tod

People have different ideas about leather care, but I have always found saddle soap, used once or twice a year as needed, to work on all smooth leathers.

Saddle soap and boot cream, twice a year or so..

I’m going to say that’s an April Fool’s day post..

I posted some time ago pics of my RDT coupen boots where the stitching was coming apart. I finally sent them off to have rivets put on to hold them together. The rivets turned out to be a little bigger and a little more shiny than I anticipated, but seems like functionally they will be great. Fred’s shoe repair in Peoria Illinois did the job for $30, which seemed more than reasonable to me given what custom shoe work has come to these days. And they were very professional and quick about the whole thing. So I do recommend them if you need work done in the US. I am open to any advice on how to dull down the shininess of the rivets a bit...

Neither top quality materials nor top quality construction, but dang if it isn’t hard to beat these Chippewas for knock around boots.

What last did you have them rebuilt around..?

Chippewas. Cheap boots that end up getting very interesting patina after a few years.

They look great! I think this is exactly what supposed to happen with natural leather.

I have always liked the fact that this WW2 GI Joe is wearing my Chippewa boots.

With my RDTs I was surprised to find that the metal toe taps wore out faster than the sole. And they were very slippery. As Posted here before, I had them re-soled early on with wedge soles, which have held up very well (better than the RDT uppers!).

The red thread represents my attempt to do some DIY reinforcement, which I failed at..

I love my RDTs, but I have to admit some disappointment in how the stitching on the vamps began to come loose pretty quickly. They have held together, and I don't wear them all that often, but still an unexpected breakdown.

Yes indeed..