Duke Mantee

… and there is no new thing under the sun But it’s the sheer desperation to be unique and relevant that is so pitiful. More and more we move away from real people and gravitate towards things. For a fashion related perspective have a look at something like Pitti Uomo ‘street style’ pics and commentary.

Do you know the difference between buffalo and bison? …. you can wash your hands in a bison (Maynard will get it)

Walpier Buttero Rocky and matte nickel plated brass hardware saddle stitched on

We can reasonably assume most leathers from respected (and many less well known) tanneries will be very good. It is their very purpose. However, and this has parallels with the discussions elsewhere, marketing has led us by the nose and educated us on what is good and bad. An example is the need for Lofgren to continually refresh the engineer boot offering: Horween = good then Badalassi Carlo = good; so Horween = not good then Shinki = good; so Badalassi Carlo = not good, and Horween = even more not gooder It’s just trends - and meanwhile the idiots who bought the Horween boots (me) are stuck with them, with their decade of patina, furious that we (I) don’t have the Shinki version which would have a much better patina because it’s better leather (we are told) … although another decade would make me 70 so I’ll probably have arthritis and not be able to wear engineers, so that Shinki (the super best leather) just wouldn’t have the chance to age. But wait! Tea-core leather ages quicker doesn’t it? (No) … and if I add an amateur paint finish over the professional tannery finish then that will rub off quickly and make my tea-core even more amazing won’t it? (Nope) Here’s a thought: wear a good pair of boots a lot (which is not equivalent to wearing many pairs a little), look after them (dry them properly after they get soaked, brush off mud and whatnot) and give them a little bit of polish every now and then. After a good few years you’ll have a beautiful patina … from a great value pair of boots regardless of the leather

Horsehide (of any persuasion) isn’t better than CXL … just different

🤬

Looks a bit fake

Tea core?!!! You should f-cking know better … and worse you want overdye?!!! Why not just get those ‘tea-core’ jeans while you’re at it, or maybe even just a pair of stonewashed to save any work whatsoever 🙄 😂😂😂 Anyway, what you’re after is a secondary service - so probably you’d need to speak to the maker is they’d dye a brown pair of boots black for you. I think that might limit things further unfortunately.

@Broark I know HJ offered Japanese tanned leathers (probably Himeji) as well as Wickett & Craig latigo - I guess there would be more than that but maybe best to ask. What leather do you want?

https://www.horsemanjoe.jp/shoesboots.html

Doesn’t it have more to do with drinking strong Guinness than accessibility?

Yep - spent all of mine buying Freewheelers

@Cold Summer I’ve no issue about rolls or creases as such (much like denim fades and creases you rightly reference too) - all leather will crease, can’t be avoided - but leather generally has the least impact v. where the leather sits on the foot and the gait. Anyway, some folk are happy to buy what’s offered (rolls, combs, teacore, whatever) - I’ve a lot less interest in that, other than thinking about why/what/how. Diff'rent Strokes … I’ve got the Lofgren CXL from way back - they’re fine, but I agree that CXL is fairly nondescript although I do also think that horsehide has been put on a pedestal simply because the sellers tell the buyer something they want to hear.

… usually caused by a last shape that isn’t suited to the foot. Somehow though it’s become desirable - I have a feeling folk have picked up from Brass / Clinch photography I’ve said my piece on the Lofgren ‘wabi-sabi’ marketing ploy before - I remain unimpressed

It’s really good but a LOT stronger than yer standard Guinness Warm?! That’s an englandshire thing - Scots like their lagers and (ciders) extra cold - or room temperature as we call it Plus that’s a bit extravagant stopping off in Ireland for a pint - no?

That’s as good a fit as I’ve seen on the 47s

Don’t throw it out if it works mate - this is the whole point of the discussion Folk find what works for them. Just because I wouldn’t recommend it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it. I read an article long ago … along the lines that in Périgord where the bulk of foie gras is produced that the residents ate the most foie gras in France, smoked more than any other area in France and consumed more wine per head than any other region in France … not exactly doctors orders then. However it was noted they were also the longest lived people in France. I’m not entirely sure how true all that was, but I’m sure you get the gist of things.

😉 You know that Wesco leather ‘amore’ is a combination of lubricant additive, herbicide, laundry soap and olive oil?

Is this the stuff you use on that armchair?

😂

😔 Renapur is good though … I bought that from AA Crack when I was getting Saphir supplies - good to see what differences there were … which turned out to be not much really. Probably a bit less ‘intense’ with ingredients so perhaps why you feel it soaks in better. Aside from the amounts used, I’m pretty sure the type of leather and its finish will account for much of the ‘problems’ folk might be experiencing with one product or the other

These are guys applying/advocating large amounts of renovateur (renovator) and one recommended vinegar for cleaning? Wow

Thanks Carl - I’m always amazed and delighted at the range of ideas folk bring to me

I have never heard of that being specific to a product I think I’ve said before - when applying any conditioner, the amount you apply should be half (or less than) the smallest amount you could imagine practical. 4 medium and 1 very large bag, and about 15-16 belts worth of usage

Exactly that