Shoes that look better with age...

[edmond]

yeah i know john too lazy ill do it tomorrow

[fre-co]

Whilst this thread was being flooded by country boot porn, I noticed a pair of Coniston on eBay...snipe heaven

Blimey, have you got some savings? you are buying boots quicker than you can wear them!

[CrashTestBrummie]

Blimey, have you got some savings? you are buying boots quicker than you can wear them!

My savings were a collection of half decent adidas originals...!

[erk]

hey eltopo,

whatever happened with your Roy boots? I wanna see how they turned out after the conditioning.

please??

<3

Erk

[fre-co]

My savings were a collection of half decent adidas originals...!

I think these boots will serve you better.

[CrashTestBrummie]

I think these boots will serve you better.

Indeed! And judicious buying and selling on eBay will continue to serve its purpose - just shifted those Grensons from a few pages back for 95 quid

On a different, more n00b note, what are the definitive methods for determining whether something is shell or not? There's not much to go on online... I've seen some Florsheim Imperials in a local vintage shop, and was wondering if they were worth dropping a few quid on...

[k4727]

Indeed! And judicious buying and selling on eBay will continue to serve its purpose - just shifted those Grensons from a few pages back for 95 quid

On a different, more n00b note, what are the definitive methods for determining whether something is shell or not? There's not much to go on online... I've seen some Florsheim Imperials in a local vintage shop, and was wondering if they were worth dropping a few quid on...

I own a pair of new florsheim imperials and they are my favorite bang for your buck shoe. extremely well made for the price. if ur shell cordovan question refers to to the florsheims, florsheim does a cordovan color but they arent actually shell cordovan (like many other cheeper brands) if u arent referring to the florsheims PM mikech

[roy6]

Picked up a pair of vintage Chippewas for a song today:

Not sure of how old they are, can anyone narrow it down for me?

[robbie]

wow - best of both worlds, lace up w/ the cowboy heel.

[superbeveridge]

Hey someone posted a link on this forum a week or so ago to some WW2 reproduction boots made in the US that were pretty inexpensive. I can't for the life of me find the link now the forum. Anyone what I am talking about?

[nattomoto]

Hey someone posted a link on this forum a week or so ago to some WW2 reproduction boots made in the US that were pretty inexpensive. I can't for the life of me find the link now the forum. Anyone what I am talking about?

I think this is what you are looking for:

http://www.wwiiimpressions.com/newusmccordovan.html

[superbeveridge]

thats it... thanks

[Highvoltage]

8111

Love those iron rangers... I have the same ones, albeit much newer looking, can't wait until they look as good as yours!

[airfrogusmc]

Picked up a pair of vintage Chippewas for a song today:

Not sure of how old they are, can anyone narrow it down for me?

Roy don't know how old they are but I think they still make'm.

http://www.chippewaboots.com/category/ARROYOS_PACKER

Great boots btw....

[coleslawyum]

Don't know if this is relevant (it is for engineer boots) but you can figure out the dates if the boots still has a label. Not 100% sure the dates, but these are in chronological order. Photos are from Takeshi-san's blog.

1950's ~ 60's

1970's

1980's ~ Early 90's

Late 90's ~ Present

[roy6]

^Thanks, it does have the label, the last one from late '90s on. Not as vintage as I thought, but good boots nonetheless. Wonder where the Cat's Paw heel came from.

[Highvoltage]

New RW Iron Rangers, at work. Ignore the stylish flame retardant brown pants. These boots are breaking in so nice, they were comfortable to start with, and have improved with a week's worth of wear.

[Gang]

which one gives you more comfortable 'lace to toe boots' or 'plain toe boots'?

in my case plain toe blucher is comfort and easy to wear.

but most of japanese blogger said that lace to toe boots more comfotable because LLT wrap ones feet more tightly. (especially in White's smoke jumper)

what about you?

[fre-co]

What I wore today.....

And here are my trickers at pretty much 4 years old.

[baldy]

the top ones are tricker's fresco?

[fre-co]

Nope they are Crockett & Jones Skye

[fre-co]

Indeed! And judicious buying and selling on eBay will continue to serve its purpose - just shifted those Grensons from a few pages back for 95 quid

On a different, more n00b note, what are the definitive methods for determining whether something is shell or not? There's not much to go on online... I've seen some Florsheim Imperials in a local vintage shop, and was wondering if they were worth dropping a few quid on...

The easiest way to see it on vintage cordovan is in the creases. Shell will undulate smoothly like a silk-satin sheet, anything else will get fine wrinkles in the creases.

On new shell, it has a very smooth gloss finish with no pores or visible grain. But the shoes will always brag about their horse butt credentials too.

[CrashTestBrummie]

The easiest way to see it on vintage cordovan is in the creases. Shell will undulate smoothly like a silk-satin sheet, anything else will get fine wrinkles in the creases.

On new shell, it has a very smooth gloss finish with no pores or visible grain. But the shoes will always brag about their horse butt credentials too.

Thanks fre$co and a.khan...I'll be keeping my eyes open when out and about.

Great boots, too - really feeling the C shade leather, especially with some age on it. Did you bother dropping a half size on them, or go true to size?

Gotta spread, blah blah blah

[fre-co]

They were half size down compared to C&J mainly due to the width.

[s3lam]

x-post from SF

Not sure if this is the correct thread to post these pics in but here is some SHOE PORN to get you through your day!

The "BIG THREE" and I am not talking about GM, FORD & CHRYSLER =)

Another angle

[slide13]

Well, my gamble paid off. Ordered some Semi-Dress 1/2 size smaller then previous because they always felt just a touch big....I was very scared they would arrive and be too small but luckily they fit great. They are also probably my ultimate White's boot build. After having a good number of pairs of White's I really figured out what I wanted in an every-day wear pair of boots. My build:

Semi-Dress

British tan leather

cream leather lining

all antique eyelets

Vibram 269 sole

brown edge

standard trim

standard heel

standard last

Love the sole, I wanted the versatility of rubber but liked the sleek look of my old single leather soles. The tapered waist of the 269 sole makes for a perfect compromise. The British tan leather looks even better then I had hoped.

Anyway, on to the pics.

[mikecch]

The easiest way to see it on vintage cordovan is in the creases. Shell will undulate smoothly like a silk-satin sheet, anything else will get fine wrinkles in the creases.

On new shell, it has a very smooth gloss finish with no pores or visible grain. But the shoes will always brag about their horse butt credentials too.

A very primitive method is the fact tha real shell has no grain, so after a spot application of animal fat, there'll be no pores or definition that arise.

[Max Power]

Took this pic yesterday in a cafe: Beautiful worn down Red Wings, combined with an selvage Edwin.

[Happy Hooligan]

slide...

when did you order those fantastic looking boots...? I know mine are close...

[Anders Helseth]

Here are my Church's brogues, with aproximately one year of wear. Super comfy boots. Enjoy!

1

2

3

4 (Heel starting to grind down; surprisingly durable for almost one year of wear; soles are "Itshide")

5 (Much more durable than cotton laces in my experience)

Oh, and please excuse my sock marks!