My Balmoral Boots - Page 55

The thread title is a misnomer but it has been from the start about Cliff Roberts and shoes and boots he has made or is making for SF members.

You use the last from your bespoke shoe maker?
Does Cliff do his own patterns?
What did he specialise in when he worked for big shoe factory in Northampton?
He seem very capable man.
Did Cliff close upper,
the stitching look sloppy.
.

Clif uses his own lasts (from Spring Line I suspect), I do not think my bespoke maker would lend their last for me to another maker. I think he does make his own patterns as he charges for new designs and will make almost anything you ask him to.

Quote:

There's a Cliff Roberts in the EG video who is the finisher. Is that him at 4:50ff.?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_0hczSirzY

 

Yes, it's him. - I believe, the video is a few years old.

Oh no, the toe cap is far too short to look pleasant. Such a shame.

yep...

As I said in the post with the pictures although the cap seems small in the photos I have found them when on my feet and with the cap polished to be well proportioned. Perhaps it is my photographic lack if skill.

Happened to me as well but the trousers didn't rip. I think the hemming needs to be done a bit more neatly in my case so the thread wouldn't get caught.

Can someone give me some details about how Cliff is working atm please. I am thinking of rewarding myself if I get a new job and the questions I am thinking of are:
1) Can you choose the length between the end of the shoe and the cap as it always seems very small in comparison to most shoes on the market.
2) What is the current wait time?
3) What is the current price?
4) Does the rounded toe look quite as full in real life? Are there any other toe shapes outside of round and chiselled/round?
5) What is the quality of leather like? How has it been for people after a fair amount of wear?
6) How does the leather shine up?
7) Does he replace the soles as they wear? How much does he charge if so?

I belive Cliff is very much tied to Clarence Clifford's shoe development and upcoming launch. New shoe factories are a rare addition for Northampton, G&G is the newest one at the moment.

See http://clarenceclifford.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/bespokeshoes

How does that work? He will let them keep his name?

I don't think he's happy about that situation at all.

Most of your questions are best directed at Cliff, as only he can answer them properly, but I'll give them a stab.

1) Cliff's shoes have more toe room than they look.

2) As you can see from this thread, the wait can vary between a few months to years. My first order took seven months, but the delay was due to his unsuccessful business venture.

3) Using an existing pattern, his last, and his choice of leather (as in I only specified calf leather) the cost was around 375 pounds (350 pounds + postage). A new pattern costs an extra 30 pounds.

4) On the left is an Edward Green Elmsley in 202 last, UK size 7; on the right is Cliff Roberts' in his round-toe last, also UK size 7. Roberts' has more toe room.


FWIW, the EG outsole measures 11 1/8" x 4"; Roberts' outsole measures 11" x 3 3/4". The EG hurt my right little toe until broken in. Roberts' does not hurt.

5) The leather on my Roberts is stiff, but no stiffer than Allen Edmonds', for example. It's definitely not as supple as EG's. I haven't worn my Roberts long enough to know how they wear. (I received them in January, which was deep winter. Just started wearing them last week.)

6) I haven't given my Roberts a proper shine yet. (Yes, I know it's a crime.)

7) I imagine he would replace the soles, but I don't know how much he charges.