Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

[bucksfan]

Sevenfoldtieguy, on the Leeds vs bradley question, I find they are about the same. I find the Leeds feel a bit more snug at first, but that is likely due to the double sole and storm welt. Once they are both broken in, they feel about the same to my foot. When I get my Bradley's resoled in a year or so, I plan to request a double sole but without the storm welt.

Thanks for your perspective on the AE shell cream. I have used only that, Reno, and kiwi. I found the AE shell cream was good at adding color, but had to be used in extreme moderation. What is your favorite product?

 

[bucksfan]

Ninja, for calfskin shoes, stick with a brush, some leather lotion or conditioner, some polish, and some matching sole dressing. I use an old t-shirt as an applicator and a brush as the remover. The sole dressing is nice to have, but is less necessary on lighter colored soles.

 

[horsey shoes]

1. AE cordovan shoe cream is awful. Just plain awful, IMO. I have treated shell shoes, over the years, at different times, with 5 products (Saphir reno, Saphir shell cordovan cream, Alden paste wax, Venetian, AE cordovan shoe cream), and the AE cordovan shoe cream is easily the worst. I threw mine away a long time ago.
2. Thanks for the feedback on the Bradley v. Leeds.

Any thoughts on the difference between using Reno v. Saphir shell cream on shell?
Specifically, I am wondering if you have any input on using it on AE walnut shell.

I have used both Reno and Saphir shell cream on my walnut shells and found that the Saphir shell cream left the walnut a bit hazy compared to Reno.

 

[Cold Iron]

1. AE cordovan shoe cream is awful. Just plain awful, IMO. I have treated shell shoes, over the years, at different times, with 5 products (Saphir reno, Saphir shell cordovan cream, Alden paste wax, Venetian, AE cordovan shoe cream), and the AE cordovan shoe cream is easily the worst. I threw mine away a long time ago.

Now if we could only convince AE to switch and stop slathering it on at the factory

Although JubeiSpiegel has a pair of the most awesome fine example of AE shoes in burg shell I have ever seen.

Any thoughts on the difference between using Reno v. Saphir shell cream on shell?
Specifically, I am wondering if you have any input on using it on AE walnut shell.

I have used both Reno and Saphir shell cream on my walnut shells and found that the Saphir shell cream left the walnut a bit hazy compared to Reno.

On my walnut shell boots and shoes I use Saphir cognac wax a couple of times a year. Once in awhile a little Reno to touch them up so I personally use both (wax not cream though). Mainly just a lot of brushing and it has worked very well. I also bought 2 bottles of Alden Defender that sevenfoldtieguy mentioned and bucksfan posted a link to. I haven't applied it yet but need to get on it. But for the next 6 weeks starting this morning I will be too busy chasing birds with the dog so it will have to wait.

 

[horsey shoes]

Now if we could only convince AE to switch and stop slathering it on at the factory

Although JubeiSpiegel has a pair of the most awesome fine example of AE shoes in burg shell I have ever seen.


On my walnut shell boots and shoes I use Saphir cognac wax a couple of times a year. Once in awhile a little Reno to touch them up so I personally use both (wax not cream though). Mainly just a lot of brushing and it has worked very well. I also bought 2 bottles of Alden Defender that sevenfoldtieguy mentioned and bucksfan posted a link to. I haven't applied it yet but need to get on it. But for the next 6 weeks starting this morning I will be too busy chasing birds with the dog so it will have to wait.

Thanks Cold Iron. I went to a brick and mortar J Crew store and was told you can only buy Defender online from them. Haven't had a chance to order some yet, but will do soon.

I still feel that my walnut shells have a bit of a haze to them compared to the burg/black/cappuccino shells I have. I will try some more brushing to see if that will do the trick.

 

[Roger Everett]



Thanks everyone! I'm glad I asked.

I'm really excited to wear these! I have a feeling I'll be racking up some more pairs when the next sale comes around. The idea of getting these for my birthday and hopefully keeping the same boots for many more sounds very appealing.

As for care and maintenance, what would recommend for a guy without any products or accessories? I already have a pair of cedar wood shoes, but I'm still a bit foggy about the rest. I'm planning on getting these for the walnut calf Daltons:

 

• Shoe Polish (AE's Walnut polish, Saphir's light brown, or possibly Kiwi?)
• Cloth - I've heard everything from AE's cloth to an old tee shirt. 
• Horsehair Brush - Seems essential
• Leather Cleaner, or saddle soap? Do I need both, just one, or neither? 
• .Horsehair dauber - Probably does a better job than a cloth/shirt
• Heel/Sole dressing - Does anyone find these helpful?

