RM Williams Boots - Everything You Wanted to Know

Originally Posted by Ged

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Get the Cloncurry's in distressed leather. They wear really well.

Thanks for the thought. In the end, though, I'm looking for a chelsea boot.

Would anyone care to comment on the RMW Craftsman v the Henry Baxter from Baxter's? They seem pretty similar: one piece leather, goodyear welted, made in Australia, good pedigree manufacturers etc. I note that The Wraith (and others) have mentioned the HB as an alternative to RMW elsewhere in this thread, I'm just intrigued as to how quality, durability, life span etc compare between the two?

Originally Posted by Smudge

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Would anyone care to comment on the RMW Craftsman v the Henry Baxter from Baxter's? They seem pretty similar: one piece leather, goodyear welted, made in Australia, good pedigree manufacturers etc. I note that The Wraith (and others) have mentioned the HB as an alternative to RMW elsewhere in this thread, I'm just intrigued as to how quality, durability, life span etc compare between the two?

I've had my HBC for about 6 months now. Wear it regularly (not every day, though) and it's still in tip-top shape, still looks as good as the day I took them out of the box. I think overall quality is almost identical to RMW. The only difference is the HBC has 1/4 internal leather lining and the Craftsman is fully leather lined. Honestly, wearing it, I can't tell the difference, but that may well matter to some people and so they need to be aware of it. However, the HBC is a little cheaper than the Craftsman, so it more or less evens out in the end, I feel.

I can't comment on lifespan differences between the two brands yet, I haven't owned my HBC long enough. In the end, you really can't go wrong with either the HBC or the Craftsman. Some of the best chelsea boots in the world IMO.

Thanks, TheWraith. That's good info. I've had several pairs of RMWs and don't get me wrong, I've been very happy with them. I've got some 10 year old black RMs which are looking worse for wear: cracked uppers (I wish I'd looked after them better, earlier in their life!). I need / want some new black Chelsea boots but having just bought a pair of Chestnut RM Craftsmen wondered if I should diversify my Aussie-made Chelsea boot collection to include some HBC (cheaper than RMs) or stick to tried and tested RMs.

Any other feedback / comments on Craftsman v HBC appreciated.

Originally Posted by Smudge

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Thanks, TheWraith. That's good info. I've had several pairs of RMWs and don't get me wrong, I've been very happy with them. I've got some 10 year old black RMs which are looking worse for wear: cracked uppers (I wish I'd looked after them better, earlier in their life!). I need / want some new black Chelsea boots but having just bought a pair of Chestnut RM Craftsmen wondered if I should diversify my Aussie-made Chelsea boot collection to include some HBC (cheaper than RMs) or stick to tried and tested RMs.

Any other feedback / comments on Craftsman v HBC appreciated.

Well, if you're looking for some top quality Aussie chelseas apart from RMW, then the HBC is the boot for you. Handmade in Goulburn since 1850.

Is this HBC? http://www.baxterfootwear.com.au/use...ress-boots.pdf

Originally Posted by TheWraith

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The only difference is the HBC has 1/4 internal leather lining and the Craftsman is fully leather lined. Honestly, wearing it, I can't tell the difference, but that may well matter to some people and so they need to be aware of it. However, the HBC is a little cheaper than the Craftsman, so it more or less evens out in the end, I feel.

Wraith, can you clarify the internal lining for those who dont fully understand when comparing to RMW. Is the HBC lined from toe to arch OR mid toe to the ankle?

Not a direct answer to your question, but you may want to take a look at the B500F RM Williams bushman with the flat heel and screwed sole. I like the round toe better than the chiseled, and the screwed sole looks much sleeker than the stitched. They are also less expensive than the craftsman, though they do use the less expensive (though tougher) willow leather and are unlined. They are a great black chelsea boot, I like them much more than my craftsman.

Originally Posted by Smudge

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Thanks, TheWraith. That's good info. I've had several pairs of RMWs and don't get me wrong, I've been very happy with them. I've got some 10 year old black RMs which are looking worse for wear: cracked uppers (I wish I'd looked after them better, earlier in their life!). I need / want some new black Chelsea boots but having just bought a pair of Chestnut RM Craftsmen wondered if I should diversify my Aussie-made Chelsea boot collection to include some HBC (cheaper than RMs) or stick to tried and tested RMs.

Any other feedback / comments on Craftsman v HBC appreciated.

Originally Posted by redmania

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Is this HBC?

http://www.baxterfootwear.com.au/use...ress-boots.pdf

The one labelled the Henry Baxter is the HBC. HBC = Henry Baxter Classic, which is their top boot.

Originally Posted by Speedbird

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Wraith, can you clarify the internal lining for those who dont fully understand when comparing to RMW. Is the HBC lined from toe to arch OR mid toe to the ankle?

The top part of the boot is lined, down to just past where the ankle becomes the foot. The toes are unlined. The back/heel part of the boot is lined.

Originally Posted by DrZRM

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...you may want to take a look at the B500F RM Williams bushman with the flat heel and screwed sole. I like the round toe better than the chiseled, and the screwed sole looks much sleeker than the stitched. They are also less expensive than the craftsman, though they do use the less expensive (though tougher) willow leather and are unlined. They are a great black chelsea boot, I like them much more than my craftsman.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll investigate.

Stick with the Craftsman or HBC.

Stumbled across the following site that might be interesting for people living in the UK and the EU http://www.ahume.co.uk/default.asp?off=1

The price point on the RM Williams aren't that much higher then bootsonline and you will also avoid any customs fees which should make it cheaper in the end. If my mother hadn't been in Australia right now I would have definietly got my comfort turnout from there. Though the selection isn't as great as bootsonline but they do have 14 different models.

Why do you say that? I have a Craftsman I never wear, and I love my Bushman. Could you expand on this "argument"? I was thinking about having a MTO Stockman made with the screwed sole and rounded toe.

Originally Posted by TheWraith

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Stick with the Craftsman or HBC.

Originally Posted by DrZRM

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Why do you say that? I have a Craftsman I never wear, and I love my Bushman. Could you expand on this "argument"? I was thinking about having a MTO Stockman made with the screwed sole and rounded toe.


I'll drop a comment in for this one....
I, personally, purchased my first pair of RMWs online at bootsonline (great guys)
The purchase was a brown pair of Bushman that couldn't have looked more like women's boots - I was shocked.......my wife fell over laughing at me thinking I was trying on a pair of her boots.

Returned those and purchased a pair of the Lachlans which look great and I love 'em - my understanding is that they are the basic Craftsman shape with a different sole (no expert here)

That would be my only contribution to the Bushman vs Craftsman debate

However, I do wear a US 7.5, which could certainly contribute to the feminine look of the Bushman on my feet.........I dunno

The Craftsman on the B543 last is a classic. You can get it with leather soles, Goodyear welted or screwed (sleeker); with a composite sole (called the Blaxland but it's the same last) or a composite sole with the Comfort inner, both of these welted.

You just can't go wrong with the B543!

If your looking for something with a more rounded/pointed toe then, IMHO, the Macquarie on the B555 is your best bet. An MTO that can be configured with the same variety of soles as above.

Or why not try a Durack. A unisex model,also on the B543 last, but with an ever so slightly tapered heel.

All of these are of course fully lined.


Cheers