The Allen Edmonds MTO Thread

[cgul629]

I was planning to submit a MTO on a Leeds before the changes to the program, so I would have some interest in a group MTO for option 2 even if McNeil or Townley is the chosen Blucher.

 

[JezeC]

Alden is offering whiskey, which is lighter than walnut...

Is AE concerned that people will return walnut shells at the slightest possible defect whereas Alden can sell not-so-perfect whiskeys at full retail? Due to the shortage, somebody will always pick it up, whether the whiskey is perfect or not.

Is that the logic? To say AE/Horween can't source walnut is perplexing when Alden is having several runs of whiskey. Whiskey in NST, PTB, SW Bal and LWB are all in the pipeline.

 

[YoungSweet]

I think the eagle county boots would be a great choice since most of us missed out that chance. However, I think it would be hard to size them especially if some are not familiar with that last. Perhaps the first run should be on something that most are familiar with and only basic modifications to the original design.

 

[watchidiot]



Spoiler

Sorry for the wait, it was movie night tonight at home with the family. Anyway here the update.

Hey guys as mentioned above I wrote Paul an email to inquire about the possibility of doing a GMTO with reduced/waived customs fee, I received a response from him this morning and again he was thankful for our understanding as to why the SF MTO program was shelved.

The first bit of good news is that Allen Edmonds is in the process of choosing one or two of the SF MTOs which they would release at an "attractive" price. According to Paul they are now forming a strategy on how to tap into social media communities more for feedback and information.

The second bit of good news is that Paul is willing to accept GMTOs from the the SF community. He didn't yet communicate a minimum number required or the specific pricing. He did however say that the pricing will depend on the number of orders and the number and type of changes to be made. He has asked me to contact him once we have come up with the specs and number of orders.

Before everyone starts shooting emails to Paul, please let us get organized first. I believe his intention is not yet to have a formal GMTO program but to try out an order or two and see how it works. I've sent him a follow up email if he can be more specific with at least the minimum number of orders for the custom fee to be waived and will let you guys know his reply.

One piece of bad new is that at the moment, there is no chance of walnut shell shoes. According to Paul, Horween has some of the same efficiency/damages concerns as AE does and that the walnut color is really difficult to get right, so Skip has asked AE to focus on the traditional colors where he knows he'll get a higher "yield" during these times of cordovan supply shortages.

My take on this is we should at least try to eat 3-5 servings of horse meat per week. We can do this guys!

Back to the GMTO, if agreeable to the community I'll continue to take the lead on this first GMTO until AE finally decides to make it an official program. I know that we all have lots of MTO ideas but in the end well just go for the designs where we can get the most number of people.

I would like to nominate the following models
1. GMTO boot - possibly an Eagle County or Bayfield or Promontory Point if they allow. Of course there is always the Dalton.
2. GMTO blucher - MacNeil, Leeds or Townley if they would allow

Let me know your choice of model both for #1 and #2.

Good news boys! Paul just dropped me an email, the discontinued models above can be chosen for the GMTO (only for GMTO not the regular MTO program).

Again choose one each from #1 and #2.

 

[halfnhalfnhalf]

Quote:

I would like to nominate the following models
1. GMTO boot - possibly an Eagle County or Bayfield or Promontory Point if they allow. Of course there is always the Dalton.
2. GMTO blucher - MacNeil, Leeds or Townley if they would allow

Let me know your choice of model both for #1 and #2.

Good news boys! Paul just dropped me an email, the discontinued models above can be chosen for the GMTO (only for GMTO not the regular MTO program).

Again choose one each from #1 and #2.

TOWNLEY TOWNLEY TOWNLEY TOWNLEY

Edit: Maybe with a medallion too. Like a Sanford, but on the 1 last.

 

[JezeC]

Townley shell PLZ

 

[losrockets]

Wow, this is great. Just a little reasoning for why I like the Eagle County over the Bayfield or Promontory Point - we can go either rugged or sleek with the makeup. With the Dalton, Bayfield, and Promontory Point, you've got workboots (Dalton is pretty clunky IMO). [By the way, are Eagle County sized the same as the AE for RL shoes]

As for the blucher: Townley. There's a lot out there for people interested in LWB and PTBs. If a #8 Townley is too expensive to get enough people to jump on the MTO might I suggest a snuff suede townley, a la my gorgeous RL Slaton?

 

[peppercorn78]

This is indeed good news, and big thanks to @watchidiot for being the point man. I agree that all interfacing with Paul should go through him, so we don't re-kill the recently reincarnated golden goose.

As regards boot: I would love an elegant dress boot like the Eagle County, however I am unwilling to take a chance on the 2 last. The 2 last sizes similarly to the 234 last, which I have had problems with.

Perhaps we should all take a step back to catch our breath, and wait until the complete fall lineup is revealed, just in case there may be attractive options in current models that we haven't seen yet.

But I would be interested in some kind of boot makeup. Maybe grain or suede.

Don't need any more bluchers or bals.

 

[Dillardiv]



Alden is offering whiskey, which is lighter than walnut...

Is AE concerned that people will return walnut shells at the slightest possible defect whereas Alden can sell not-so-perfect whiskeys at full retail? Due to the shortage, somebody will always pick it up, whether the whiskey is perfect or not. 

Is that the logic? To say AE/Horween can't source walnut is perplexing when Alden is having several runs of whiskey. Whiskey in NST, PTB, SW Bal and LWB are all in the pipeline.  

I wonder if Alden is a bigger/better customer for Horween so they get first dibs on the lighter colors?

On the townleys, some type of shell would certainly be preferable. Maybe they could get a lighter batch with the stipulation that "it is what it is" in terms of imperfections (within reason, but I trust they wouldn't do the production run if the leather was too badly blemished).

I'd vote PP for the boot.

 

[tjyoung]

Not adding much to the conversation here, but I really want those navy Eagle County's somebody (watchidiot?) has

 

[suitntieguy]

Re; GMTO
I would be in for a balmoral of some sort- either cord or calf or a whole cut in NAVY.

 

[tjyoung]

Re; GMTO
I would be in for a balmoral of some sort- either cord or calf or a whole cut in NAVY.

Same

 

[phsiao08]

Sign me up for MTO Eagle County or Fifth Streets.

 

[sleepyinsanfran]

#1 - either of those boots in brown/cappuccino shell (I know my size in all three)
#2 - I'm out. have too many bluchers (and bals as well!)

 

[csmitty]

Quote:
This is my opinion on the subject as well. With them picking a few SF MTO's it'd be a shame to do a group MTO on something similar to what gets released. A brown shell bayfield would be great. A tan/snuff suede Mora 2.0. Whatever it be I'm assuming Indy accents would be the standard.