvermist.

Do those of you with silvermist hats find them versatile in terms of wardrobe?

I think with the Silvermist because it is such a neutral you can trim with just about any colour ribbon. So for me, how versatile the hat becomes is dependent on which colour you use for the ribbon. Granite could end up being a more versatile colour if you trim it with a tone on tone ribbon colour.

 

[StoryPNW]

Behold my first Gannon hat below (second hat is on the way). I ordered the hat shipped unsteamed with an open crown. I recommend the same for other buyers. I have tinkered with the bash a lot since I got it, and doing so has been an education. I really like the not-from-the-factory, asymmetrical, slightly crumpled look. It is that type of hat in the old movies that always catches my eye. Michael is great to work with. I have purchased hats from four high-end hat makers so far, and in my opinion, no one has come close to Michael's work. Going forward I have one hat maker only.

View attachment 502291

What color is that? Moss?

 

[belfastboy]

Thanks Eric.
I have a silverbelly Campdraft and have been comparing it to the Gannon silverbelly (as best I can on a computer screen. I think the Gannon (Winchester) is a bit lighter, more like what I was really after when I purchased the Campdraft.
I wonder if you or anyone else here can confirm that. I’m leaning towards the silverbelly now.

The Winchester Silverbelly does have a bit of grey hue to it. While the Silvermist has blue undertones. I used to have an Akubra Silverbelly and my recollection is it was quite light in colour and perhaps lighter than the Winchester.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

Behold my first Gannon hat below (second hat is on the way). I ordered the hat shipped unsteamed with an open crown. I recommend the same for other buyers. I have tinkered with the bash a lot since I got it, and doing so has been an education. I really like the not-from-the-factory, asymmetrical, slightly crumpled look. It is that type of hat in the old movies that always catches my eye. Michael is great to work with. I have purchased hats from four high-end hat makers so far, and in my opinion, no one has come close to Michael's work. Going forward I have one hat maker only.

View attachment 502291

Fantastic! Please feel free to add more photos; we love to see them from all angles!

 

[jdouglasj]

Fantastic! Please feel free to add more photos; we love to see them from all angles!

Someone asked about the color. It is pecan. I don't know why it is called pecan since it's more green than brown.

Here are some other angles. The bash and side dents change every time I pick it up, which is how I like it.

I have an enormous head in every measurable dimension. I really like the idea of having a good hat, but it's been a long (and expensive) road finding a hat that looks good on me. Some guys can walk into a hat shop and look good with anything they put on their head. That is definitely not me. Even when I tried on a hat and checked it out in the mirror and thought I had picked a winner, I would later see it from other angles and realized it really did not look good on me.

What I finally, finally learned is that I need either a 52 or 60 block. This hat is a 60 block, so vertical front and back when looking at it profile. I need a high crown, and this hat has a 6-inch open crown (about 4.5" after the bash). It has a 3-inch brim.

If you are new to custom hats, I would advise that you try on many hats and shoot profile photos to get a good idea what you look like from the angles other people will see you. Before you purchase a custom hat, you should have a good sense of how high a crown you want , how wide a brim, and what hat shape looks best on you. Otherwise, you will duplicate my experience, which was an expensive trial and error.

 

[jdouglasj]

What color is that? Moss?

Pecan....although Olive would be a more accurate name. Or perhaps "Stained Creek Water."

 

[BobHufford]

Here are some other angles.

It looks fantastic and you wear it well!

 

[The Shoe]

Have you asked Michael for felt samples? He sent me a few when I was trying to narrow down felt color.

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven’t, but may do so.