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ProfilaBinding

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No problem :) thought I remembered you being a big plain toe fan. I suspect a carlyle in shell would be hard for you to stay away from especially if they put....piping....
devil.gif



Here are today's Hopkinsons:

I took a peak at that thread, but yeah, those prices are out of Lobster's range. Very nice-looking shoes though. Could definitely see myself wearing them a lot.

While I do love and prefer piping, I have to admit that profila binding isn't all that bad. Now that I understand where AE was going with it, I appreciate it a bit more. I see nothing wrong with trying to add a binding style similar to what C&J and Loake offer. You can't even really notice it when the shoes are on your feet. I actually think it gives my Hopkinson's just a little bit more character too.

I was just thinking earlier about how I wish I had discovered AE in 2014. Seemed like a great year for AE, as they introduced shoes like the Clark St, Baton Rouge, as well as offering Indy line shoes like the Rutledge, Jefferson 1, and Harrison. It was also the time when Carlyle's had piping. I appreciate AE's continued desire to explore new designs, but sometimes I wish they would release more classic designs. The Higgins Mill was a perfect example of that.
 
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St Hubbins

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Some people have done this by hand with sandpaper. You can either take off the excess dressing this way or remove it entirely. For me, this is too much work and I take them to the local cobbler who can do it in a minute or two with a machine tha has a sand paper belt. These Fairgates were originally black if I recall, and I had it removed and covered in a colorless sealant. You could also use a different color then if you chose to change it. You will notice that the black welt on the shoe leaves a black layer n the side of the shoe. I didn't mind it, but others might.

1000


Boom. He does it again.

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I think I will try the sandpaper route as acetone for me seems like I'd mess something up badly and the Madison Parks are in my top three non-boot AEs.
 

Biggquis

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Okay guys... I want to use some Bick 4 on a pair of my shoes, but I only have one horse hair brush, that I happened to use a few nights back on some Walnut colored shoes. The shoes I want to apply the Bick 4 to are Merlot. Can I use a rag for that? Or should I just wait until I pick up another brush?
 

M635Guy

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Okay guys... I want to use some Bick 4 on a pair of my shoes, but I only have one horse hair brush, that I happened to use a few nights back on some Walnut colored shoes. The shoes I want to apply the Bick 4 to are Merlot. Can I use a rag for that? Or should I just wait until I pick up another brush?

I'd use a rag to apply. AE sells brushes for very reasonable money IMHO, so I'd grab some brushes at some point.

For bigger brushes, there are some very good 8" ones on eBay for $15-$20. I have one for each major color (Black, Brown, Color 8) and one for daily brushing before/after wearing... (don't judge me)
 

St Hubbins

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I was just thinking earlier about how I wish I had discovered AE in 2014.  Seemed like a great year for AE, as they introduced shoes like the Clark St, Baton Rouge, as well as offering Indy line shoes like the Rutledge, Jefferson 1, and Harrison.  It was also the time when Carlyle's had piping.  I appreciate AE's continued desire to explore new designs, but sometimes I wish they would release more classic designs.  The Higgins Mill was a perfect example of that. 


I couldn't agree more. All AE has to do is go back through their previous catalogs and just re-release some classics. On the occasions that I've looked through their old catalogs, it is very common that I find older models desirable. Seems like the early 2000s were also good, but I wouldn't rule out going back farther than that.
 

dfwcowboy

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I couldn't agree more. All AE has to do is go back through their previous catalogs and just re-release some classics. On the occasions that I've looked through their old catalogs, it is very common that I find older models desirable. Seems like the early 2000s were also good, but I wouldn't rule out going back farther than that.

If they keep selling the same shoes that last for decades, how do they keep the weasels in business?
 

St Hubbins

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If they keep selling the same shoes that last for decades, how do they keep the weasels in business?

Just release a handful of old models each year along with new styles. Something for the newbies and the long-time buyers.
 

St Hubbins

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Just release a handful of old models each year along with new styles. Something for the newbies and the long-time buyers.

Also as mentioned by @Middlife I believe, AE should use us as a focus group for our opinions on upcoming models. It really could save them from releasing some duds IMO.
 

St Hubbins

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One of my favorite things now is being greeted by the aroma of leather and cedar when I open my closest doors. Sometimes I just want to step inside and close the doors behind me, and I don't even have a walk-in. Please tell me I'm not the only one.
 

gjk5

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rec'd burgundy McAllisters and chili Manistee belt from the ebay dude tonight. Both are in better than expected condition. Wore the shoes for 30 minutes and thought 9.5 E too tight, then realized I had been drinking and the smartwools with medium padding could be contributing. Will give these a try again tomorrow in more reasonable socks. I have been buying mostly 10.5 D/M in cheap"ish" shoes for years and used to lots of room (but no real "fit") so we will see. Figured it is a bad sign if you can remove your shoes without unlacing......

Happy with my first purchases from him though.
 

Voice of Reason

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Hmm. This seems too good to be true. Bought Suede Liverpools from our favorite ebayer. He took my just over 60% bid at $125.

Looks like they have been tried on. Looks like first quality to me. The suede has some striping but nothing crazy (at least at night) and I am pretty sure that is the way they are made, at least some AE employee told me that. Maybe the welt could use some new dressing but now I am being picky.

Amazingly comfortable. I would have never thought of these but the weasel clammorings persuaded me to try them on when I was in a store a few weeks ago. And wow. Comfortable. So comfortable.

So I have these. Unless they look crazy in sunlight definite keepers.

I have Bourbon Daltons in order to replace the D widths that were not gonna work. At $157 I kinda HAVE to keep these, especially since I am a huge fan of the bourbon color and realize it is a come and go thing that might not return for awhile.

But then I shoebanked some Walnut Liverpools at $245 because I think those are really a practical shoe and it is one if the few Walnut entries I like (don't hate me, just never jumped in on walnut).

So for $125+$157+$245 I am getting three pairs of boots that will soon be priced at a ridiculous $462 each. Almost three for the price of one full priced first.

Still, not sure which I would return. Maybe the walnuts. We will see.

I think I have been weaseled.

400
 
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pbrandes

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Anyone else have an olive AE? I'm trying to figure out what I'd wear this with. Not really in the market for an olive shoe, but $97 for a Neumok 1.0 2nd is a pretty solid deal.


700



They are fantastic with blue jeans (especially with the blue laces).
 

St Hubbins

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GOOD NEWS: Ordered a new shoe rack today so there will be room for the two new pair(s) that are en route.

BAD NEWS: There will be seven open slots.
 
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