Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread 2016 - News, Pictures, Sizing, Accessories, Clothing, etc

[jcman311]

First wear of the new Strands.

Close-up of the scuff. Cream polish and a spoon didn't work, but I don't have any brown paste wax. May need to pick some up and give it another go.

All in all, I'm chuffed with these. Will be happier if I can clean up the scuff (just remembered, the other description the SA gave me was, "you know when a cow brushes up against barbed wire?" Which is pretty accurate, I guess?).

A little late to respond but here goes.

Cream polish won't really do anything to shell. That mark looks a little rough but you may want to try and use plain water. You see marks and scratches on shell can go away by using just plain water since it swells the leather (think all the people that complain about wearing shell in the rain and the welts they get). Then a combination of brushing/spoon/bone will help it. Then, I would try Venetian Shoe Cream/balm. It seem to work wonders on my shell shoes. What I couldnt get in luster from my practice of water/brushing and an occasional paste wax came to life after an application of VSC. I also tried Bick 4 and it didnt really help either.

For reference I always try to steer new shell wearers to this page created by mdubs.

http://aldenofsandiego.com/caring-for-your-shell-cordovan/

For my cleaning I generally wear a nitrile glove, dip a few fingers in water, soak the shell and brush to shine. If needed I apply VSC. Once or twice a year apply paste wax.

I can't guarantee that mark will go away, but I hope you enjoy the shoes! Brown strands are my favs.

 

[armedferret]

Just pulled the trigger on some McAllisters on the bay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/121956615481 for those curious). Given the free shipping, 30-day no questions returns, and his 5700+ 100% feedback rating, I felt comfortable giving 'em a chance. Worst case I send in for a recraft to get new heels and soles and I'm still ahead of the seconds on shoebank...

 

[naspratt]



A little late to respond but here goes.

Spoiler

Cream polish won't really do anything to shell.  That mark looks a little rough but you may want to try and use plain water.  You see marks and scratches on shell can go away by using just plain water since it swells the leather (think all the people that complain about wearing shell in the rain and the welts they get).  Then a combination of brushing/spoon/bone will help it.  Then, I would try Venetian Shoe Cream/balm.  It seem to work wonders on my shell shoes.  What I couldnt get in luster from my practice of water/brushing and an occasional paste wax came to life after an application of VSC.  I also tried Bick 4 and it didnt really help either.

For reference I always try to steer new shell wearers to this page created by mdubs.  

http://aldenofsandiego.com/caring-for-your-shell-cordovan/

For my cleaning I generally wear a nitrile glove, dip a few fingers in water, soak the shell and brush to shine.  If needed I apply VSC.  Once or twice a year apply paste wax.

I can't guarantee that mark will go away, but I hope you enjoy the shoes!  Brown strands are my favs.

Many thanks! I really like the shoes, and was thrilled to finally see a pair on the Shoebank in my size. I figure this mark is worth being able to tell my wife I got a really good deal on them, since she seems hesitant to accept my representations that I NEED shell shoes.

 

[ProfilaBinding]

Many thanks! I really like the shoes, and was thrilled to finally see a pair on the Shoebank in my size. I figure this mark is worth being able to tell my wife I got a really good deal on them, since she seems hesitant to accept my representations that I NEED shell shoes.

I'm keeping my new Lasalle's 2nds at work under my desk for a few months. Because I just ordered a Carlyle in bourbon, I don't want my wife knowing I also ordered the Lasalle's. 6 shoes in one year, have to take a one-year break I'm afraid.

 

[FaRKle]

If needed I apply VSC. Once or twice a year apply paste wax.

Does VSC's effect really last though? What I found (using AE conditioner/cleaner, Saphir Renovateur, and Bick 4) is that the conditioning agents will appear to moisturize the shell and get it nice and shiny after initial application, but will dry out and lose their luster soon after (AE CC and Saphir Renovateur within 24 hrs, Bick 4 within a couple of days). I don't use those products on my shell anymore and use Saphir neutral cordovan cream instead. This stuff restores the luster of the shell and lasts.

 

[jcman311]

Quote: It lasts a little better than everything else both you and I listed. I also have the Saphir cordo cream. The rest of my products sit. While it may last for only 4 or 5 wears, it outshines the rest of the products I have tried.

