Crockett & Jones for Ralph Lauren Cordovan (Marlow, Darlton, Gifford, Garran, Lindrick, McCallum,... - Page 74

well, there are heel taps and heel taps. when done right, it's a great thing.

PTB today.  (and just to segue from the previous conversation, no taps for me).

Hi all!  Just got some new PTB's in 9.  I normally wear 9.5 in most RL Italian shoes and went down 1/2 for these.  They fit me perfectly.  I then went into RL and tried on the Tassel Marlow in 9 and it was simply too large, tons of slippage.  I had them order me the shoe in 8.5 hoping these will work when they arrive at the store.  Two questions?  1)  What size should I consider for the Marlow Penny?  as I've not tried this shoe on yet and don't know what last is used.... 2)  What is the full name for the Saphire Revo and where do I buy it, I'd like to use it instead of #8 cordovan, this shoes are more brownish.

BTW I have lousy feet from years of running abuse and need double soled shoes... these Marlows are a very nice wearing shoe for me:-).  And now an obsession ...

noice

Great shine on those!

When can we expect the next RL Private Sale?

A trio of Marlows:

 

I have had metal toe taps and topy applied to the sole of the wingtips. I'll get the PTB similarly done next week and then add them into the rotation. I'm still in two minds as to whether I should get both done to the PTBs or just the toe taps.

 

Any thoughts one way or the other?

have you worn the shoes before adding the topy?

No, should I have done so? This is my only shoe with topy so far.

 

I have a number of other shoes to which I'm planning to have toe taps put on and potentially topy as well. Any concerns?

according to several shoemakers i've spoken to - yes. understood, that adding topy to a leather soled shoe is the second best idea. in other words. imo, every reputable craftsman will not recommend it. there's a reason why shoes are made with either leather or rubber soles.

hope that helps.
Edited by fritzl - 4/19/12 at 3:43pm

There is a caveat to this; if you live (and spend time outside) in a wet climate, leather soles will wear very quickly, toe taps will not prevent wear at the balls of your feet.

read what i wrote, please.

 

 

Thanks for the information, fritzl. Based on this, I'll hold off applying topy to the other pairs but proceed with the toe taps. With regard to the pair that's already had the topy applied, should I leave it as it is or is it possible to get the topy removed (and is this something I should do)?

I'd read this discussion before you decide to remove the topy because you think it is "bad" for the shoe: http://www.styleforum.net/t/179041/my-first-shoes-with-topy-put-on

It appears that while some people don't like how they look, or don't like the "idea" of covering up a leather sole...most would agree that a topy is not going to cause any harm. This is both consistent with my own experience and in line with what has been communicated to me by a few longtime shoemakers and cobblers.