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[jba972]

This is an odd little Optimo Panama I got in a while back. Very stingy-brim for a Panama. I would love to know how we arrived at this configuration.

This is the first Optimo Panama I've had the chance to get my hands on. I'm glad I had a chance to look at it, but to be honest I'm not impressed. Part of that is not Optimo's fault - Pork Pie and stingy-brim neither one work very well for me.

The weave is nice and even, and the color is consistent, but if I'm paying Optimo prices I would expect a higher WPI. I counted this one in two places on the sidewall of the crown and got 323-343. This surprised me, so I pulled the hat back out and checked it again visually and it's accurate. The rest of the finish is consistent with what you would expect from Optimo.

What do you guys think?

Optimo Pork Pie - 323 WPI
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What grade would this be? Do you have any idea what Optimo is charging for this grade?
I agree that brim is very short

 

[Judgmentalist]

What grade would this be? Do you have any idea what Optimo is charging for this grade?
I agree that brim is very short

If you go by the linear “grade” count, it would be grade 19-20, I believe.

If you use Brent Black’s WPI system, where the higher unidirectional count is multiplied by the bidirectional count, this one appears to land just barely within the lowest grade tier he currently offers — roughly grade 18–19.

I don’t know how Optimo priced fhese or when it was produced, but they don’t give the impression of being very interested in offering entry-level pricing, lol.

They aren't very transparent on Montecristi pricing online, unfortunately. I found a listing on Instagram from 2020 with a starting price of $595 at the time. I believe they have been offering Montecristis since at least the 2010s, but I can't confirm.

I sent them an email asking for more information. I will let you know what I find.

 

[jba972]

If you go by the linear “grade” count, it would be grade 19-20, I believe.

If you use Brent Black’s WPI system, where the higher unidirectional count is multiplied by the bidirectional count, this one appears to land just barely within the lowest grade tier he currently offers — roughly grade 18–19.

I don’t know how Optimo priced fhese or when it was produced, but they don’t give the impression of being very interested in offering entry-level pricing, lol.

They aren't very transparent on Montecristi pricing online, unfortunately. I found a listing on Instagram from 2020 with a starting price of $595 at the time. I believe they have been offering Montecristis since at least the 2010s, but I can't confirm.

I sent them an email asking for more information. I will let you know what I find.

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I know they have a few price points. I think the one I tried on was in the 1500 dollar range just bc when they told me the price it was in the context of not bank breaking. Lol I just don't remember what grade they used or wpi.

 

[Judgmentalist]

I know they have a few price points. I think the one I tried on was in the 1500 dollar range just bc when they told me the price it was in the context of not bank breaking. Lol I just don't remember what grade they used or wpi.

That is consistent with what I would expect. If $1,500 is not their starting point, I will be surprised.

Some makers are more transparent about grading than others. I prefer as much information as possible.

If I were selling a Montecristi, I would include my WPI count photos. Even if someone comes up with a different number, they can see exactly how I arrived at mine. It removes the guesswork and gives buyers another useful data point alongside the more subjective factors such as color, consistency, finish, and overall craftsmanship, IMHO.

 

[jba972]

That is consistent with what I would expect. If $1,500 is not their starting point, I will be surprised.

Some makers are more transparent about grading than others. I prefer as much information as possible.

If I were selling a Montecristi, I would include my WPI count photos. Even if someone comes up with a different number, they can see exactly how I arrived at mine. It removes the guesswork and gives buyers another useful data point alongside the more subjective factors such as color, consistency, finish, and overall craftsmanship, IMHO.

Exactly. It wasn't explained in wpi but in grade terminology that were several variant levels of 'fino'
Although there was a guy in there with a 'tres fino' and that is a very high wpi that was valued upwards of 8k.

 

[Judgmentalist]

Exactly. It wasn't explained in wpi but in grade terminology that were several variant levels of 'fino'

This is my least favorite (non)system. Might as well call them super extra really good neato hats or whatever. I need data, not adjectives.

 

[Rmccamey]

Something a bit different than we usually see from Optimo. Personally, I like it.

