Club Obi Wan

KY Jones wrote:My new Penman is here (my fourth)! Beautiful Moss Green with matching vintage ribbon, three inch brim, ordered open crown so I could put my own touches on it. Bashed it like a 1920s vintage Capone fedora. I call it "the Snorky". Oak's work is excellent work! He outdid himself on this one. My dream fedora. All I've ever wanted in a fedora I'll probably wear daily.

I've gotten compliments every where I go on my Penman hats. The new hat box that came with it is the finest I've ever seen. Sturdy and great appearance. I can't believe Oak is throwing these in free with the hat. Feast your eyes on these pics

WOW! I LOVE THAT HAT! EXCELLENT WORK JOHN!!

That is beautiful. I have been wanting one of Oak's moss green hats for a while but decided that his wine color would be next. Moss green after that...so many hats and so little money

Dave

That's a mighty fine, moss lid, and almost in time for St. Patty's Day.

Is that beaver or rabbit? John pounces em so well its hard to tell the difference.

thanks KY Jones for the kind words. Nice chatting with you the other day.


It's a beaver hat.

KY Jones- that's an AWESOME looking Penman you got there!!!! I love seeing that moss green felt in the sunlight! Looks great!

Heavenly days! That is a stunning hat. Wow!
John, you've done it again. Fantastic work.

Cheers!

Dan

Spectacular! ... Just spectacular!

Congrats, KY... THAT is a beauty!

And wow, what a gorgeous color... I can't imagine being more impressed. It's another work of art from John.

Seeing this hat feels so ironic for me, too:
Just before St. Paddy's Day everyone where I work was pushing for people to wear something green around the office on that day. I don't really have much in the way of green in my wardrobe, so I'd made arrangements with one of my co-workers to borrow something from them. When the big day came, I walked into work wearing my Penman Grey Seaplane (along with my regular stuff & a little dash of green). A woman who sits near where I work quietly pulled me aside and with a smile, said "I was wondering if you owned a green fedora but I couldn't imagine that you'd want one this color" she pointed to the bright, emerald green paper Top Hat she was wearing.
"No, no..." I said with a laugh, "I wouldn't want one that color, but there's a 'moss-green' number I do have my eye on..."
Sure enough, since Wednesday I been thinking about this VERY kind of hat and realizing how glad I am to have it on my "Eventual Purchase" List.


So, I'm VERY jealous, KY!
ENJOY!

That Moss lid is great! I think that's gonna have to be my 1st Penman and my next hat. I've got to wait a little while, my ABs emptied the piggy bank a bit, but im hoping by July/August i can get on John's wait list.

This hat hobby is gonna be the end of me i swear!!

Indy35 wrote:This hat hobby is gonna be the end of me i swear!!

I said the same thing 2 years ago... and you know what? I was right!

Congrats KY Jones, that moss green Penman is a real beauty!

And I got an LC Penman from Bruce Wayne in a great deal. I was going to get an LC style eventually and this deal just popped up. Another one of John's great hats and fits like it was made for me. I'll get some pics up soon.

Wow, that thing is gorgeous! I love the boxy, no taper crown, and super loose front pinch!

And the color . . . well, the color is breathtaking, especially in that light!

One day . . .

DHW

Well, without going into details, I FINALLY got my hands on a Penman of my own!

Well, right off the bat, even though I know John is using the same felt as Fedora, the felt actually feels softer to the touch, and seems to be more supple, if that's possible. It must be from one of those tight felted batches that Fedora talks about.

The fit is great. It will be even better when I get my hair cut (I've kind of gone to seed lately. (grins), but even so, it's as comfortable a hat as I've put on my head!

The sewing is immaculate. Just perfect. I especially like the liner. The sweat is also soft. I'm assuming he treated this with rain treatment, as I've read that's a standard practice for his hats before they go out the door.

The ribbon work looks great. I can't say a thing bad about it. Nothing.

My wife REALLY likes it, as it reminds her of the hat her grandfather used to wear. It will have it's first 'outing' tomorrow as my go to work hat. Should look nice worn in the Plymouth.

