Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - Page 506

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joker Man 

No. If the shoe doesn't fell right to you then go on to another model.The Kenilworth is a more comfortale blutcher on the 5 last . The Park and 5th are high lacing Oxfords of  6(!) eyelets. You're just used to wearing these and don't know what a more comfortable blutcher feels like. There's no need for fugly looking laces on a shoe anyway. Slip ons always fit better and are more elegant looking and lighter.

AE needs to eliminate 1/2 their line and concentrate on their better designs.

How many silly looking wingtips and brogues do you need? 1 model is enough for this silly looking novelty stuff that was out of style in the 1920's.

You mean they should be more like Alden?  I agree that they could certainly trim their lineup, but introducing new make ups is a good marketing strategy.  They need to attract new customers preferably young people who will be buying AEs for the next 30 years.  This means offering something other than  the standard black cap toe and brown wingtip. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by deveandepot1 

Did they come looking like that?

Eh?  They were a bit cleaner out of the box, and I've added some creases with wear.  Is there something specific you're seeing?

That's what they do.  Doesn't bother me.  I bought them during the Father's Day sale.  Cheapest pair of shoes I have.  So I don't feel bad beating them up.  And yes, the red changes it's hue very quickly with stress/creasing.  I imagine the same is true of the navy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msulinski 

Earlier in the thread, someone mentioned that he preferred the full grain calf to the rough leather of the mctavish. This seems to suggest that the rough collection leathers are not full-grain. Does anyone know if this us the case?

That was me. The McTavish is waxed infused and will not change colors or patina like a proper full-grain leather will. For this reason, a lot of health institutions will utilize waxy-leathers on their seating to preserve an antiseptic aesthetic as the leather will not change in appearance or wear. If you're paying anywhere near retail, I would be inclined to purchase a more luxurious leather like a full-grain calf on the Strand that will age beautifully and can also take a polish (while the McTavish can not). Fortunate for me, I got my McTavish's on sale, but I think paying near retail for what amounts to a limited purpose casual shoe that isn't much better than a recraftable Florsheim is a rip. All IMO of course ;)

The Sedona has an attractive price point for what it is.  They were $150 as I recall for the Father's Day sale.  On the other hand, you can get a chromexcel Rancourt for as little as $210 (vs. the $175 retail on the Sedona).  Still, the color selection on the Sedona offers some fun choices.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarioImpemba 

 

That was me. The McTavish is waxed infused and will not change colors or patina like a proper full-grain leather will. For this reason, a lot of health institutions will utilize waxy-leathers on their seating to preserve an antiseptic aesthetic as the leather will not change in appearance or wear. If you're paying anywhere near retail, I would be inclined to purchase a more luxurious leather like a full-grain calf on the Strand that will age beautifully and can also take a polish (while the McTavish can not). Fortunate for me, I got my McTavish's on sale, but I think paying near retail for what amounts to a limited purpose casual shoe that isn't much better than a recraftable Florsheim is a rip. All IMO of course ;)

I don't agree.  The McTavish is a fine casual shoe even at full price.  I would propose it's a matter of taste.  Not everyone is concerned about developing a patina on their leather for casual wear.  That's the purpose of the "Rough" line.  They're not meant to be shiny or display a nuanced grain or patina.  They're meant to look "rough" and compliment what SF members would consider "Streetwear".

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiPsi32 

I don't agree.  The McTavish is a fine casual shoe even at full price.  I would propose it's a matter of taste.  Not everyone is concerned about developing a patina on their leather for casual wear.  That's the purpose of the "Rough" line.  They're not meant to be shiny or display a nuanced grain or patina.  They're meant to look "rough" and compliment what SF members would consider "Streetwear".

Taste aside, it's still a matter of value. If you're not getting full-grain calf (and apparently only partially U.S.-made) then where's the value in purchasing AE over more stylish offerings from any number of other makers? Cole Haan has a whole line of similarly styled shoes for under $200. Picking up uncorrected calf Strands for $220 on sale is an incredible, unparalleled value. Picking up "rough" leather for the same price just for the look when there's countless other options at the same or less price makes less sense. But, to each their own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msulinski 

I'm more concerned with how they will hold up. If they aren't full-grain leather, is the leather going to start cracking and looking bad in a year or two?

Even corrected-grain leather would have to be of absolute bottom-tier quality to start cracking after a year or two.

They will hold up just fine.

For reference, I posted mine earlier in this thread. They are over a year old, have been subjected to muddy construction sites and Pacific NW and Shanghai humidity:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarioImpemba 

 

Taste aside, it's still a matter of value. If you're not getting full-grain calf (and apparently only partially U.S.-made) then where's the value in purchasing AE over more stylish offerings from any number of other makers? Cole Haan has a whole line of similarly styled shoes for under $200. Picking up uncorrected calf Strands for $220 on sale is an incredible, unparalleled value. Picking up "rough" leather for the same price just for the look when there's countless other options at the same or less price makes less sense. But, to each their own.

Fair enough.  The perception of value has a subjective component.  I don't cruise the department store shoe section, and I admit I am not familiar with casual offerings from Cole Haan or similar brands and how they compare in terms of quality.  AE makes a solid product which is designed for recrafting and requires minimal maintenance.  When AE doesn't meet my needs I go for Alden.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cold Iron 

Most raw horse hides that Horween gets in Chicago come from Canada and France. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winston S. 


Gotcha.

I didn't know that either. Thanks Cold Iron, that's very informative.