Crocket & Jones handgrade vs benchgrade

[jasonmarshalljazz]

what is the qualitative difference between the two line of C&J?

 

[Cary Grant]

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=3589

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...+grade&spell=1

 

[jasonmarshalljazz]

thanx

 

[sf_esq]

For what it's worth, I'm not an expert by any means, but I have a couple of pairs of the benchgrades and I ordered and returned a pair of the handgrades (due to fit), and there is a noticeable difference in quality. The benchgrades are very nice shoes, the handgrades are exceptional. The handgrades were made of thicker leather (the shoes were noticeably heavier) and they are fully leather lined, versus partially lined, like the benchgrades. If they fit you, and you order from Pediwear or Plal, the handgrades are worth the small difference in price, IMO.

 

[Ged]

Originally Posted by sf_esq

I ordered and returned a pair of the handgrades (due to fit). If they fit you, and you order from Pediwear or Plal, the handgrades are worth the small difference in price, IMO.

Were they too wide or too narrow? I'm very interested in handgrades but have a wide foot, a 7.5G in Church and 8G in GG. I was hoping I might squeeze in to an 8E in CJ. Over email, a CJ staffer suggested they ran a little wide although that runs contrary to what I've read here about the 337.

Cheers

Ged

 

[sf_esq]

Originally Posted by Ged

Were they too wide or too narrow? I'm very interested in handgrades but have a wide foot, a 7.5G in Church and 8G in GG. I was hoping I might squeeze in to an 8E in CJ. Over email, a CJ staffer suggested they ran a little wide although that runs contrary to what I've read here about the 337.

Cheers

Ged

Take with a grain of salt because we all have different feet with our own nuances. So.... I have an average to slightly narrow and long foot with a low instep. The 348 last fits me well. The 337 in the same size was slightly shorter in length, which wasn't a problem, but it was also more spacious throughout (heel, width and instep). I believe the width at the widest point of the both the 337 and the 348 is comparable, but, while the 348 is only that wide at the widest point, the 337 seemed to be that wide through much more of the shoe, making it too roomy for me. I would think that a 337 would fit a wider foot better than the 348.

 

[Avebury]

Probably covering old ground, but is an Edward Green actually worth that extra £250 quid? A Clifford would sell at £350 and a Galway at £610, or therebouts. That's a massive difference. Can an Edward Green be £250 quid better than a Handgrade? Ok, personal preferences aside, I think it's an important point. Look at this way, you could get a Handgrade AND a benchgrade CJ for the price of ONE EG. I looked at pair of EG today and can appreciate the quality, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking that's a lot of money. That's my holiday. What am I getting?

That said, I'm leaning toward either the semi brogue or the Galway EG, largely because I think the former is the ultimate example and the latter just looks superb. But, ouch - it costs.

I won't bang on about Tricker's, but if you can cope with the rounded toe on their boots I think they are better than the competition, EG excepted. Better than CJ and Church's. God, Church's now have some ugly shoes - there's a nasty walking boot style in shiny multi-coloured leather.

The Grasmere now seems to have a slightly less rounded toe - perhaps my eyes are deceiving me. The last looks longer...I hold my breath.

The shop is being re-furb at the moment and they have that bespoke for £850 offer on.

 

[Xiaogou]

The only way to get C&J shoetrees is directly from C&J, correct? No internet orders from what I've read

 

[slt]

Originally Posted by Xiaogou

The only way to get C&J shoetrees is directly from C&J, correct? No internet orders from what I've read

You can buy them on the internet; Pediwear for example

 

[slt]

Originally Posted by sf_esq

The handgrades were made of thicker leather (the shoes were noticeably heavier) and they are fully leather lined, versus partially lined, like the benchgrades.

Just curious about which CJ benchgrades that are partially lined?

I have 8 pairs of benchgrades, including 3 pairs of boots, and all of them are fully leather lined.

 

[grimslade]

He means the sock liner. But that's a bad way to describe what he means. By that way of talking, EGs and G&Gs are partially lined too.

 

[jmix1]

Originally Posted by Ged

Were they too wide or too narrow? I'm very interested in handgrades but have a wide foot, a 7.5G in Church and 8G in GG. I was hoping I might squeeze in to an 8E in CJ. Over email, a CJ staffer suggested they ran a little wide although that runs contrary to what I've read here about the 337.

Cheers

Ged

If you are a true G there is no way an E fitting in the 337 will work. Believe me I've tried. There is a handgrade loafer (model name escapes me) that comes in a G fitting, but I believe this is the only current C&J handgrade for those unfortunate wide-footed fellows like ourselves.

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by slt

You can buy them on the internet; Pediwear for example

You're right--but they don't sell trees according to last--

 

[slt]

Originally Posted by Xiaogou

You're right--but they don't sell trees according to last--

They don't; but neither does C&J themselves as far as I know.

 

[Orgetorix]

Originally Posted by jmix1

If you are a true G there is no way an E fitting in the 337 will work. Believe me I've tried. There is a handgrade loafer (model name escapes me) that comes in a G fitting, but I believe this is the only current C&J handgrade for those unfortunate wide-footed fellows like ourselves.

What about those who wear an F fitting? My only UK-sized shoes are some Cheaney monks that are 10.5 F. They fit well, if anything perhaps a shade wide. Should I be able to fit in to a 10.5 E or 11 E Handgrade?