Made in Spain Footwear, including TLB Mallorca, Cobbler Union, Yanko, Norman Vilalta, etc

[Patrick1053]

Anyone own both these and some Carminas that can speak to their differences? Which should I go with? I'm honestly torn. Carmina has a lot more lasts though which is awesome

Basically, by doing a strict comparison of construction, TLB beats Carmina. But if you are not so concerned about the finer details then Carmina has more leather options, more last options, more sole options, and more style options. So if there is a shoe from Carmina that TLB has an equivalent of, then I would go with TLB, but if you wanted a U- cap wingtip boot made with Blue, Green, and Natural Shell cordovan on a very casual rounded toe last with an Aspen sole made from hevea milk then you are gonna have to go with Carmina.

Yeah, it surely happens a lot between budget welted shoes and good midrange shoes. It's a bit like for bicycles, a road bike or mountainbike at €1,000 is way behind a bike at around €2,000 in all regards, while you have to pay much more for smaller differences going from that, the €2,000 bike is not that big of a difference compared to a €5,000 bike.

Regarding the second thing, of course, you have to like the style you’re going for. And, fit need to be good. I mean, a pair of Allen Edmonds can be a better purchase for you than both of the ones mentioned here, if you like their style much more and if you have a last that fits you much better from them.



I don't think everyone realises what a ridiculously good deal TLB and especially Artista is, and especially for people in the states. I mean, the RRP in Europe is great, a lot of bang for the buck, perhaps the best price-quality ratio available. And all lucky bastards over there have a very strong dollar now and can get it minus the 20-25% VAT, with free shipping, without having to pay any import dutys or taxes. It's bloody crazy!!

I would be stocking up on shitloads of Artistas if I were a US guy, even if there's no changes on the horizon, one never know, currencies can fluctuate to make it less favourable, some new large retailers in the states might not accept EU retailers selling without VAT, the $800 limit for tax free private imports might change (for me being a EU citizen, I can't understand why Trump nags over the presumable EU favourable situation when it comes to customs etc, when we private persons have to pay shitloads of customs and VAT etc for everything we bring from the US to Europe), etc.

And yes, if you are in the US (like me), then you are gonna pay a higher mark up for those special Carmina's too.

 

[RickyTakhar]

Yeah, it surely happens a lot between budget welted shoes and good midrange shoes. It's a bit like for bicycles, a road bike or mountainbike at €1,000 is way behind a bike at around €2,000 in all regards, while you have to pay much more for smaller differences going from that, the €2,000 bike is not that big of a difference compared to a €5,000 bike.

Regarding the second thing, of course, you have to like the style you’re going for. And, fit need to be good. I mean, a pair of Allen Edmonds can be a better purchase for you than both of the ones mentioned here, if you like their style much more and if you have a last that fits you much better from them.



I don't think everyone realises what a ridiculously good deal TLB and especially Artista is, and especially for people in the states. I mean, the RRP in Europe is great, a lot of bang for the buck, perhaps the best price-quality ratio available. And all lucky bastards over there have a very strong dollar now and can get it minus the 20-25% VAT, with free shipping, without having to pay any import dutys or taxes. It's bloody crazy!!

I would be stocking up on shitloads of Artistas if I were a US guy, even if there's no changes on the horizon, one never know, currencies can fluctuate to make it less favourable, some new large retailers in the states might not accept EU retailers selling without VAT, the $800 limit for tax free private imports might change (for me being a EU citizen, I can't understand why Trump nags over the presumable EU favourable situation when it comes to customs etc, when we private persons have to pay shitloads of customs and VAT etc for everything we bring from the US to Europe), etc.

Do TLB have access to grain leather? Such as horween, also would a gmto of the j&fj russian be possible. I think the STD model would look killer on russian grain

 

[Betelgeuse]

Does someone has a shot of the Goya vs Picasso last in the classic captoe oxford?

 

[Patrick1053]

Does someone has a shot of the Goya vs Picasso last in the classic captoe oxford?

I am assuming you mean pictures from above. Skolyx has them.

https://www.skolyx.se/en/shoes/603-...ze-42_uk_8/72-sole-leather_sole/239-last-goya

https://www.skolyx.se/en/shoes/608-...unched-cap-toe-balmoral.html#/70-size-39_uk_5

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Do TLB have access to grain leather? Such as horween, also would a gmto of the j&fj russian be possible. I think the STD model would look killer on russian grain

Grain leather yes, mainly scotch grain from Du Puy. No hatch grain stuff at the moment, but Toni is browsing new leathers all the time so surely a chance for something to be added.

 

[Proleet]

Grain leather yes, mainly scotch grain from Du Puy. No hatch grain stuff at the moment, but Toni is browsing new leathers all the time so surely a chance for something to be added.

Any burgundy or oxblood grain?

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Any burgundy or oxblood grain?

