suitforcourt
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2012
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Today I finally made it to see Corey Hiltz, one of our esteemed local Canadian cobblers.
So I live in Mississauga (population 600,000+) and work in Toronto (largest city in Canada). There is not a single reputable cobbler in those 2 cities who can fully recraft dress shoes with JR soles.
The few cobblers I have spoken to, have either never heard of JR, or don't use JR, because their clientele don't ask for it.
My online research lead me to Shoe Service Institute of America (https://www.ssia.info/). As I understand it, they are the cobblers association. I found a few local Canadian cobblers won awards for their work, and who use JR soles.
Corey Hiltz is based in Barrie, and I go there for work from time to time. We had chatted on facebook previously, and I decided to take the plunge. It was kind of like a first date. What should I wear? Will he like me? Will he accept my shoes for recraft? Gotta impress!
After I finished my business related visit, I went to pay Corey a visit. Corey is the owner/operator of https://www.fix-em-up.com/, which also has a facebook page.
I took up about an hour of Corey's time. He evaluated my shoes and gave his opinion. 2 pairs of vintage Florsheim PTBs. I wore the black 92611's yesterday. Perfect fit. Soles in great condition. But the v-cleat heels.... oh man. They need to be replaced by rubber. I also asked for a topy of sorts. Corey showed me his stock, and recommended the Crespino brand (by SVIG). Thinner but gives better traction than topy (Corey's opinion). Full rubber SVIG heels will be used.
The brown pair of PTBs needed a full recraft. The vamp and toe box area are a tad tight. Toe of soles worn away. And of course, heels are grinded down so that the v-cleat is like a pair of skates.
Corey recommended I go with his house leather, when I originally asked about JR. I compared the two myself, and it was my view that the JR soles were just a little more flexible. Despite the premium price, and against Corey's advice, I opted for the JR soles, SVIG heels, and a Crespino cover as well.
Corey shared with me his journey as a cobbler, and I learned a lot from a man who was both nice, and clearly knowledgeable about his art. Indeed, cobbling is a craft. I lamented that I'm not good with my hands, or otherwise would seek an apprenticeship to join his field.
I look forward to receiving the final products.
I encourage all of you to use local cobblers, as opposed to returning your footwear to the manufacturer for recrafts. Of course, our favourite vintage shoes wouldn't have that option. Wonder if Hanover left their phone line running...
So I live in Mississauga (population 600,000+) and work in Toronto (largest city in Canada). There is not a single reputable cobbler in those 2 cities who can fully recraft dress shoes with JR soles.
The few cobblers I have spoken to, have either never heard of JR, or don't use JR, because their clientele don't ask for it.
My online research lead me to Shoe Service Institute of America (https://www.ssia.info/). As I understand it, they are the cobblers association. I found a few local Canadian cobblers won awards for their work, and who use JR soles.
Corey Hiltz is based in Barrie, and I go there for work from time to time. We had chatted on facebook previously, and I decided to take the plunge. It was kind of like a first date. What should I wear? Will he like me? Will he accept my shoes for recraft? Gotta impress!
After I finished my business related visit, I went to pay Corey a visit. Corey is the owner/operator of https://www.fix-em-up.com/, which also has a facebook page.
I took up about an hour of Corey's time. He evaluated my shoes and gave his opinion. 2 pairs of vintage Florsheim PTBs. I wore the black 92611's yesterday. Perfect fit. Soles in great condition. But the v-cleat heels.... oh man. They need to be replaced by rubber. I also asked for a topy of sorts. Corey showed me his stock, and recommended the Crespino brand (by SVIG). Thinner but gives better traction than topy (Corey's opinion). Full rubber SVIG heels will be used.
The brown pair of PTBs needed a full recraft. The vamp and toe box area are a tad tight. Toe of soles worn away. And of course, heels are grinded down so that the v-cleat is like a pair of skates.
Corey recommended I go with his house leather, when I originally asked about JR. I compared the two myself, and it was my view that the JR soles were just a little more flexible. Despite the premium price, and against Corey's advice, I opted for the JR soles, SVIG heels, and a Crespino cover as well.
Corey shared with me his journey as a cobbler, and I learned a lot from a man who was both nice, and clearly knowledgeable about his art. Indeed, cobbling is a craft. I lamented that I'm not good with my hands, or otherwise would seek an apprenticeship to join his field.
I look forward to receiving the final products.
I encourage all of you to use local cobblers, as opposed to returning your footwear to the manufacturer for recrafts. Of course, our favourite vintage shoes wouldn't have that option. Wonder if Hanover left their phone line running...
