I want to introduce one of the self-defense tools of San Michele. I am the first to offer the authentic "loaded” traditional Italian style hat that is pronounced “goop-ah lien” in Sicilian. This is a genuine leather hat with lining and not fake leather that is really a fabric. The hat has some elastic gussets so it is one size fits all. A special leather pouch which contains a full 3 ounce saucer shaped weight is sewn into the back of the hat in the lining and you do not feel it is there when wearing it.
However should someone attack you, with one move of the hand you have a very effective means to defend yourself and possibly even use to fend off and cause an attacker to drop a knife they may be attacking you with. Once you know how to use this in San Michele it can smash bones in the hand and more. It is stylish, keeps the sun and weather off, it is hard to blow off of your head in the wind, protects against forehead cuts in a knife attack which can blind you with blood in the eyes and always there if you need it.
Another historical fact on these hats is, my teacher, Don Vito has informed me that many of the old Sicilians here, referred to these hats as a Stiletto hat. The reason is, in the front part of the peak, the hat has a large area that perfectly holds a stiletto around five inches closed which many of them used for just that.
When you grasp the front of the hat with your hand to remove it for self-defense, the inner stiletto becomes a sort of handy handle, as you can see from the shape. This helps swing the loaded hat and if needed the knife, with practice it can quickly be slung into the free hand. It was not suggested to use an auto knife unless the knife had a good safety and it worked well to keep from grasping the hat and having the blade open if the button is depressed. Perfect place to carry a spring assist or other smaller knife that is out of the way and you will hardly know is there, make sure it is legal to carry like this where you live and whatever type you place in the hat is also legal to carry.
