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Ask your shoe repair questions here:

M.Photog

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It was suggested that I start a separate thread regarding shoe repair.
Feel free if you have any questions -or- may be seeking advice on shoe/boot repairs.
I'm happy to assist....

Would it be possible to show a few before and after photos of some of your work? I think that might be of benefit to many of us. The quality of your work is well know here however I think it might help us to understand what is possible.
 

Nick V.

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Thank you for your comments.
We do a lot of custom work so, if you have a specific question or concept in mind I'm happy to voice my opinion/advice.
I don't want this thread in any way to come off as a solicitation. It's intended to assist even with your local cobblers.
 

deez shoes

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It was suggested that I start a separate thread regarding shoe repair.
Feel free if you have any questions -or- may be seeking advice on shoe/boot repairs.
I'm happy to assist....

Nick V.

This thread is a huge asset for the SF community. Thanks for starting it and for taking time to help everyone out! I'll try to direct anyone with shoe repair questions that I come across to this thread.
 

Nick V.

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Thank you Sir--
To give credit where credit is due, it was SF members "DWFII" and later "Dopey" that suggested I started this thread.
None-the-less I'm happy to share my 40+ years and 3rd generation experiences and knowledge with any and all!
 

bonariri

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Nick V.

I recently bought of a pair of penny loafers from Edward Green, and though I have worn 8/8.5 E from them this shoe does not seem to fit me well from the instep which is the vamp area. I assume that the last is even narrower than usual. I was wondering if there is anything either you or I can do to possibly make them wearable. I know this isn't exactly a shoe repair question but perhaps you know a way of stretching them that may help.
 

cypi2

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Nick V.

I recently bought of a pair of penny loafers from Edward Green, and though I have worn 8/8.5 E from them this shoe does not seem to fit me well from the instep which is the vamp area. I assume that the last is even narrower than usual. I was wondering if there is anything either you or I can do to possibly make them wearable. I know this isn't exactly a shoe repair question but perhaps you know a way of stretching them that may help.

With a very high instep, loafers are often problematic for me. I have used vamp stretchers with some degree of success. (See one example around the middle of that page: http://shoeshineexpress.com/stretchers.asp)
 

bonariri

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Loafers are among the most problematic shoes for me as well, though these are the worst ones in terms of fit. I seem to have a higher instep on my right foot or maybe it's a bone spur of some sort. Thank you I'll check that out.
 

Nick V.

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Nick V.

I recently bought of a pair of penny loafers from Edward Green, and though I have worn 8/8.5 E from them this shoe does not seem to fit me well from the instep which is the vamp area. I assume that the last is even narrower than usual. I was wondering if there is anything either you or I can do to possibly make them wearable. I know this isn't exactly a shoe repair question but perhaps you know a way of stretching them that may help.

Thank you for your question Sir--

Most likely you are correct, it probably is a last issue. My guess is that the other Green's that fit you in the sizes you mentioned are not loafers but, lace-ups.

A competent repair shop should have the necessary bench machines to give you more room by widening the vamp and/or raising the instep.

We call the process "wet lasting". The upper is treated with a solution which makes the leather more pliable. The shoes are put into the machines I mentioned above. The machines have a ratchet type devise which allows you to slowly increase the pressure. The leather should be eased rather than forced. Forcing the leather could cause damage to it by tearing seams and/or distorting the look of the shoe. It creates unnecessary stress on the leather. In our case we always tell the customer if we have to repeat the process a second time we don't charge for it. This way we have the opportunity of easing rather than forcing the leather.

Also, leather has sort of an elastic property. That means if you don't wear the shoe shortly after it is wet lasted the leather will tend to tighten a bit.

What I advise is to wear the shoes as soon as possible. Wear them around the house -or- in the office before you go out for the day wearing them. This addresses two issues.
1. By wearing them you are flexing the fibers of the leather which helps to make the wet lasting process more permanent.
2. If more stretching is needed you will know before you go out for the day wearing them. If you go out for the day and develop a "hot spot" it's sure to cause discomfort that could be avoided.

There is no way to tell how much a shoe can be stretched it's a case-by-case type scenario. Generally I tell customers less than 1/2 size.
 

bonariri

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Thank you for your reply Nick. Unfortunately I'm not too sure I'll be able to wear them since it's really hard to put them on my right foot since I have what seems to be a bone spur which tends to make shoes tighter on that foot.
 

tocohillsguy

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He's telling you to wear them as soon as possible after they are stretched by your cobbler.
 

bonariri

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Oh I misunderstood, I can probably stop by your shop Nick either tomorrow or Friday after work since it's on my way home.
 

Nick V.

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Don't spend the money on the toe plates unless you know that you can wear your shoes in comfort. Don't mean to be disrespectful but, no sense in putting extra money into a pair of shoes if there is a possibility you
won't be able to wear them....
 

bonariri

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Don't spend the money on the toe plates unless you know that you can wear your shoes in comfort. Don't mean to be disrespectful but, no sense in putting extra money into a pair of shoes if there is a possibility you
won't be able to wear them....
Yeah you're right, what's the turnaround on the wet lasting process?
 

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