The official Alden thread Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

gsgleason · Apr 16, 2015

brandall10 said:
AnOxymoron said:

Besides a horsehair brush and shoe trees, what is a must buy for my new color 8 975?

Click to expand...

Venetian is great stuff and used by Nick Horween - Viberg also ships it out with their boots (got it with my Brandy shells).

http://www.styleforum.net/t/274603/nick-v-interviews-nick-horween-horween-leather

"My standby is neutral Venetian Cream. C.A. Zoes is a great, old Chicago company and they make great stuff. There are so many different great products out there, though. The Saphir line is also great, and I know there are a million different products that people swear by. Everyone has a slightly different preference, so I always encourage people to use the products that give them the appearance they like."

A lot of folks swear by that stuff, but I personally am not a fan. If it reeks of chemicals I won't use it.

I did buy a big 32oz container of it, though, so if anyone wants to test it out, just pay for postage and I'll send a sample. I'm never going to go through all this. I have no idea what I would put it in, though.

Also, the stuff I got with my Vibergs was Venetian Leather Balm, not shoe creme. It smells less like chemicals and is thicker.

I also wonder how knowledgeable Nick is about post-production care. I mean, it seems suspicious that he's peddling another Chicago company product.

Burzan · Apr 16, 2015

gsgleason said:
A lot of folks swear by that stuff, but I personally am not a fan. If it reeks of chemicals I won't use it.

I did buy a big 32oz container of it, though, so if anyone wants to test it out, just pay for postage and I'll send a sample. I'm never going to go through all this. I have no idea what I would put it in, though.

Also, the stuff I got with my Vibergs was Venetian Leather Balm, not shoe creme. It smells less like chemicals and is thicker.

I also wonder how knowledgeable Nick is about post-production care. I mean, it seems suspicious that he's peddling another Chicago company product.

Straight from the website it seems the cream and balm are the same, just packed in glass bottles as a premium looking option.

gsgleason · Apr 16, 2015

Burzan said:
gsgleason said:

A lot of folks swear by that stuff, but I personally am not a fan. If it reeks of chemicals I won't use it. I did buy a big 32oz container of it, though, so if anyone wants to test it out, just pay for postage and I'll send a sample. I'm never going to go through all this. I have no idea what I would put it in, though. Also, the stuff I got with my Vibergs was Venetian Leather Balm, not shoe creme. It smells less like chemicals and is thicker. I also wonder how knowledgeable Nick is about post-production care. I mean, it seems suspicious that he's peddling another Chicago company product.

Click to expand...

Straight from the website it seems the cream and balm are the same, just packed in glass bottles as a premium looking option.

That's interesting. Maybe the formula has changed over the years? I can say with absolute certainly that the balm with my Vibergs has a very different smell and consistency than the large tin of VSC. Either way, I am sort of sold on the practice of avoiding toxic solvents. so I try not to use the stuff.

mdubs · Apr 16, 2015

wdahab said:
Spring is solidly here, wearing my Alden of Madison not-yet-dirty-enough bucks today. Today's stains are brought to you by rusted-chain grease/water from an old bike I needed to throw out.

Nice White Bucks, bummer about the stains, hope they come out easily. +1 on using Nano or equivalent.

MrDV said:
saddles x j.crew

Looking great MrDV!

Don L said:
Saddles

Looking great DonL!

TO Tie Guy said:
Whiskey WTB

Lovely the Whiskey Wingtip Boots!

Allen Dreadmon said:
Maiden voyage. From the recent bb corporate sale. I originally ordered the snuff tassels but when they came in I decided I didn't like the colour. As luck would have it, they had these sitting in the back.

Great Tassels. I love the BB model.

GONZOtheMAN said:
hello everyone! first post here.

i've been reading SF threads for a long time now. thought i'd share my Alden boots for you all. i'm in love with these things.

indy in chromexcel. i believe these are bootmaker edition. i picked them up off of ebay for a steal last week. i plan to make these my everyday casual/hiking/traveling/riding boots. they seemed like such a good price i couldnt pass them up. i think these would be very interesting if they came in shell whiskey or tobacco with a leather soul.

shell cordovan #8 wingtips on the barrie last. picked these up from Alden of DC. they are great people and got me sized just right. i love these so much i've been wearing these pretty much 3 days a work week and maybe once every weekend. and they've broken in so nicely. had them about a month and a half now. i was originally looking for some captoe shell boots on the barrie last with speed hooks and leather soul but they didnt have that variation and i fell in love with these as soon as i put them on.

