Allen Edmonds Shell cordovan shoe cream

[forex]

I was wondering if anyone has been using this polish,got my first pair of cordovans and decided to polish them before I start to wear but allen edmonds shoe polish feels like glue,I couldn't buff the shoe after I applied the cream,it becamse very sticky just like glue.I had to apply another coat of conditioner to clean all the mess up.
Has anyone had the same experience?What other polishes do you use for burgundy cordovans?

 

[Roger]

This is a good question. I've often wondered just what the differences were, if any, between the bottled stuff earmarked specifically for shell cordovan (Alden has it too) and regular burgundy shoe polish (the stuff in flat cans). Anyone want to make a call to Horween and see what they say about all this?

 

[billiebob]

I use the allen edmonds cordovan shoe cream/polish on all my burgundy cordovan shoes. Never had a glue problem. Just apply a very thin film with a make-up remover pad, let it dry a few minutes, then brush to shine. Polish every few months and brush after ever wear and they will gleam.

 

[AlanC]

According to Alden of Carmel Alden recommends paste wax. I know that mcarthur at AAAC--owner of large amounts of Alden shell--uses and recommends Kiwi Cordovan wax, but only sparingly and occasionally.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by AlanC

According to Alden of Carmel Alden recommends paste wax. I know that mcarthur at AAAC--owner of large amounts of Alden shell--uses and recommends Kiwi Cordovan wax, but only sparingly and occasionally.
I only use wax sparingly and rarely on all of my shells. I wax only after about every 15 wearings per McArthur's method.

Prior to making an acquaintenance with Alden of Carmel and AAAC I actually used the cordovan cream from AE. I no longer do so. My shells look amazingly better following McArthur's method with wax.

 

[forex]

Originally Posted by JayJay

I only use wax sparingly and rarely on all of my shells. I wax only after about every 15 wearings per McArthur's method.

Prior to making an acquaintenance with Alden of Carmel and AAAC I actually used the cordovan cream from AE. I no longer do so. My shells look amazingly better following McArthur's method with wax.

I'll probably give it a try as well,I am planning to get couple more pairs of cordovans and not really happy with AE shell polish.

 

[yachtie]

Saphir. The color I use is IIRC Mahogany- it's a dark red. Just a little and not very often.
Works great.- Better shine than Kiwi.

 

[Roger]

Originally Posted by AlanC

According to Alden of Carmel Alden recommends paste wax. I know that mcarthur at AAAC--owner of large amounts of Alden shell--uses and recommends Kiwi Cordovan wax, but only sparingly and occasionally.
Kiwi uses the term "cordovan," however, to designate a color, not a kind of leather. My question is whether there are different ingredients in paste wax designed for calfskin than for shell cordovan.

 

[yachtie]

Originally Posted by Roger

Kiwi uses the term "cordovan," however, to designate a color, not a kind of leather. My question is whether there are different ingredients in paste wax designed for calfskin than for shell cordovan.

No. Wax and a vehicle like terps or mineral spirits. there is no "special" formulation for shell leathers

 

[Roger]

Originally Posted by yachtie

No. Wax and a vehicle like terps or mineral spirits. there is no "special" formulation for shell leathers
Interesting, yachtie; I've suspected as much, but have wondered why Alden, for example, label their wax as for shell cordovan.

 

[yachtie]

Originally Posted by Roger

Interesting, yachtie; I've suspected as much, but have wondered why Alden, for example, label their wax as for shell cordovan.

The Alden wax I've seen just says #8- Cordovan ( but it's an old container). I was assuming it was just the color, not a recommendation for application. In any event, there's nothing special about it.

 

[AlanC]

Yes, it is just the color, but it's 'cordovan' color. The point above was that Alden of Carmel (and apparently Alden itself) simply suggests using regular wax.

 

[Roger]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Yes, it is just the color, but it's 'cordovan' color. The point above was that Alden of Carmel (and apparently Alden itself) simply suggests using regular wax.
Well, I haven't seen any suggestions from Alden that owners of shell cordovan use "regular" wax. Instead, they suggest their own product--noted by yachtie--a wax in a jar labeled #8 Cordovan. This has always suggested to me that they are proposing this product for shell cordovan, as they (Alden) don't use the term "cordovan" to indicate a color, just the leather. They refer to their calfskin shoes in "cordovan" color, for example, as "burgundy."

Similarly, Allen-Edmonds markets a product specifically for shell cordovan leather (possibly the product mentioned in the OP). Here's their blurb on shoe care for shell cordovan:

"Polish occasionally using Allen-Edmonds cordovan care cream to maintain a rich color. From time to time, use a black polish to enhance the look of the leather."(bold italics mine.)

Again, what are the ingredients in this product that suit it specifically for shell cordovan?

As I noted earlier, I'd be interested in Horween's take on all this....

 

[lee_44106]

Wax only for shell cordovan. Do not use cream.

 

[yachtie]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Yes, it is just the color, but it's 'cordovan' color. The point above was that Alden of Carmel (and apparently Alden itself) simply suggests using regular wax.

Shell absorbs so little color that you could probably wax it with anything and the color wouldn't appreciably change.

I think it's marketing hype re: the AE product.