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What is going on in the finish of these shoes?

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post #1 of 6

8/2/10 at 8:00pm

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nohio

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There appear to be fine lines across much of the shoe, but not on the toe. Are these cracks of some kind or is it supposed to be that way? If they are cracks, can they be repaired with conditioner or some other treatment?

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post #2 of 6

8/2/10 at 8:02pm

Fuuma
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They've got leather aids, it happened because someone whored them.

post #3 of 6

8/2/10 at 8:14pm

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nohio

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These images from the AE website might help explain it (maybe not). They appear to differentiate between "Calf" and "Grain Calf," but I have no idea what those terms mean. The "Grain Calf," the second image, appears to have a somewhat pebbled finish, but I don't think it is necessarily "pebble grain." Calf

Grain Calf

post #4 of 6

8/2/10 at 8:19pm

bengal-stripe

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nohio

There appear to be fine lines across much of the shoe, but not on the toe. Are these cracks of some kind or is it supposed to be that way?

The leather for this shoe has an artificially applied grain pattern; in the tannery the leather gets embossed with that particular pattern. Alden calls it "˜Alpine grain'; I believe your shoes are Florsheim, they call it (somewhat pretentiously) "˜Cashmere calf'.

When the shoe gets lasted (pulled over the wooden form), the great force used in that step will even out the pattern to a certain degree, particular in the toe area.

post #5 of 6

8/2/10 at 9:06pm

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nohio

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bengal-stripe

The leather for this shoe has an artificially applied grain pattern; ...

I think you must be right, they are pebble grain. The shoes are actually Allen Edmonds' MacNeils. I'm not well versed in shoe history, but it would appear (based on a few Google searches) that pebble-grain, longwing bluchers are something of an American tradition.

Seems like AE isn't the best at doing the pebble grain, though.

post #6 of 6

8/2/10 at 9:33pm

DWFII

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nohio

I think you must be right, they are pebble grain. The shoes are actually Allen Edmonds' MacNeils. I'm not well versed in shoe history, but it would appear (based on a few Google searches) that pebble-grain, longwing bluchers are something of an American tradition. Seems like AE isn't the best at doing the pebble grain, though.

While it may not be the premier leather of the age, there is nothing wrong with the leather in your shoes. Any embossed grain leather will pull out over the toe. (I don't defend or attack any maker).

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