Shoes that look better with age...

[Max Power]

6 hours ago, givemefive said:

I think roughout is for me but I'm not totally sold because I know they will turn indigo blue!

My roughout Whites didn't get much Indigo Transfer, a bit wore off and the rest could be easily removed by gently brushing them while they were wet. The leather is very durable and sturdy, however my distresssed rough out had some spots that looked "bald". Nothing serious, but I was expecting a nicer finish. Would still recommend it after nearly 2 years of almost daily use.

Edited January 24, 2017 by Max Power

[givemefive]

4 hours ago, Max Power said:

My roughout Whites didn't get much Indigo Transfer, a bit wore off and the rest could be easily removed by gently brushing them while they were wet. The leather is very durable and sturdy, however my distresssed rough out had some spots that looked "bald". Nothing serious, but I was expecting a nicer finish. Would still recommend it after nearly 2 years of almost daily use.

I like the distressed color, but probably don't want them that worn down.  Maybe I'd do the brown oil roughout then.  Maybe with a smooth brown oil shaft?  Not totally comfortable on mixing leathers yet stylewise but could have some good utility and allay my indigo transfer fears.  Not usually a big indigo transfer weeny but I've not worn $500 boots either. 

 

brown roughtout:

distressed roughout and distressed smooth shaft:

 

Edited January 24, 2017 by givemefive

[mlwdp]

Are you going with a Smokejumper?

[givemefive]

47 minutes ago, mlwdp said:

Are you going with a Smokejumper?

Either Smokejumper or Bounty Hunter, only difference is the last.  I have a 10.5D off-the-rack makeup coming in the smokejumper to try on. I think I will need a C width. I will figure out if the 55/SD/BH last makes sense at that time.  originally I wanted the BH last but if I can't try it on it may make it too complicated for me to dial-in.

 

My brannock is an 11B, I wear an 11B in Alden Barrie with dress socks.  This leads me to believe I may want a 10.5C or 11C in the Whites for boot socks. Kyle looked at my trace and said 10C but I think that will be too small. I must have messed up the trace. I will try again after I try these 10.5D.

Edited January 24, 2017 by givemefive

[Iron Horse]

Am I the only one who likes indigo rub-off on roughout?

[itschrisb]

Posted my lightly worn Wesco Jobmasters on ebay today. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/302206604641

[givemefive]

Got a 10.5D Smokejumper to try on.

I made a red arrow where its a little tight. In the blue area I definitely have a little space 

The ball of my foot may be a little forward of the widest part of the inside of the boot.  The heel feels ok, but the instep may be a little tight, that may be just the arch-ease.. 

This is how much room I have in the toe:

Boots look good! 

I asked about an 11C Brandon from Baker's said:

You want about a thumb’s width from the end of the boot to your big toe. You would be looking at about 1/8” difference in length between an 11 and a 10.5. The width between a 10.5D and 11C is nearly identical. An 11C is going to be 1/8” narrower in the ball however will be 1/8” bigger in the instep and heel.

Some other opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[BrownMetallic]

VIBERG Black Pit Tanned Bison on 1035 last:

'Decided got too much natural trims in my boot stable, so DIYstained w/indigo colored dye. We'll see how they evo ...

Before:

After:

Edited January 27, 2017 by BrownMetallic

[mikecch]

^ Cool texture and colour mate, love it!

[mlwdp]

Boot Jack from Boot Barn.  Not exactly fancy like Brass Tokyo's version, but it will get the job done.  Suede on the inside of the jack, leather step.  For $13.

[Niro]

On 23/01/2017 at 9:26 AM, mikecch said:

Tricker's monkey boots in Haas calf leather

Review here.

 

I like your review Mikkech, I haven't worn mine yet.

Tricker's will be releasing their first ever monkey boot range soon I think. But I am most excited for their winter 2017 range, which will have shearling lined boots!

[JDelage]

Carmina cordovan blutchers with "frankenstitch" stitching.

[kbuzz]

On 1/9/2017 at 11:13 AM, kbuzz said:

Well I went with uk8. The fit perfect first day around the house.  Felt a bit snug the second.  Fingers cross they stretch a tad

Well I wore the trickers stow 8s around the house for a few hours and then ordered an 8.5 to compare.   The 8.5 is mo' better.   So I'm going to put them up for sale.  If anyone wants a U.K. 8 pair at a discount for my mistake let me know 

trickers Stow acorn

special make up for Division road Seattle which means:

commando sole

natural welt stitching 

two tone laces. 

New $525 plus shipping=$540

I'm thinking 475 shipped in the USA 

Thanks tough to take a

hit on these but you live n learn 

Edited January 28, 2017 by kbuzz

[mpukas]

On 1/26/2017 at 6:49 PM, BrownMetallic said:

VIBERG Black Pit Tanned Bison on 1035 last:

'Decided got too much natural trims in my boot stable, so DIYstained w/indigo colored dye. We'll see how they evo ...

