Shoe construction oddity - Page 2

Looks like a combination of gemming slip, weird gait on the owner and not having toe taps on them.

To be fair, we don't know for certain that any of those things caused this problem.

What we can say for certain is that cheese nipping will get you every time. One way or the other.

Excellent post as always DWF.
To add a thought with regards to the stitching, no worries there. That thread wears like iron and will likely be stronger than the sole.

Thread that wears like iron:plain:

No reason to be disappointed that Grenson Rose is gemmed. Of course they are. Nearly all goodyear welted shoes are gemmed. Including those that are more expensive than Grenson Rose.

Despite all the negative talk about gemmed shoes it is nearly impossible to avoid.

Vass being one of the notable examples of a non gemmed shoe for under a 1000 dollars.

Your new soles look nice - you sprung for JR - good leather!