The Best Straw Hat?

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:35 pm

Well folks, we are coming to that time of year again. Living in Central Florida does not always allow one to wear a Penman Beaver on a daily basis. I was wondering what the experts thought on the best straw hat. When I say best, I am talking in terms in quality & appearance for the money. Maybe even ideas on some vendors. I have searched some posts on straw hats, but many are outdated (JPD brand). I love my Penmans (2) and have a 100% rabbit on order because of the lighter weight felt. Until it comes I am in a jam. So, any thoughts?

eazybox · Post by **eazybox** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:37 am

If you are looking for an Indy stle straw hat, http://www.pbhats.com has one. It costs $155, I believe.

Jack

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 7:45 am

Agreed. It's my 'go-to' hat in my collection when the temps and humidity start to climb here in South Central Tennessee. IF you order one, just be sure to ask them to NOT install a liner, but to put in a cap sticker like they do their cowboy hats. It makes the hat MUCH cooler that way.

Regard! Michaelson

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:16 am

Thanks guys. I will definitely check it out.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:19 am

Tell Joe and Nelda we said 'HI!'

Regards! Michaelson

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:30 am

And I know people will be bringing out the torches for this one, but, IF, later on down the line, you just want a beater straw hat, Dorfman offers one. I bought mine off US Wings for around $35-40, I believe. No where near the quality of the PB, I'm sure, but I use it as my summer work hat and have been very happy with it.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:41 am

Someone find a rope.....

Regards! Michaelson

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:22 am

Thanks! Now that emoticon will haunt my dreams!

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 11:24 am

It was designed that way....

Regards! Michaelson

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:00 pm

PB makes a nice straw lid; comfortable and light. Oddly, though, I find their hat ill suited as a straw Indy. They have a nasty taper. Not a ToD taper, either. I had to rebash mine as a c-crown. Otherwise, a great lid.

Other off-the-shelf idea; Dobbs. Particularly their milan straw line. I love them. Miles away from an Indy hat, but great never the less.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:32 pm

Chewbacca Jones wrote: They have a nasty taper. Not a ToD taper, either. I had to rebash mine as a c-crown. Otherwise, a great lid.

Odd, mine has NEVER tapered, and I've owned and worn it since the hat was introduced.

Regards! Michaelson

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:02 pm

Just got on the link and went to the pb straw dress. Didn't see much. Am I looking in the right place?

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:22 pm

Scroll down this page: http://www.pbhats.com/INDY_CUSTOM/Default.htm

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:38 pm

Miller hats also has a selection of fedora styles in straw

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:44 pm

Does this count as a "straw" hat?

http://www.mcphee.com/pixlarge/M6177.jpg

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 21, 2009 3:50 pm

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:12 pm

odd that this topic has appeared as I JUST started wearing my PB Straw Indy fedora.

Its a good hat, light-weight and gets a nice breeze through it. My one problem is that because its straw the bash on the walls of the fedora are almost non-existent therefore with the height of the crown it looks like I should be Amish....lol.

But I think with wear the indention will appear more....

It apparently does its job though as today I got a comment from a co-worker...."Hey Indy"...lol.

$155?? I seem to recall paying $100...maybe the price went up since I bought it over 3 yaers ago....although I was a little inebriated at the time...so who knows

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:44 pm

Thanks Bink for the address. Have to say looks good on their sie. Does anyone have pics of the hat in person or on their noggin? Much appreciated.

Matt

Illinois James · Post by **Illinois James** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:37 pm

I'm waiting for mine from PB. Now I have to call them @ leaving out the liner and cap sticker only--thanks for the tip Michaelson!

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Fri May 22, 2009 12:50 am

Michaelson wrote: Odd, mine has NEVER tapered, and I've owned and worn it since the hat was introduced.

Regards! Michaelson

Mine was tapered from the start. It might have been because of the packing insert, which really squeezed it. A couple of guys over at the Fed Lounge have had similar issues.

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Fri May 22, 2009 8:47 am

What is the wait time? Is it a factory or custom hat? I wonder if the would accomodate and seperate the liner and go a little light on the packing (potential taper issue)?

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:23 am

I was never given an option of liner.....my straw indy has no liner or sticker. But I ordered mine some time back....

I'll see if I can get some pics taken this weekend...my gf has a good digital camera.

Its a good hat......

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Fri May 22, 2009 11:02 am

Thanks in advance for the pics. Really looking forward to seeing it on someone as opposed to a site. Will definitely help w/ making a decision.

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:17 pm

I've been debating whether or not to get the PB Indy Straw hat; I'll probably be placing the order soon.

