cordovan has thick beefy rolls/creases. not every brown shoes are cordo.
and no, they are just calf.


One of the reasons I love this SF thread is because of the pictures, so here is the family
A closeup of the little brother (newest pair of cordovan strands)
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
...and the grandfather of the group (2 year old Strands- my first pair of AEs)
As you can see, the 5 last bals fit me very well...I feel like I am missing a pair of Burgundy McAllisters 
Keep the pics coming!
Edit: It is also interesting to see how much AE has worked on reducing the size of the welt within the past 2 years. Check out the width of the welt on the walnut strands vs the newer shoes!
Nice collection.
The seemingly narrower welt might be due to the difference between cordovan and calf.

It seems like AE is introducing most of its new shoes on the 5 last and 3 last and limiting its 8 last shoes. The Delray is not going anywhere, but I've noticed a recent trend by AE to introduce 8 last shoes as closeouts. For example, I had never heard of the McClains or Parklands before, but both of these 8 last shoes showed up as closeouts at $250. I wonder if we will continue to see more of this in the future and whether the 8 last will dominate this category.
I couldn't really tell from the creasing of the small pic, however when they started talking about the patina, i thought they were referencing the fact that they are shell. Shell walnut is rather darker, however I've seen pics before where they look almost mustard-like, so the color could be just the pic. But I agree, they are calf....
Who said that every brown shoe is cordovan? I was talking about the walnut strands as they were referencing the "patina" on them...

I couldn't really tell from the creasing of the small pic, however when they started talking about the patina, i thought they were referencing the fact that they are shell. Shell walnut is rather darker, however I've seen pics before where they look almost mustard-like, so the color could be just the pic. But I agree, they are calf....
Who said that every brown shoe is cordovan? I was talking about the walnut strands as they were referencing the "patina" on them...
Just thought I would liven up the conversation with a few pics I found of my walnut calf Daltons vs my walnut shell Daltons:
Calf:
Shell:
gorgeous boots...
give those puppies the shoe shop lace... i think it looks awesome for boots like that
A reminder that Paul, the CEO of AE has made it publicly known that he has no problems with customers contacting him directly. However I would only do that after normal means and channels have been exhausted.
Quote:


bucksfan mentioned it back a couple hundred pages ago and asked if maybe it could have an effect on bowing. I'm wearing my shell Cambridge today where the right shoe has started to exhibt minor bowing. I took them off and put them on my desk and pushing the heel flat on the right shoe the sole is still flat on the desk. On the left shoe which does not bow I push the heel flat and the sole lifts about 3/8" off the desk. Interestering....
Yes please let us know what they say and how it goes for you.

I have noticed a more mild version of this with my Jeffersons. I think it has to do with less forgiving materials in the heel of the Independence collection, i.e. no rubber. There is simply no give it the heel at all.
I decided to live with it while the heel wears down, but it also affects how I wear them. I find the Jefferson incredibly uncomfortable for long periods of driving with my right foot resting on the edge of the heel while on the pedal. I do not think that will change.
But I still think they look great!
The right shoe of my Jefferson's has been slick on tile since the day I got them. I almost posted to ask if anyone else has had this problem when last week the very bottom rubber of the heels started to come off. Which isn't a bad thing in this case. Under the rubber part of the heel is a large carriage bolt like head. It was pushing up on the right heel and creating a very small bump much like a roller bearing which is what was causing the shoe to be slipping on hard tile. I will have my cobbler carve out some of the hard rubber in the bottom of the heel to allow room for the bolt head before he glues it back down and it should solve that problem. Other than that I haven't had a problem with them being uncomfortable and now wonder if the heels have pitch or not. And yes they do look great!

I am definitely in for the 5th street in burgundy shell and a pair in black shell before they are no longer available. My SA just happen to "find" a brown calf 5th street that he is bringing in for sizing before I order... will try to avoid the hat trick, but sense I may give in and pick up all three. Will post pics whatever the result when they come in.
Nice! I have the brown 5th St. wish I could afford all 6 webgem boots LOL. You know you might as well just order 3 sets of shoe trees right now, just saying.... Looking forward to the pictures.

After picking up my first pair of shells, I am inclined to say the same for #1. Finding a good fit is considerably harder for shell though, I have to say. I have considerable bowing with my shell strands vs no bowing on my calf ones because of the looser upper (higher instep) of the shell model. It doesnt really bother me though because it is covered by my trousers, but nonetheless, a sign of an imperfect fit. Has anyone else experienced this with their shell models, and can this be rectified during the recrafting process?