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Saint Crispin vs Vass

post #1 of 51
5/2/11 at 7:33am
Thread Starter 
Just been informed that a shoe from Saint Crispin would set me back about £860,

Conversely a shoe from Vass would set me back about £420,

I was surprised about how much the Saint Crispin shoes are; is there a noticeable difference in quality / construction? I'm guessing from all the praise that the difference is nominal (if at all existent)? I think I'll probably stick with Vass - what are others' opinions?
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post #2 of 51
5/2/11 at 9:12am
This is a good question. I am curious about the differences in quality as well. As far as I know they are both excellent. I think it is important to also note that they are two distinctly different styled shoemakers. Vass comes across as more modern looking to me, and while St. Crispin shoes, imho have better finishing, have a more traditional Austrian shape to their lasts. I could be wrong on all accounts, but I am just speaking in terms of what I have personally seen.
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post #3 of 51
5/2/11 at 9:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH View Post
This is a good question. I am curious about the differences in quality as well. As far as I know they are both excellent. I think it is important to also note that they are two distinctly different styled shoes. Vass comes across as more modern looking to me, and while St. Crispin shoes, imho have better finishing, have a more traditional Austrian shape to their lasts. I could be wrong on all accounts, but I am just speaking in terms of what I have personally seen.

Both look good but Vass has the killer price...
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post #4 of 51
5/2/11 at 9:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by meister View Post
Both look good but Vass has the killer price...

Right, but the OP and myself want to know why.
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post #5 of 51
5/2/11 at 9:19am
Have never owned a pair of St. Crispins, so can't really comment by way of an actual comparison. But it seems hard to believe that the quality could be twice as good as Vass's. Buy the St. Crispins if you vastly prefer their styling and finish, but IMO, it's a personal and subjective choice at that tier.
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post #6 of 51
5/2/11 at 9:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH View Post
This is a good question. I am curious about the differences in quality as well. As far as I know they are both excellent. I think it is important to also note that they are two distinctly different styled shoemakers. Vass comes across as more modern looking to me, and while St. Crispin shoes, imho have better finishing, have a more traditional Austrian shape to their lasts. I could be wrong on all accounts, but I am just speaking in terms of what I have personally seen.

Possibly, Patrick, although the Budapester last on Vass shoes seems very 'Austrian'.

To be honest, I was very surprised when Saint Crispin came back to me with their prices - to put it into perspective, I could hop on a train now down to London, pop into Trickers and begin the process of bespoke shoe for just over 1k; the Saint Crispin shoes don't include shoe trees or delivery either - so I'm struggling to see how a made to order shoe could be comparable in terms of price to a bespoke English shoe. Seems a bit outrageous to me.

But as someone else said, is the quality double that of Vass? Or what other reason is there for Saint Crispin to charge such a premium? I think I'll stick with Vass...
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post #7 of 51
5/2/11 at 10:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH View Post
Vass comes across as more modern looking to me, and while St. Crispin shoes, imho have better finishing, have a more traditional Austrian shape to their lasts. I could be wrong on all accounts,...

not sure, what you've seen.

this is austrian as austrian can be:

Quote:
Originally Posted by fritzl View Post

medtech expat and cravate noir have the most experience with saint crispin's, as they dealt with them personally.

i would look up for some advice by these gentlemen.

ps: some maker charges more than another, this is not breaking news.
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post #8 of 51
5/2/11 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 
Granted, Fritzle, but you're talking about 100% price differential. That's not an arbitarray figure.
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post #9 of 51
5/2/11 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShaneB View Post
Granted, Fritzle, but you're talking about 100% price differential. That's not an arbitarray figure.

sure, but why don't you compare it to EG top drawer or JLP prestige?
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post #10 of 51
5/2/11 at 12:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fritzl View Post
sure, but why don't you compare it to EG top drawer or JLP prestige?

Well that's what I'm asking: I'm asking why they're priced so high, i.e., is the higher cost indicative of an enormous contrast in quality between Vass & Crispin, if not, then it seems the high price is arbitrary, in which case, why would anyone bother?
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post #11 of 51
5/2/11 at 1:22pm
St. Crispin's are what I would call sleeker, more dandified overall in comparison to Vass. Slimmer lasts, slightly more excentric designs (or more noticable design in general) and a bit younger looking. You might call them less timeless but that is totally personal. Vass are less flexible from the beginning because of a very soft construction in the St. Crispin's.
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post #12 of 51
5/2/11 at 1:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShaneB View Post
Well that's what I'm asking: I'm asking why they're priced so high,...

imo, they are priced according to their target group and market niche. sorry, i cannot follow your concerns.

same, if i would ask why cleverley bespoke is double the price of materna?
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post #13 of 51
5/2/11 at 1:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShaneB View Post
Just been informed that a shoe from Saint Crispin would set me back about £860

You may wish to email Phillip directly: he offers a 20% discount on the first pair for new customers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sterling Gillette View Post
St. Crispin's are what I would call sleeker, more dandified overall in comparison to Vass. Slimmer lasts, slightly more excentric designs (or more noticable design in general) and a bit younger looking.

+1

In addition, I prefer the fit of St. Crispin's, and the hollowed trees are ideal for travel. FWIW, of the 10+ pairs of Vass I've purchased I ended up reselling all but 2 pairs on B&S, due to the significant variability in sizing - even on the same last with the same material. Vass are lovely shoes, but I've given up due to the sizing and consistency issue.
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post #14 of 51
5/2/11 at 1:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by medtech_expat View Post
You may wish to email Phillip directly: he offers a 20% discount on the first pair for new customers.



+1

In addition, I prefer the fit of St. Crispin's, and the hollowed trees are ideal for travel. FWIW, of the 10+ pairs of Vass I've purchased I ended up reselling all but 2 pairs on B&S, due to the significant variability in sizing - even on the same last with the same material. Vass are lovely shoes, but I've given up due to the sizing and consistency issue.

I think this might be an issue with a lot of makers though. I have this issue with C&J.
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post #15 of 51
5/2/11 at 5:03pm
I think St. Crispin are "prettier" overall and have that lovely sole and waist finishing that Vass lack, but I think the price difference if far more significant to me than the quality and styling differences.
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