Why a Penman is the right hat for you!

In-depth discussion of the Fedora of Indiana Jones and all other hats appearing in the Indiana Jones movies

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squidkidd
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Why a Penman is the right hat for you!

Post by squidkidd »

*EDIT: in an effort to cut down on high blood pressure amongst our community this thread's title has been changed. The thread's original title has been preserved as follows for posterity's sake: "Warning - Avoid all contact with John Penman of Penman Hats". We now take you to the thread, already in progress.* :P


That is unless of course you are the kind of person, like me, who likes to chat about Indygear for hours and likes to be tempted by gorgeous beaver fur fedoras. :twisted:

Preface: Consider this a shameless plug for Penman Hats, because frankly they deserve it. These impressions are based solely on my close inspection of more than one Penman hats earlier today. I do not own one myself – yet.

I paid John a visit this afternoon and had an absolute blast. Since I live so close, I figured it was time to meet another gearhead in person. Plus it gave me a chance to show off my new Henry and see some of John’s work first hand, and even pick up one of his new brushes. We chatted at great length about fedoras, Indy IV, and all things gear. Let me just say publicly John is one helluva nice guy. This man knows his hats. He cares every bit as much about the craft as anyone else in the business of making Indy hats. Good enough will not do for John. This is quickly evident by speaking to the man about his craft. As for the hats themselves - let's just say I was blown away. I was lucky enough to see several different styles of hats he has made, and they are some of the finest hats I’ve ever seen. I’ve owned my fair share of Indy hats, so I feel comfortable in passing some discerning judgment. We played a game where we lined up a variety of Indy hats from various hatters, including John, to see how they compared. Boy if I wasn’t in for a surprise! If the Penman did not have a liner, I wouldn’t have believed for a second it wasn’t an AB :shock:. That is how nice his hats are. And he’s only been doing this for a couple of months! He’s got the felt, the ribbon, and boy if his sweat bands aren’t of the nicest quality leather this side of ‘roo hide. With all of those nice hats right there in front of me, he asked me if there was anything I could suggest to him needed improving on his hats, and I was hard pressed to find a single thing in need of betterment. I hate having to compare this hat so closely with ABs, because it truly stands on its own, but ABs are the only other Indy offering in league with what John is offering here. Gearheads, listen up, there is a new name in town finally in league with AB in terms of fine quality Indy hats – remember this name - Penman Hats. Get your orders in soon, I have a feeling that as word starts to get around his roughly 3 month turnaround won’t last for very long.

I also got one of John’s new hat brushes, which are a steal at $12. If you have never brushed your hat before, I promise you will notice a difference after just a few minutes of brushing. I know it’s been said by others more knowledgeable than I, but if you own a hat, you must also own a brush. Period. Even my practically new AB looked better with a few strokes of the brush. With promise of quality water repellant on it’s way, John is quickly becoming your one stop Indygear hat shop.

If there’s one thing I regret about my visit with John, it’s the strain my wallet is sure to feel in the coming months for knowing such hats are being made so close to me. I will surely be doing business again in the near future! Thank you for the hospitality John! :notworthy:

Regards,
Brian
Last edited by squidkidd on Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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binkmeisterRick
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Post by binkmeisterRick »

Brian, for a minute I thought I was going to have to moderate your backside! :lol:
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The Librarian
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HUH!!??

Post by The Librarian »

:shock: That title is NOT the way to start my morning! :shock:
Those of us with hats ordered from John are now scrambling for our heart meds!
Glad to hear such high praise from someone who was able to see and compare John's hat to AB's. I'm even more eager to sport my chapeau in high society.
Well guess I'm awake now. Might as well go to work!
SHEESH!

Marty
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crismans
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Post by crismans »

I've had the pleasure of talking with him on the phone; he's an incredible guy.

And I'll like him even more when I get my Temple Penman! :twisted:
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Post by Cammer »

Nice hook Squddkidd! :whip:
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Post by jacksdad »

I had to stop and read this one very carefully since I have a Penman on the way, for a minute I thopught how could anybody not like John's hats, very good catch to make people stop and read. I cannot wait to get mine. :)
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Post by BendingOak »

I read the title to this thread and thought to myself that I have to drive out to Portland. :)


Brian is a good young man and we talked for way to long. I got to see the Henry or the first time. I have to say the Henry is a great hat. I will be posting a big review on it when mine shows up.
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Post by Chewbacca Jones »

DON'T DO THAT! My heart stopped, and I don't even have an order in yet! :shock:
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Post by Michaelson »

:lol:

My reaction was 'NOW what!?" :-s ;-)

Regards! Michaelson
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squidkidd
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Post by squidkidd »

Michaelson wrote::lol:

My reaction was 'NOW what!?" :-s ;-)

Regards! Michaelson
Yeah, I know what you mean, you gotta watch that BendingOak guy, always starting all kinds of trouble :lol:

Sorry, didn't mean to scare people like that before they'd had their coffee! :Plymouth:

Maybe I'll edit the title now, so as to not send any gearhead to the ER this morning...