These are the ones available ATM:

The brown one has a clear red tint to it though.

 

[gmehra]

Yeah, it surely happens a lot between budget welted shoes and good midrange shoes. It's a bit like for bicycles, a road bike or mountainbike at €1,000 is way behind a bike at around €2,000 in all regards, while you have to pay much more for smaller differences going from that, the €2,000 bike is not that big of a difference compared to a €5,000 bike.

Regarding the second thing, of course, you have to like the style you’re going for. And, fit need to be good. I mean, a pair of Allen Edmonds can be a better purchase for you than both of the ones mentioned here, if you like their style much more and if you have a last that fits you much better from them.



I don't think everyone realises what a ridiculously good deal TLB and especially Artista is, and especially for people in the states. I mean, the RRP in Europe is great, a lot of bang for the buck, perhaps the best price-quality ratio available. And all lucky bastards over there have a very strong dollar now and can get it minus the 20-25% VAT, with free shipping, without having to pay any import dutys or taxes. It's bloody crazy!!

I would be stocking up on shitloads of Artistas if I were a US guy, even if there's no changes on the horizon, one never know, currencies can fluctuate to make it less favourable, some new large retailers in the states might not accept EU retailers selling without VAT, the $800 limit for tax free private imports might change (for me being a EU citizen, I can't understand why Trump nags over the presumable EU favourable situation when it comes to customs etc, when we private persons have to pay shitloads of customs and VAT etc for everything we bring from the US to Europe), etc.

its also interesting that brick & mortar retail stores in the US have to pay around 5% import duty for welted shoes because of course they are ordering shoes in bulk (over $800 value for the entire shipment) then have to charge their customers state tax (8.875% in NYC as an example). these two things combined makes for a big disadvantage for brick and mortar stores vs international online retailers

 

[shirtingfantasy]

Inviting @j ingevaldsson ’s kind input here:
(It’s not from Skolyx, but I can’t think of any other person as knowledgeable on TLB Artista)



Did TLB further improve the finishing of the split toe? From this recent picture of their split toe, it looks almost like a real butt-stitch split, and not the usual “decorative” (as in“not actually sewing two pieces together at the tip”) reverse stitching?

Either way, TLB seems to be able to deliver EUR 700-800 of value for half the price once again
?

 

[j ingevaldsson]

its also interesting that brick & mortar retail stores in the US have to pay around 5% import duty for welted shoes because of course they are ordering shoes in bulk (over $800 value for the entire shipment) then have to charge their customers state tax (8.875% in NYC as an example). these two things combined makes for a big disadvantage for brick and mortar stores vs international online retailers

Yeah, still worse the other way around though Here in Sweden we have to pay up to 18% customs and then 25% VAT if importing shoes from the US. That's why Allen Edmonds cost more than TLB here in Sweden...

Inviting @j ingevaldsson ’s kind input here:
(It’s not from Skolyx, but I can’t think of any other person as knowledgeable on TLB Artista)



Did TLB further improve the finishing of the split toe? From this recent picture of their split toe, it looks almost like a real butt-stitch split, and not the usual “decorative” (as in“not actually sewing two pieces together at the tip”) reverse stitching?

Either way, TLB seems to be able to deliver EUR 700-800 of value for half the price once again
?

It's the same type of reverse stitch as before, the look can vary a bit depending on thickness of leather though.

 

[aj2603]

It's the same type of reverse stitch as before, the look can vary a bit depending on thickness of leather though.

The Leather Healer SpTD looks like it is on the picasso last...

Most of the SpTD i have seen have been on the Goya last

 

[j ingevaldsson]

The Leather Healer SpTD looks like it is on the picasso last...

Most of the SpTD i have seen have been on the Goya last

View attachment 1384365

It's on the Velazquez last, here's what I wrote about that earlier:

"Velazquez is a brand new last developed after a wish from the South Korea agent, it is a soft square last with a bit wider toe and less chiseling than Picasso, looks a bit like Edward Green's 888 last. Will be available from TLB and if other retailers bring it in as well soon.

As with all TLB Artista lasts, the base lasts are exactly the same only the toe shape that differs, so the fit between Picasso, Goya, Dali (an almond toe, the first attempt on Goya which was kept) and Velazquez are all the same."

 

[aj2603]

I think the Velazquez last is perfect for a SpTD (IMO)....

I cant wait for Skolyx to start selling it .

 

[Patrick1053]

Can someone advise me on the best way to proceed? I recently purchased a pair of shoes. The length was good but there was too much volume throughout the whole shoe. I added a very thin (about 1mm) leather insole and now the fit is almost perfect. However, my fear is that when I break them in they might become too big. Do you think I should keep them? I could always add a thicker insole later? (I have already tried going down a width down and that was too tight in the toes.)

 

[Andrew0409]

I pulled the trigger on the Artista line from Skolyx. Now patiently waiting for them lol.