Vass or Carmina....

sstomcat · Jan 12, 2012

I'm planning to MTO a captoe oxford in black and have read great reviews about both these manufacturers. I know I cant go wrong quality wise with either of them. My question is more towards fit finish and comfort. I have rather wide left foot and prefer to stay away from narrow last.

Who should I go with? My budget is around 500.

nmprisons · Jan 12, 2012

I don't think you will find those shoes out of your budget (unless you are in Budapest and can pay in cash). Between the two, I prefer Vass, which I think has superior construction.

radicaldog · Jan 12, 2012

I have both. I would say that Vass quality is a bit higher. Fit depends on the last, though it seems to me that most Carmina lasts tend to be narrower. Stay away from the Vass English last though, which is their narrowest one.

sstomcat · Jan 12, 2012

radicaldog said:
I have both. I would say that Vass quality is a bit higher. Fit depends on the last, though it seems to me that most Carmina lasts tend to be narrower. Stay away from the Vass English last though, which is their narrowest one.

Thanks, per my understanding the U last is one of their narrowest, I was looking for something in their F last. I'm also interested in the Budapest in 3636. More money is not a problem.

fritzl · Jan 12, 2012

sstomcat said:
I'm also interested in the Budapest in 3636. More money is not a problem.

unfortunately the 3636 is totally underrated, at least on sf. it would be great to see another example in the wild.

go for it.

doesn't mean i prefer vass to carmina. i'm just a big admirer(wide forefoot) of lasts in this style.

sstomcat · Jan 12, 2012

fritzl said:
unfortunately the 3636 is totally underrated, at least on sf. it would be great to see another example in the wild.
go for it.
doesn't mean i prefer vass to carmina. i'm just a big admirer(wide forefoot) of lasts in this style.

This is what I have in mind...Carmina next time!

65 Old English II. model,
F last, welted, brown boxcalf,
Italian polish, single sole

01 Budapest model, 3636 last,
welted, combination of cognac boxcalf
and cognac scotchgrain, double sole

both in 11.5 in wide cut..

mikevienna · Jan 12, 2012

Can anyone tell me the general price range of both of the shoe models sstomcat mentions at the Vass shop in Budapest?

65 Old English II. model,
F last, welted, brown boxcalf,
Italian polish, single sole

01 Budapest model, 3636 last,
welted, combination of cognac boxcalf
and cognac scotchgrain, double sole

(in Euro or Forint)
Thanks.

radicaldog · Jan 12, 2012

When I last bought them (fairly recently) Vass were a little under 400€, Carmina a little over 300 for RTW.

sstomcat · Jan 12, 2012

radicaldog said:
When I last bought them (fairly recently) Vass were a little under 400€, Carmina a little over 300 for RTW.

Thats good to know, based in the US with no vat it makes it a even better deal these days..

Liquidus · Jan 12, 2012

I know that these two brands are popular on SF but their lack of availability discourages me from even looking into them

The Armoury sells Carmina but with an inconvenient return policy

No where to get Vass in the United States.

Am I missing something?

Gdot · Jan 12, 2012

Carmina has recently launched a webstore where you can purchase online. It's a start, but the selection is still woefully limited.

Some have had purchasing success by emailing them directly but some have not.

I too keep toying with Vass but become put off by the complications of purchasing. I'm thinking Vass will be next for me though, regardless of the trouble.

chogall · Jan 12, 2012

Liquidus said:
I know that these two brands are popular on SF but their lack of availability discourages me from even looking into them
The Armoury sells Carmina but with an inconvenient return policy
No where to get Vass in the United States.
Am I missing something?

You could always contact proxy such as Kolecho or Tombrone. But then you better well research your size in different Vass lasts.

Trompe le Monde · Jan 12, 2012

im looking at pictures at carmina on epauletshop.com, and theres some technical/quality problems on them. particularly, the 2 pairs of monkstraps: the toe caps on both pairs are assymetrical (cut & attached slanted from the long axis), theres wavy/uneven cutting of the cap, meandering stitching that crosses the cap, etc

really small details. but inexcusable at this price point... i.e. 3-4x what most people would think is reasonable for shoes

Thanks SF (a new me) · Jan 12, 2012

Gdot said:
.... I'm thinking Vass will be next for me though, regardless of the trouble...

damn G, you are rolling with shoos lately, that nice C&J collection..Don;t forget the shoe Appreciation pics when available..

Liquidus · Jan 12, 2012

Gdot said:
Carmina has recently launched a webstore where you can purchase online. It's a start, but the selection is still woefully limited.
Some have had purchasing success by emailing them directly but some have not.
I too keep toying with Vass but become put off by the complications of purchasing. I'm thinking Vass will be next for me though, regardless of the trouble.

What are your motivations for branching out of C&J into Vass?

Vass or Carmina....

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