hollowsleather

Too bad it's not my dog..

This is a key piece of information.  If it's a friend's dog, they're paying for lunch for the next year or two.

Still wearable, and now you have a good story.  That's a win.

Tender did a boot in natural veg:

Unionmade still has 9 and 11.  Very not cheap.  Appear to be built like tanks.

Obenauf's LP works great for CXL scuffs, just rub some directly into those spots with a finger, then hit it with a horse hair brush and they'll become a lot less apparent.  Obviously won't replace the lost grain surface, but it blends the scuffs nicely.  

Nicely done!  Those stains on the back will just be part of the mosaic after a few years of beating.  

Here's my Samurai S0555VX post-wash.  Promising start.

It's definitely not necessary to oil chromexcel right out of the box.  It's a super waxy/oily leather, you can spot scratches with it but you don't need to slather the whole boot for months yet.  The only reason to do it now would be if you really want a darker boot.

The Lofgrens are 11.5, same as my BH.

Most type 3s with handwarmer pockets will have those same inside pockets

I think I'm liking the accidental two-tone of HV's natural cxl pair.  It'll be fun to see how much the two colors even out over the course of this contest.

great photo, like the leather background as well. I bet these will look amazing with some wear..

Yeah these will definitely improve over time.  I feel pretty weird wearing them right now because they're so clean, and the finishing is so immaculate that they stand out quite a bit.  

I have that jacket from the original run.  Due for a wash soon, I'll snap some photos afterwards.

Awesome bracelet lazybum.  

Also, Wickett and Craig will re-finish the back side of any bridle/harness splits if you ask for it.  They charge but it's pretty cheap I think.

They're Natural Chromexcel Smoke Jumpers on the Semi Dress last (sometimes called Bounty Hunters), 6", no celastic, lowered 1/4", 430 sole.  I think that's all the specs that matter.

It's just so people stare and silently mouth the words "so thick..."

But really, hype is definitely part of it, especially with cheaper veg tan belts.  A 3mm belt made from cheap, dry, Mexican veg tan is going to be more enjoyable to own and wear than a 6mm thick belt made from cheap, dry, Mexican veg tan.  

A lot of high end companies use really thick leather (correctly), and since the thickness is the belt's most obvious quality, that's the only part that gets copied by cheaper imitations.  In order for that extra thickness to work for you instead of against you, the leather has to be of good quality, and the belt has to be designed specifically to accommodate the thick leather, otherwise all you gain from the thickness is a cartoonish bulge under your shirt about 5" higher than it should be to impress anyone.

If it's done right, as with Samurai, SDA, Kawatako, etc, the belt will last longer, stretch less, and feel a lot better.  The feel of quality is a big draw.

Those belts will all be of a level of quality that's way beyond what normal people consider adequate, but that's basically the concept behind this whole forum.

  Natural Chromexcel Bounty Hunter update:  

Digging that Edwin blazer. Good stuff.

That shop apron is 11/10 as well.

Time to start a Wabash Vest Gang.