Panama hat questions?

[guillaumeb]

Hat creaking : what can I do ?

I got this brand new Panama hat.

I received it yesterday.
However, it seems to be "creaking" a lot.
I steamed it gently and spray water on it.
It is a bit better but the straw does not seem as flexible as on my other Panama hats which are astonishingly silent

Is this a problem ? Is the straw too dry ? I'm afraid it could break
I would naturally put some sort of cream on it, like sun protection, but I don't know if this is a good idea

 

[belfastboy]

Hat creaking : what can I do ?

I got this brand new Panama hat.

I received it yesterday.
However, it seems to be "creaking" a lot.
I steamed it gently and spray water on it.
It is a bit better but the straw does not seem as flexible as on my other Panama hats which are astonishingly silent

Is this a problem ? Is the straw too dry ? I'm afraid it could break
I would naturally put some sort of cream on it, like sun protection, but I don't know if this is a good idea

Ha, and I thought I had come across everything to do with hats! Have never heard of a 'creaking' hat. How much did you pay for it?

 

[guillaumeb]

It was around 80€. it's a mid quality regular toquilla hat
It's like there is a noise when I press the brim downward for instance, as if the straw was a bit dry.
A bit like when you sit o sorrel chair (well obviously less creaky than that)

 

[belfastboy]

It was around 80€. it's a mid quality regular toquilla hat
It's like there is a noise when I press the brim downward for instance, as if the straw was a bit dry.
A bit like when you sit o sorrel chair (well obviously less creaky than that)

80euro is really a low end panama. I would just wear the heck out of it and when it is worn out shop around and buy a higher quality one. Or if you take long hot showers that create a lot of steam bring the hat into the bathroom (not the shower itself) and create a high humidity environment. If that does not work then just get used to the creaks. Or stop pressing the brim downward.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

It was around 80€. it's a mid quality regular toquilla hat
It's like there is a noise when I press the brim downward for instance, as if the straw was a bit dry.
A bit like when you sit o sorrel chair (well obviously less creaky than that)

Crap!!!
Now i’m gonna be listening to ALL my hats.
First it was voices now….??
B

 

[belfastboy]

Crap!!!
Now i’m gonna be listening to ALL my hats.
First it was voices now….??
B

Just because you are paranoid doesn't make you wrong!

 

[Frunobulax]

First it was voices now….??
B

They've been telling me, "listen to the hat" since I got here.

I have enough now sometimes the racket's a bit much.

 

[guillaumeb]

80euro is really a low end panama. I would just wear the heck out of it and when it is worn out shop around and buy a higher quality one. Or if you take long hot showers that create a lot of steam bring the hat into the bathroom (not the shower itself) and create a high humidity environment. If that does not work then just get used to the creaks. Or stop pressing the brim downward.

OK Fine then
Then should I have a cheap Panama, i'd rather play around with it and test stuff.
it surely won't sound outrageous if i ask you how I could achieve a distressed style like the photo below for a cheap panama hat :

I know crazy people burn fur felt hats !
But how do you achieve fake stains on a Panama hat ?

 

[milandro]

I think you can spray paint it using masking pieces of paper held between the paint source and the hat or use some diluted water paint or ink on a piece of rag and then apply in the areas of your liking.....

that is IF you like that sort of thing ( and you can buy them pre-distressed already)

 

[belfastboy]

OK Fine then
Then should I have a cheap Panama, i'd rather play around with it and test stuff.
it surely won't sound outrageous if i ask you how I could achieve a distressed style like the photo below for a cheap panama hat :
View attachment 533996

I know crazy people burn fur felt hats !
But how do you achieve fake stains on a Panama hat ?

No, I have no idea. It does seem to be the style rage these days so if you look around you may find a video showing how to do it. To me, as a hat maker, it approaches blasphemy.

 

[shopkin]

Option One: Mist it with something that will leave an organic residue as it dries. Many things will work, like milk, your sweat, WD-40, etc. Then, use a hot air gun to gently oxidize the stuff without scorching the straw.

Option Two: Wear it often while doing hard work and living an honest life.

 

[belfastboy]

Option One: Mist it with something that will leave an organic residue as it dries. Many things will work, like milk, your sweat, WD-40, etc. Then, use a hot air gun to gently oxidize the stuff without scorching the straw.

Option Two: Wear it often while doing hard work and living an honest life.

I sweat the hardest when doing something illegal.

 

[Rmccamey]

I'd try coffee.

OK Fine then
Then should I have a cheap Panama, i'd rather play around with it and test stuff.
it surely won't sound outrageous if i ask you how I could achieve a distressed style like the photo below for a cheap panama hat :
View attachment 533996

I know crazy people burn fur felt hats !
But how do you achieve fake stains on a Panama hat ?