Regards,
Brian
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Michaelson
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Post by Michaelson »

TOO late! :lol:

Regards! Michaelson
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Post by DR Ulloa »

I was about to open some verbal whoop ### when I finally read what you had to say. I agree whole-heartedly and am truly happy that John's hats have taken off. When I first placed my order for my Penman back in June or July or whenever it was, I was anxious, excited and worried because John was new to hat making, relatively speaking. I was really more concerned with helping somone I like take their hat business off the ground. Boy, where my worries all for not. My hat arrived a couple months later and I have not stopped wearing it since. Not to mention that John is such a great guy. He called me a couple of times to talk about my order and we ended talking about more than just hats and for more than half an hour on each occasion. It felt like I was on the phone with an old friend. I am slowly, but surely, saving up for my next Penman and won't stop at just those two either. I'm looking to have a whole closet of Penman hats.

Dave
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Michaelson
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Post by Michaelson »

I'm looking to have a whole closet of Penman hats.

Dave
Don't do it Dave! You'll feel guilty not being able to wear them all. Just get a few, and rotate them. You'll be a happier man, trust me. ;-)

Regards! Michaelson
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Post by DR Ulloa »

Thats good advice Michaelson. Where will I put my other hats if I do that? :-k I guess its backt o the drawing board for me.

Dave
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squidkidd
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Post by squidkidd »

I think you could find ways to justify them all Dave.

I mean, besides the ones for you, you dog obviously needs a raiders, a raiders grey, a TOD, a LC, a CS, a CS grey...
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Post by DR Ulloa »

squidkidd wrote:I think you could find ways to justify them all Dave.

I mean, besides the ones for you, you dog obviously needs a raiders, a raiders grey, a TOD, a LC, a CS, a CS grey...
I hate it when Bruce takes my Penman. It always comes back all slobbery. :[ Guess I should get him his own.

Dave
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Post by Mulceber »

Michaelson wrote:
I'm looking to have a whole closet of Penman hats.

Dave
Don't do it Dave! You'll feel guilty not being able to wear them all. Just get a few, and rotate them. You'll be a happier man, trust me. ;-)

Regards! Michaelson
My sentiments exactly - that's why I'm not going to be getting another AB Indy style hat - two is enough. Any more and I would be neglecting some hats while frequently wearing others. I may go for a non-Indy AB someday though... ;-) -M
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Post by Michaelson »

I may go for a non-Indy AB someday though...
Do it. I have, and the change in the rotation is great.

Regards !Michaelson
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Post by Mulceber »

Yeah, I think it would be a great hat to add to my collection - I'd probably send him a couple pictures of myself and tell him he has complete creative freedom to make whatever hat he thinks would look best on me. :-k -M
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Post by Michaelson »

Not me! If I gave John that kind of leeway, knowing John, he'd probably me ME a beenie and propeller cap! :shock: :lol:

Kidding, of course! ;-)

Regards! Michaelson
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Post by DR Ulloa »

Mulceber wrote:
Michaelson wrote:
I'm looking to have a whole closet of Penman hats.

Dave
Don't do it Dave! You'll feel guilty not being able to wear them all. Just get a few, and rotate them. You'll be a happier man, trust me. ;-)

Regards! Michaelson
My sentiments exactly - that's why I'm not going to be getting another AB Indy style hat - two is enough. Any more and I would be neglecting some hats while frequently wearing others. I may go for a non-Indy AB someday though... ;-) -M
Well, thats exactly what I had in mind. I didn't mean I would continue to buy Indy hats, just hats. John and I have already spoken about what I am thinking about next and I am excited. I just need to finish saving up...times are not as great as they were when I ordered my first Penman. I am also planning on ordering a couple non-Indy ABs. Variety is definately the way to go. I'm with you, Mulceber; I have a Penman and an AB on the way and don't need any more Indy hats than those two.

Dave
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Post by BendingOak »

Michaelson wrote:Not me! If I gave John that kind of leeway, knowing John, he'd probably me ME a beenie and propeller cap! :shock: :lol:

Kidding, of course! ;-)

Regards! Michaelson


:) :) :) :) :)

Would I do that to you. :-
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Post by Michaelson »

Yes....yes you would. ;-)

Regards! Michaelson
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