I REALLY like that brochure he included too. Anything you want to know about a Penman hat, or anything else regarding hat care for that matter, seems to be included. I haven't read it all yet, but that's my next thing I plan to do after writing this review.

So, what else can I say? I love this hat. It's like nothing I've had since the 1970's, and that one was a hand me down from my Dad from the 1940's. It's not a Mallory or Marathon (my Dad's hats) but it's darn close! It's a style that I haven't worn in literally decades, and it's a nice change.

WELL done! An example from a true master craftsman. I can see why Dave raves so much about his Penmans.

HIGH Regards, John!!

Michaelson

Michaelson wrote: Well, right off the bat, even though I know John is using the same felt as Fedora, the felt actually feels softer to the touch, and seems to be more supple, if that's possible. It must be from one of those tight felted batches that Fedora talks about.

Nope, thats how all my hats come out my friend. It's the pounce job.

Congrats on FINALLY getting a Penman! You hit every nail on the head! I REALLY hope you post a picture or two (or 12...)!!!

C O O O L !

Glad you've got one to call your own, Michaelson... and I'm sure John will be thrilled to read those flattering words!

Well we told you they were awesome, what did you expect?!?! Just kidding, and his pounce job is the best. Sometimes, when no one is looking...I just sit and touch my hat I REALLY want another Penman, just gotta decide what to get. Decisions, decisions...

Travis

Oh and
;0 You knew it was coming

Michaelson wrote:WELL done! An example from a true master craftsman. I can see why Dave raves so much about his Penmans.

HIGH Regards, John!!

Michaelson

Fo-sho!

I actually picked up an old (early 30's era) Mallory last week and it is just out of this world. Its an Open Road style with a Cavanagh Edge. And its tagged as a Mallory "15" so that lets you know how old it is considering the price AND it had a Cavanagh Edge! The only other factory hat I've felt with a pounce better than that Mallory is the old (40's?) grey HJ I picked up not too long ago.

John's hats are just as good and better even. There is a reason I keep going back to and bothering him! His pounce job is like no other. They are the softest and smoothest hats I have ever felt. I am not hat expert, but I've had my fair share and seen and held many more. John's are my favorite (tied, of course with Steve). That is why I rave so much about John's hats. I took a chance on him when he first got started. I think I was his first COW order, if not, I know I was in his first ten as I got my Raiders beaver hat for $200(a deal he extended to his first ten)! I'm so glad I did because he has become more than just my hatter. I get one hat from him and start planning my next one. Now I'm torn between wine and dark moss for my next one...

Dave

Nice to know that another one of John's lids found good company!

...we've got to give 'em a good home! Actually, he's running an orphanage. Well, if only for a little while.

"Good night, you kings of COW. You prince of turn."

Texan Scott wrote:Nice to know that another one of John's lids found good company!

...we've got to give 'em a good home! Actually, he's running an orphanage. Well, if only for a little while.

An orphanage? Well John- just so you know I am willing to adopt!!!

Michaelson, well done on that hat!! Hope to see some pics soon, preferably on noggin???

Seems like everyone in this forum already has a Penman, Is there 'Waiting for my first' forum?

Honestly, all the pictures and reviews here are making me drool whilst waiting for mine - Still, it gives me time to ponder my next one - Thinking of either a grey raiders or the CS version.

Hmmmm, maybe if I asked Mitch for a recomendation.....

Ian

Ian, my recommendation sounds wishy-washy... but it's actually dead-on accurate:

When it comes to Penman Hats, you CAN'T GO WRONG.


(I've gotta tell you though... you'll make it easier on yourself if you simply embrace the idea right now that you're simply choosing the FIRST of your Penman Hats... because once you get one of John's Lids in your hands you'll be SO impressed that you'll soon be picking out another to be it's "brother")

Mitch LaRue wrote:Ian, my recommendation sounds wishy-washy... but it's actually dead-on accurate:

When it comes to Penman Hats, you CAN'T GO WRONG.


(I've gotta tell you though... you'll make it easier on yourself if you simply embrace the idea right now that you're simply choosing the FIRST of your Penman Hats... because once you get one of John's Lids in your hands you'll be SO impressed that you'll soon be picking out another to be it's "brother")

Well, should find out soon enough!

