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[Bakes11771]

Resorted ravello tassels. Almost a perfect job...

Presentation - green shoe box plus a pair of shoe trees



Shoe bags were included, the tassels were tied up:



Note the "Alden Restoration" inside



I slipped the shoes on... the corkbed is replaced and shoe fits like new, with the exception that the cordovan uppers are softer as they have already been broken in



The coloring was basically unaltered, as requested. I was worried these would come black color 8 or black or something. However, the one flaw is that there is a splotch of black or dark brown polish under the tassel on the right shoe.






The black splotch is annoying, but some of the polish is sitting up on the shoe, which makes me believe I can remove a lot of it with a damp cloth plus brushing. Sending it back wouldn't be worth it as I want to wear these for the next few months (though Alden should have an individual examining each shoe for this stuff)

Overall I think this is a good job by Alden... the soles on these babies were really worn - replacing the sole and the corkbed makes the shoe feel like new. The overall coloring is that true dark ravello I like. I appreciate the new shoe box, bags and trees. The blotch is unfortunate but I've seen worse, so it is what it is.

Thanks for sharing. I had been looking forward to seeing those. Unfortunate about the blotch indeed. Is there a texture to the blotch? Or is it smooth with the surface of the shoe?

 

[Numbernine]



help me decide?


Would you rather have a moderately worn pair of Alden unlined PTBs or a NOS unworn pair of vintage Hanover PTBs?

Both are color 8 shell and the same price...

I have a pair of ravello shade hanovers I bought nos on ebay. The shell the most naturally lusterous shell I own. Ive never used any products on it . They are from the era when bostonian and hanover were the same shoe . Late80s Build quality is @ the same as Alden meybe a little less .Money aside this is a chance to own piece of American shoe history . You will still be able to buy Aldens . Heres a pic sorry for the poor quality

I paid $99

 

[Alcibiades]



Thanks for sharing.  I had been looking forward to seeing those.  Unfortunate about the blotch indeed.  Is there a texture to the blotch?  Or is it smooth with the surface of the shoe?

There is a texture to it, which makes me think I can buff it out.

 

[geoffmartin17]



Looks like Alden SF had a new arrival. Navy calf chukka.

Hmmm....not sure if i like these

 

[PhiPsi32]

Saw it in store. Didn't really grab my eye.

Looks like Alden SF had a new arrival. Navy calf chukka.

 

[FENWAY]

sorry to hear that fenway. they look very nice. tsm? what size?
[/quote]

Yes, TSM. Size 10.5 C/E ...beauties, no doubt

 

[gaseousclay]



I have the worst luck, but that's ok. I own venetian cream, but haven't used it yet. May purchase a deerbone if it might help.


Can this scuff, which looks like its underneath be fixed?

How about these indentations in the cordovan?

Lastly, will the dye even out with time, or worsen? This is only visible when pic is taken with flash.

That's a pretty mild scuff compared to mine. This winter I took a spill on the ice and ended up with a scuff on my captoe bal shells around the heel. The scuff looks like a giant hash tag, on top of scraping some of the leather on the shoe edge. I'm gonna have to invest in a bone soon

 

[Don L]

I have the worst luck, but that's ok. I own venetian cream, but haven't used it yet. May purchase a deerbone if it might help.


Can this scuff, which looks like its underneath be fixed?



How about these indentations in the cordovan?



Lastly, will the dye even out with time, or worsen? This is only visible when pic is taken with flash.

I wouldn't sweat over either of those. Chalk it up to the charm of Shell. Over time, with brushing regularly, I suspect it will even out.

 

[mediahound]

Thanks guys, the Hanovers it is.

I have a pair of ravello shade hanovers I bought nos on ebay. The shell the most naturally lusterous shell I own. Ive never used any products on it . They are from the era when bostonian and hanover were the same shoe . Late80s Build quality is @ the same as Alden meybe a little less .Money aside this is a chance to own piece of American shoe history . You will still be able to buy Aldens .

unworn pair

help me decide?

Would you rather have a moderately worn pair of Alden unlined PTBs or a NOS unworn pair of vintage Hanover PTBs?

Both are color 8 shell and the same price...

 

[blue collar]



Resorted ravello tassels. Almost a perfect job...

Presentation - green shoe box plus a pair of shoe trees

Shoe bags were included, the tassels were tied up:

Note the "Alden Restoration" inside

I slipped the shoes on... the corkbed is replaced and shoe fits like new, with the exception that the cordovan uppers are softer as they have already been broken in

The coloring was basically unaltered, as requested. I was worried these would come black color 8 or black or something. However, the one flaw is that there is a splotch of black or dark brown polish under the tassel on the right shoe.

The black splotch is annoying, but some of the polish is sitting up on the shoe, which makes me believe I can remove a lot of it with a damp cloth plus brushing. Sending it back wouldn't be worth it as I want to wear these for the next few months (though Alden should have an individual examining each shoe for this stuff)

Overall I think this is a good job by Alden... the soles on these babies were really worn - replacing the sole and the corkbed makes the shoe feel like new. The overall coloring is that true dark ravello I like. I appreciate the new shoe box, bags and trees. The blotch is unfortunate but I've seen worse, so it is what it is.

Your restoration looks fantastic. I'm happy to her that they fit and feel like a new pair. It's a shame about the "blotch" but i'm happy to see that it's one of the better jobs. Great loooking tassel by the way!

 

[Alcibiades]



Your restoration looks fantastic. I'm happy to her that they fit and feel like a new pair. It's a shame about the "blotch" but i'm happy to see that it's one of the better jobs. Great loooking tassel by the way!

Yeah, it's hard to see in the lighting on my photos, I'll try to get a photo in natural light later this week. It's under the tassel so not a huge deal.

 

[The Deacon]



Thanks guys, the Hanovers it is.

I've owned the varying vintage old stock hanover ptb in cognac shell and black shell and they were easily the equal of my NIB shell Alden #8 PTB. The Hanover had thicker shell and thicker soles. In fact the black ones with the combination heel with cobbler nails were superior in my estimation.

 

[patrick_b]



http://www.theshoemart.com/contact/c-contact_irregular.html

Fantastic, thanks!

Fwiw, I've signed up from that page a few times years ago and never received a single email. Many here have reported the same result. As soon as I called in ans asked to be added to the list, I started receiving them. They don't come out all that frequently.

 

[Don L]

I believe the last proactive list was sent out in October. I would email customer service and they will send you a list of what they have in your size. I just did that last week and got it same day.

 

[hpreston]



ravello wt
argyles otc

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Will I ever get tired of seeing Uncle Mac's awesomeness? Probably not.

The ever-controversial black shell (with Epaulet russet nailhead).

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

To add to the chorus, nothing controversial, just awesome shoes, great pants too.

Some fresh Cigar...unfortunatly not a perfect fit

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

What is the size?

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Looks like Alden SF had a new arrival. Navy calf chukka.

Interesting makeup, although I think I prefer the Navy CXL PTB that Alden Madison Ave just got in, that is great looking shoe, I am not sure about the Navy chukka...


And for today, a very cool spring morning, Chocolate unlined chukkas