Indycrazy5187 · Post by **Indycrazy5187** » Fri May 22, 2009 7:55 pm

I've always wanted a good straw hat...problem is there too expensive and they rot after prolonged usage...

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri May 22, 2009 9:50 pm

Indycrazy5187 wrote:I've always wanted a good straw hat...problem is there too expensive and they rot after prolonged usage...

True, if they're not cared for. I've had mine since they were introduced about 7 years ago, wearing it each and every summer, ALL summer, and mine looks as good as the day I got it as once the season has passed, I put it back in it's box for storage. I have to say I've definitely gotten my money's worth out of it to date, and it's all gravy from here on out.....

It's all in how you take care of your gear, my friends, that determines how long you'll have it to use. I've preached that my entire 'Indy gear' career, and will continue to do so....

Regards! Michaelson

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Mon May 25, 2009 10:52 am

So, any pics out there?

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Mon May 25, 2009 5:59 pm

Sorry, my gf split unexpectedly and I wasn't able to get pics. I'll get them as soon as possible.....

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon May 25, 2009 7:31 pm

mcmanm wrote:What is the wait time? Is it a factory or custom hat?

You'll have to check with PB on the time. It's custom, by the way.
Like I said, I'm not sure what the story is with the taper that's been mentioned above. I've had mine for YEARS, and it has not tapered on iota, and I've worn it religiously every summer, and in all weather.

You'll find a photo in this thread:
http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f ... t=pb+straw

Do a search. I typed in 'PB straw' in the search in the fedora section and had over 408 hits regarding this very topic, and going back several years. This topic comes up this time every year.

Regards! Michaelson

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Mon May 25, 2009 7:41 pm

I don't understand why a straw hat would taper. Straw does not exhibit the same quality that felt does that makes it taper. If there is any taper in a straw hat it is becuase it was blocked with it. I can understand why Chewie would mention taper in his PB straw as MOST PBs I've seen have a degree of taper in them. Not all of them. The ones I've seent hat are generally straight sided, I like. They may have two different sets of blocks they use for their Indy hats. Request a straight sided block might ensure that your straw hat arrives with no taper. Just a thought.

Dave

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Mon May 25, 2009 8:50 pm

Well, I emailed them from the address that is linked to their home page. Asked them about hat dimensions, wait times and the possible issue with taper. Are they pretty quick to respond?

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue May 26, 2009 10:42 am

Pretty fast, but if the address wasn't as follows, you might want to send a duplicate email to Joe himself at:

joe@pbhats.com

Regard! Michaelson

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Tue May 26, 2009 3:10 pm

Thanks for the address. It was different than the one on the PB site. Hope to hear from him soon.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:45 am

To me it does have a slight taper though.

Everyone tells me this hat is too tall....

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:38 am

Your photos aren't working right now, jack.

Just as an aside, Joe just told me by phone a few minutes ago that he can make these hats as tall or as short as YOU want, so tell him what you're after, and he'll make them that way.

He's also in the process of putting up a new page at his website of a new series of Milan straws he will be producing, so watch his main page for updates.

He's currently having a 10% off sale until the end of this week (note the date of this post) for anyone interested in ordering a hat. This includes custom hats too!

For those who have sent emails, he asked me to say he's a bit slow in replying to emails, but he's working on them as quickly as he can. I gave him a 'heads up' there were a few waiting answers from our folks, and he said he'd get right to them, so he's now aware he has a few sitting on his 'joe' email account and the store account and knows to look for them. As a suggestion to anyone else, you might want to 'redflag' your email by putting in your subject title something like 'a question from a member of Indygear'. That will catch his eye.

Anyway, that's 'fresh' news from PB as of about 10 minutes ago.

Regards! Michaelson

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:13 am

my pics are stored on my hotmail account....when it times out, apparently the pics disappear. I'm unsure how to post them honestly....

Piker · Post by **Piker** » Wed May 27, 2009 1:31 pm

Michaelson wrote:Agreed. It's my 'go-to' hat in my collection when the temps and humidity start to climb here in South Central Tennessee. IF you order one, just be sure to ask them to NOT install a liner, but to put in a cap sticker like they do their cowboy hats. It makes the hat MUCH cooler that way.

Regard! Michaelson

Are you a Menace to South Central?

Got a straw from Panama Bob and while there was a wait, it is a fine Optimo style, tight weave and good looking, just need a white suit to be an Indy Villian. Wait, I have the white suit...