That Grey Raiders of yours looks absolutely awesome on your swede! Still pondering either the ROLA or the CS version though. Like I said, it looks good on you, but would I be able to pull it off??

This is crazy - Not even got my first Penman yet. . Does he have some kind of passive suggestion technique built into his webpage that make you crave his hats fortnightly??

Ian

steerpike wrote:My latest hat is the beautiful Crystal Skull travel hat. What can i say, simply is the most classy hat I own. I received it today, just in time for Xmas!!




Isn't it lovely?

Merry Christmas to everyone to COW forum!

Steerpike

Steerpike,

That looks amazing!! Any shots of that on your noggin?

Looks like the hat got banged around during shipping. The crease has popped out.

Yeah, but still awesome!!

I wanted to see some noggin' shots of it - Can't beat em.

My trigger finger is gettin' itchy on this one.

Did I hear a bang.

We like to refer to it simply as good 'ol CS mind control. There are no secrets here.

How can I put this...'old fashioned way'.

No, my finger is really itchy - must be poison ivy

I'm in the 'arguing with my wallet' stage at the moment. I think next comes the justification stage followed by the burst of powder and the sound of the shot. Textbook stuff really.

I'm torn between the 2 greys at the moment.

Ian

I couldn't help myself with the joke.

BendingOak wrote:I couldn't help myself with the joke.

Well, lets face facts......I'm gonna get one of them. Mitch got me sussed.

Sometimes I can't help myself and try and make a joke.

BendingOak wrote:Sometimes I can't help myself and try and make a joke.

S'okay mate! It was a good 'un and explored the metaphorical imagery one imagines when an impulsive pruchase is made.

That went right over my head. I'm just a wet color working guy.

BendingOak wrote:That went right over my head. I'm just a wet color working guy.

Me too. I had to Google most of that.

Which grey do you like best? (If you can say)

Ian

My personal favorite is charcoal grey. It is magnifique!

Dave

Ian wrote:

BendingOak wrote:That went right over my head. I'm just a wet color working guy.

Me too. I had to Google most of that.

Which grey do you like best? (If you can say)

Ian

Depending on what I was going to make.

Ian wrote:I'm in the 'arguing with my wallet' stage at the moment.

Do what I did.... just give John your wallet and be done with it!

Would he give me more hats if I did that?

I still want to see more CS travel hat head shots. Mr SteerPike??!!

Ian

I haven't been around in a while but I wanted to drop in to spread some Penman love. That green Penman is an instant classic. Here's a quick pick of my Penman. I've had it since September and it's really starting to come alive. Thanks again John

All I can say, Hardbop, is that even though the Penman is a class act, it takes the person UNDER the hat to be able to carry off the 'look'.

YOU do that WELL, my friend!!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:All I can say, Hardbop, is that even though the Penman is a class act, it takes the person UNDER the hat to be able to carry off the 'look'.

YOU do that WELL, my friend!!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

Appreciate the compliment Michaelson

Just stating fact.

Regards! Michaelson

Seconded!

Travis

There ya go! We rest our case!



Regards! Michaelson

Great, just came across this posting, and looked-up the site, man, there is a lot of Nice Hats out there...Does anybody else have to hear "Well how many do you need?"...? My answer?, "I have just BEGUN to collect Indy Gear!"...

BwanaJohn wrote:Great, just came across this posting, and looked-up the site, man, there is a lot of Nice Hats out there...Does anybody else have to hear "Well how many do you need?"...? My answer?, "I have just BEGUN to collect Indy Gear!"...

It truly is a sickness. I am wrestling with the thought of getting a Raiders lid as a brother to my LC even though hardly anyone will notice the difference in them except gearheads, of course. You will find that nothing ever is enough.

Travis

Michaelson wrote:All I can say, Hardbop, is that even though the Penman is a class act, it takes the person UNDER the hat to be able to carry off the 'look'.

YOU do that WELL, my friend!!

HIGH regards! Michaelson

I agree. You look rather bad ____ Never mind.