Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...)

[Betelgeuse]

Sweet rides Armando.. Prince of Mexico and convert to shell… arise sir Crafty…

Hahaha thanks mate

 

[SirThopas]

New GMTO offering: https://www.carminashoemaker.com/full-brogue-work-boot-shell-cordovan-80277

I’d appreciate observations about the Llubi last.

 

[SirThopas]

Probably my favorite PTB in my collection. Natural shell with Carmina’s version of Dainite. View attachment 1737956 View attachment 1737957 View attachment 1737958

I remember when mine looked like that. Now they’re less pretty!

 

[ducatiti]

I remember when mine looked like that. Now they’re less pretty!

Thanks for sharing. Did you maintain or condition them and mind sharing more pics with better lighting?

 

[TheLawBeard]

Saw the new GMTO. A little disappointed they limited the cordovan choices. I might've been in trouble if they'd offered the full catalogue of shell options.

 

[SirThopas]

Thanks for sharing. Did you maintain or condition them and mind sharing more pics with better lighting?

I’ve certainly maintained them, but I have worn them many, many times, so I guess they’ve just taken a bit of a beating. The dark marks are a source of some annoyance. Can share more photos, though not at this very moment. Is there anything specific you would like to see?

 

[ducatiti]

I’ve certainly maintained them, but I have worn them many, many times, so I guess they’ve just taken a bit of a beating. The dark marks are a source of some annoyance. Can share more photos, though not at this very moment. Is there anything specific you would like to see?

I just wanted to see detailed pictures of the dark marks on the folds and more accurate color/patina. Do you think that this could have been avoided if the said folds were removed by a deer bone or so religiously? Not sure if you did this and would like to avoid them as these are my only natural shell shoes.

Your pair still looks great!

 

[Betelgeuse]

New GMTO offering: https://www.carminashoemaker.com/full-brogue-work-boot-shell-cordovan-80277

I’d appreciate observations about the Llubi last. View attachment 1738531

I take the same size as Rain. It's not that roomy to downsize.

 

[SirThopas]

I just wanted to see detailed pictures of the dark marks on the folds and more accurate color/patina. Do you think that this could have been avoided if the said folds were removed by a deer bone or so religiously? Not sure if you did this and would like to avoid them as these are my only natural shell shoes.

Your pair still looks great!

I’ll see what I can do next time I have a spare moment (and when there’s natural light). The colour has darkened since I bought the shoes, as you’d expect. I use a deer bone, but maybe not religiously.

Because they’re so comfortable, the shoes are real workhorses for me, which I often wear for walks of, say, five miles. I can’t now remember specifically what caused the dark marks to appear.

 

[jet-stream]

I’ll see what I can do next time I have a spare moment (and when there’s natural light). The colour has darkened since I bought the shoes, as you’d expect. I use a deer bone, but maybe not religiously.

Because they’re so comfortable, the shoes are real workhorses for me, which I often wear for walks of, say, five miles. I can’t now remember specifically what caused the dark marks to appear.

Could be wrong, but that looks like dirt accumulation in the creases to me. Light shell will tend to do that - depends on regularity of brushing, but dirt can combine with oil blooming up. A cleaning agent may help a bit.

 

[jcreadeur]

Saw the new GMTO. A little disappointed they limited the cordovan choices. I might've been in trouble if they'd offered the full catalogue of shell options.

It says

Full-brogue work boot in shell cordovan (incl. shoe tree). Featuring a Commando sole in a refined Goodyear-welt construction and full calf lining. This model can be manufactured in any Cordovan colour. Please specify your preferred colour. With a refined Goodyear welt-construction. This shoe, just like all the other Carmina's, is carefully manufactured by expert craftsmen who follow the exact same techniques that Charles Goodyear created in 1869. For this style we choose Llubi last. Llubí is our last creation. After several months studying and working on it, we have created the perfect last for casual models. The widest of our lasts so far, it provides great fitting.
r.

So you should be good

 

[rdugz]

First tanker outing…
View attachment 1737249

So, since you're the expert - is this the GOAT of hatch grains?

 

[SirThopas]

Could be wrong, but that looks like dirt accumulation in the creases to me. Light shell will tend to do that - depends on regularity of brushing, but dirt can combine with oil blooming up. A cleaning agent may help a bit.

Thanks, you’re right, but whatever approach I take - and I’ve tried many - it won’t shift, so it has become part of the character of the shoes.

 

[stook1]

Thanks, you’re right, but whatever approach I take - and I’ve tried many - it won’t shift, so it has become part of the character of the shoes.

I wouldn't suggest doing this, personally, since I think this is fairly normal / typical evolution for heavily worn shell and it's not even that dark relative to what you see on vintage shell shoes... but... if you really want to improve it you need to wet sand the rolls using Bick4 or VSC as a lubricant and 3000-5000 grit sandpaper, which is the grit used for auto body work. You can get this from Amazon or most auto parts stores, etc. What you are seeing is just contamination and grit in the upper most layer of the shell. Normal care like deer boning and cleaning isn't going to do much for you.

But again, I think you should embrace it as is. I think they look great!

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

So, since you're the expert - is this the GOAT of hatch grains?

It’s certainly hard to beat mate. It’s bloody luscious stuff in reality.