What Is A Panama Hat? & what is a Monticristi Fino?

[@kyleyoakum9383]

Kevin, great talking with you n then phone for my order of two Pessaros. I was confused what to order; saw your video and learned a lot. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw such a great sale of Panamas. Plus I wanted to give you guys some business and purchase from a quality respected hatter. I love all your videos and watch one per night. You are the real deal.

[@KTGHATS]

Thanks so much. Happy new year

[@BEARDED_VATO]

Hat Education 101 With Your Host ¡KEVIN!

[@KTGHATS]

🤠🖐️

[@cliffordholloway6291]

Good stuff Kevin, living in the south, straw hats are something to wear eight or nine months a year.

[@KTGHATS]

More in depth, detailed straw videos coming up when more stock arrives..

[@cmaster0368]

Another great video. I'm currently in the market for a decent Panama so this was definitely a timely post for me. Thank you.

[@saltrisha1]

I love that teardrop!!

[@graykilpatrick1319]

Nice lesson on the Panama har.

[@KTGHATS]

Thanks 😎🙏

[@LuisSanchez-en3sf]

Thank you for sharing where Panama hats are really from. Made in Ecuador 🇪🇨

[@KTGHATS]

Yes, that’s hard for some folks to wrap their minds around, but more and more people know it these days

[@riobabic8960]

Made in Cuenca !

[@hinchmeister]

Another great and timely video, Kevin! Thanks. I hope you had a great Colorado vacation. Future Video Request/Suggestion: Video on Newsboy and/or Flatcaps specifically for comfort in Summer Weather

[@KTGHATS]

hinchmeister definitely, when more come into stock, I will.. for sure. I’m waiting for more new stuff to arrive

[@saltrisha1]

I have a shangtung Biltmore,i would love a panama homburg short brim!

[@KTGHATS]

They are rare, they come out every year but they're usually cheesy, straw Derbys and Homburgs are out there, but rarely Panama, usually some hard shantung, or toyo.. although, we carry a handwoven Panama top hat in two colors,BLK or natural, it's nice.

[@saltrisha1]

Yea i know the homburgs i like are hard to find,i like that certain kind,like the boardwalk empire style that Nucky wore👍🏽

[@Shaqeroni]

Love your videos Kevin!

[@KTGHATS]

THANKS Daniel, appreciate the support, Kev

[@lewisward4359]

Kevin, Nice video.I was given Panama over twenty years ago. Loved the hat, now I only wear now and then, it's a little brittle so I paper it.No sweatband. The quality is rarely good, the brim's edge is woven into itself. Could you do a show on other straw hats? Particularly interested in THE ROUNDUP. I recall seeing something similar in Paris Hatters in San Antonio. I recall the hat seeming heavy, compared to the Panama, but more flexible than the Texas varnished straw hats. I did get ea Shantung that really only lasted one season, definitely not worth the money

[@KTGHATS]

good point, Lewis, That hat, the Round Up, is made of Palm, it is VERY tough, I can personally guarantee it will kick ass, you could take five types of straw westerns and walk through a horrible downpour, once a week, with all five hats..only the Palm hat would look great afterwards, they are tough, yet not rock hard like shantung, they are much more flexible, stretchy..and VERY thick. Shantung is essentially paper straw. it is a type of imitation panama made from paper or wood fiber,which is a natural,breathable material, but not hand woven,like Panama, it is machine woven, or machine made,natural fiber..the shantung depends on a thick, plastic-y coating to laminate it, so that moisture doesn’t get into the paper inside, (paper+water= well, you know..a mess) as long as that coating is intact, the hat is 100% fine. But if u bend it a lot,and make lots of cracks in that, some of them becomes so soft they look like a pillowcase fresh out of the dryer..,no shape at all.. Some shantung have such a hard shell that they feel like white Kevlar, or tough plastic,like a football helmet ⛑ some of those might take a decade to soften up, depending on the owner.. u can use ultra super hold hair spray to stiffen up those soft shantung hats..thin coats, dry it between coats, build up a few coats until u are happy, it can take between 2 and 10 coats, depending on the hat, it’s condition, and how hard u want the hat to be. This works w any kind of straw or felt, just cover the inside sweatband w something, use a big ball of paper or tissue in the crown,that works to cover it. I will try to make that video u asked for, u have good taste, that is my favorite western hat we have,Round Up is super cool,it is heavy, but it’s worth it, if u are rough on panamas, instead of a couple of seasons,it’ll probably take a couple of decades to go through that straw, I Rarely recommend straws for that exact reason, folks tear them up, but this one?...you’d have to be either Wolverine, Edward Scissorhands or Freddy Krueger to crack this crown be pinching it.. ..