Before:

@BrownMetallic - That's a beautiful pair of Viberg's. Honestly, tho, I like the color before. Some buffalo leathers I've seen have too much heavy grain, but this leather has just enough to be interesting and unique without being too over-the-top. The more pairs like this I see around here, the more I'm warming up to Viberg. I really like the look of this last and toe shape, as I prefer boots with a wide forefoot and round toe. Where did you get them? Thnx mpp

[BrownMetallic]

^They're on the 1035 last__ from 2016NYCsamplesale.

'Got 2 Viberg Bisons w/ distinctly different texture.  I'm guessing, depends on w/c part of the hide & tanning process involved.  

These particular pair, leather is not dyed through ... prolly why they're  dark-brownish w/purplish hue when under direct sunlight.  As per GusFerguson__ tanning process was the same as on their famed ShellCordovan.

Edited January 31, 2017 by BrownMetallic

[givemefive]

 

Red Wing Pecos rough out

Edited January 31, 2017 by givemefive

[mrman]

Sorry for the shitty ig pics:

 

 

Edited February 1, 2017 by mrman

[itsbenhere]

On 1/29/2017 at 11:43 AM, BrownMetallic said:

^They're on the 1035 last__ from 2016NYCsamplesale.

'Got 2 Viberg Bisons w/ distinctly different texture.  I'm guessing, depends on w/c part of the hide & tanning process involved.  

These particular pair, leather is not dyed through ... prolly why they're  dark-brownish w/purplish hue when under direct sunlight.  As per GusFerguson__ tanning process was the same as on their famed ShellCordovan.

 

I spend way too long trying to figure out what the heck "w/c" stands for every time you type it

[chicote]

^I've always seen it used in place of "which".

[edmond]

Water closet

[oomslokop]

i've always loved @BrownMetallic's idiosyncratic writing. i've always wondered what you do in real life, your language sounds at once as if it's almost computer-generated but also poetic.

[PeterParker]

What are your thoughts on speedhooks vs. all eyelets for the ever common 6-8" boots (e.g. Vibergs, Trumans, Aldens, Whites, etc.)?

It seems the all eyelets configuration is taking over. I get the aesthetic appeal of eyelets, and they're more practical if worn with dress pants (which can snag on speedhooks).

However, for regular wear with jeans, speedhooks make life so much easier. With eyelets, I constantly have to loosen my laces to the point where they unthread from the top eyelets, to get enough slack to put them on/take them off. I'm always the jackass who takes twice as long getting in/out of the door, and then my hipster friends start talking shit to me in their Blundstones.

[Rob060]

My bounty hunters have the standard 3 hooks with top eyelet and I couldn't imagine putting them on without the hooks. Not easily or without wearing the heels out in my socks prematurely.

Edited February 1, 2017 by Rob060

[mlwdp]

I prefer speedhooks with top eyelet for all boots based on strength and convenience.

Edited February 1, 2017 by mlwdp

[edmond]

I hate speedhooks fucks up my hem stitch on my jeans 

[garden gnomes in space]

speedhooks are useless on Alden Indy's

[mpukas]

Speed hooks are convenient, but I recently stopped liking them for several reasons: all eyelets looks cleaner; hooks hang up on inside of hem when taking boots off; hooks break laces quicker if not used properly; hooks can cause picking at hem. I have White SJ's and never understood why they have 3 sets of hooks and eyelet at the top. Hooks have to have constant pressure on the laces, otherwise the laces come out. With eyelets on top, the laces come out of the top hooks when threading the top eyelets. Too fussy for me. 

 

FWIW, I also don't care for eyelets spaced too closely together. Alden's have too many eyelets, spaced too close together. 

[BrownMetallic]

 

17 hours ago, chicote said:

^I've always seen it used in place of "which".

Yeah,  old school abbrev habit ...

Edited February 2, 2017 by BrownMetallic

[BrownMetallic]

13 hours ago, oomslokop said:

i've always loved @BrownMetallic's idiosyncratic writing. i've always wondered what you do in real life, your language sounds at once as if it's almost computer-generated but also poetic.

Thanx, I think ?!?!

'Paltry english language skill was acquired academically from primary through tertiary education [in Manila] ... w/c, basically, meant I'm ESL, hence the [quirky] writing style  

Edited February 2, 2017 by BrownMetallic

[Rob060]

6 hours ago, mpukas said:

Speed hooks are convenient, but I recently stopped liking them for several reasons: all eyelets looks cleaner; hooks hang up on inside of hem when taking boots off; hooks break laces quicker if not used properly; hooks can cause picking at hem. I have White SJ's and never understood why they have 3 sets of hooks and eyelet at the top. Hooks have to have constant pressure on the laces, otherwise the laces come out. With eyelets on top, the laces come out of the top hooks when threading the top eyelets. Too fussy for me. 

 

FWIW, I also don't care for eyelets spaced too closely together. Alden's have too many eyelets, spaced too close together. 

I never take my laces out of the eyelets when I take them off. So when I'm going through the top hook, I hold it tight in the hook with one hand and can just tighten the rest with the other hand. No fuss with threading.