Antonio Meccariello Shoes

[unprocessed]

Just to add on to, soft square is a great looking last but as mentioned before, the last is slightly on the short side.

I wear UK 9 generally for most of the UK makers (think Loake, Trickers, church’s, Crockett, Herring) and would suggest going UK9.5 in Meccariello soft square. Same for their GYW Aeris line, I too take UK 9.5 in that.

Planning on going a half size down from my normal US size (which can actually be little big for me for more generous lasts).

Is the soft square noticeably shorter than the hawksbill?

 

[evangel21]

Planning on going a half size down from my normal US size (which can actually be little big for me for more generous lasts).

Is the soft square noticeably shorter than the hawksbill?

Just to add in, I take the same size for Chisel 2, Soft Square and Hawksbill.
Chisel 2 is the most comfy with space at the forefoot and length wise.
Soft square is more snug because of the toe shape but length wise similar to Chisel 2 for me.
Hawksbill is the one I have a little issue with. Because of its asymmetrical shape (AM calls it banana), there can be a bit of pinching on my right foot 4th toe. And I find it a bit shorter than the rest. But most likely due to its toe shape. But it's a beautiful last and comfy at other areas.

So it's really down to your individual foot size and shape. But all 3 are lovely lasts and I'm sure you will enjoy them.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

I recently purchased a bottle of Boot Black creme and it is a nice alternative to the usual Saphir creams everyone uses. May be worth a try just for a change.

+1 on the Boot Black. It really saturates shoes with color. Rich formula that requires just a few dabs to exhibit its effectiveness. If you can get your hands on the original Burgols cream, for me that is the best cream I've used. Again though, IF you can get your hands on it.

 

[woofmang]

Speaking of Chisel 2; Decurion 3s in Castagna:

 

[peanutbutterjellychoo]

+1 on the Boot Black. It really saturates shoes with color. Rich formula that requires just a few dabs to exhibit its effectiveness. If you can get your hands on the original Burgols cream, for me that is the best cream I've used. Again though, IF you can get your hands on it.

Looks like you can get some Burgols from Shoepassion. Not sure on shipping charges though as i was too lazy to cart the items. I guess it is easier to take a plane to Germany and buy it from the store.

 

[WilYa]

Looks like you can get some Burgols from Shoepassion. Not sure on shipping charges though as i was too lazy to cart the items. I guess it is easier to take a plane to Germany and buy it from the store.

No, SP bought the brand name 2 years ago, so not the orgininal anymore. The original manufacturer has since started a new brand https://www.siegol.ch/
I haven't tried Siegol but should be identical to the original.
I also like Boot Black except the unpleasant smell

 

[andreasky]

Any news on new models of Argentum line at online shop of AM?

 

[AWu]

No, SP bought the brand name 2 years ago, so not the orgininal anymore. The original manufacturer has since started a new brand https://www.siegol.ch/
I haven't tried Siegol but should be identical to the original.
I also like Boot Black except the unpleasant smell

Smelling good does count when you do shoe care at home

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

No, SP bought the brand name 2 years ago, so not the orgininal anymore.

https://www.siegol.ch/
I haven't tried Siegol but should be identical to the original.
I also like Boot Black except the unpleasant smell

I would be interested in purchasing from Siegol.
I had heard though (initial feedback from former online retailers) it is slightly different. Apparently just ever so slightly more diluted.

Can probably pick it up at a German and/or Swiss (since it's a Swiss brand) mom and pop cobbler. So yes @styc a trip would be a good idea, more so for Oktoberfest coming to an end this weekend.

Smelling good does count when you do shoe care at home

AND when you have an annoyed wife who bothers you about all your stupid shoes that look alike that make the whole place smell horribly. Smells especially bad on Sundays (typically when I incorporate shoe care ?).

 

[spencert]

I recently purchased a bottle of Boot Black creme and it is a nice alternative to the usual Saphir creams everyone uses. May be worth a try just for a change.

Checked with our Singapore champ, John of Mason and Smith, when I tried to buy Boot Black from him. His advise was to remove all the wax, apply Saphir and leave it overnight. Reason is because he feels Saphir colours are richer. I followed his advice and my shoes looked better.

 

[shirtingfantasy]

I don’t claim to be a shoe shining expert, but I happened to have tried a few brands for high shine/ mirror shine:

1. Ease of use
Kiwi parade gloss >= Berluti (Avel) > Boot black high shine coat = Pure Polish high shine > Saphir mirror gloss

2. Shine
Kiwi parade gloss = Saphir mirror gloss > Boot black high shine coat >= Pure Polish high shine >= Berluti (Avel)

3. Durability of mirror effect
Saphir mirror gloss >> Kiwi parade gloss >= Boot black high shine coat >= Pure polish high shine > Berluti (Avel)

4. Tolerability of smell
Pure polish high shine (natural orange oil) >>> Saphir mirror gloss (turpentine) >= Berluti >= Kiwi parade gloss >= Boot black (pure petroleum product smell)

Example:

Berluti clear > Berluti fawn > Kiwi parade gloss

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

I don’t claim to be a shoe shining expert, but I happened to have tried a few brands for high shine/ mirror shine:

1. Ease of use
Kiwi parade gloss >= Berluti (Avel) > Boot black high shine coat = Pure Polish high shine > Saphir mirror gloss

2. Shine
Kiwi parade gloss = Saphir mirror gloss > Boot black high shine coat >= Pure Polish high shine >= Berluti (Avel)

3. Durability of mirror effect
Saphir mirror gloss >> Kiwi parade gloss >= Boot black high shine coat >= Pure polish high shine > Berluti (Avel)

4. Tolerability of smell
Pure polish high shine (natural orange oil) >>> Saphir mirror gloss (turpentine) >= Berluti >= Kiwi parade gloss >= Boot black (pure petroleum product smell)

@shirtingfantasy

Pure polish products aka GlenKaren are by far the most spouse & child friendly products ?.

Famaco used to make a darn good product as well as, the aforementioned, Burgols. These days it is basically Saphir that takes the top spot. Saying that, Kiwi parade gloss is a really good product.

On the lower price spectrum for those not wanting to fork over $20 dollars for shoe cosmetics, Angelus makes a nice wax in many colors. Tarrago with the creams.

 

[Encore]

My friend also suggested Berluti products, where do you guys buy them? Any good places online? ideally EU or US

 

[shirtingfantasy]

@Encore i think in the past it was possible to buy on MrPorter, now they only sell Berluti polish as super luxury packs with socks and leather pouch

I do believe that the Berluti wax is a special formula made by Avel (Saphir is Avel as well, but they smell differently); the Berluti version seems easier to spread, more transparent and more tolerant to accidentally adding too big a dab of water.

Pure Polish smells good and (from what they state) is made from edible ingredients. It is the only polish my wife does not complain about.

 

[Rimaarts]

Guys, I’ve been going back and forth between armiticos 2 Russian calf sienna and carmina cordovan wholecut as my year end purchase. On Instagram “sienna” is quite red-dish colour, but googling “Russian calf sienna” it shows as nice brown... Any ideas how the colour in real life?