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

[borderline]

Originally Posted by borderline

I'm kind of curious about how the different shades of cordovan change over time. Does anyone have any new vs. aged photos of their shoes? Or can describe how #8, Cigar, Ravello, and Whiskey evolve? I know there are variables like how much/how often/what color polish is used, but there must be some typical changes regardless.

I did see this:
http://www.leathersoulhawaii.com/200...hell-cordovan/

 

[mcarthur]

whiskey nst

 

[lummers13]

Originally Posted by borderline

I'm kind of curious about how the different shades of cordovan change over time. Does anyone have any new vs. aged photos of their shoes? Or can describe how #8, Cigar, Ravello, and Whiskey evolve? I know there are variables like how much/how often/what color polish is used, but there must be some typical changes regardless.

Lovely blog by a fellow member on here:
http://theagatineeyelet.wordpress.co...09/28/color-8/

Another great blog as well:
http://youhavebrokentheinternet.blog...rrie-last.html

Otherwise you'll have to go through all the pages to find some lol. That's what I did one night

 

[ColtSAA45]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Ok, #8 shortwing, Barrie last with antiqued edgetrim. I'll put the order in.

Just placed my order from Ken @ LeatherSOUL today!

 

[TheWGP]

Originally Posted by Joenobody0

I agree. They look nothing like my Whiskey pair.

+1 - I have whiskey PTB's and mine are MUCH lighter - if multiple pairs are doing this it must be something about how you're caring for them? Maybe using the same polish cloth / brush for darker colors too?

 

[randomkoreandude]

for those of you who own natty chromexcel shoes, what do you guys use to treat them? i heard tehy scuff really easily ...

any products to recommend?

anyone used this venetian shoe cream?

http://oakstreetbootmakers.com/acces...hoe-cream.html

 

[cfull]

Originally Posted by slide13

The ones on J Crew are not the unlined chukka, they are a fully lined version and I believe the pricing is correct for that style. Epaulet has an example of the lined chukka as well as the more standard unlined offerings and their pricing is similar (though their black suede w/ brown trim is way cooler looking IMO).
The ones I tried on yesterday were fully leather lined too, the only difference being a lug sole. Same as the ones here on shoemart. Suede, barrie last, fully leather lined, exactly the same except the sole. 100 dollar upcharge, heh!

 

[HorseHide]

Originally Posted by randomkoreandude

for those of you who own natty chromexcel shoes, what do you guys use to treat them? i heard tehy scuff really easily ...

any products to recommend?

anyone used this venetian shoe cream?

http://oakstreetbootmakers.com/acces...hoe-cream.html

Certain products (Saphir renovateur for instance) contain neatsfoot oil, which will evidently darken natural chromexcel. The people at Shoemart recommended neutral Alden shoe creme - I'm not sure if the formulation of the venetian shoe creme is closer to the Alden product or something like the Saphir product but I know the Alden shoe creme works.

I have the LWBs from Winn-Perry and they are a bit darker than other natural chromexcel shoes but they haven't scuffed at all.

 

[randomkoreandude]

^thx very helpful

does shoemart do 10% off on alden accessories? only through phone?

 

[enigma77]

Originally Posted by HorseHide

Certain products (Saphir renovateur for instance) contain neatsfoot oil, which will evidently darken natural chromexcel. The people at Shoemart recommended neutral Alden shoe creme - I'm not sure if the formulation of the venetian shoe creme is closer to the Alden product or something like the Saphir product but I know the Alden shoe creme works. I have the LWBs from Winn-Perry and they are a bit darker than other natural chromexcel shoes but they haven't scuffed at all.
I second the recommendation of Alden shoe cream. I don't own natural chromexcel shoes, but use the neutral shade on my brown chromexcel all the time and it's great. Imparts just the right amount of shine and has not affected the coloration of the leather. Venetian shoe cream seems more of a shell cordovan product. I've used in on my shells with great success, and can tell you that it will darken areas of leather if you leave it there for a while. Try the Alden shoe cream. It's not that expensive, and it's pretty all-purpose -- I use it on all my non-shell, non-suede leathers.

 

[makewayhomer]

enigma77 are you saying venetian will darken shell? Or other leathers? Or anything if you don't buff it off?

 

[CanuckBassist]

Is the neutral shoe cream the way to go for dark brown chromexcel indys or does the dark brown actually match?

Speaking of indys, do you guys use shoe trees considering they're more casual?

 

[Man with Apple]

Originally Posted by CanuckBassist

Is the neutral shoe cream the way to go for dark brown chromexcel indys or does the dark brown actually match?

Speaking of indys, do you guys use shoe trees considering they're more casual?

I use trees on mine.

 

[enigma77]

No. I've left it sitting on a part of a shell boot while I polished the rest, and there was a minor darkening in that spot for a bit before I rubbed it in. No big deal. It might ever so slightly affect the color, but so will just, you know, wearing the shoes.

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

enigma77 are you saying venetian will darken shell? Or other leathers? Or anything if you don't buff it off?

 

[david3558]

Originally Posted by CanuckBassist

Is the neutral shoe cream the way to go for dark brown chromexcel indys or does the dark brown actually match?

Speaking of indys, do you guys use shoe trees considering they're more casual?

Bryan from LSBH suggested I use neutral shoe cream, and I tried that on mine; worked out beautifully, the leather is way more supple now.

David