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

[The Chi]

I may be wrong or missing something important, but I'm going to say it again: scarcity of Alden shell is a function of Alden being in demand beyond Alden's capacity to produce. You can go to several other makers, all sourcing shell from Horween, and get something immediately or MTO within a month or so and in an array of shell colors.

I am not so sure that this is true. I recently contacted Mitchell Leather about a wallet in shell cordovan (any color besides black) and Dave mentioned that not only did he not have any, but he didn't know when he would receive more.

This is obviously one data point and he could be allocating what he does get from them to their briefcases, but I think Horween Shell Cordovan is in tight supply also.

 

[mediahound]

I am not so sure that this is true. I recently contacted Mitchell Leather about a wallet in shell cordovan (any color besides black) and Dave mentioned that not only did he not have any, but he didn't know when he would receive more.

This is obviously one data point and he could be allocating what he does get from them to their briefcases, but I think Horween Shell Cordovan is in tight supply also.

Also, who was it (I think Oak Street Bootmakers?) that recently had to stop selling any shell cordovan shoes due to lack of being able to get any.

 

[ReppTiePrepster]

Color 8 Grant Caps today

I've missed being on this thread lately. Hope everyone is doing well. Nice to see Mac's stunning pics again. Regards, -D

Nice to hear from you again Doc... looking good in your color 8 boots!

 

[docalden2013]

Nice to hear from you again Doc... looking good in your color 8 boots!

Thanks RTP! Appreciate your posts as I'm catching up on my Alden reading

 

[FrankCowperwood]

Fair enough with those two examples, though they also might have made a business decision that the volume they could do in the shell they could get wasn't worth it. Shell is clearly not in abundant supply compared to other leathers and probably never has been.

And Rancourt, Carmina, Vass, and DaLuca (watch straps and wallets), all seem to have ready enough access to Horween shell to meet their demand. These are just what I'm familiar with. As I mentioned, their overall volume is likely much lower than Aldens, and my point may go out the window when these makers announce they are experiencing a shortage, but I'll stand pat for now. If I turn out to be wrong, you can all throw it in my face while I surround myself with the beautiful shell cordovan I'm hording...

 

[michigan66]

this is a great forum and this is my first posting.

I just bought Alden on ebay and I am not satisfied.
the shoes looked o.k., when unpacking, but after a couple of hours wear, some crincles got lighter than the original bordeaux color.
after one full day, the leather showed white stuff coming off, if I would have been in dust somewhere, even I was in the office on carpet (see the picture).
I brushed the shoes and left them sitting for a day but after wearing them another day, same thing.
what could be wrong with the leather?
any recomendations what I can do?

does Alden offer to refurb these shoes for me?

thank you
michigan66

 

[totalair1]

I talked to Ed with Theshoemart...he claims he went to Horween himself and they simply have no cordovan hides on the shelf. In addition, Ed claims Alden has no hides either. I think the demand for shell cordovan has exceeded the supply. I know Ed's not a happy camper because he can't sell what he does not have.

See Ya,
Steve

 

[mediahound]

It's really too bad horse meat is not eaten much in the USA any more. As someone posted a few weeks ago, it's healthier than beef and tastes better. And, there would be more horse hides available too.

 

[mediahound]

this is a great forum and this is my first posting.

I just bought Alden on ebay and I am not satisfied.
the shoes looked o.k., when unpacking, but after a couple of hours wear, some crincles got lighter than the original bordeaux color.
after one full day, the leather showed white stuff coming off, if I would have been in dust somewhere, even I was in the office on carpet (see the picture).
I brushed the shoes and left them sitting for a day but after wearing them another day, same thing.
what could be wrong with the leather?
any recomendations what I can do?

does Alden offer to refurb these shoes for me?

thank you
michigan66

Were these new or used? Shell cordovan? If new shell, that may be normal waxes coming to the surface as you wear them. A light buffing with a slightly damp soft cloth followed by a brushing with a horse hair brush (after waiting several minutes for them to be dry), followed by a buff with a dry cloth should help a lot.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[Bakes11771]

this is a great forum and this is my first posting.

I just bought Alden on ebay and I am not satisfied.
the shoes looked o.k., when unpacking, but after a couple of hours wear, some crincles got lighter than the original bordeaux color.
after one full day, the leather showed white stuff coming off, if I would have been in dust somewhere, even I was in the office on carpet (see the picture).
I brushed the shoes and left them sitting for a day but after wearing them another day, same thing.
what could be wrong with the leather?
any recomendations what I can do?

does Alden offer to refurb these shoes for me?

thank you
michigan66

This sounds normal, although I have never seen it to the degree shown in your picture. Were they bought from Ebay new?

The white stuff is natural oils and wax from the leather. Wipe it off with a damp paper towel. The discoloration of the creases is normal with new shell. Get some Saphir Renovateur or Venetian shoe cream and rub some on the crease, then brush rigorously with a horse hair brush and the color will even out as if it were never there.

 

[michigan66]

Were these new or used? Shell cordovan? If new shell, that may be normal waxes coming to the surface as you wear them. A light buffing with a slightly damp soft cloth followed by a brushing with a horse hair brush (after waiting several minutes for them to be dry), followed by a buff with a dry cloth should help a lot.

And welcome to the forum.

the shoes were used. he sold them for shell cordovan. have used horse hair brush, did light wax, let them sit for a day, but same thing. after one day, they look like the loose some white stuff - see the picture.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alden-cordovan-563-NEW-/251262892037?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item3a806f7805

PSA:

A new 11.5 color 8 Tassel for this price?

Someone has to jump on this.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



I talked to Ed with Theshoemart...he claims he went to Horween himself and they simply have no cordovan hides on the shelf. In addition, Ed claims Alden has no hides either. I think the demand for shell cordovan has exceeded the supply. I know Ed's not a happy camper because he can't sell what he does not have.

See Ya,
Steve

This is consistent with what I was told by a contact at LSW. And the shortage is for all shell, not just exotics. Get it while you can.

 

[violethour1951]

Perhaps the previous owner put the wrong kind of wax/cream on the shell. I've never seen an example of it coming out of creases to this degree.

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]



[ATTACHMENT=6038]alden_ebay.JPG (538k. JPG file)[/ATTACHMENT] this is a great forum and this is my first posting. I just bought Alden on ebay and I am not satisfied. the shoes looked o.k., when unpacking, but after a couple of hours wear, some crincles got lighter than the original bordeaux color. after one full day, the leather showed white stuff coming off, if I would have been in dust somewhere, even I was in the office on carpet (see the picture). I brushed the shoes and left them sitting for a day but after wearing them another day, same thing. what could be wrong with the leather? any recomendations what I can do? does Alden offer to refurb these shoes for me? thank you michigan66

What model number is listed inside the shoe? Yes - Alden will restore these for you.