I've also seen Saphir products come up, like its Renovateur.  

Ninjablu:

On my Walnut Stands and 5th aves., and I suppose on yours, sole and heel is darker (chili ). So if h&s need major work, I use the chili heel & sole dressing ( which is more towards semi- transparent than the brown or black , which are a more solid, like paint ). Otherwise ( normal, just shine it ) I just polish with what I'm using on shoe.
For the shoe body ( based on my more than 50 years of shining my shoes ), I have always prefered Kiwi. I have tried AE's polish and find it has more dye in it, but doesn't give as much shine as the Kiwi wax. So what I do is make a mixture of 50-50 mix, AE walnut polish and Kiwi tan. I scope out the Kiwi and a squeeze of polish on to a pc. of plastic and combine with a pallet knife, to completely mix together. I feel I get the best of both -- conditioning the color ( AE polish ) and getting a better shine ( Kiwi ).

Roger

 

[BackInTheJox]

Anyone here try the Eagle County? I really like the look of the boot and its sole and overall profile, but I'd love to see them in the wild!

 

[elbastardocalvo]

So, after some hiccups, my custom Delrays in burgundy cordovan finally arrived:





I think they did a great job, and the cordovan looks flawless. I'm very pleased

Wow, Amazing. I LOVE the color welt and sole you chose.

 

[elbastardocalvo]

MacNeil's in walnut grain today:

 

[gooter]

MacNeil's in walnut grain today:

LOVE the MacNeil! Waiting on my burgundy shells from the shoebank. I hate waiting.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Sevenfoldtieguy, on the Leeds vs bradley question, I find they are about the same. I find the Leeds feel a bit more snug at first, but that is likely due to the double sole and storm welt. Once they are both broken in, they feel about the same to my foot. When I get my Bradley's resoled in a year or so, I plan to request a double sole but without the storm welt.
Thanks for your perspective on the AE shell cream. I have used only that, Reno, and kiwi. I found the AE shell cream was good at adding color, but had to be used in extreme moderation. What is your favorite product?

Thanks for the info on the Leeds.

Saphir reno and Saphir shell cordovan cream each add moisture that the other products do not. That, to me, sets them apart from the other three. As to which I use and/or prefer on any given pair of shells, it really comes down to whether I need color added. If I need color added, I use the Saphir shell cordovan cream (burgundy, brown, black). If I don't need color, say, for example, many times with black shell, I will use Saphir reno or Saphir shell cordovan cream in Neutral. Incidentally, today I am wearing Alden color 8 chukkas and I have only treated those with reno. In my experience using Saphir reno and Saphir shell cordovan cream, they provide a very nice shine and I have not experienced one or the other leaving a haze.

For any of you out there that have the dark brown shell Strands, I would highly recommend a coat of Saphir shell cordovan cream in Brown. It transformed mine from a ho-hum chocolate brown to a wonderfully rich dark brown.

On lighter shells (AE walnut or Alden whiskey), I would suggest Saphir reno or Saphir shell cordovan cream in Neutral. The Neutral cream may slightly darken the shell (as happened to me - but intentionally - with a pair of whiskey LWBs), so to be safe you may want to just use the reno.

And for any of these products, use sparingly.

As for heel/sole dressing (someone else asked about this), it is a must. It is amazing how much better shoes/boots look when dressing is regularly applied.

A good weekend to one and all.

 

[gooter]

Where do you guys get your Saphir products? I am in Canada and cant seem to find it anywhere. I assume I'll have to resort to the interwebs.

 

[Jigg]

Where do you guys get your Saphir products? I am in Canada and cant seem to find it anywhere. I assume I'll have to resort to the interwebs.

Wondering the same and I'm in NYC.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



Wondering the same and I'm in NYC.

http://www.hangerproject.com/closet/shoe-care/saphir-mdo-shoe-polish.html

 

[JubeiSpiegel]



http://www.hangerproject.com/closet/shoe-care/saphir-mdo-shoe-polish.html

+1 I am a big fan of Saphir now, thanks to Kirby...