This is an odd little Optimo Panama I got in a while back. Very stingy-brim for a Panama. I would love to know how we arrived at this configuration.

This is the first Optimo Panama I've had the chance to get my hands on. I'm glad I had a chance to look at it, but to be honest I'm not impressed. Part of that is not Optimo's fault - Pork Pie and stingy-brim neither one work very well for me.

The weave is nice and even, and the color is consistent, but if I'm paying Optimo prices I would expect a higher WPI. I counted this one in two places on the sidewall of the crown and got 323-343. This surprised me, so I pulled the hat back out and checked it again visually and it's accurate. The rest of the finish is consistent with what you would expect from Optimo.

What do you guys think?

Optimo Pork Pie - 323 WPI
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[moehawk]

Makes me even more bummed that my superfino has brim damage. I wonder what they would be chsrging for an approx. 1600 wpi monte now...

 

[Pellie]

Albertini de Luxe in grey. Has some moth nibbles, but i knew that when i bought it. It's a nice hat overall!

 

[Judgmentalist]

Here is one I got in a while back. Dobbs Shantung Homburg.

This is the third or fourth hat I've tried in this Shantung material, and I can't make it work. I like Dobbs, I like Homburgs, I don't care for this Shantung material. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. If you are a fan, please help me figure it out.

It needs some work to put it back into a wearable shape. Maybe I'll like it better when I get that sorted.

 

[Judgmentalist]

Makes me even more bummed that my superfino has brim damage. I wonder what they would be chsrging for an approx. 1600 wpi monte now...

Well this got my attention lol - where can I see pics of this hat please?

 

[moehawk]

Well this got my attention lol - where can I see pics of this hat please?

It took me a bit to find my machinist's ruler first but here's a few pics I just took

Last pic shows the damage. This was a Goodwill auction find in with several women's hats.

 

[Judgmentalist]

It took me a bit to find my machinist's ruler first but here's a few pics I just took

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Last pic shows the damage. This was a Goodwill auction find in with several women's hats.

H ells Bells! Goodwill!? You must have killed it on that one. Good for you.

Does it fit you? I would wear it for sure - that little beauty mark don’t hurt my feelings lol - gives it character. And nobody can see it anyway.

Did you ever look into trying to get it repaired? I’m curious what would be involved.

 

[moehawk]

H ells Bells! Goodwill!? You must have killed it on that one. Good for you.

Does it fit you? I would wear it for sure - that little beauty mark don’t hurt my feelings lol - gives it character. And nobody can see it anyway.

Did you ever look into trying to get it repaired? I’m curious what would be involved.

It fits well enough, better after a haircut. I do wear it occasionally since the damage moves it from the "too good to wear" category into the "go ahad, it's broke in" one. The damage was caused by a straw somehow being pulled out of the weave and most of it was broken off and gone. I doubt it can be repaired, as it would take someone as skilled as the original weaver to thread a straw in if (and I seriously doubt) it were even possible. Now the wound is being secured by a piece of masking tape fron underneath, but still I'm sure straws are breaking when I bend the brim and eventually it will be a full on tear.

 

[The Hatted Professor]

That sure looks like one of the PanamaBob Indy hats from many years back. I have one with that same block and weave.

 

[moehawk]

Here's the sweatband stamps. Pardon the bad lighting.

Not a Panama Bob!

 

[Wildecard]

My 1st ever brand new Akubra hat! Got the Angler “On Sale” from David Morgan. They only had a size 55 available which happened to be my size so I figured it was meant to be. I do have both a Cattleman and a Down And see that were both eBay finds that are pretty nice, but I wanted a new one to break in and make it my own. Looking forward to spending a lot of quality time with it.

 

[Judgmentalist]

It took me a bit to find my machinist's ruler first but here's a few pics I just took

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Last pic shows the damage. This was a Goodwill auction find in with several women's hats.

I guess this means I have to go back to scrolling a couple thousand GW listings a day now. Lol

 

[jba972]

So optimo store has many Panama hats on display. They don't list them on their website. When I go in next time I can just take a bunch of photos

 

[jba972]

There was one there that she brought out that I could tell she was a bit hesitant to just hand over to me. Lol