**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.**

[nickwjd]

I would think large. Most standard shoe trees I feel are under-sized. I wear a UK9 generally, which in my mind would be medium, but alas I end up exchanging for a large.

Thanks for the input.

I was worried about the sizing because a lot of remarks online for Woodlore shoe trees are with regards to inaccurate sizing, especially with the Epic twin-tube model. I'll be going with Large then, thanks!

 

[jssdc]

Thanks for the input.

I was worried about the sizing because a lot of remarks online for Woodlore shoe trees are with regards to inaccurate sizing, especially with the Epic twin-tube model. I'll be going with Large then, thanks!

FWIW I use Sir Beecs trees from the Shoe Care Shop. They're pretty much the same thing as Woodlore Epics, but they come in EU sizes instead of S/M/L/XL so there's a better chance of a good fit. Shipping is murder, but if you're buying a couple at one time the ex-VAT price with shipping is something like $35 IIRC.

 

[Munky]

Thank you for your comments, David. I think my problem is related to lasts. I have plenty of shoes that fit in terms of length and general comfort but all but one pair have space under the arch area that can only be resolved by the use of arch supports. I guess I am flat footed. What puzzles me, though, is the one pair of shoes that fit perfectly and don't need supports. Again, something to do with the last, perhaps. As there seem to be so may lasts, how to you find ones that suit your feet? Presumably there is an easier way than having to traipse around every shoe shop in London or New York.

 

[naviC]

• Thank you for your advice dlind and PCK1.

I will have a read and give it a try if i'm feeling risky..

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Anybody have experience with Chamberlain's leather milk? In their FAQ's they give details on what each product's base is, some are water based, the cleaner is alcohol based. But reading through their stuff it looks like a decent product.

 

[PCK1]

Munky...sounds to me like you need to go bespoke

I have been reading Laszlo Vass' Handmade Shoes for Men...fascinating read...definitely good insight to the benefits of bespoke footwear to alleviate issues with peoples feet...i.e., flat footedness.

 

[Munky]

Going bespoke is a nice idea, PCK1 but I don't have nearly enough money to do that!

I've got Vass book, too and find it an interesting read. I like the photos, too!

 

[Craft]

I have a quick question that I would like a straight answer for, I have read many answers here that sort of answer it but im mainly assuming so sorry that I must ask but I want a straight answer (and patrickbooth I have read your explanation about t over the years you've tried complicated things and such etc etc, but I still have this one question so please bare with me I am new to this ) ok just to clear up some debate I am going to tell you I have already decided to use. I am going to use all Saphir products to start. My understanding is SRenov is a cleaner conditioner. now for a routine polishing (done once the shoe looses luster, and im going for a more matt toned down look , satin if you will) do you still use Renov every singe time or is this maybe a once a month thing ? my understanding is NO I do not need to take off the pre existing cream and polish to re apply cream and polish routinely, and if Renouv is a more once in a while use item should I use regular conditioner when I routinely polish. basically is it. Renouv,cream, wax,/ A conditioner, cream, wax/ or just cream and wax for a routine polishing.

thank you very much

-a young man going down the rabbit hole that is quality footwear.

 

[Munky]

Hello Craft. The best answer to your question about how to maintain your shoes is probably that you should read through this thread. The issue has been raised and answered a huge number of times. It's probably not good practice to use Renovator cream every time you clean your shoes. It is a conditioner and not a regular shoe polish. I would use it only occasionally, if at all. The rest of the information you need is to be found in these pages.

 

[David Copeland]

I have a quick question that I would like a straight answer for, I have read many answers here that sort of answer it but im mainly assuming so sorry that I must ask but I want a straight answer (and patrickbooth I have read your explanation about t over the years you've tried complicated things and such etc etc, but I still have this one question so please bare with me I am new to this ) ok just to clear up some debate I am going to tell you I have already decided to use. I am going to use all Saphir products to start. My understanding is SRenov is a cleaner conditioner. now for a routine polishing (done once the shoe looses luster, and im going for a more matt toned down look , satin if you will) do you still use Renov every singe time or is this maybe a once a month thing ? my understanding is NO I do not need to take off the pre existing cream and polish to re apply cream and polish routinely, and if Renouv is a more once in a while use item should I use regular conditioner when I routinely polish. basically is it. Renouv,cream, wax,/ A conditioner, cream, wax/ or just cream and wax for a routine polishing.

thank you very much

-a young man going down the rabbit hole that is quality footwear.

