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vinouspleasure

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I picked up a pair of craftsman from shoemart on ebay for around $200 shipped. I absolutely love them.

At what point does the elastic wear out?
 

Jumbie

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Finally went to NY today even though I've been meaning to hit the RM Williams store there for about 4-5 months.

Some comments:

1. I usually fit [snugly] into AE size 12D but definitely need to wear a 12E in the Park Avenue. I don't own this shoe but I have tried it on. The Yearling Comfort Craftsman in 11G fit me but I did find the toe box to be ever so slightly tight and preferred how the 11H fit. The rest of the boot was fine except for the toe. If this area would stretch a little, I'd go with the 11G but since there's the plastic insert in there, that's out of the question.

2. The sales clerk there mentioned that his experience with the Comfort Craftsman is that the cushioned insole broke down after a while on his pair and suggested the rubber sole with the leather insole. Haven't heard of this before and I didn't get the impression that he's been working there for a very long time.

3. I quite liked the pics I've seen of the Whiskey color but they had one pair of boots on display that I thought looked very orange. I didn't like them in person very much. When looking through the leather swatches after, the Whiskey that they had was much more attractive. I got the boot and put it next the the swatch and the colors were very different. I asked the sales clerk about this and he said that it varies depending on the dye. He also mentioned that several customers have not been happy with their Whiskey-colored boots (that they ordered in) because of this.

4. I really, really liked the Kangaroo boots in Tan Bark. I was told that only this leather is available in said color. I liked the color enough that I now plan on ordering an additional pair of boots in it.

5. The Claret is also very nice. Would definitely suggest it to whomever it was inquiring about burgundy.

6. I was surprised that I didn't like the Macquarie or Turnout as much as I thought I would. I sized up by 1/2 and down a width but the chiselled toe of the Craftsman appealed to me significantly more. Looks like I'm going to end up with 2 Craftsman boots rather than different styles. Oh well, the leather and colors will be different.
 

KlezmerBlues

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Originally Posted by skalogre
This may help:

http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...&postcount=990


Originally Posted by Lear
And this:

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...12#post1546412

Lear


Originally Posted by Jumbie

5. The Claret is also very nice. Would definitely suggest it to whomever it was inquiring about burgundy.


Thank you! You've been most helpful. Even though, I might add, adding a bit to the confusion, as the nuances of the colour seem to differ a bit between the photos. I will get a pair nonetheless.
 

TheWraith

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I'd like to offer a very fine alternative to a chelsea boot from R.M. Williams - Baxter Boots from Goulburn, NSW, Australia. I think you'll find their Henry Baxter Classic boot is the equal--or close to it--to an R.M. Williams Craftsman boot, albeit with far less variety of styles and colours. Still, the quality is excellent, the Henry Baxter Classic is made mostly by hand in their Goulburn factory, it's a whole cut boot, making it very rare indeed, with a welted sole. Check 'em out at their site (pretty bare bones, but some good info on their company and their boots):

http://www.baxterfootwear.com.au

They have plenty of other styles of boots, many of which are made in Asia, however. But, the Henry Baxter Classic is a fine alternative to a R.M. Williams Craftsman and cheaper as well. You can buy them either here or here. Thanks
smile.gif


Frank Dirscherl
www.frankdirscherl.com
 

Tromperie

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Would someone be able to tell me how the Craftsman boots size in comparison to the Church's 173 last? The nearest shop that sells the former is too far away for me to travel to, so I'd appreciate someone being able to give me accurate information that would make unnecessary the chore of sending back ill-fitting boots in order to get the ideal size.
 

Razele

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Hey guys,

Whats a good shoe tree for the high vamp?

Thanks!
 

Inf

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I've just been using a regular pair of shoe trees from Nordstrom since I got my pair of yearling Craftsman a few weeks ago. I find that they work fine, because they push adequately underneath the part of the vamp where the boot bends as I walk. I wear an 8 1/2G in RMW and the shoe trees are the Nordstrom medium size.

The Nordstrom trees are another brand rebadged... They look like one made by Woodlore.
 

grimslade

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Originally Posted by KlezmerBlues
I'm in search for a chelsea in burgundy, but as far as I understand, R.M. Williams don't offer that colour at all. They do seem to carry "red" and "claret" though. My guess is that claret is most burgundy-like. Do anyone of you gentlemen have experience with these colours and could shed some light on whether my assumption is correct, and how these colours differ from burgundy? Thanks!

No, no, no. Claret is bordeaux. Totally different from burgundy. There's the cepage for starters...
 

grimslade

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Originally Posted by Murray
I must disagree with you. As a RMW boot junkie, I would suggest that the RMW polish has the correct colour dye in it to maintain the correct boot colour. I use it and would use nothing else on my RM's. Cheers....

I will concede that if you're looking for perfect color matching, that's a reason to go with OEM. I've been shining my Whiskey Craftsmen with slightly darker colors, and the occasional burgundy, and I like the way they're evolving.
 

Razele

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Inf - Thanks. I'll try some woodlores. Because I'm in Australia, I only have floorsheim ones, which are two piece.

Grimslade - RM Williams polish leaves something to be desired. It's not great at being shiny.
 

KlezmerBlues

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Originally Posted by grimslade
No, no, no. Claret is bordeaux. Totally different from burgundy. There's the cepage for starters...

Burgundy-Bordeaux; Pinot Noir-Cabarnet Sauvignon; Potatoe-Potatoe for us dipsomanics.
 

grimslade

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Originally Posted by KlezmerBlues
Burgundy-Bordeaux; Pinot Noir-Cabarnet Sauvignon; Potatoe-Potatoe for us dipsomanics.

In that case, you have nothing to worry about. But if anyone orders any ******* merlot, I'm leaving.
 

skalogre

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Originally Posted by grimslade
In that case, you have nothing to worry about. But if anyone orders any ******* merlot, I'm leaving.

laugh.gif


I now can finally get this joke (only saw the referenced material recently).
 

Tez Mulan

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I've had a pair of black Macquarie which I picked up a month ago.., best boots/shoes I ever had. I'm tempted to buy a pair in Chestnut to wear with lighter suits and I'm also looking at the Stockman too.

Actually got complimented on my footwear by a lady at work today. Felt good!
 

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