I called John up 4 or 5 months ago to order a hat. There where 2 things I wanted in this hat. One: I wanted a granite gray beaver hat, and 2: I wanted John to have poetic freedom making the hat. We chatted on the phone for quite some time about hats and what not, he told me his lead times and he would call if any questions came up. I have to say that John is a stand up guy, very personable and professional..and he knows his stuff. I thought customer service was a thing of the past...but not with John...he is a phone call or email away...and if for some reason you get his voice mail...the call back is quick!
The time went by waiting for the hat as expected and I felt no need to call and bug John about the progress of my hat.....Heck...4 to 6 months for a truly custom handmade hat is nothing!
He called me last Tuesday to verify my address and to tell me he was shipping my hat out. Heck he was chatting with me standing in line at the post office....there was a brief pause...and then he said "Dude...its on its way!" We chatted a bit longer and then it set in.....5 to 7 days and I will have my hat......AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH that is going to seem forever. Everyday I stalked the door looking for the mailman...harassing him a bit by asking where my big box was. Then on the day before Thanksgiving....there it was...a crisp clean undamaged cardboard box with the Penman Logo on it. YIPEEEE!!!!!!!!
So here we go.....
1: The Box.
I was happy to see an undamaged shipping box. It was study and very thick. I had forgotten that I had ordered one of his beautiful hat boxes so I was completely blown away by this shiny black leather hat box with the Penman logo on it in gold staring back at me. Can you say CLASS! This box is put together very well and is so nice my wife doesn't mind it sitting out in the living room. It is very durable and not as heavy as one would think by looking at it. It should last a lifetime! The inside is bright and crisp and the hat nests perfectly in there and stays put. This box is by far the nicest hat box I have ever laid eyes on. Great job John!! Top Quality packaging at its finest!!
2: The Hat.
Resting nicely inside the box was my hat. It was inside a plastic bag with some brochures, business cards (Also double as "Like Heck its Yours" I.D. cards) and a neat pamphlet on the hat museum where John has a hat on display. I removed the hat from the plastic bag and cold not believe the pounce job. It looked like wet seal skin but was so butter soft. The crown was pounced just as well and the bash was exactly what I had envisioned in my head. It has a very "meaty" center crease and a loose front pinch. I wanted it loose...because I figured it may tighten just a bit by the way I take my hats off. Its perfect! Nice straight sides and "boxy" looking.
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The sweat band is soft and supple. The install job is what shows me that this guy is a Professional. It is belled and tucked inside the crown so nice and tight that it almost looks like it is welded in place. It sits in the crown right were it should....and this is a detail I personally look for, and John has it down. The liner is black with a gold logo and is sewed in with precision. Very nice stitch job. I cant say enough about the craftsmanship involved in these hats.
3: The Ribbon. Seeing how I left John to his own devises on colors and style of the ribbon I was blown away by what he did. He used what he called a steel color VINTAGE ribbon. Yes Vintage....and boy is it awesome. The ribbon color against the granite grey hat is so sweet.....I could not have asked for anything better. His attention to detail on the bow will also knock your socks off. It is so hard to see his tack down stitches on it and around the ribbon...just immaculate.
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4: The Fit. The hat slid onto my head perfectly. I was a little scared to put it on in case I screwed up on the measuring. I did what John suggested and it was spot on. I took the measurements 3 times and had my wife do it 2 times over the course of a few days.
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Overall this hat and the experience exceeded my expectations. John is a true craftsman/ artisan. I am grateful he is out there making these hats for guys like us. You can't beat them. They are BULLET PROOF. John has a great product, a great price, and customer service that is second to none. I have joined the ranks of the rest of you guys that love your Penman Hats. I have become a "Pen Head" or a member of the "Penman Army" what every you want to call us.
John...you hit this one out of the park man!
This is the first Penman I own....but certainly not the last. I would call you my personal hatter...but I prefer to call you.....my Friend! Thank you for the great experience you are a stand up guy and a top notch hatter.Anyone out there trying to decide on a hat...I totally recommend a Penman. The experience is awesome. John is dedicated to hat making and customer service. He wants everyone that orders a hat to absolutely get the best product he can make....and that kind of attitude is getting hard to find anymore.
My hats off to you Mr Penman, and thank you!
"Hmmm... now what about my NEXT Penman Hat?"
