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Allen Edmonds = What English shoemaker in quality?

DocHolliday

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I think there's as much love here for the best stuff from, say, Loake and Grenson as there is for AE. Lots of members own Loake 1880 stuff. And the Grenson Masterpieces for Paul Stuart are some of the best-loved shoes on SF.

The lower-end English brands often suffer in discussions because of their lesser lines. I wouldn't consider buying a non-1880 Loake, and would pause before buying an 1880. But I'm also not in the market for most AEs, either.

I'd argue your concern about design is beside the point. We were discussing quality, and adding personal aesthetic tastes only muddies the waters. I like the shape of my Loake shoes better than most of AE's stuff, but I still think the AE is better made.
 

JLibourel

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Originally Posted by AlanC
If one is selective about model selection AE could supply virtually all of one's shoes quite satisfactorily. I'm not saying folks here want to do that, but I'd much rather someone wear AEs than Kenneth Cole, et al.

I think at least one of us here has already done that! (Although I'm actually wearing a pair of my Ferragamos today.)

Someone needs to post the comparison pics Sator did between AE and EG.
Yes, that was very illustrative, wasn't it?

The Brooks-Peals, C&J Benchgrades and the C&J Polos I've examined never impressed me as substantially superior to A-Es--certainly not so much so as to be worth the hefty premium usually demanded over A-E. I could maybe see opting for C&Js from Plal over A-Es at full retail, but then I've never come even close to paying full retail for any of the many A-Es I bought for myself and my stepson. In fairness, though, I haven't owned any of the aforementioned Northampton-made shoes and given them hard use. That would make a more valid comparison. Maybe then I'd rate them a good deal higher than A-Es, but I rather doubt it.
 

academe

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Originally Posted by DocHolliday
I'd argue your concern about design is beside the point. We were discussing quality, and adding personal aesthetic tastes only muddies the waters. I like the shape of my Loake shoes better than most of AE's stuff, but I still think the AE is better made.

Yes and no. I think it depends on your definition of quality. I didn't mean to muddy the waters so much as to say that my definition was different, and perhaps I should have qualified myself from the start.
 

DocHolliday

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Originally Posted by academe
Yes and no. I think it depends on your definition of quality. I didn't mean to muddy the waters so much as to say that my definition was different, and perhaps I should have qualified myself from the start.

I think you're confusing quality and personal preference. I don't like Lobbs, but I recognize they're much nicer than AEs. Objectively, they are a better quality shoe, though I don't choose to wear them.
 

atct86

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I have a pair of my fathers AE's from the 80's which are in incredible shape, and have lasted through many wearings.

How would you compare Alden into the mix?
 

grimslade

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Originally Posted by atct86
I have a pair of my fathers AE's from the 80's which are in incredible shape, and have lasted through many wearings.

How would you compare Alden into the mix?


That's a whole nother flame war, but IME Aldens are no better made than AEs. Nor do they use better materials.
 

saint

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Originally Posted by NoVaguy
Who ranked them with handgrade? I think the consensus is with benchgrade.

I'll rank Alden about the same. Not gonna get into the whole Alden v. AE thing all over again; suffice to say, they're both very good and both have their partisans.


Oops, meant benchgrade, must have been a Portnoyian slip.
 

Ed Sullivan

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Went through this thread for the first time. Better than watching baseball.
smile.gif
 

The Deacon

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Originally Posted by grimslade
That's a whole nother flame war, but IME Aldens are no better made than AEs. Nor do they use better materials.

I don't doubt your experience in this matter and I greatly respect your opinion yet my near new shell Macneils don't compare to my near new Alden shell longwings. Flatter feel, less substantial sole.
 

fcuknu

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Aldens feel sturdier, it doesnt mean theyre better necessarily.
 

greekgeek

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Originally Posted by grimslade
That's a whole nother flame war, but IME Aldens are no better made than AEs. Nor do they use better materials.

I think that this used to be true, but is no longer the case for many shoes made in the last year or so.

The shells are still nice, insole notwithstanding.
 

radicaldog

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Originally Posted by ChicagoRon
I have an old pair of AE penny loafers that are not 360 welt. The model was discontinued at least 5 years ago. Too bad.. I love them.

I think I've got the same shoes, bought around 2000 in Italy. They're in a grainy kind of leather, right? They are quite nice, and very American (in a good way, and I'm not American).
 

clee1982

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E Quality: great at its price, almost unbeatable actually
AE last: sinfully ugly, I will look 40 years older as soon as I put one on... ok, maybe not that bad, but I just can't stand it.
 

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