Cordovan & cream polish

[AJL]

The long & short of it: I put a coat of neutral cream polish on my McCallum's a few months back, before I learned it was an absolute "no-no". Frankly, I noticed that it never quite absorbed into the leather, and just kind of smeared around on the surface--I probably wiped most of it off in my attempts to polish it. So, should I attempt to remove remnants of said polish, and/or what should I apply in its stead?

 

[bengal-stripe]

That's what Adam Knox (Alden of Carmel) has to say about the care of shell cordovan shoes. http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/Catalog....van.htm Is there any reason why you want to take the cream polish off? With every brushing, you will remove a little bit more. Stay clear of polish for the next six months or so. Thereafter use it only sparingly. (Once in a blue moon.)

 

[AJL]

thanks b-s.

though the fellow at alden mentions what not to use (neutral polish), he does not suggest what is appropriate to use. have you any suggestions?

 

[JFK]

thanks b-s.

though the fellow at alden mentions what not to use (neutral polish), he does not suggest what is appropriate to use. have you any suggestions?

My cobbler suggested Kiwi Mid Tan; I've used it on my McCallums and am very happy with the results.

 

[AJL]

Quote:

(AJL @ 26 Sep. 2004, 10:22) thanks b-s. though the fellow at alden mentions what not to use (neutral polish), he does not suggest what is appropriate to use. have you any suggestions?
My cobbler suggested Kiwi Mid Tan; I've used it on my McCallums and am very happy with the results.
thanks jfk-- duly noted

 

[JohnG]

I am a bit confused . From aldens Website: " For shell cordovan shoes, Alden reccommends using paste wax polish, and not shoe cream." Yet in checking the Cordovan polish purchased from Allen Edmonds for their burgundy cordovan shell it says" ( Naturally it is the same for hte Black cordovan shell leather cream) Allen Edmonds Burgundy Cordovan Shoe Care CREAM {Allen Edmonds Cordovan Shoe Care Cream A premium conditioning cream designed specifically for the care of burgundy shell cordovan leather.} < This cream does have a slightly diffent texture or "feel" to it than the regular creams. Also- I have checked with at least two different people at the A.E> outlet store and both have stated A.E. doesnt make a cordovan shell carnuba polish. IS there a difinitive answer? I do know that Aldens- Allen Edmonds and when Allen Edmonds allows them to due to volume commitment and "setting the price" so to speak... Johnston and Murphy- all purchase their Cordovan Shell leather from the same company. If the leather comes from the same company - any ideas why the two major ( volume wise) purchasers recommend opposite types of polish. I.E> cream versus polish? (This took a bit of digging to get it straight. This information is based on discussions with a J.&M district manager and an A.E. outlet manager who even made a phone call to corporate to verify. ) Supposedly though there are a few cordovan shell leather suppliers in the states and many more aborad... there is ONE company that is head and shoulders above the others.( My apology the name escapes me ) Their method of curing takes 21-22 days to tan the leather. Some of hte lesser companies "cure" the shell leather in as little as 18 days. Because of the superior quaility - ALden, A.E. and J.&M. all purchase their shell leather from this company. J.&M. isn't able to purchase as regularly as the other two because of the contractual commitments made to Aldens and A.E. Also ,due to the volume of purchases, the other two somewhat "price fix" the leather thus only allowing J.&M. to purchase more rarely in order to keep their lower price point. John G.

 

[JLibourel]

The tannery for high-grade shell cordovan and other horsehide products is Horween Tanneries. I believe they are based in Chicago. Holstermaker Greg Kramer, who gets all his horsehide from Horween, tells me that Alden and Allen-Edmonds keep Horween in business.

 

[auto90403]

a few weeks ago, i visited the alden shop and SF and mentioned that my shell cordovans never held a shine for very long. the salesman gave me some alden brand cordovan-flavored cream he said worked better than wax. and to use it sparingly -- that it was better to give the shoes a buffing up rather than to apply more cream and repolish.

i've seen some improvement without solving the problem.