This is my first post here, though I've been a member for a couple months. So, let me introduce myself...hello. Phew, now that thats over with, on with the show.
I recently received my second hat from The Penman Hat Co. I was one of John's first customers and really took a chance on him. The photos he had been posting on some other forums were quite nice, but you can't tell how great, or bad, a hat will be until you are holding it in your hands and wearing it on your head. Needless to say, I was so impressed with John's work that I ordered a second hat from him. Now, this hat is very important because I will be wearing it to my wedding in September.
When I approached John about the hat the first thing he said was "Dave, I'm honored, but I think you should go to Art Fawcett for this hat." I considered it, but I really wanted John to make this hat for me. So, I gave him a rough idea of what I wanted and John went to work. The end result is on of the most beautiful hats I've ever seen.
Now onto the review. The materials themselves are top grade. The felt is the softest I've felt on a modern hat. The vegi-tanned sheepskin sweatband is very comfortable. I forget I even have either of my Penman hats on.
The pounce job is fantastic. The felt is just so luxuriously soft that I find myself running my hand over the crown to feel the thing. The hat is smooth and has no imperfections in the felt or the pounce.
The sweat stitching is great. Very heavy duty. This thing is not falling apart. I pity the man who has to take this sweat out to reblock the hat. Seeing as though this is high-grade beaver and John weather-proofs all his hats, I don't think that will be any time soon.
The ribbons stitching is superb as well. It took me a while to find the stitch points; he hides them very well. The stitching on the bow is no different. Each stitch is expertly hidden. And that beautiful knot!
Best of all, though, is John's customer service. I was updated regularly on the progress of my hat. And every time John calls we end up conversing about more than just my hat and end up running up the phone bill.
When I bought this hat I also bought a hat brush and lapel pin. John also told me he is trying to arrange an agreement so that he can sell water repellent directly to the customers. He is very quickly becoming a one stop shop for all things hats.
Of all my hats, this latest Penman is my favorite. I've had vintage hats and modern hats and this one tops them all. So, a big thank you to John Penman for creating a work of art for me and a thank you to the Fedora Lounge for welcoming me.
Dave
I recently received my second hat from The Penman Hat Co. I was one of John's first customers and really took a chance on him. The photos he had been posting on some other forums were quite nice, but you can't tell how great, or bad, a hat will be until you are holding it in your hands and wearing it on your head. Needless to say, I was so impressed with John's work that I ordered a second hat from him. Now, this hat is very important because I will be wearing it to my wedding in September.
When I approached John about the hat the first thing he said was "Dave, I'm honored, but I think you should go to Art Fawcett for this hat." I considered it, but I really wanted John to make this hat for me. So, I gave him a rough idea of what I wanted and John went to work. The end result is on of the most beautiful hats I've ever seen.
Now onto the review. The materials themselves are top grade. The felt is the softest I've felt on a modern hat. The vegi-tanned sheepskin sweatband is very comfortable. I forget I even have either of my Penman hats on.
The pounce job is fantastic. The felt is just so luxuriously soft that I find myself running my hand over the crown to feel the thing. The hat is smooth and has no imperfections in the felt or the pounce.
The sweat stitching is great. Very heavy duty. This thing is not falling apart. I pity the man who has to take this sweat out to reblock the hat. Seeing as though this is high-grade beaver and John weather-proofs all his hats, I don't think that will be any time soon.
The ribbons stitching is superb as well. It took me a while to find the stitch points; he hides them very well. The stitching on the bow is no different. Each stitch is expertly hidden. And that beautiful knot!
Best of all, though, is John's customer service. I was updated regularly on the progress of my hat. And every time John calls we end up conversing about more than just my hat and end up running up the phone bill.
When I bought this hat I also bought a hat brush and lapel pin. John also told me he is trying to arrange an agreement so that he can sell water repellent directly to the customers. He is very quickly becoming a one stop shop for all things hats.
Of all my hats, this latest Penman is my favorite. I've had vintage hats and modern hats and this one tops them all. So, a big thank you to John Penman for creating a work of art for me and a thank you to the Fedora Lounge for welcoming me.
Dave
