Chris Barrett - cobbler at A1 Shoe Repair at Deerwood in Jacksonville Florida

[suitforcourt]

In my continuing mission of trying out new cobblers, I came across Chris Barrett. I met him in a facebook group called "North American Shoe Rebuilders" found here:

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Chris is the head cobbler at A1 Shoe Repair at Deerwood, in Jacksonville Florida. Likely attracts lots of traffic given his location.

Chris and I chatted a few times, and I decided to test him out. He comes across as a really nice guy, and does a lot of charity work in his community. More importantly, the pictures of his results from his facebook page, are impressive.

His facebook page is here:

A1 Shoe Repair at Deerwood

A1 Shoe Repair at Deerwood, Jacksonville, Florida. 594 likes · 5 talking about this · 159 were here. Quality craftsmanship on repairing shoes for men, women and kids. Also repair belts, purses,...

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I am sending Chris 2 pairs of shoes:

1. AE shell MacNeils. Bought these for super cheap. Found them on eBay where seller didn't know they had a pair of shell. Definitely needs new soles and heels. Going with JR soles and rubber heels for this pair;

2. Florsheim 92604. Also got these vintage classics for cheap. I used them for a Father's Day craft where my kids glued on some coloured beads. I hate the v-cleat (aka suicide heels) as I find them extremely slippery. Going with a rubber sole like Vibram Eton or Dainite with this pair.

 

[suitforcourt]

The AE MacNeils are going through the initial phase.

Soles, heels, and cork have been removed and stripped.

Chris replaced the cork and leather midsole. Old stitches in the welt have been removed.

With his recommendation, I decided on the SVIG rubber top lift. Chris also has AE, Goodyear, and JR combo top lifts.

I can’t wear dovetail top lifts as they are slippery for me.

 

[vdubiv]

your kids did an impressive job staying inside the lines while gluing on those beads. Those shoes are strangely cool, there may be a niche market for them!

 

[suitforcourt]

your kids did an impressive job staying inside the lines while gluing on those beads. Those shoes are strangely cool, there may be a niche market for them!

My 3 year old and 18 month old! It wasn't too hard. I smeared shoo goo in the areas I wanted the beads. So they just sprinkled. Thankfully my wife had the foresight that we do it outdoors on the deck. It became really messy. And actually took a long time. The beads are falling off one by one. I will use barge cement next to make sure they really stick on.

 

[suitforcourt]

Updates from Chris. JR sole being stitched to body of AE MacNeils.

 

[suitforcourt]

Florsheim pair - old sole and heel removed. Cork stripped. Old stitches removed. Ready for Vibram Eton soles.

 

[suitforcourt]

Further updates.

Vibram soles installed on the Florsheim.

JR soles on AE near final phase.

 

[suitforcourt]

Shoes are back!

The Florsheim 92604s have clean welt stitching and outsole is well done.

The AE MacNeils in shell is not as good. The welt line is not as clean. Outsole stitching is good.

 

[suitforcourt]

I recommend Chris. Make sure you ask that he do the work personally. I spoke to Chris and he worked on the Florsheims personally, while multiple bodies touched the AEs. It's pretty obvious.

Chris was a pleasure to deal with. Really nice guy, and a gentleman who donates a lot to his community.

 

[suitforcourt]

Wore the Florsheim today. Very comfortable as the cork, midsole, and new soles were perfectly relaid.

 

[American_Psycho11]

This thread is funny after seeing the absolute abortion of a job he did on a pair of Carminas that had to be fixed by Bedo;s Leatherworks. Not to mention Steve at Bedo's absolutely called him out for being a raging *************

 

[suitforcourt]

This thread is funny after seeing the absolute abortion of a job he did on a pair of Carminas that had to be fixed by Bedo;s Leatherworks. Not to mention Steve at Bedo's absolutely called him out for being a raging *************

I followed the whole story on Facebook. The carminas were absolutely butchered.

 

[sinda67]

I followed the whole story on Facebook. The carminas were absolutely butchered.

Yep A1 is a hack