C & J Ashdown vs. Church's Shannon? Which to get?

[Britalian]

I was fairly settled on getting a pair of Church's Shannons then I came across the Crockett & Jones cordovan Ashdown. The former is going for about £335, the latter around £30 more, I think (this price - £365 - being based on last year's catalogue which doesn't list the Ashdown, but the Grasmere cordovan on the 325 last (its replacement?); the Ashdown is on the 341)
I'm flexible on the colour (Church's having more options) but wondering whether I should plumb for my first pair of Cordovans.
I've read some criticism of Church's but at this price point would I notice a difference in wear or durability from the C & Js?
Any informed opinion welcome. Thanks.

http://www.crockettandjones.co.uk/cordovan-ashdown.html
http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/produc...electedFitID=0

 

[Tarmac]

In my humble opinion, there is no way in hell you should get those Shannons at 300 plus GBP. go to plal.com and get the shell CJs for $550, or any of their veldtschoens.

I would probably recommend $300 calf Aldens over those Church's.

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

In my humble opinion, there is no way in hell you should get those Shannons at 300 plus GBP. go to plal.com and get the shell CJs for $550, or any of their veldtschoens.

I would probably recommend $300 calf Aldens over those Church's.

Jesus! Those C&J cordovans on Plal come in at more than £100 cheaper than the list price (assuming the Ashdown is priced as the old Grasmere). Even with shipping they're quite a bit cheaper.
And is plal good to do biz with? reliable etc

 

[moonman]

Originally Posted by Britalian

Jesus! Those C&J cordovans on Plal come in at more than £100 cheaper than the list price (assuming the Ashdown is priced as the old Grasmere). Even with shipping they're quite a bit cheaper.
And is plal good to do biz with? reliable etc

In my first experience with them this past month they were outstanding in all ways. I highly recommend them. As an added bonus, shipping is free for C&J Handgrades.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

I like the Church's.

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

I like the Church's.

Yes, I'm drawn by the 'brown polished binder' colour, almost enough to plumb for it over the C&Js. Now if C&J had the cordovan in the same colour...

 

[Baron]

For this style of shoe I'd prefer Alden as well.

 

[TKDKid]

Originally Posted by Britalian

Yes, I'm drawn by the 'brown polished binder' colour, almost enough to plumb for it over the C&Js.

Isn't "polished binder" yet another name for corrected grain leather...?

 

[dkzzzz]

Those Church's shoes would make anyone look like a repeat customer at any Aldo store or Macy's for that matter.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by TKDKid

Isn't "polished binder" yet another name for corrected grain leather...?

Yes, I believe it is. Church's has done a very good job packaging inferior leather as somehow desirable.

 

[distinctive]

I despise Church's

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Yes, I believe it is. Church's has done a very good job packaging inferior leather as somehow desirable.

I defer to you guys' superior knowledge of this. Thanks for the enlightenment.

Also, Alden aren't so widely available here; I can't bring myself to order on the interweb without first trying on the shoes in-store.

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by distinctive

I despise Church's

I'm curious as to why.

The CG effect isn't for everyone, obviously. I don't mind the shiny effect so much, on this style of shoe, anyway; on my others I think that it wouldn't be very agreeable.

 

[Tarmac]

It's the principle of it. Why pay $670.00 for leather which is worth $80? $670 - that's just wrong for that shoe.

Also, there's nothing exceptional about the shape or color of the Church's plaintoes. Practically every single shoe manufacturer discussed here makes a plaintoe blucher in brown, midbrown, or tan, or cordovan. What do you like about it so much? The color alone?

 

[atroopan]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

In my humble opinion, there is no way in hell you should get those Shannons at 300 plus GBP. go to plal.com and get the shell CJs for $550, or any of their veldtschoens.

I would probably recommend $300 calf Aldens over those Church's.

In all honesty those Church's look very similar to the Alden Plain Toe Bluchers I got from STP earlier this year for 125 bucks! For that price it is my default 'kick-around' shoe.

Picture them with a tree and a bit of a mirror shine added and you'll see what I mean.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...s-For-Men.html


troop