3-Step Process:
Saphir MDO Renovateur
Saphir MDO Pommadier Cream Polish
Saphir MDO Pate de Lux Wax Polish

I, too, much prefer the matte finish. It reminds me of how my Allen Edmond shoes and boots came straight out of the box as new. And yes, I see Renovateur as you suggest - "a more once in a while" use, depending on how hard you are on your shoes, how often you wear them (or how often you rotate wearing them while using other shoes you own), and what lack luster condition your shoes may or may not become.

This is a quote I read: "If it has been a while since your shoes have been shined or worn (or if you have any difficulty restoring a soft patina with the prior step), you may want to apply a touch of Saphir Médaille d’Or Renovateur with a corner of the cotton chamois. Allow the product to dry for 30 seconds, and then buff it off. The cotton chamois should easily work a nice matte patina with Saphir Renovateur alone. The Renovatuer will also restore the moisture and nourishment required to prevent any cracking—this is particularly necessary if a pair of shoes have been sitting dormant for a while."

You will find as your collection increases, you can avoid wearing the same pair until after a nice rotation. Daily maintenance in the morning and the evening can be only 60 seconds, and a weekly inspection may call for little or no maintenance, except for the use of a horse hair brush and a light buffing.

Here are some excellent links worth the time to explore:

LINK 1

LINK 2

All my best,

David

 

[MGoCrimson]



Anybody have experience with Chamberlain's leather milk? In their FAQ's they give details on what each product's base is, some are water based, the cleaner is alcohol based. But reading through their stuff it looks like a decent product.

Have you gone through all your GK conditioner already or just always looking for different products to try?

 

[Craft]

@David Copeland thank you sirI have actually already begun to accumulate a collection so as to at least have enough shoes for a7 day rotationnow they are nothing extraordinary brand wise But I find them very beautiful. I'm currently in the roughly 100 to 200 range they seem to be very nice and with the proper care I'm hoping they have a long life. I'm not sure what $500-1k pair of shoes offers but I hope to find out eventually but I'm sure a one hundred to $200 pair of shoes is not a "waste of money" thank you again sir

 

[Craft]

@Munky hello sir. I am aware that the answers me like Somewhere in this thread,however being 500 plus pages long and it being full of more back and forth argument type things among the members it's kind of difficult to find a specific answer I was looking for however I'm still looking through it and still doing the research. I apologize for the repeated questions I'm aware It can get rather annoying but I think you for not chewing me out and for you actually answering the one thing I was not too certain about.

 

[El Argentino]

A brief consultation, oh ye knowledgeable thread:

Swung a well-kept pair of vintage Florhseim Imperal v-cleats off the bay in a beautifully aged #8 cordo. It's gone very red w/ age. In getting them, there was considerable black polish caked into the rolls, which I am currently attempting to remove via a method Mac taught me years ago (lightly damp cloth, scrub the creases out, brush them vigorously afterward). However, I'm wondering what is going on here - have I deglazed the shell itself rather than just rubbing off old polish? What do I do from here - or is this all part of stripping old polish off the shell?

 

[sstomcat]



A brief consultation, oh ye knowledgeable thread:

Swung a well-kept pair of vintage Florhseim Imperal v-cleats off the bay in a beautifully aged #8 cordo. It's gone very red w/ age. In getting them, there was considerable black polish caked into the rolls, which I am currently attempting to remove via a method Mac taught me years ago (lightly damp cloth, scrub the creases out, brush them vigorously afterward). However, I'm wondering what is going on here - have I deglazed the shell itself rather than just rubbing off old polish? What do I do from here - or is this all part of stripping old polish off the shell?

The vigorous brushing has done the damage and taken the finish off. Try first applying some creme polish and then couple of thin layers of wax, buff lighty but thoroughly and see the results. AE cordovan creme in similar color is a good choice before Saphir.