[@lewisward4359]

@@KTGHATS Thanks. Wondering if the Gus crown style can be altered? Steaming? While I live the Gus crown style-takes me back to the old early 50's TV western. Cisco Kid, Hopalong Cassidy, and the old movies. A ranching friend from Montana calls that crease for Californian's!

[@alanmoberly64]

Excellent video.

[@KTGHATS]

Alan Moberly thank you very much!

[@archielula]

That’s the head I was talking about John Beautiful hat Will check them out

[@archielula]

Thank you Kevin

[@ritzcult]

Great Stuff, Thank you for detailed explanation!

[@KTGHATS]

You’re welcome, thank you for watching!

[@KFC23]

Thanks for the info can't wait to buy one

[@KTGHATS]

You're welcome,Kev

[@healthcare2wealthcare575]

You know your stuff, man! Impressive

[@KTGHATS]

thank you,Moses. thanks for hangin with us, thanks for reaching out, glad u enjoyed the video, Kev

[@bayoubiker7834]

Good info. Thanks.

[@KTGHATS]

Bayou Biker well thank u, sir! Much obliged

[@777rickster]

Just subscribed...informative and entertaining as always...hats off to you :)

[@KTGHATS]

thank you🤠!!!! I will try to keep the content as informative and entertaining as I can, thx. Kevin

[@LUIZS87]

What grade is the straw on the mario panama hat? For the bleached hat does it flop in thr wind since it's softer?

[@KTGHATS]

There is no grade,Luis. Every bleached hat is different. Some are stiff, some are very floppy. It depends on the hat,they can be slightly softer when they’re bleached, but it doesn’t mean it’ll be too soft

[@robertallen5422]

"I hope you have a 25 anniversary video, maybe introduce some of your workmates! Keep up the great hat instruction with a big thank you, Kevin!"

[@KTGHATS]

Thx buddy, great idea!!! Thanx again!!!😄✌

[@joejoethetireman]

Hey Kevin. I bought a Panama hat in Puerto Rico this year and it has a brim the is woven into a almost curled or bent beck finish on the edges. What is this called?

[@KTGHATS]

called a welted edge, that would be a common edge for Panama hats, usually the way most people finish them.

[@cajunoflafayette9438]

New subscriber. Great video

[@KTGHATS]

Thanks 😎!!! Glad u liked it!

[@joecruz6237]

Hi Kevin. I have an extremely soft Panama hat. The ban says Montecristi Original. Genuine Panama Hat, Handwoven. It's a really nice hat but extremely soft. Almost like everytime I go to wear it, it has a different shape. Should I gently spray a stiffener like a hair spray to keep its shape? Also the brim is very soft. It doesn't have much of a flange to it. It doesn't really snap when I flip the brim up or down. Should I also nurse the brim with the spray? Thanks for any feedback.

[@KTGHATS]

The ultra hold hair spray will stiffen it, yes, but it won’t get the flange back in the brim, , it might help it along though, Yes, spray thin coats,let it dry totally,then repeat if needed. Do t get spray on the band or the sweatband. That’s a big problem. I usually cover up the sweatband with a hat jack, u can use a huge ball of tissue or cellophane bags..spray the underside of the brim and let it dry underneath down on its crown . But cover the Sweatband, very important, Now, the crown? U can do the top of it. Make a ring of cardboard, like a belt, then staple it together,,and cover the ribbon band up with it. So the band woes to get spray on it. Thin coats, use a fan to let it dry quicker, do one coat or up to 3 coats. Depending. Don’t touch the hat after it’s wet, I have so,e videos on stiffening hats, do a search, Exact same technique for felt or straw, no difference, except w felt u need to dust it well before spraying. Any super hold hair spray works, Rave, Suave , aqua net..I’ve used all three. Don’t go too thick w the spray, or you’ll get drips.

