Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - Page 1161

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al in Philly 

Trying to strip my Strands down using Lexol cleaner.  So far this is as far as I've gotten.  They need some serious elbow grease.  Is Renomat significantly easier to use?  I'll take anything to make the job easier at this point.  Notice the color change around the broging.  That's where the wax is starting to give way.  The natural color is starting to come through.  

 

I have a post almost exactly a year ago about using Renomat on my old Shelton's which turned out great. http://www.styleforum.net/t/141581/allen-edmonds-appreciation-thread/4180_20#post_5348184

And used Renomat last night for the first time on shell. Wore walnut shell Dundee's yesterday and when I walked outside in the morning it was snowing so hard we were in whiteout conditions. Should have been my first clue but I wanted to see how well the Alden Defender would work. To be fair it was bad enough that only snosneal or HDLP would have worked and by noon my boots had taken on a muddy appearance much like a pair of Black Hills, but no water spotting thankfully. Looks like they had a fairly heavy coat or 10 of cream on them when they left the factory, which is why I think it can be hard to get a good shine on some AE shell. When I got home I used Renomat but didn't let it sit, rubbed each section of the leather until the cloth stopped picking up color. As soon as the whole boot was done went back over it with Reno until it was also clean, Renovateur is a fairly aggressive cleaner in its own right. Once they were stripped and clean the color was evened out perfectly and you could see the black highlights common on shell, both steaks and spots. Spent half an hour brushing them and will hit them with another water brush today or tonight but they turned out fantastic even better than before. I would get both Renomat and Renovateur and think it will work great on your Strands.

Quote:

Originally Posted by harlequin782 

Thanks for the insight...I was asking because I had purchased some AE shell recently in the regular old burgundy, and I was trying to hold off on wearing them so that if the new shell is released, I could perhaps just make an even exchange..but if its not going to come out till October or something, then it may not even be worth the wait.

I sent an email to a SA that I trust more than any others a few days ago and heard back from her yesterday. She was not aware of any new shell offerings coming up  I would wear your new shell shoes anyhow (as long as your pleased with them) because even if they have something new who knows which models it will be offered in. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogwash 

will some one please help me. I need an email address for a real person at AE who can assist with a customer service problem I am having. I've already sent an email to their generic customer service email, but have received no reply. the long version is here:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/141581/allen-edmonds-appreciation-thread/17310#post_6207492

 

thank you,

Theo

You have mail (a PM) Theo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiny 

Is it just the shoes in that store's inventory or for ALL the outlets?

They can sell inventory that AE has in stock from ALL the outlet's. But are the only store offering the 20% off one item. If you show up in person you can get 20% off everything. It took me most of the morning to get through to order the brown shell Patriot but I finally did and picked up the last pair in my size. Fingers crossed...

I finally purchased my first pair of McTavish that I am trying to break in. 2nd wearing today. First wearing I did for about 3 hours. This wear i'm going to go 8/9 hours. I had to go down a size. I am wearing a size 9E in the BB Strand (has padded insert) which seems good in length and is a tiny bit looser in width. When trying on the McTavish I went for an 8.5E, but it was too long. the width was good but I could pull the shoe off fully tied.

I went down to an 8E in the McTavish and they fit in the heel, are good in width, but the upper part of the instep is pretty tight. Will this stretch out from breaking them in? The left shoe is tighter than the right. The only way to explain it is it's putting pressure in between my big toe and instep when the shoe flexes as I walk.  

If it won't strech on it's own, I can take it to my local cobbler to have him strech it out for me... How long does it usually take to break in a pair of McTavish?

BTW..Here is a pic of the shoes..

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Shoes1 

Very nice.  Sizzle, what color polish are you using?  It looks like a light brown to mute some of the reddish tone of AE's Walnut.

Thank you. I use light brown Saphir creme surfine, but once in a while, I'll mix in some mahogany or medium brown. For the shine on the toes, I just use neutral wax.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aryeah 

I went down to an 8E in the McTavish and they fit in the heel, are good in width, but the upper part of the instep is pretty tight. Will this stretch out from breaking them in? The left shoe is tighter than the right. The only way to explain it is it's putting pressure in between my big toe and instep when the shoe flexes as I walk.  

 

If it won't strech on it's own, I can take it to my local cobbler to have him strech it out for me... How long does it usually take to break in a pair of McTavish?

The leather used for the McTavish is pretty thick. I gave mine a good dose of leather lotion between wearings, but I think they still took around three wearings to become comfortable. I usually avoid having cobblers stretch shoes because it's quite difficult to stretch it exactly where you need without stretching elsewhere. When I was breaking mine in, the sole was the stiffest part, and perhaps you could flex that a few times to start working it in. I just would try to avoid the cobbler for stretching.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacktasticGDogg 


Was the promised deliver-by date 3/17? I don't remember. I also ordered the Web Gem Neumoks on the last day at an AE shop. The SA told me it may be delivered a bit later than the promised date. Since I now have more shoes than I know what to do with, I'd actually be glad if they arrive later rather than sooner.

I believe the Web Gem for the Neumoks said 03/19. I think that's the "first" night of the NCAA Tourney (play-in games). I ordered on 03/03 and I'm still waiting on mine too.

Thank you Cold Iron! 

The Allen Edmonds store in Jefferson offers Cordovan Cambridge & Park Avenues in Burgundy for $360 pre-tax after the 20% discount.

What do you guys think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostron 

applying conditioner to new shoes is always a good idea to break them in properly

I have leather lotion at home.What amount should I use? A thin or thich layer?

^^ seconded, great price.  Also, I stopped in the Jeffersonville store yesterday to get some golf shoes... and if anyone is a size 9D, you'll want to know that they have a pair of burgundy shell Cambridges, as well as a cappuccino shell McAllisters in the store.  Jump on them!  

P.S. Walnut shell Daltons today, plus burgundy shell Macneils and burgundy shell Leeds from earlier this week:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cold Iron 

I sent an email to a SA that I trust more than any others a few days ago and heard back from her yesterday. She was not aware of any new shell offerings coming up  I would wear your new shell shoes anyhow (as long as your pleased with them) because even if they have something new who knows which models it will be offered in. 

 

I got the same answer yesterday in my inquiry - but it may have been the same SA :-)

Both are "old" - the Macneils are 3 years old this month, the Leeds are about 9 months old - but definitely the old version of burgundy.  Just differences from shoe to shoe.  AE's new burgundy is much darker - not quite as dark as Alden's eggplant #8, but definitely dark burgundy.  Plus, you're seeing differences in lighting... outside vs. inside.