Ben Silver/C&J Arlington Double Monk

[william]

I'm seriously tempted to buy this shoe:



My question is this...Is this made to C&J Handgrade standards or is it a mixture of benchgrade/handgrade like the C&J offered by Polo Ralph Lauren?

 

[grimslade]

I don't own them, but my understanding is that Ben Silver's C&Js are handgrades--as you would expect at that price.

 

[grimslade]

I should modify my previous statement somewhat, as the jodhpur boot that BS sells for $595 has stitched-aloft soles.

 

[norcaltransplant]

Given the stamped type face of the Crockett and Jones label, I'm guessing this pair was ordered to benchgrade standards. The uppers look quite nice in the catalog photos, but I would hazard the soles are stitched aloft as well.

 

[CBDB]

Forgive my ignorance but what is "stitched aloft"? Does that mean sewn with their arms over their head?

 

[minimal]

It's very hard to tell to which level BS ordered their shoes. To wit, I have a pair of weymouths from BS which has the "impressed" heel stamp but, instead of handwritten size/last/model info, has this machine-printed on the upper. I believe from the construction that they are hand grade though.

As for the rest of BS shoes, there are a few that are from the benchgrade line, even though BS has "hand grade" written all over their catalog. I doubt they ask C&J to up the build quality to handgrade for these shoes, though I suppose it is possible.

Whenever I've written BS with technical Qs about their shoes, I've gotten very knowledgeable answers from Tracy Longanecker in customer service (s[email protected]). She knows lasts, sizes & widths, etc.

So ask away and please post the results.

 

[Artisan Fan]

Nice looking shoe Chris.

I can also recommend Tracy who helped me with my Santoni FAM Bairds last year.

 

[william]

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

Nice looking shoe Chris.

I can also recommend Tracy who helped me with my Santoni FAM Bairds last year.

Thanks. BTW I just pm'd you about your Santoni shoes at Ask Andy.

 

[william]

C&J's own price for handgrades are $650...so if these from BS are a lesser version of handgrade I may see if C&J has any brown double monks in stock. I think I remember aportnoy reporting that someone at C&J has helped him find some rare/hard-to-find models. I'd rather just pay the extra $50 and know exactly what I'm getting.

 

[sho'nuff]

it is very strange that ben silver is the only one who sells the Baird santoni and constantly at that 495 price.

although i know it is a fantastic shoe. but why year round? and why only exclusive to them?
and why am i being redundant and repeating what i say in paraphrase?

 

[grimslade]

C&J's price hike was pretty recent, I believe. So Ben Silver may just not have caught up. I'm pretty sure their prices have been 595 for some time.

 

[TKDKid]

Originally Posted by minimal

It's very hard to tell to which level BS ordered their shoes. To wit, I have a pair of weymouths from BS which has the "impressed" heel stamp but, instead of handwritten size/last/model info, has this machine-printed on the upper. I believe from the construction that they are hand grade though.
For whatever reason, it seems that it's only the Handgrades made on the 330 last that have handwritten information on the lining; the ones made on the 337 last all seem to have it printed.

The lining and insole on C&J's regular line shoes are also very distinct from the Handgrades and from the picture I would say those shoes are made to regular line standards, with or without the addition of channelled soles.

 

[acidboy]

Originally Posted by diorshoe

it is very strange that ben silver is the only one who sells the Baird santoni and constantly at that 495 price.

although i know it is a fantastic shoe. but why year round? and why only exclusive to them?
and why am i being redundant and repeating what i say in paraphrase?

I think the Bairds are down to its last few pieces in sizes below 10US. And I recommend these beauties, they're my favorite pair!

 

[william]

Great. The Bairds are in my size. I might have to get these now...

 

[acidboy]

Originally Posted by Chris Rimby

Great. The Bairds are in my size. I might have to get these now...

I seriously doubt you'll regret it.