Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

[rootskier]



My assumption is they are NOT shell cordovan shoes. The description speaks twice of calf: "Merlot Custom Calf" and "Lined premium [COLOR=333333][COLOR=333333]calfskin[/COLOR][/COLOR] and [COLOR=333333][COLOR=333333]grain calfskin[/COLOR][/COLOR] leather upper"

Fair enough, I saw the description. I just think that both the creases and the sheen screams "shell."

 

[JermynStreet]

Fair enough, I saw the description. I just think that both the creases and the sheen screams "shell."

I think the small wrinkle on the upper of the left shoe (at the place where the pinky toe would be) is too fine. You could always ask the seller if they are shell cordovan. If he says yes and they actually are not, you can just return.

 

[random-adam]



I think the small wrinkle on the upper of the left shoe (at the place where the pinky toe would be) is too fine. You could always ask the seller if they are shell cordovan. If he says yes and they actually are not, you can just return.

As well, the photo of the sole shows a standard original Allen Edmonds sole and heel. Their shell shoes have JR soles with combination heels.

 

[tampatravel]

Quote:
Great Catch Adam!

 

[Cold Iron]

Ha- but they are actually not Bates. I came in back in 1998 so I was issued Wolverine brand shoes with a production date of 1996.
They are still holding on! Had to resole them the first time at the 12 year mark. The rubber sole finally gave out so I went with leather, but I went through that really fast.
They are still ok for normal day wear but for dress uniform use they are looking a little rough.

Maybe I'll use this line of thought on my wife to explain why I need another pair of AEs!

Wow am I out of the loop! I retired a few years before you came in

But still have 10 years to go in Civ World working before I'm really retired for good. I've been out long enough now that when I see shoes with leather exposed and no polish I find it easier to fight the urge to walk over to them and say "How about standing a little closer to the Kiwi next time!"

You certainly know how to take care of your shoes no matter who makes them. The ability to have a good shoe resoled is one of the things I try to explain to people when they ask about my shoes and ask how much they cost, etc. Quite a few people have asked me at work about them over the years but they still (usually) end up buying those made in China clown shoes instead. I would still use it on your wife though!

In the wild pics of my vintage shell MacNeils that I polished up the other day. Love em!

Walnut Player's Shoe:

Very nice looking. Like the socks too!

As do I, always nice shots.

 

[elbastardocalvo]



As do I, always nice shots.

Thanks very much.

 

[konda]

In the wild pics of my vintage shell MacNeils that I polished up the other day. Love em!

Is there any way to polish my burgundy shell MacNeils to look like this? I use AE's shell cream and all it gives me is a dark burgundy finish. Suggestions appreciated! Love the shoe, but find the color too dark!

Edit: Mine aren't vintage but only 6 months old.

 

[TheSizzle]



Is there any way to polish my burgundy shell MacNeils to look like this? I use AE's shell cream and all it gives me is a dark burgundy finish. Suggestions appreciated! Love the shoe, but find the color too dark!

Edit: Mine aren't vintage but only 6 months old.

The Mac Method might be a good place to start with your shell care. I don't know how much you should do to preemptively change the color, but they might lighten a bit over time.

http://theagatineeyelet.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/the-mac-method/

 

[delmar]

has anyone been to the factory shoe bank? my wife makes me go to the outlets in wisconsin every now and then, and since it's a few more minutes up the road, i was wondering if it's worth the trip?

It's worth the trip if you have at least two hours to kill. I've been there several times and I don't think I've ever left empty handed. It makes for a good opportunity to try on a lot of different shoes in sizes very close to your normal size that sometimes make for a better fit than you'd think. If you head to the larger back part of the store--where the seconds are--they'll pretty much leave you alone to really scrounge around, they just check on you every so often to see if you need any help. If you find something you like but it doesn't quite fit, they can quickly find out if any of the other outlets has the right size for you.

 

[konda]

^^much obliged!!

 

[New Shoes1]

Is there any way to polish my burgundy shell MacNeils to look like this? I use AE's shell cream and all it gives me is a dark burgundy finish. Suggestions appreciated! Love the shoe, but find the color too dark!

Edit: Mine aren't vintage but only 6 months old.

I agree with Sizzle. Use Renovateur to try and get all that AE polish off and proceed to use the Mac Method.

 

[Cold Iron]

I agree with Sizzle. Use Renovateur to try and get all that AE polish off and proceed to use the Mac Method.

Yep and I agree with this totally. First thing I do when I get new AE shell is strip the factory cream off.

For decades shell meant #8, and most all men just used black polish on them, and a few blue polish. Too much gunks them up but a little now and then helps get the patina a bit faster so you end up with that "Black Cherry" look. Time and brushing.

 

[masernaut]

Reading about all of this talk of shell, with a new pair of shell cordovan, should I immediately follow the Mac method? Or should I bother cleaning/conditioning and polishing the shoes before wearing them?

With my calf shoes I always clean/condition and polish them before wearing.

 

[sungmineyo]

^ I think it gives better shine after you strip off factory polish. Both of my shells had uneven factory polish on toe area which totally covered shell shine.

 

[random-adam]



I agree with Sizzle.  Use Renovateur to try and get all that AE polish off and proceed to use the Mac Method.

Yep and I agree with this totally. First thing I do when I get new AE shell is strip the factory cream off.

I've been using Venetian Shoe Cream but just this past week picked up some Renovateur, which promptly got applied to my black shell Leeds and burgundy shell Daltons. The stuff's expense and reputation are completely justified -- that quintessential soft glow suddenly appeared.