Shoes that look better with age...

[coleslawyum]

Ed~ Thanks for clearing that up.

Thanks, a.khan, but I'm really just a middle aged fat-bloke that spends too much money on boots.

I have yet to come across a cobbler in NYC that pays that much attention to detail that Takeshi-san does. Nor do any of the cobblers give a shit. But one thing I do make sure they have is a "Rapid E" 317 sole stitcher. This for the cobbler to sew through the thick layers of leather and rubber sole. The other way is to do it by hand, which most of them won't do because it takes a lot of skill and is difficult. Another item on the check list is to make sure they use high quality welting like Barbour Welting Company. The last thing to make sure of is to make sure they use high quality leather outsoles like Redenbach. Since this is all what Takeshi-san uses, I find it real hard to go to anyone else. If the cobbler doesn't have any of these things, I usually walk out.

One thing the old cobblers are good for is finding deadstock rubber soles from Biltrite and Cat's Paw. They usually have an abundance of them since everyone uses Vibram now (which is the best sole out there, but not old-school). They sell them for dirt cheap because why would anyone want some old rotting soles?

I wish I could give you more help, but its been a long struggle for me also to find a good cobbler in NYC. That's why I don't bother and just send it to Japan.

[k4727]

coleslaw, im gonna make it a project of mine to find someone who can do atleast a decent job. Its ridiculous that theres nobody who can even get in the same ballpark as Takeshi-san. Ill do some searching.

btw coleslaw i actually have a motive for asking for waywt pics. A few months ago i ran into a very chill guy at Leffot who said "i spend to much money on boots" he was rocking san epic look (including a baller buco bag). The boots he was wearing looked like somethin u posted a while back so i was always curious if it was you.

edit: btw anyone has any opinions on best boots store in nyc

[erk]

Ed~ Thanks for clearing that up.

Thanks, a.khan, but I'm really just a middle aged fat-bloke that spends too much money on boots.

I have yet to come across a cobbler in NYC that pays that much attention to detail that Takeshi-san does. Nor do any of the cobblers give a shit. But one thing I do make sure they have is a "Rapid E" 317 sole stitcher. This for the cobbler to sew through the thick layers of leather and rubber sole. The other way is to do it by hand, which most of them won't do because it takes a lot of skill and is difficult. Another item on the check list is to make sure they use high quality welting like Barbour Welting Company. The last thing to make sure of is to make sure they use high quality leather outsoles like Redenbach. Since this is all what Takeshi-san uses, I find it real hard to go to anyone else. If the cobbler doesn't have any of these things, I usually walk out.

One thing the old cobblers are good for is finding deadstock rubber soles from Biltrite and Cat's Paw. They usually have an abundance of them since everyone uses Vibram now (which is the best sole out there, but not old-school). They sell them for dirt cheap because why would anyone want some old rotting soles?

I wish I could give you more help, but its been a long struggle for me also to find a good cobbler in NYC. That's why I don't bother and just send it to Japan.

b. nelson aren't up to snuff?

http://www.bnelsonshoes.com/

[M4TM]

i'm also looking for a good cobbler in Hong Kong - any suggestions? Ed - maybe you know?

[k4727]

ed uses the same guy as coleslaw coleslaw,

http://hukurokuju.com/

[coleslawyum]

Oh shit, that was you? Yeah, that was me! I didn't know you were a fellow denim nut. Nice pick up on the Wolverines. I'm always at Leffot usually just chatting with Steve, but mostly torturing myself because I've been so broke last year.

I wish you luck with finding a cobbler. I've given up. B. Nelson does a pretty good job but they don't have a Rapid E so they can't go past a double leather sole. I think most cobblers have a Landis which is good for dress shoes but not heavy work boots.

[coleslawyum]

BTW best shoe store in NYC is Leffot, hands down.

