Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cravate_Noire 
Weren't you talking very extensively about certain features of a pair of shoes that I happened to wear and use quite a bit, saying that these features and the make have to be questioned,making the shoes unwearable in the real world and that they apparently were not made for real feet? It was my understanding that you did, what I find confusing as I still use them.
I wear them in the streets (!), mostly walking a lot (!!), the first wearing was ca.15h with 6-7h of walking/visiting things. Sometimes at parties. There is no 'carpeted office' scenario going on here when they get their wear most of the time.
In this conversation? Recently?
No.
Nor have I ever, that I can recall, spoken about any make/brand of shoe.
Really, I will, and have, answered any question that you pose to me about shoes...with courtesy and as objectively as I can. I have stipulated that my perspective is as a shoemaker...which is both admittedly limiting and uniquely insightful. Some questions I can answer, some I cannot. Take it however you want, but I ask anyone to do me the reciprocal courtesy of at least trying to follow and understand my remarks if you're going to question them.
In the end, no one is forced to accept insights or abandon their chosen ignorance...certainly not by dint of my opinions being popular or au currant and certainly not by my dissing any particular brand. Nor am I selling anything except...perhaps understanding.
There is an old saying in the shoemaking Trade: "Any maker who tells you he has never had a misfit is either lying or needs a new standard for fit." Similarly, you may wear a certain pair of shoes, a certain brand of shoes, a certain type of construction without problems for years and years. It doesn't mean that the problems aren't there. It doesn't nullify ten thousand years of evolution towards making footwear that is stable and long wearing and comfortable. Every aspect of bespoke shoemaking...until mass manufacturing came into play...developed with a goal of eliminating weak spots and potential problems. Mass manufacturing introduced planned obsolescence...perhaps not deliberately but to the extent that techniques and skills and skilled worker were discarded to maximize profit, those ten thousand years of bespoke traditions and philosophies went by the board.
You didn't say how old you were. You may not have problems...that you can see or feel...yet. From what I understand individuals with Lotus feet never had problems either. The human body is remarkably resilient. Foot problems that relate to improper fit take years to develop.
You may not ever have had problems with your shoes as far as wear or longevity...like the smoker in my above analogy. But I suspect that if the truth were known and you did, it wouldn't bother you a bit and you'd just go out and buy another pair. Nor would it ever occur to you to say "Aha! DW was right!"
But I've seen the problems...too many problems to cry about...that arise from mass manufacturing philosophies and I've documented some of them here. So unless you want to question me endlessly about issues you may not be in a position to either understand or talk about with authority...your best bet is just to be grateful that you are so fortunate, and hope your luck holds.
But magic never lasts...
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Edited by DWFII - 2/28/13 at 12:58pm