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My Balmoral Boots

mimo

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@Culverwood, what's your RTW size?
 

Gwarg

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All the examples in this thread look great!
Is Cliff still making shoes?
What does the pricing start at?
 

Tangfastic

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I'd be interested to hear if he is still working too...
 

Michael Ay329

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Clifford Roberts 2015

His communication skills are now efficiently honed to quickly respond via FB messenger or e-mail (unlike circa 2011)

I pay an upcharge for bespoke quality leather. He is not a one man shoe as he works with local contacts for lasts and shoe trees via Springline, pattern making, closing the lower to the upper, and hand sewing the apron.

Although he does the traditional shoes, its niche designs that I have found are his specialty.

I have learned the hard way to be specific with him. I have tried sending him my own drawings of what I want, yet it appears the safest route is to convey what I want, and have him respond what he thinks I want. I then confirm or adjust the details to ensure I don't get a surprise shoe for something I did not ask for.

I do not have the deep pockets or the desire for the quality of product (costing thousands of dollars from internationally acclaimed bespoke shoe makers). I have noticed, the quality of my shoes show improvement than when I first started with him back in 2011, via the quality of leather used, finishing, quicker turn around time, better antiquing/burnishing skills, and ability to execute unique designs.

The first shoe is a dark burgundy blucher with brogueing in the back and a hand sewn apron.





Next up is a balmoral side guessed shoe (I'm taking a break from faux lacing). I do not care for opera pumps or other formal slip ons for special events, so I opted for this beautifully executed austere design. Nothing fits as comfortably as side guessed shoes.



Finally I took the plunge and commissioned a correspondent/spectator Lazyman with a crescent brogued apron.

 
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clintonf

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Good morning, very nice to hear that Clifford is still working and has produced some lovely work (via your comissioning), especially the balmorals.

Have you had chance to wear them? If so, how do they feel?

How long did the shoes take from your initial request until they landed on your doorstep?

If you're able to discuss price, I would be interested. If you don't wish to divulge it in public, I would welcome a PM.

All, in all, well done for persevering with Clifford.

I've been meaning to commission another pair with him, but my change of work environment, has meant a drastic reduction in my formal shoe wear which makes it difficult to justify another pair.

Still, it's something that I'm considering very seriously.

Cheers

Clint
 

Michael Ay329

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He made this wingtip balmoral lazyman in a unique dark burgundy.




He also made me this wing tip slip on in burgundy.

I wanted a darker color so he re-finished them in the same dark burgundy as the balmoral wing tips. We used a 2nd Springline bespoke loafer last...and they fit better than any slip on I have ever owned. But the color is so special



 

mr monty

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1000

1000

1000

1000
 

ThinkDerm

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He made this wingtip balmoral lazyman in a unique dark burgundy.




He also made me this wing tip slip on in burgundy.

I wanted a darker color so he re-finished them in the same dark burgundy as the balmoral wing tips. We used a 2nd Springline bespoke loafer last...and they fit better than any slip on I have ever owned. But the color is so special





like these a lot
 

culverwood

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Great to hear that Clifford is back in action.

Michael have you been buying from him continuously since 2011? My last ones were in 2012 and took forever.

Can you tell me the current prices he charges (PM if you prefer).
 

Michael Ay329

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I have made 9 bespoke shoes and 1 boot using his "standard" squared and chiseled last

I no longer wear any oxford balmorals boots as i have found them all to be uncomfortable and i am not debating trying a bespoke version. I got rid of my 2 G&G, Clifford and Ron Rider balmorals as i did not like the feel of them

Nothing is as comfortable as a bespoke side gussetted shoe, and that will be my 10th and 11th designs...stay tuned

With shipping and better quality leather,I pay 600 pounds. This is a better fitting shoe and overall value compared to G&G and EG MTO. From what i have experienced from 2 Budapest shoe makers, Cliffords product is superior

It is comparable to my Anthony Cleverly, G&G, and EG MTO/RTW shoes. Cliffords shoes are not in the same build quality or feel as my 2 G&G Deco shoes...which cost around double the price. I will note his shoe building skills have improved over the years, and his skills with burnishing and antiquing anline calf leathers are amazing. G&G has an excellent patina service, although his shoe coloring skills provide me with an adventurous alternative...not a competitor. Just look at the gorgeous dark burgundy shoes he made
In my previous posts. I will see what he can do with black coffee and midnight navy next.

I have used my "standard" Springline bespoke last on 8 shoes.

1 shoe used a bespoke Springline loafer last. I'm glad i tried it, yet find the side gussetted designs to be the best fitting and feeling.

Bespoke shoe lasts are through Springline and separate from the above price. Yet I pay Clifford and he orders them for me.

I have never purchased a West End London or Parisian bespoke shoe (costing 3000 pounds and up.). I dont kid myself that what Clifford makes is on that level. I feel the current product he makes to be well made, nicely designed, and within my price range. He seems to have found a unique way to blend the factory shoe making methods of the Northampton area, tailored for a single bespoke customer. I am grateful to have met him once in person, at midnight during a hard downpour.
 
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culverwood

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Clifford Roberts 2015

Next up is a balmoral side guessed shoe (I'm taking a break from faux lacing). I do not care for opera pumps or other formal slip ons for special events, so I opted for this beautifully executed austere design. Nothing fits as comfortably as side guessed shoes.



I really love the black side gusseted shoes he made for you and if I need another pair of shoes from Cliff I would go for that style in black and maybe in the lighter brown as the wing tip slip ons.

But my shoe needs are zero at the moment if not my shoe wants.
 

meister

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like these a lot


He made this wingtip balmoral lazyman in a unique dark burgundy.




He also made me this wing tip slip on in burgundy.

I wanted a darker color so he re-finished them in the same dark burgundy as the balmoral wing tips. We used a 2nd Springline bespoke loafer last...and they fit better than any slip on I have ever owned. But the color is so special





Love that vintage chisel toe and brogueing on the vamp.. a bit like a refined English version of the Bestetti toecap. Very classy. I don't have a lot of time for lazyman shoes but those are very stylish.
 

Michael Ay329

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My latest Clifford Roberts lazyman shoes...sans faux lacing

1st shoe is a Mahogany blend (brown/red) calf leather

2nd shoe is a Navy calf leather

No other shoe rivals the comfort of a side gusseted shoe










 

Michael Ay329

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