[edmond]

i'm also looking for a good cobbler in Hong Kong - any suggestions? Ed - maybe you know?

sorry buddy i know is in taiwan

[GregoryH]

Wait is Ed talking about the Chippewas or the Julians? If its the Julians, I have no idea. But the Chippewas are indeed a tier below Red Wing. It's not really crap craftsmanship, but the leather is a bit cheaper than most brands like White's, Viberg and Wesco. Good bang for the buck. I have not spent over $130 on a pair of new Chippewas (except vintage).

yeah got em for $100 shipped, pretty happy with the purchase, can't wait to get em!

[k4727]

thanks for all the answers, ur style was epic btw

[BIGBERTHA]

A cool little piece on NYTimes. Pic shows Viberg hikers I just picked up.

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/boot-camp/

[denimjunky]

Reconnecting to the post about chippewas two pages back, Ive been wanting to know about the japan sold 97061/2. Is this the same quality like the others?

the price is a whole other league.

[Aquaphor]

I have a pair of those Japanese market chippewas in chesnut. The quality is average but acceptable. The leather is kinda stiff and the welt is a bit flakey looking.

The last fits the foot quite snug and the profile is quite slimmer than normal boots of that style. It's goes well with slimmer jeans. sizing is the same as Alden Barrie lasts unless u have a wider foot.

I paid about $240USD for them in Taiwan

[SLAB]

seriously, always a pleasure reading through this thread; its absolutely my favorite sufu thread.

considering whether i should keep my Whites with standard heel or buy new pair with block heel (or save up a bit more and go with the Viberg group buy)

yesterday my RW GT's arrived; the quality of the leather and stitching is definitely not in the same league as Whites and Alden but they'll do great in this rainy country.

[rayw44]

Reconnecting to the post about chippewas two pages back, Ive been wanting to know about the japan sold 97061/2. Is this the same quality like the others?

the price is a whole other league.

]

This remind me a lot of the Thorogood No. 685, but the price I see for the Chippewa's on Rakuten is almost double the price of the Thorogood's (and not made with horsehide). With that difference in price, I would rather the Thorogood's.

I've had a pair of the 685 for a few months, and I like them a lot. The leather has a lot of high and low lights that make it look very nice in person. My only complaint would be about the welt/sole combination, which just looks a little off to me. It will probably look a lot better once the welt starts to age.

Picture 495 by ray.wendolowski, on Flickr[/img]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5330735182_d5d87d44cc_z.jpg' alt='5330735182_d5d87d44cc_z.jpg'> Picture 496 by ray.wendolowski, on Flickr[/img]

[Aquaphor]

The Thorogood last shape is much bulkier than the Chippewas. It's hard to tell from pics alone.

[Happy Hooligan]

anyone know which alden these are? They look like someone might have customized a regular pair..

Of course being hollywood, they might have been a movie shoe as the wear looks artificial

[Akilae]

Haven't been around in a while. Selling my pair of WWII Impressions service shoes that I reviewed a few years ago right in this thread over at the supermarket if anybody wants to take a look:

http://www.superfuture.com/supertalk/showthread.php?p=2547940#post2547940

[Freshdave]

Anyone use this stuff?

http://www.norvgen.com/

It was recommended to me by the Macrostie's ( http://www.bigfoottrail.com/ ). They swear by it.

[BIGBERTHA]

FYI, put up an IC on the Viberg Smoke Jumpers I bought last week. They are a tad to big on me. http://www.superfuture.com/supertalk/showthread.php?t=254972

[thekayah]

my vans

[BIGBERTHA]

my vans

they really do look better with age...wow

[djarrow]

Alden Ravello NST Boots + Rising Sun Duck Pants

[edmond]

those nst would look better in barrie last eh? im looking for one help! in barrie last size 9d

[djarrow]

I'll let you know boss if I find any NST Boots in Barrie.

We're the same size so I'll remember for sure. I think the NST Boots was based on the Aberdeen last.

[Tarmac]

I think Aberdeen is better for the NST details

[edmond]

depends on yer style buddy boy

[ThinFinn]

shameless question

alden size = converse chucks size ???

[SLAB]

not sure about chucks but if you own any red wings i would go with same size in Alden barrie/trubalance

[beatle]

yeah, Finn, that works to, my chukcks are 7 - and aldens 7D