 

[cfgman]

Hey Y'all,

First post here and a question. So a few weeks ago I went into AE here in Austin and bought a few pairs. I liked the Oak Street so I picked two of them; one in "Natural" and the other in "Brown Grain." They had the Brown in my size but not the Natural so they said they would ship them to me in a few weeks. Well today they arrived and really weren't what I was expecting. They're MUCH darker than the "Natural" in the store and still listed online. However, the biggest change is there is no Dainite sole. I work in a casual office and all my shoes have Dainite soles. This new sole is very "cushiony" and I have concerns about it's long term durability vs. Dainite.

So a few questions;

1) Does anybody have any information on this type of sole and it's characteristics vs Dainite? I assume AE must use it already on other shoes.
2) Why the change? Is this just the new model for Fall? And how do you think this shoe compares to the last Oak Street?

Below are some comparison pictures vs. the Brown Oak Streets I picked up that day. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[jcman311]

The natural color looks in the spectrum that I have seen in real life, just a little darker. What does concern me is that sole. I would talk to the rep who sold them to you and if need be contact AE direct. From what I know the Oak St were always supposed to have a Dainite sole. That sole looks like the cheaper "crepe" style soles that they are using on some of the new models.

 

[cfgman]

The natural color looks in the spectrum that I have seen in real life, just a little darker. What does concern me is that sole. I would talk to the rep who sold them to you and if need be contact AE direct. From what I know the Oak St were always supposed to have a Dainite sole. That sole looks like the cheaper "crepe" style soles that they are using on some of the new models.

Yeah! That's what they are! Wasn't sure what they were called but they're the "crepe" style soles you see on some Chukka boots! I can't imagine they last nearly as long as Dainites. Very strange, I'll reach out to them.

 

[cc808314]

Picked up a pair of Bourbon Dalton seconds over the weekend that will finally fill the bourbon gap that I have. There are couple of minor issues (uneven laces, wing very slightly shifted on the left pair), but they passed the "2 minute intense wife looking for issues from eye level" test, so I am happy.

 

[Neo1]

I'm keeping my new Lasalle's 2nds at work under my desk for a few months. Because I just ordered a Carlyle in bourbon, I don't want my wife knowing I also ordered the Lasalle's. 6 shoes in one year, have to take a one-year break I'm afraid.

- tell her to read about some of the nutjobs on here, notably some guy like Neo - trying to remember just how many pairs I got last year, I know it was over 20.

Oh - be sure to tell her how your way more intelligent than 95% of the people out there - going from the 511 stuff directly to the Lasalle, not being swayed by all the Park Ave ads - I have to give you a lot of credit.

 

[polojock615]

- tell her to read about some of the nutjobs on here, notably some guy like Neo - trying to remember just how many pairs I got last year, I know it was over 20.

Oh - be sure to tell her how your way more intelligent than 95% of the people out there - going from the 511 stuff directly to the Lasalle, not being swayed by all the Park Ave ads - I have to give you a lot of credit.

Seriously - those guys are nut jobs.

 

[Neo1]

Yeah! That's what they are! Wasn't sure what they were called but they're the "crepe" style soles you see on some Chukka boots! I can't imagine they last nearly as long as Dainites. Very strange, I'll reach out to them.

That has to be one of the most significant screw-ups I've seen.

 

[redmusic1]



Yeah! That's what they are! Wasn't sure what they were called but they're the "crepe" style soles you see on some Chukka boots! I can't imagine they last nearly as long as Dainites. Very strange, I'll reach out to them. 

You are at least half right about the crepe soles. I'm not sure how long they will last, but most crepe I've seen look quite worn in a fairly short period of time. This is fine for a ruggedly worn boot, but I have been perplexed by AE's choice of models to put it on this season. Hopefully, this was a mistake and it isn't replacing the dainite on the oak street.

 

[ace13x]

Picked up a pair of Bourbon Dalton seconds over the weekend that will finally fill the bourbon gap that I have. There are couple of minor issues (uneven laces, wing very slightly shifted on the left pair), but they passed the "2 minute intense wife looking for issues from eye level" test, so I am happy.

I have the same eyelet problem on my Walnut Dalton seconds, but not as bad. You could try "Double Helix" lacing (http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/doublehelixlacing.htm) to mask the uneven eyelets. The tightening method of pulling two laces on one side at a time is a little weird. I'm still normal lacing because I want to see if breaking in will lessen/exacerbate the problem.