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

[User888]

I have the Kirby Carmina boots in hatch (Russian Reindeer) and it's a striking leather. Maybe it's just that I'm used to seeing it in boots that it looks so odd in a shoe though. But, it's definitely more striking than a shell - which seems to take years before you truly see the character. I have bourbon shell boots from Carmina and they're very nice but after 2 years the leather just doesn't have as stiking an appearance as some other leathers (including the hatch grain). Not sure I helped any, but that's my opinion

Interesting, what exactly are the qualities of that leather, i'm leaning towards it as well but I have never seen it in person. Is it oily does it take any shine at all? What are the differences vs normal calf leather (to understand durability). Would appreciate your input as you have that from Carmina.

 

[johng70]

Interesting, what exactly are the qualities of that leather, i'm leaning towards it as well but I have never seen it in person. Is it oily does it take any shine at all? What are the differences vs normal calf leather (to understand durability). Would appreciate your input as you have that from Carmina.

I can't give you a durability comparison vs regular calf vs shell.
It's about appearance. It does take a shine but by it's nature, the pattern is interrupted so it you can't get a mirror-like shine. I don't expect it to patina like a veg-tanned. But, that interrupted pattern is what I think makes it look striking. I will say the reindeer has a distinct odor to it. Don't know if other hatch-grain has the same odor. Not bad or very strong but it's definitely there.

 

[User888]

I can't give you a durability comparison vs regular calf vs shell.
It's about appearance. It does take a shine but by it's nature, the pattern is interrupted so it you can't get a mirror-like shine. I don't expect it to patina like a veg-tanned. But, that interrupted pattern is what I think makes it look striking. I will say the reindeer has a distinct odor to it. Don't know if other hatch-grain has the same odor. Not bad or very strong but it's definitely there.

I've been reading about the leather now for a bit. It seems to be infused with quite a fair amount of oils so I'd assume you dont polish it the same way you would with vegano/boxcalf.
Fair on durability but what about creasing?


Many thanks!

 

[johng70]

I've been reading about the leather now for a bit. It seems to be infused with quite a fair amount of oils so I'd assume you dont polish it the same way you would with vegano/boxcalf.
Fair on durability but what about creasing?


Many thanks!

hmmm. the direction I got was to use polish - I'm using tobacco wax. It's not like my cxl leather at all. Really very much like calf - it creases just like calf (and unlike shell). So, other than it's appearance and smell it behaves just like my calf shoes/boots.

 

[Jazzmenco]

Blue shell - Greely model - Forest last

 

[jet-stream]

Gorgeous! Ordered color 4 myself this event. Is this chestnut or dark brown edge color?

Chestnut.

 

[Baked Potato]

Has Carmina stopped using Dainite soles, replacing them with their own Dainite look-alikes? I remember they used to use their own branded Dainite soles several years ago, which they later replaced with genuine Dainite. Seems like they've changed back again?

 

[VaNeT]

Has Carmina stopped using Dainite soles, replacing them with their own Dainite look-alikes? I remember they used to use their own branded Dainite soles several years ago, which they later replaced with genuine Dainite. Seems like they've changed back again?

I believe it’s brexit caused as Tom from Sons of Henrey mentioned in his latest post.

 

[bootyboy]

From an earlier MTO event - Slippers on Genova last.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

I “may” have been naughty last month and bought these prior to mto weekend….
Football shell and cxl shafted Calways..

 

[Patrick1053]

I “may” have been naughty last month and bought these prior to mto weekend….
Football shell and cxl shafted Calways..
View attachment 1690424

wow, those came out really well. Mixing Shell and Cxl seems risky to me but it works. It's pretty amazing to me that a grain base with a plain shaft looks good, and a plain shaft with a grain shaft also looks good.

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

wow, those came out really well. Mixing Shell and Cxl seems risky to me but it works. It's pretty amazing to me that a grain base with a plain shaft looks good, and a plain shaft with a grain shaft also looks good.

Thank you sir..off the foot pic.

 

[stephenaf2003]

Thank you sir..off the foot pic.
View attachment 1690453

 

[isaiah_iv]

Has Carmina stopped using Dainite soles, replacing them with their own Dainite look-alikes? I remember they used to use their own branded Dainite soles several years ago, which they later replaced with genuine Dainite. Seems like they've changed back again?

I am new about Carmina, but, Did Carmina use to use authentic Dainite sole with Carmina logo for their shoes? I did not know that. That was an absolutely great parternship!

 

[Baked Potato]

I am new about Carmina, but, Did Carmina use to use authentic Dainite sole with Carmina logo for their shoes? I did not know that. That was an absolutely great parternship!

I have older shoes which used their own logo, which wasn’t genuine Dainite (as far as I know), but their own variant. I also have shoes from them (which aren’t as old as the prior) that have genuine Dainite soles (no Carmina logo, but Dainite’s own logo).