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Articles by LA Guy
Question: I noticed that the back of the inside of my shoes are being worn away. Is there anything I can do to prevent or repair this? I'm guessing it's because the shoes are a touch too large?
Answer: I rubbed through the back of a pair of my old J&M's (from back when the top of their line...
Question: What I can do to get rid of the black spot on this Wolverine boot? Or at least make it less noticeable. The boots are made of oiled leather (if that makes any difference). Thanks..
Answer (originally posted by @Nick V. owner of one B Nelson, one of the most renown shoe repair shops...
Question: Yesterday the toe of one of my shoes made close physical contact with a stairwell. Now there is some bigger scratch which I don't know how to treat properly. All I find when searching is in fact how to treat scratches, mine actually is a small area of 1mm x 1mm where the upper layer of...
Question: I scratched these Park Avenues pretty badly (see below). Help?
Answer: You should probably strip some of that old wax off, condition and re polish. It looks like there is a lot of build-up. Even on the vamp.
Then apply Saphir Renovateur, then start bulling with wax. Thin layers...
Question: Can someone offer some insight on how these shoes were "antiqued" with this finish? Here's the before, or how they come when purchased.
Here's the after.
Looks like just a top coat of medium brown + shine but I'm far from an expert. Thanks!
Answer:
This is quite really easy to...
This FAQ was originally written for the official Alden thread, a community within a community here at Styleforum, by @mdubs , the fan's fan of Alden footwear. If you are a fan, you should definitely check it out...
Things they didn't tell you, or that came as a surprise (by @Lear )
N.B. This list has been constantly added to. Probably best not to quote it:
All shades of red/burgundy wax tend to bleed like hell and rub off on trousers.
Saphir MdO cream polish (soft stuff) left to dry for too long is...
Originally posted by @Northampton Novice
I have picked out some wise words from Ron Rider on this very subject, posted here some years back, they help to define some of the key products we'll utilise:
"True shoe aficionados can argue for hours over whether wax or cream is the most effective...
Originally posted by @Lear
I've had quite a few PM's regarding my mirror shine. Until joining SF, I had absolutely no idea how to shine any shoe, let alone generate a mirror! Below has been my standard reply. It works for me (with absolutely no flaking, cracking or damage), but might not for...
I just finished recolouring my favourite pair of Crockett & Jones. These shoes have a Dainite sole and have been my default shoe for wet days and for travelling for conferences, etc. I have noticed that the colour had faded a fair amount from the vamp area and I wanted to bring them back to...
Question: Hey guys tips on keeping a pair of Balenciagas Arenas nice? Should I water proof them? I do not want to mess them up lol They're my most expensive/nicest pair of shoes. Also, on one pair it seems the shiny rubber became very very dull and not shiny, but the other one is fine and it...
Question: What is bullhide, and why is it attractive/desirable? What are its qualities?
Answer (according to @DWFII , a bespoke shoemaker): I guess that attractive is in the eye of the beholder.
In fact "bullhide" or "bullhide shoulder"...AKA "shrunken shoulder"... is a poor cut of leather...
Question: What is the reason that the nap of steerhide is "shaggier" than calfskin?
Answer: The reason the nap is "shaggier" is that the animal is older (might very well have been female as well, despite the name) . An older animal will always have a coarser fiber mat even in the corium. Which...
Notes from a bespoke shoemaker (@DWFII ):
It's also worth noting that even the best shoemakers use shoulder and belly...depends on the tannage and the application.
Once upon a time every part of the shoe was made of vegetable tanned leather (chrome tannages had not yet been invented). Some...
Question: I'm getting a pair of beater winter boots (i expect salt damage). They have a rubber half sole stitched on but I want to add a Topy because that would be cheaper than having to replace the stitched half sole and it's not worth the cost of a half-sole resole for these.
Does anybody...
Question: Anyone have experience with Gliptone? Someone said it left a somewhat sticky residue on their shoes, which seems strange since I think the product is mostly used on car seats? In any case, I'm thinking about using the conditioner on a cowhide leather jacket. Anyone have experience with...
Question Aren't technically almost all shoe leathers corrected grain? ie. pebble grain, hatch grain, smooth leather, etc. the surface has been corrected through sanding or printing a pattern.
Answer: Yes, technically most non aniline dye leathers are corrected grain; box calf it is not...
Question: When trying to spit shine a pair of shoes, does one brush between each application of wax/water?
Answer: Definitely not, that would only make more scratches on the surface, which is the opposite of what you're trying to do.
Justin FitzPatrick made an excellent YouTube video on mirror...
Question: For the shoemakers out there. Have you noticed any real-world differences in quality or performance of welted vs nailed soles? I am having a pair of boots made and have the option of nailed soles. I am told this can make the sole harder wearing, but I wonder if it is necessary for...
Question: How do I fix the discoloration in the heel of my shoes, as shown below:
Answer (originally posted by @DWFII , a bespoke shoemaker): You could try this...wet the offending area slightly. Rub hard with a spoon or bone. As the leather burnishes it will seem sticky. If you persist, it...