Well something has evened out the color to the point I was comfortable wearing them in public on a sunny day 😅..but.. I couldn't say if it was taking them out in wet conditions or simply time taking its toll or all brushing ,or a combination of everything, or whatever..to my eye they aren't quite as different in color as they were.
The guy I have do my re-soles and put on taps gave me a jar of something labeled as "special cordovan. Uncolored. Made in France". My thought was that it was a something from Saphir that my guy was familiar with. Of course I've heard a thousand times not to use regular neutral on cordovan. But this was "special cordovan". I tested it on some old throwaways and then spot tested it on the monks..seemed ok..but when I did them in their entirely the right side stayed dark. Was it the product? Was it something hidden in the leather that the product brought out? I can't say. My hope in wearing them out to get soaked was that whatever chemical l/product might get out..but I wasn't basing that on anything but hope..
So no, I wouldn't go around on the threads recommending anyone follow my example. I was willing to take a loss on these. I wasn't wearing them due to the color difference. An unworn pair in the closet is just as good as a pair in the garbage. Rain doesn't really bother shell all that much anyways. My go to bad weather boots are Alden shells that I've had around 15 years now..and while perhaps not showpieces, they've held up quite nicely.
The offending jar..my cobbler sells only Saphir so I figured the stuff being made in France was also from Saphir. Needless to say..never used again..
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