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed May 27, 2009 1:36 pm

Piker wrote: Are you a Menace to South Central?

Nope....just trying to survive our good old Southern heat and humidity....just like you good ol' Georgia boys!

Regards! Michaelson

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:08 pm

Thanks Michaelson for the heads up. Had not heard from Joe and tried to call the questions #. Just a recorded message of the times they are open. Will definitely try to email and call again.

Matt

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu May 28, 2009 11:42 am

Very good. Definitely use the 'joe' email address.

Oh, and as a side note, I found out that milan straw hats can be reblocked too. I wasn't aware of that.

Regards! Michaelson

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Thu May 28, 2009 4:04 pm

just got another indy comment on my straw pb...lol. I guess it doesn't matter what you wear if its a fedora or close to one.....its an indy hat to the layman.

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Thu May 28, 2009 5:51 pm

Backstage,

Can we see your hat to?

How bout some pics? Why should complete strangers get to see it and not us.

Matt

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:23 pm

mcmanm wrote:Backstage,

Can we see your hat to? How bout some pics? Why should complete strangers get to see it and not us.

Matt

I posted some...but they didn't work. They were on my hotmail and wheneve rit times out it takes them off.....i'm working on it.

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Thu May 28, 2009 8:05 pm

backstagejack wrote:
mcmanm wrote:Backstage,

Can we see your hat to? How bout some pics? Why should complete strangers get to see it and not us.

Matt
I posted some...but they didn't work. They were on my hotmail and wheneve rit times out it takes them off.....i'm working on it.

So why don't you get a Photobucket account? that's free and as long as you don't move or remove the pictures yourself they will remain active.

Regards, Geert

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Thu May 28, 2009 9:09 pm

Should be able to put pics on your computer, set up Photobucket account and then download those pics to your new account. All you do then is copy them an d past them to you post. Hope that helps.

Matt

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri May 29, 2009 9:17 am

gwyddion wrote: So why don't you get a Photobucket account? that's free and as long as you don't move or remove the pictures yourself they will remain active.

Regards, Geert

I might do that as it would alleviate problems...

mcmanm wrote:Should be able to put pics on your computer, set up Photobucket account and then download those pics to your new account. All you do then is copy them an d past them to you post. Hope that helps.

Matt

yeah.....Im having weird trouble with that. 1 I'm on a work comp....2. my pics came from my cell phone and when I try to download them to my comp from my hotmail they convert to code on a notepad file...3I've tried copying and pasting from my hotmail account but it won't let me. I've never actually had this problem with pics before....but I AM on my work comp and its not the....smartest...of comps. But it could also be user error.

ANOTHER thing I noticed last night. My straw PB is NOT dimensionally cut!!! I measured the brim front back and sides....and it came to 2 3/4 all around. That kinda irritates me....

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu78 ... dia1-1.jpg
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu78 ... dia1-2.jpg

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Fri May 29, 2009 9:48 am

Is that something ypou have to ask for? Seems like that would be standard for an Indy styled hat. May Michaelson can shed some light on this.

mcmanm · Post by **mcmanm** » Fri May 29, 2009 9:59 am

Joe mentioned a rush order charge in his email, but did not mention how much it was? Anyone hear know how much and how much time it shaves off his 12 week turnaround?

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Fri May 29, 2009 10:00 am

I wasn't given any options....nor was I aware there were any. I placed my order and a week or so later, my hat came in. No liner (no complaints there really) and apparently no dimensional cut.

I ordered it a few years ago after a poker game and I was a little.... $\:D/$ .....it was hot out and I decided I need a straw hat and why not an Indy straw!?!?! So I ordered it and received it. I wasn't aware there were options....I just assumed that since it was an "Indy Straw" that it would have the normal characteristics of an indy hat....oh well

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri May 29, 2009 1:44 pm

Not sure where you got the idea they were dimensionally cut brims. No where on the site does it say that, nor has that ever been posted at COW as being the case.

It's their custom felt hats that come with dimensionally cut brims.

My brim measures 2 7/8" all way round, and I'm more than happy with the results. I wanted a larger brim for sun, so they made my hat from a larger straw cone.

If you have questions about a hat, ANY hat, ask when you order. That's true for ALL the custom hat makers.

I found out they stopped installing liners a couple years ago due to complaints regarding the amount of heat that was allowed to build inside the crown due to the plastic cap, so they leave the lining out now and just apply a tip-sticker in crown itself, so the liner is not an option....unless, I'm sure, you tell Joe you want one and negotiate the price for a liner. I'm sure it's not that expensive.

Regards! Michaelson