Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

[Quantum17]

Can I please see a close up of the braiding? What is that? Is it fancy welt stitch/braiding or...just on the leather..? Or..?

of course! I was trying to see if I have a photo on my phone, but I don't have one ready. I will take more pics when I get home later today ? I do remember they are hand sewn seams on the one piece whole-cut. The impressive part is how neat and parallel the seam run. As I understand, without solid construction as a whole (both craftsmanship AND leather quality), the upper would slightly alter shape over time, and would be evident in details such as these parallel seams. However, these stand the test of time which speaks volume.

Edit: The braiding/seam is not on the welt, and is not the Norwegian welt. In fact, I don't think they are reverse storm welt either.

Edit 2: I have a couple photos of the same/similar Dacks water bison whole-cuts model borrowing from previous @Jiqea posts. Yes, all from the same gentleman. I believe he has beef with the bison and has vowed to collect all existing Dack's bison shoes in revenge.

 

[Jiqea]

of course! I was trying to see if I have a photo on my phone, but I don't have one ready. I will take more pics when I get home later today ? I do remember they are hand sewn seams on the one piece whole-cut. The impressive part is how neat and parallel the seam run. As I understand, without solid construction as a whole (both craftsmanship AND leather quality), the upper would slightly alter shape over time, and would be evident in details such as these parallel seams. However, these stand the test of time which speaks volume.

Edit: The braiding/seam is not on the welt, and is not the Norwegian welt. In fact, I don't think they are reverse storm welt either.

Edit 2: I have a couple photos of the same/similar Dacks water bison whole-cuts model borrowing from previous @Jiqea posts. Yes, all from the same gentleman. I believe he has beef with the bison and has vowed to collect all existing Dack's bison shoes in revenge.
View attachment 1624571 View attachment 1624572 View attachment 1624573

It is a decorative hand stiched band that pierces the whole cut water buffalo hide. I own a pair from the 50’s which are labelled as SE Dacks. Perhaps my favourite Dacks style along with the U wings.

 

[suitforcourt]

The last of the Dacks before they went bankrupt. Matthew Dacks brought back this Seneca model but not in walnut calf.

A sentimental pair for so many reasons.

 

[Jiqea]

I had a nice score this week, a pair of early 70's Hartt built Strathconas, Size 12E, complete with the leather straps for the spurs in their original packaging. The boots have never been laced and come complete with their original cardboard sleeves and tissue in the toes. The pebble grained Hartt high browns with the Goodyear heels are the earliest version that they made.

 

[suitforcourt]

Some great Canadians got their lives extended courtesy of OHIP. I mean, work done by Corey Hiltz at Fix em up shoe repair in Barrie. All pics in separate thread for Corey's shop.

 

[suitforcourt]

It was natural to reach for a Canadian pair this Friday. And I was able to match Florsheim Friday.

Vintage quality really has no competition. Even for CG, these have aged well and just some VSC keeps them strong. I love the patina on them and they really glow in the sun. John McHale made these for Florsheim. The fit is great, even for 9.5D. Perfect width and length compensated by a slimmer toe box so my feet don't slip or flop around.


Corey Hiltz spruced these up with sole protectors and cat paw heels. Just the smallest upgrades have made these versatile.

 

[dadjeans]

First decent find since the end of lockdown 3.0! Would these have been labelled prairie oxhide had they been Dacks? Also, I guess I'm supposed to wait a little longer to take pictures after conditioning the soles?

 

[basstoyourface]

I guess - with my habits, it is inevitable, that I am going to turn into one of these really old guys whom I currently highly respect and admire.

The boots in and of themselves are worn gems. But the crumpled newspapers inside are almost as magnificent.

This old man bought these on the DL from an outlet in Fredericton or so for his motorcycle days. When I noted his toecaps were mint, he without skipping a beat said, oh it had a suicide shifter. What a badass!!

Check out the date on the newspaper he had stuffed inside the boots all these decades.

Hope your summer is kicking into gear gents.

 

[goatamous II]

Presume these are too far gone?

 

[suitforcourt]

Presume these are too far gone?

View attachment 1636140

Never!

 

[goatamous II]

OK, technically if there's a will. I don't have the energy
They're nice shoes, but they need word. Maybe even a resole.


[If anybody is is interested in a project shoe, i'll happily pick them up for you for cost. no attempt to make a profit]

 

[mariusscott]

OK, technically if there's a will. I don't have the energy
They're nice shoes, but they need word. Maybe even a resole.


[If anybody is is interested in a project shoe, i'll happily pick them up for you for cost. no attempt to make a profit]

I would be interested if they might be in my size wheelhouse, those can easily be saved with some love and cream polish

 

[VintageZealot]

An exotic find! Yesterday I went to the thrift store and found these camel wingtip derby shoes by Hartt. I think I've seen the same pair on eBay but by Dack's and in black.


They appear to have been resoled at some point, since the sole says "made in Italy" and claims that they are a size 10-11 which isn't the case.

Most of the information inside is worn off but in one shoe the size code of 585 is intact, revealing these to be 8.5 E in size. The inside leather seems quite a bit more worn than that of the outside.

While the outer leather is in much better shape there are still a few small scuffs and areas of discolouration.

Unfortunately they aren't anywhere close to my regular size of 10.5 B so I can't wear them, but they're still one of the most interesting pairs of shoes I've found in a thrift store since I rarely find any worth mentioning. I think they might be from the early 1980s but I'm not entirely sure.
Does anybody know what these might be worth? I might try to sell them somewhere, or just keep them as an interesting piece of discussion.

 

[mariusscott]

Shout out to "goatamous II" for the shoes he was able to grab. Cleaned them up a bit but they wont work for me as they are just a bit to small (size 9D). The toes could likely use a redye, i just used some cream polish. If anyone is interested send me a PM, just looking to get out what I paid for them (which was $34). If not will post them to the bay

 

[goatamous II]

Not Canadian exactly

Who would have made these?