Need Panama advice

[schwammy]

Is this hat any good? The price seems too cheap. I don't want another Panama that's going to crack on me after a few weeks.

http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/mh0741.htm

Any suggestions much appreciated.

 

[colorblind]

Art

If you like it get it! That is Art Fawcett's shop. He is great to deal with.

 

[BellyTank]

Well, I have a very similar looking 'Cuenca', which I originally bought from Germany and knocked the centre crease out and re-shaped and raked just like this one- but mine only has a cotton sweatband- and it cost me around the equivalent of $15 and it's now a nice enough hat for the price.
The one Art is offering is much better than mine with a leather sweat'- it's not too cheap, it's just a good deal.
Hey, it might even be 6x nicer than mine at that price.
Save yourself the wait and suffering and get it now!-

B
T

 

[SHARPETOYS]

No Cuenca

Is this hat any good? The price seems too cheap. I don't want another Panama that's going to crack on me after a few weeks.

http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/mh0741.htm

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Panamabob,
Wholesales his Montecristi hats to Art.
I would consider a Montecristi over a Cuenca much better hat and the cost is not that much more.

If a Montecristi cracks i'll buy you a new one.

Give Robert Weber a call at 260-343-2686.He can get the hat you want and then send it to Art for the blocking and finishing work.

a Montecristi will last you a life time. I have one thats over 85 years old.

A Cuenca to me is like wool to beaver felt.Get the Montecristi in the long run its cheaper.
Regards,

Sharpey

 

[schwammy]

Much obliged. That is exactly what I wanted to know.

 

[BellyTank]

Personally, I quite like the texture and feel of the 'Cuenca'- the coarseness is quite appealing to me. Of course the price is appealing too.
The coarser Cuencas look like what they're made of- if you get my meaning...
But then I don't have a Monti', although I've seen a few.

B
T

 

[SHARPETOYS]

Montecristi Or nothing

For me ans we are all different. I'd have a Montecristi or nothing. The Cuenca is just not worth it to me. Why! When You can get a looser woven Montecristi for the price of a Cuenca. Get a Cuenca wet, you won't have a hat left!!. I know been there and got that t-shirt.

A Montecristi can always be reblocked. :cheers1:

 

[BellyTank]

Sounds like you're becoming a Monte-Snob Sharpey...
It's worth it to me because I would have to pay shipping of almost the same as the hat from your planet-

B
T

 

[Art Fawcett]

hi Swammy,
Just caught this post and the hat is just a low grade Cuenca that I have been working with for a few years. What you are really paying for in this hat is the blocking, not the quality of the body. Frankly, I have used these bodies to expand my learning curve without losing $hundreds while I do it. I've never experienced the "noodle" effect but then, I have never tried so will defer to Sharpey on that one. Hmmm...maybe I'll get the bucket out when I get to the shop today...what kind of sauce recommended Sharpey?

 

[Panamabob]

Art, I thought I'd posted here about the workmanship being the cost....'twas at Club Obi Wan...

Didn't want you to think I was ignoring it...the workmanship is the key.

The spaghetti has happened on some hats for me...depending on the bleaching process.

 

[BellyTank]

Re: Sauce- Art...

You should get BDJones to send you some of that Texas Barbecue sauce that he uses on Montecristis...

B
T

 

[Art Fawcett]

MMMMmmmmm

BBQed Cuenca....sounds like a delicacy...an aquired taste I'm sure. Any recipe's BT?

 

[SHARPETOYS]

It could be free

Is this hat any good? The price seems too cheap. I don't want another Panama that's going to crack on me after a few weeks.

http://www.vintagesilhouettes.com/mh0741.htm

Any suggestions much appreciated.

It could be free !! I'd still get a real Montecristi. Art has learned to block Panama hats 10 times better now than that picture shows. His ribbon and bow work is second to none.

The ribbon/bow is what sets the Panama off just as much or more than the weave.Its a package great hat great block= Happy Customer!!

Sharpey