My Balmoral Boots - Page 51

^ Thanks for the explanation, DW -- much appreciated.

You'll see a lot of threads asking if a shell shoe will stretch as much as a calfskin shoe - and there will be answers on both sides, some saying it will not stretch and some saying it will. Your (and Nick's) point that it is far more important to cut all pieces in the same direction (whatever direction it may be) explains some of the confusion. Not all manufacturers follow this instruction (obviously) and even the same manufacturer might cut different models differntly (for economy and other reasons).

It is very helpful to know details like this before one "blames" shell as being difficult leather. Thank you.

Here are a couple pictures of one of my shell shoes. They illustrate what Nick told DW well. Because the pieces that make up these shoes were not laid out in the same direction, they reflect the light differently and, from some angles, can look like different colors. But if you look at them from another angle the difference goes away and they look the same.

Love the kicks

Wow, very interesting, DW. And thanks for your pics above, Orgetorix, that demonstrate this.

But how could you know they are from the same piece of shell?

Cliff just sent me these pics of my ankle boots. They are not finished but should be so in 2 or so weeks!

They are just as I had envisioned. The wait is going to kill me!

Wow, they look interesting... The leather looks great - did you choose the standard or bespoke quality? Will they be antiqued in any way, or is this the final colour?

Have you noticed the major flaw on the left shoe ? The eyelets are everything but aligned.......

Adrian

I had originally requested bespoke quality but that was a while ago so not completely. Cliff mentioned not to rely on the picture to guage color exactly but this should be relatively close to final color - so no antiquing.

Hadn't noticed, but good point!

This kind of discoloration with the various pieces is one of the things I like most about shell.

The boot needs to be set in the sole and then laced before I can make any comments.

I wanted a very dark brown calf leather. Cleverley & Fosters refer to it as black coffee leather...G&G calls it Espresso I wanted a plain front...no design, but I desired some brogueing/ornamentation on the topline, strap and the front vamp of the shoe Clifford completed the design as requested and based on the pics I sent for guidance Fit: Out of the box, it fits better than any monk I have worn by C&J, EG, and G&G. Since it is a Springline bespoke last, it tackles my high instep well, so that I do not notice it...in the past, I had to loosen the monk strap by one level to relieve the pressure on my instep...but this caused some of my shoes to be a bit loose (and not to my liking). As to fit in the toe box, it is roomier than my other monks...& I love it Granted, I have worn this shoe for a few hours, but the fit is better. Is it phenomenally better...no. But it is a noticeable improvement over my other monks in terms of fit The front last shape came out as I desired...although I might consider Springline to make me another last which is a bit pointier, longer and more chiseled. I paid an extra 60 pounds for "bespoke" quality leather. It is an improvement over the black calf used on my first commission with him. I will continue to pay & request for the bespoke premium leather as it looks better. Yes, I am ordering more shoes from Clifford...Winston Churchill faux laces Will I solely be ordering ONLY from Clifford...no. I still like the RTW G&G TG73 last's shape and the quality of shoe from them too. But now I can have Clifford make some personal designs...for about 500 pounds (includes shipping and bespoke shoe trees)

^^^
they look wonderful
very nice stuff,
pointier chistle toe sounds like a good idea, that would have need the improvment i would have sugested.
i am going to have a new last made over christmas. my original was round (classic english think 202)
so i'm after a little more pointier chistle toe next too.

probably too early in the stage for this assumption, though it looks like a womens boot...