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  1. jimmyshoe

    Handmade Bespoke Shoes BOOK

    This is not a book, but it is full of detailed information on the making of hand stitched bespoke shoes. http://carreducker.blogspot.co.uk/
  3. jimmyshoe

    New member seeking bespoke shoe advice

    The two things to ask any bespoke shoemaker you approach about this are whether they will make a last for you specifically (rather than re-model an existing one) and whether they use foam impression boxes. If they don't I would avoid them. You need a bespoke shoemaker who has an expert...
  4. jimmyshoe

    Australian Members

     What is weird about the leather breathing argument?
  5. jimmyshoe

    Are "handmade" shoes handmade?

    After leaving university with a degree in psychology and little inclination to knuckle down, I decided on an adventure and went to live in Barcelona with the intention of learning Spanish and moving on to Argentina. I was an English teacher and discovered the Guild Of Shoemakers shoemaking...
  6. jimmyshoe

    Are "handmade" shoes handmade?

    Thanks DW. That means a lot to me, James
  7. jimmyshoe

    Are "handmade" shoes handmade?

    PS Son of Saphir, look forward to hearing from you
  8. jimmyshoe

    Are "handmade" shoes handmade?

    I've just asked a West End closer friend and she uses synthetic thread in her post machine and our trusty hemp for hand work - stitching aprons on loafers, stay stitches on facings etc. Gimping will have no effect on the leather and is purely an aesthetic choice. Punching, on the other hand...
  9. jimmyshoe

    Are "handmade" shoes handmade?

    I learned using linen thread and boars bristles for thread making too. I moved to nylon bristles for three reasons. They are stronger and reusable - the boars bristles had a tendency to break. Secondly, they are more available. And thirdly they are simpler to attach We used Barbour linen, but...
  10. jimmyshoe

    Are "handmade" shoes handmade?

    Hey to you too DW, good to hear from you. June Swann is indeed an amazing woman and I have had the pleasure of meeting her at the Independent Shoemakers Conference here in England, where she shared her expansive knowledge of shoes and critiqued our favourite shoes. And the Museum in Northampton...
  11. jimmyshoe

    Are "handmade" shoes handmade?

    The most "handmade" shoes you can commonly buy are entirely handmade apart from the stitching on the upper. These will be described as bespoke shoes, or custom shoes, or handsewn shoes. They are made to order and are individual to each customer. It is possible to stitch a pair of uppers by hand...
  12. jimmyshoe

    Shoe Making Blog (Very good one) Carreducker

    By the way, for all of you who love shoes and read blogs, there is another one written by an aspiring shoemaker and all round shoe aficionado, called the Shoe Snob. It is very different to ours but still a great read - highly recommended. http://the-shoe-snob.blogspot.com Best, jimmyshoe
  13. jimmyshoe

    Shoe Making Blog (Very good one) Carreducker

    Absolutely, kev777, always listen to your granny - no harm in asking. And another great big thank you to you for starting this thread. Our blog stats have gone through the roof this week, so you are helping spread the word. Best wishes, jimmyshoe
  14. jimmyshoe

    Shoe Making Blog (Very good one) Carreducker

    Wow! Praise indeed DW. It means a lot to read your comment. You have got us just right too. We love this trade and want to get other people into shoemaking. We firmly believe in sharing knowledge to preserve it. And while the knowledge may be given away, I'm afraid that's the only thing we give...
  15. jimmyshoe

    Shoe Making Blog (Very good one) Carreducker

    Thank you Kev777 for your positive analysis. As the co-creator of the blog in question, I have to agree with you and praise your impeccable good taste. Best, jimmyshoe
  16. jimmyshoe

    Carréducker moved into Gieves & Hawkes

    The price includes bespoke trees and VAT (now 20%) which makes it competitive
  17. jimmyshoe

    Shop after midnight at Paradise Found

    If you fancy doing some late night shoe shopping in London on 4 December, then head over to sumptuous, hedonists' hang out, Paradise By Way of Kensal Green, which is hosting a latter-day fashion salon, Paradise Found for one night only, from 7pm to 1am. (A salon is a gathering of stimulating...
  18. jimmyshoe

    A Shoemaker's blog... or something like that

    Fishball, I have not used it so I am not sure if it is for black shoes only. Here is another recipe, a bit scary though ! "Chinese waterproofing composition for leather; 3 parts of blood deprived of its fibrin, four of lime, and a little alum" This one is perhaps better; "waterproofing...
  19. jimmyshoe

    A Shoemaker's blog... or something like that

    Thanks Jimmy. I will try it soon. Is the rosin same as we use on violin bow? Yes but that is quite expensive. Try to find somewhere that sells it by the kilo. And yes the air temperature will greatly affect the hardness/brittleness of the wax. It never gets too cold here, so it doesn't cause a...
  20. jimmyshoe

    A Shoemaker's blog... or something like that

    Marcel, How do you make the wax to waxing the thread? I read some book said mixing pine rosin, lanolin and beewax, how about yours? That is the way to make cream thread wax. I don't put lanolin in but the proportion is 60:40 beeswax to rosin. For black wax mix 50:50 beeswax and tar. For both...
  21. jimmyshoe

    A Shoemaker's blog... or something like that

    yes please, that would be fantastic.
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