Congrats and thanks for sharing these boots. They both look well loved.

Mghart said:
Just picked these up from AOM. Really liking them a lot with the commando sole.

Those are stunning. I am sure that you will enjoy them!

Allen Dreadmon said:
I've always loved Alden's burnished tan calf and hope to own a makeup in that colour some day.

I meant to post this a few weeks ago. Some 975 TLC. Fresh sole edge dressing followed by some Saphir high gloss wax. I used the wax because the Fiebing's sole edge dressing alone left a very matte finish. Does anyone know what Alden uses in the factory? Thanks.

Classic. Love them!

-Mike

wdahab · Apr 16, 2015

mdubs said:
Nice White Bucks, bummer about the stains, hope they come out easily. +1 on using Nano or equivalent.

Think you missed just a little bit of the conversation there.

Nano/defender/anykind of protection isn't coming anywhere near these bad boys. They're actually a bit browner now, after playing in the backyard of my office with my dogs this afternoon.

zippyh · Apr 16, 2015

Cigar

TO Tie Guy · Apr 16, 2015

I spoke with Frans Boone and he mentioned that he does not ship by post.nl to the U.S, only UPS. Has anyone been successful in getting him to ship by post? I am afraid of customs duties since I'll need these proxied.

RevisIsland · Apr 16, 2015

zippyh said:
Cigar

Excellent.

Buckeye Nation · Apr 16, 2015

gsgleason said:
That's interesting. Maybe the formula has changed over the years? I can say with absolute certainly that the balm with my Vibergs has a very different smell and consistency than the large tin of VSC.

Either way, I am sort of sold on the practice of avoiding toxic solvents. so I try not to use the stuff.

Go back a few months in my post history to see a reasonable comparison of Reno vs VSC; I was like you - but my opinion is a bit different post test.

Regards,
BN

jayce030 · Apr 16, 2015

zippyh said:
Cigar

Excellent!

mdubs · Apr 16, 2015

wdahab said:
Think you missed just a little bit of the conversation there. Nano/defender/anykind of protection isn't coming anywhere near these bad boys. They're actually a bit browner now, after playing in the backyard of my office with my dogs this afternoon.

Yeah, didn't quite catch the not yet dirty enough part...

BenLeaman · Apr 16, 2015

TO Tie Guy said:
I spoke with Frans Boone and he mentioned that he does not ship by post.nl to the U.S, only UPS. Has anyone been successful in getting him to ship by post? I am afraid of customs duties since I'll need these proxied.

It seems that the consensus thus far has been that UPS is not consistent on their customs fees, with it leaning a little towards no fees upon delivery.
FWIW, I had him ship to me via UPS and I did not get hit with customs.
I'm sure the proxy wouldn't mind if he needs to help out a brother in need...

wdahab · Apr 16, 2015

I've had no UPS bill sent to me for my Frans Boone order, delivered about a month ago now. The customs sheet Frans Boone sent was explicitly a "return of US made goods to USA" form, so I have the affidavit on their part if UPS did hit me up for it. If I was gonna get dinged, I think I would have by now.

zippyh · Apr 16, 2015

TO Tie Guy said:
I spoke with Frans Boone and he mentioned that he does not ship by post.nl to the U.S, only UPS. Has anyone been successful in getting him to ship by post? I am afraid of customs duties since I'll need these proxied.

I think as long as Mr Boone makes sure to include the returning US made goods form you should be okay.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/375/~/duty-on-u.s.-made-goods-returning-to-the-u.s.

UPS will likely charge some kind of clearance/brokerage fee. No idea how much, but for Fedex it's around $25.
UPS will usually, but not always, collect on delivery.

Burzan · Apr 16, 2015

Second wearing of these new loafers and they are so damn comfortable already. Does anyone make an unlined suede LWB?

Also, does the Epaulet tan suede belt match really well? Anyone have it and can post a pic with a pair of Alden tan. I assume it's basically as close a match as I can get.

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