[@KeithTaylorPhoto]

Kevin: Regarding your comment about not blowing your money until you know what’s out there: Do have any suggestions for cheaper versions of the Stetson Open Road? I’m particularly interested in a straw one due to living in The South and the heat here, so I’ll be able to wear it more. I hate to spend $100+ on a Stetson before knowing how comfortable it is, and how it fits me looks wise. So, buying a cheaper knockoff to start with seems like it would be a good idea, even though I realize it will not be of the same quality as the Stetson. Your thoughts? Thanks for your videos. I’ve always been into caps and hats, but only just found your channel a couple of weeks ago. I find your videos oddly relaxing, yet informative.

[@KTGHATS]

Thanks but a felt open road is in the $235-250 range We have 25% off till Valentine's and u can always go eBay/vintage.. just buy it on the big side if you're not sure:, then tighten to size. I don't know any knockoffs, go used, older ones can be better quality too.

[@KeithTaylorPhoto]

KEVIN from JJ HAT CENTER 🎸HATS & GUITARS ! Thanks for the reply. Looking for one in straw and not felt. But your rely still fits. Thanks again for the reply!

[@hetiszielig]

Hi Kevin. I have a Panama, but the brim is kind floppy and not stiff enough to snap it down at the front... What to do, friend?

[@KTGHATS]

Spray the underside of the brim with " ultra super hold" hair spray, keep it off the inner sweatband , let it dry w the brim flipped in the up position..let it harden, if it still feels soft,repeat up to 3-4x until it feels snappy..

[@KTGHATS]

I have videos on how to fix floppy brims, search my older videos,old friend 🤠 and.... Good Luck

[@378Orlando]

I’d really like a felt fedora , but living in Florida I’m thinking a Panama is the way to go .

[@KTGHATS]

Yeah, straw is the way to go, correct

[@francisxavier.]

Hi Kevin, Thanks for the awesome and educational video. I didn't know the history behind the term Panama when referring to hats. What type of straw hat would you consider to be the most durable?

[@KTGHATS]

The Hemp line from Stetson, certain Milan straws, Palm, anything that feels like u can stretch it, stretchy straws. Stay away from sisol,parabuntal,Baku,parasisol, parabuntal, Panama is fine if u store them upside down,they have that one weak point at the pinch

[@francisxavier.]

@@KTGHATS Great! Than I'm good to go with my hemp Stetson Ace! Thanks Kevin

[@SatsumaTengu14]

If you say you don't like Panama hats go live in Bangkok for a few months. That and then Singapore and Australia is where I discovered the benifits of a loosely woven Panama hat. I just about died hiking the jungle and desert in a trucker style baseball cap. The Panama is like wearing an air conditioner on your head.

[@KTGHATS]

You "get it" they're lightweight and let alot of air through.. And ironically, the tightest,most expensive weaves are the hottest ones too! I prefer a lighter,looser weave over the super tight, monticristi finos that cost over a thousand dollars. You totally get it🤠👍

[@ihopetowin]

Panama hats are an extremely complicated thing and there is much about them which is misunderstood or simply made up. When looking to purchase, one must and I cannot stress this enough, one must research these hats thoroughly, including the toquilla straw, how it is cultivated and processed to weave these wonders. One must have an understanding of how the weavers create these artistic marvels and be aware of what a fine hat compared to a superfine hat compared to the so called ultrafino hat is. The quality comes down to weave density ie, how many weaves per square inch. The greater the number of weaves the higher the cost of the hat. Weave count will vary on a superfino just as it will vary on an ultrafino. The weave count is considered from the crown of the hat, this is where the weave count will be at its finest, its densest. The brim will be slightly lower in weave per inch count. This is known as the Montecristi Cuenca count. The crown of an ultrafino might have a count of forty weaves along 1 inch on the vertical and 40 weaves on the lateral, this gives a count per square inch of, 1,600 weaves per inch. The brim however will be lower than this count, this is due to the weave expanding as it progresses outward through to the brim. All that said, Montecristi Ecuador is the place where the finest of the finest hats are created. There is no substitute.