C&J shell cordovan?

Gentlemen,

I recently won an auction for a pair of boots (auction . There is a better picture of the sole here )

The boots look essentially identical to the C&J Quorn. However, all the references that I see to this C&J indicate that it is made from burnished calf, and the auction description lists the uppers as "genuine leather," which seems to imply that it is burnished calf.

However, I received the boots, and my first impression was that they are made of grain corrected leather - they are much more "plasticky" looking than my AEs and Aldens. However, the box states that they are "Oxnard boots - dark brown cordovan." I have never seen a pair of shell cordovan shoes in person. On reinspection, the shoes seem to have a depth of color not usually found on grain corrected leathers.

I have been unable to find any reference to C&J making this boot in shell cordovan. Have I really overpayed for a pair of grain-corrected boots, or have I really underpaid for a pair of shell cordovan boots? And if the latter, who would like to swoop in and purchase the rest, which are presently being auctioned?

i have this boot. it is shell cordovan, but it isn't the C&J quorn (for one thing, the strap is completely different). it's probably a different boot in C&J's line.

here's one way to tell the difference between shell and corrected grain calf.

bend a piece of the leather and look at how it creases - if you see fine grains developing, it's calf. if you see broad smooth creases, it's shell.

Thanks - that clears things up.

So, are they cordovan then? Did you apply the bend-test?

Originally Posted by grimslade

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So, are they cordovan then? Did you apply the bend-test?
Yes and yes. Good news all around.

Good for you. Any insight into how they fit width-wise?

How do they taste?

Originally Posted by alflauren

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How do they taste?


Like chicken.

Originally Posted by grimslade

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Good for you. Any insight into how they fit width-wise?

True to width. I bought my usual size, but I usually wear a C width. They're a bit roomie, but nothing that an insert won't fix. Plus, they're boots, and I don't mind boots fitting slightly less tight than dress shoes.

Mine fit fairly true at size 10.5D. Maybe a tad tighter across the width than the equivalent AE.

I got a pair of these as well. Great boots. I got an 11 and often wear a 10.5 in dress shoes, but I put a half insole in and they are excellent. I think a 10.5 would have been too narrow.

I got outbid on the 11.5s over the weekend. Was it somebody here that was bidding against me?

Not me, although I was watching them. Beautiful boots but my inner voice asked "when was the last time you wore your monkstraps?" Answer? "Basically, never. Don't like hardware on my shoes." So I left them for someone else.

I got a pair in 10D too. I was about to post myself to ask if they were cordovan. I think they run slightly large, but not unmanagebly so. They look great in person.

I have no doubt I'd wear them often if I had them. Which I don't, so it's moot. But I'll keep my eye on GVH in case others pop up.