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

[MacktasticGDogg]

The "J Rendenbach" stamp is what's stamped on the soles of all AE shell cordovan shoes (unless it's an MTO where you specified something other than Rendenbach soles). The Horween stamp you are thinking of is probably the one found on the back of the shell cordovan leather itself. You would not see this in a shoe unless it's unlined on the inside.

Newer JR soles do have a Horween stamp on them as well (see Tifosi's pictures of his MTO's above).  That's just something they added more recently.  It has nothing to do with the authenticity of your cordovan shoes.  Besides, it is right at the ball of the foot, where it will wear off in no time anyway.

I stand corrected! I never even realized that my last pair of AE shells had the Horween stamp. As MWS noted, it disappears after a few wears anyway.

I had even taken a picture of the sole before, haha. Guess I shouldn't comment on stuff I don't really know about.

 

[random-adam]



I stand corrected! I never even realized that my last pair of AE shells had the Horween stamp. As MWS noted, it disappears after a few wears anyway.

I had even taken a picture of the sole before, haha. Guess I shouldn't comment on stuff I don't really know about.

Ahh, but it gave you an excellent excuse to post those gorgeous shoes again.

 

[cincikid]

The "J Rendenbach" stamp is what's stamped on the soles of all AE shell cordovan shoes (unless it's an MTO where you specified something other than Rendenbach soles). The Horween stamp you are thinking of is probably the one found on the back of the shell cordovan leather itself. You would not see this in a shoe unless it's unlined on the inside.

J&R soles of my AE and Alden cordovans do feature the Horween stamp on the bottom.

 

[cincikid]

Newer JR soles do have a Horween stamp on them as well (see Tifosi's pictures of his MTO's above). That's just something they added more recently. It has nothing to do with the authenticity of your cordovan shoes. Besides, it is right at the ball of the foot, where it will wear off in no time anyway.

I think these days JR soles have the Horween stamp by default. I saw a pair of suede MacNeils made for the Freedman Sporting Club, and the soles did have a Horween stamp on them, which was absurd.

 

[StephenB]

Sorry last post got messed up. These are my new Rutledge AE's

 

[tietherope]

I think these days JR soles have the Horween stamp by default. I saw a pair of suede MacNeils made for the Freedman Sporting Club, and the soles did have a Horween stamp on them, which was absurd.

Yup, saw this on Ebay.

 

[tifosi]



I think these days JR soles have the Horween stamp by default. I saw a pair of suede MacNeils made for the Freedman Sporting Club, and the soles did have a Horween stamp on them, which was absurd. 

+1 I ordered a pair of white McNeils from Freemans because the sole had the Horween stamp. I knew they couldn't be shell, but I got them on sale and I gave it a shot. Obviously I got them and found them to be calf. I returned them and had a couple emails back and forth explaining to Freemans why their shoes show conflicting information. About 30 min. later, there was a disclaimer on the site saying although the sole bears the "Horween Cordovan" stamp the uppers are not made of shell cordovan.

 

[wurger]



Sorry last post got messed up. These are my new Rutledge AE's

looking great!

 

[OptoDoc]

Those aren't C&J. Peal & Co. shoes are made by several manufacturers. Formerly they were made by both C&J and Alfred Sargent, distinguished by the rows of nails in the heel (C&J having one row, Alfred Sargent having two rows). I haven't seen an Alfred Sargent made Peal shoe in a while, so I don't know if they still use them or not. These suede boots are almost certainly Loake, who also makes shoes for branding with the Peal name. Brooks Brothers uses Loake to make the lower end, more cost effective models.

I was able to cancel the order before shipping them. I'll hold out for something that I know is of better construction quality.

Also, the sole edge was a bit darker than I'd like on a sand colored shoe.

 

[OptoDoc]

Sorry last post got messed up. These are my new Rutledge AE's

Gorgeous shoes. I will have a pair of these one day.

Side note: looks like you have the same vertical shoelace bow I mentioned a few weeks back.

 

[tifosi]



Gorgeous shoes. I will have a pair of these one day.

Side note: looks like you have the same vertical shoelace bow I mentioned a few weeks back.

Looks like the laces cross the wrong way on the first knot. My wife does this. Drives me nuts! haha

 

[StephenB]

Lefty :/

 

[tifosi]

^^ Haha. My wife is a righty. If I say anything she makes me re-tie her shoes so I just live with it! LOL

 

[SBear]

Happy 2013 - year and pages of thread. This is an active group.

 

[MoneyWellSpent]

I think these days JR soles have the Horween stamp by default. I saw a pair of suede MacNeils made for the Freedman Sporting Club, and the soles did have a Horween stamp on them, which was absurd.

Yup, saw this on Ebay.

+1 I ordered a pair of white McNeils from Freemans because the sole had the Horween stamp. I knew they couldn't be shell, but I got them on sale and I gave it a shot. Obviously I got them and found them to be calf. I returned them and had a couple emails back and forth explaining to Freemans why their shoes show conflicting information. About 30 min. later, there was a disclaimer on the site saying although the sole bears the "Horween Cordovan" stamp the uppers are not made of shell cordovan.

The reason for this is because the JR soles are only offered as standard issue on cordovan shoes by Allen Edmonds. AE orders the soles pre-fabricated from JR with this stamp on them. JR soles don't automatically have this stamp, AE has to request it as part of their order from JR. There are other shoe manufacturers, cobblers, and shoe repair shops that offer JR soles as standard options. You won't find the Horween stamp on those.

When you order a shoe from AE with JR soles, they are borrowing parts from the cordovan shoe department, so to speak.

I agree that it creates needless confusion for some people, and it would be better if AE would order a supply of soles without the stamp.