***The official Alden thread *** - Page 1546

"the ultimate goal is to never apply wax polish to your shells"

from Mac here:
http://www.styleforum.net/t/85589/the-official-alden-thread/18400_80#post_4985680

I apply wax about once a year to my shells personally but try not to any more than that. It's just not needed and can sometimes make them look worse and actually less shiny than just brushing and cloth buffing.
Edited by mediahound - 2/8/12 at 4:49pm

1) Use mac method sparingly (moist cloth, lots of brushing, buffing cloth)
2) Use wax polish sparingly - there is a debate on what this means, I use wax polish a bit more than most (once every five or six weeks) on most of my shells. The more you use wax polish, though, the more you need t brush
3) Keep a conditioning cream (Saphir, Venetian, etc) nearby to deal with dry looking cordovan

:hifive:

I've read your posts - I'd charge you full price. But that's just me...

While never applying wax polish might be the goal, it's a bit too optimistic and borderline unrealistic.

FWIW the Meltonian delicate boot/shoe cream (neutral) that I use is a wax base so it has the dual benefit of conditioning dry shell plus some of the protection and shine that wax delivers

Since both Venetian and Reno have some wax in them already, I bet one could get by with never applying a wax polish to shell without much issue.

Paste wax serves a purpose - filling in dents, enhancing the color of the shoes, helping to create a brighter shine, etc. Alden sells color 8 paste wax for a reason, it is designed to be used on color 8 cordovan. Given the characteristics of shell, it should be used more sparingly than you would use it on calf, but you should definitely get a tin. All of the shoe care videos posted on here (the woman from SF, leffot, etc) include applications of paste wax

So all the discussion of ShoeMart seconds had me wondering - has anyone gotten SM to ship Aldens out of the US? I'm wondering how much a phone call could accomplish. PM me if you don't want to post it here.

 

Also, does anyone know why Alden won't let them ship out of the US? 

Nick Horween himself doesn't use wax on shell (or if he does, barely):

"Less is more. 90 percent of all maintenance should be done with a damp cloth, a fine brush, and a soft, polishing cloth. I condition my shoes very lightly ever 15 to 20 wears and then brush and buff them. Cordovan contains a very high wax and oil content, so adding too much conditioner or paste wax will just cause it to sit up on the surface and build up."

from: http://www.styleforum.net/t/274603/nick-v-interviews-nick-horween-horween-leather/0_80

This has been my experience as well. I applied the color 8 polish to my 975s and after the first wear after doing so, they looked worse than before because the wax built up in the folds and started making them look whiter and dry. I then used just a damp cloth, horsehair brush and dry cloth to buff it well and they then looked way better.

By the way, the Ravellos in my profile pic to the left have never had a single application of wax ever, except at the factory when they were new.

Thing is you poloshed your 975 when they were basically brand new (which will make them look worse). Of course you wear your shoes for a few weeks before using any product (polish, saphir, whatever). Use polish sparingly and when needed, but after a few weeks, applying saphir then paste wax to my cordovans tends to make them look much better (particularly on my cigars). This is all YMMV, but like I said, it's good to have a tin around if you need it

Put in an order for mine with Shoemart last Friday. Shipped yesterday, due to arrive February 14th. Context and Unionmade have spoiled me -- I'm used to receiving orders within 4-5 days. This is even more excurciating because, well, it's Cigar LWB's I'm waiting on.

Nope, why would I do that? They come new with too much polish on them already.

Did you buy them from someone else (I was confused, thought you bought them new). A lot of shell does look bad when people put too much wax on them. All I am saying is that wax when used correctly can enhance shell as it ages.

probably missed the "and", i did too... "I applied the color 8 polish to my 975s and after the first wear"

Right - so it looks like he used Mac method after wearing the shells with polish, which is recommended, especially after using wax (as it can attract dust)

Look, I'm not saying use paste wax after every wear, I'm just saying I don't necessarily agree with the no paste wax evangelists....