Shoes that look better with age...

[CrashTestBrummie]

Ha, I'll be keeping these the way that they are.

Need to rework the dye job I've got going on with those Cheaney shoes, they look great from a distance but patchy up close...it's a lot trickier than at first sight, and there's only so much turpentine smell that a bloke can take...

[crownzip]

Crash, really, really nice. The caramel color brown leather is really amazing looking. Do you have any idea when they were made?

[CrashTestBrummie]

Crash, really, really nice. The caramel color brown leather is really amazing looking. Do you have any idea when they were made?

Difficult to say, as the manufacturer went under a couple of decades ago so there's little online information on them.

I've an original ad for Lotus boots, which states that the boots are designated '363' and the shoes are the '774' model, which can be seen inside the shoe. The advert dates from 1940, but they were an established model by then as earlier ads can be found.

I'd say that, with my layman's knowledge, they are at least 30-40 years old and probably older than that.

The leather is simply normal brown zug leather, and that is how it should age although some worn zug shoes have more of a burgundy patina. I believe that Lotus were supplied with zug leather by Martins, whoever they might be...The zug grain veldtschoen boots below show more of a red shade (maker unknown, probably Alfred Sargent or George Webb):

[orlylow]

anyone knows where's the cheapest place to grab a pair of RWs beckmen or iron ranger?

or any others that are comparable in price and design

[bl@ster]

Email Kyle at Baker's. He'll get you a very fair price on RW boots.

[mikedbt5]

Sold some of my footwear in recent weeks but picked these up on the bay., Uppers are excellent and sole great too . Will wear them as is then stick a commando on them for the winter .

Trickers Marron Stow .

[rkusmant]

I like it how the upper and vamp seems to be duo tone, I guess that's how good shoes age well

[smittybat]

Just got my Wolverine Addison's back from the cobbler after a fresh resole. Wore them for a few minutes last night and remembered why I like these so much. They're easily the most comfortable boots I've got.

[Happy Hooligan]

crash... those shoes are amazing! I love the little details on them.

[CrashTestBrummie]

Cheers for the kind words, lads. Going to give the shoes a gentle kiss of life, for conditioning more than anything else.

I especially love the little detail on the metal tips, I'll be asking to have the tips back when they get resoled in the near future.

Talking of resoles, I've sent my unbranded veldtschoen boots (posted a few pages back) off via C&J for their cobbler in Mayfair to resole. At an inclusive price of £90, it's not far off what I would have paid elsewhere including postage and they have a better chance of getting a Ridgeway sole for the boots. If the cobbler doesn't have one, C&J will see about getting one sent over from their factory.

It's a real shame that I don't have a scanner, as the new C&J catalogue is out and fans of the Skye will be glad to hear it's back in production. They're also doing the Exmoor derby full brogue in rough-out, on the 348 last. Very nice indeed...

[roy6]

Those toe taps are things of beauty...

[almostnice]

The Black Commander,made by Trickers for Burg&Schild Berlin

[mikedbt5]

The Black Commander,made by Trickers for Burg&Schild Berlin

Just love that black commando sole !

[CrashTestBrummie]

They're handsome, but not a massive fan of black footwear at all...

[crownzip]

I know it's a little off topic but check out the sneakers Dorthea Lange was sporting back in 1938.

[CrashTestBrummie]

I know it's a little off topic but check out the sneakers Dorthea Lange was sporting back in 1938.

The women at the Lotus factory are not amused.

(Even if the pic was taken twenty years previously)

[smittybat]

After my last pair of Carolina Engineer's didn't work out size-wise, I've been on the lookout for a replacement pair. I found these on Ebay and snatched them up. They got to my house this afternoon. They actually fit really well.

[xEMBx]

I know it's a little off topic but check out the sneakers Dorthea Lange was sporting back in 1938.

They look like PF Flyers but I could be wrong.

[Tiro]

those look nice, any reissues of those available? (sorry for offtopic)

[Happy Hooligan]

PF flyers usually have their logo on the outside of the ankle don't they?

and fyi, I just picked up about 4-5 pairs at my local thrift of PF's in various sizes and issues...

they might be Red Ball...

[onehundy]

thanks a lot with your precise answer!

i will contact asap Bill at CRAFT.LA

Craft LA no longer exist, I think he went out of business. Nice guy though.

[rungo]

Quick sizing question for those in the know. How are the AS Kelso boots sized, on the larger size, or smaller size? I typically take a UK 9.5-10, but it depends on the shoe.

Red Wing is usually a 10.5 (although some 11) for me, and my 5 year old Clarks DB that are 10.5 UK are definitely too big. My Parboot boots are a 10 UK and fit very well.

[CrashTestBrummie]

Go for a 9.5, they're a little oversized. Or 10 if you're planning on chunky socks...

[rungo]

Thanks Crash. Putting that wealth of knowledge to good use

[CrashTestBrummie]

Aha! Summat like that

[mssneaker]

Craft LA no longer exist, I think he went out of business. Nice guy though.

It says on the door that they are relocating near by but we shall see...I got a hair cut at Baxter Finley and they seemed a bit confused and bummed as well. They said there was some dispute with the landlord or something.

[lamooood]

cleaning my iron ranger 8113

left : before

right : after

equipment

[spidereye]

Lamooood nice iron ranger now i know the secret ,knife trim.

Love it.

bought it for $10...need some leather resole with heels .

[baldy]

got me a new cam so took a couple test shots of my shells, hope you like em.

[lysandar]

^ Last pair is -gorgeous-