Dacks and other Canadian shoe brands

[suitforcourt]

$1.12?!!

50% off. Plus I had some coupons and they allowed me to stack them.

 

[suitforcourt]

Had Egyptian food for brunch. Wore my Canadian made Florsheim by John McHale.

 

[Jiqea]

I am spending a little time today cleaning up these 9.5E Dacks water bison Norwegian's. They are a dark chocolate brown and look almost black under lower lighting. They hearken back to the mid-50's with their styling, but were made in the 80's. Just about the tail end of Dack's quality shoe era.

 

[Jiqea]

I was sniffing around on the net looking for a Dack's advertizement for a wholecut shoe with no luck at all. Odd that they made wholecuts from at least the early 50's right through the anniversary years, but appear to have never advertized them. In my electronic journey I came across these Dacks Bespoke Anniversary whole-cuts in calf. Perhaps I don't get out enough, but I have only ever seen Dacks whole-cuts in water bison and kudu. Interesting to see them in smooth calf.

 

[lbgradwell]

I don't ever recall seeing any wholecuts in person.

 

[suitforcourt]

I was sniffing around on the net looking for a Dack's advertizement for a wholecut shoe with no luck at all. Odd that they made wholecuts from at least the early 50's right through the anniversary years, but appear to have never advertized them. In my electronic journey I came across these Dacks Bespoke Anniversary whole-cuts in calf. Perhaps I don't get out enough, but I have only ever seen Dacks whole-cuts in water bison and kudu. Interesting to see them in smooth calf.

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You and I both don't get out enough. I also have never seen whole cuts in calf. This is my first time.

 

[Jiqea]

I don't ever recall seeing any wholecuts in person.

Today I started the restoration of the Dacks whole cuts with the black diamond tag that I bought for $12 bucks on eBay. Here are two pictures of them before I started and two after I made a pass with Fieblings de-glazier and a rinse with Lexol. The de-glazier is very harsh, so I immediately rubbed on some Bicks 4 and put in some shoe trees. After they dry I will go at them again with the de-glazier and cotton swabs. I have ordered some Fieblings Golden brown leather dye for the uppers. I think I will sand the outsoles and dye them black. The shoes have been resoled 1.5 times, so the welting is poor shape. Dying it all jet black should hide some of the flaws, plus I have a mint pair of these shoes and the welting and outsoles are black.

 

[Jiqea]

I had some early 60's Dack's Custom Grade suede bluchers arrive today. I have been looking for a pair of suede Dacks for some time now. These are 10.5 C rather than my regular 10 D, but they seem to fit quite well. I think the soft suede is fairly forgiving. If we get one last nice day I will get them out for a stroll.

 

[suitforcourt]

John McHale for a shopping trip. The triple soles are really comfortable.

 

[Jiqea]

Pretty much finished up the restoration of my 1950's Dacks whole cut oxfords. I stripped and dyed them, and then evened out the colour as best I could with two different shoe creams. I also did a little interior restoration with glue and dye. They are a perfect fit, so I am pleased I can get some more miles out of them, They were in very poor shape but they are OK now. They are interesting in that they have the black diamond Dacks tag.

Before and after shots.

 

[suitforcourt]

Pretty much finished up the restoration of my 1950's Dacks whole cut oxfords. I stripped and dyed them, and then evened out the colour as best I could with two different shoe creams. I also did a little interior restoration with glue and dye. They are a perfect fit, so I am pleased I can get some more miles out of them, They were in very poor shape but they are OK now. They are interesting in that they have the black diamond Dacks tag.

Before and after shots.

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You should have saved these for the 2020 shoe revival challenge!

 

[J-F-O]

Canada had some very good shoe makers. Sad to see most are gone. I'll post pictures of my Dack's and Hartt shoes.

 

[Jiqea]

Only in Canada you say? Pity.

Dacks Water Bison custom made curling shoes. Black Diamond on the outside!!! Flats soles. Slider, Nuts!!! Love them. Canadian at its very best.

 

[suitforcourt]

Only in Canada you say? Pity.

Dacks Water Bison custom made curling shoes. Black Diamond on the outside!!! Flats soles. Slider, Nuts!!! Love them. Canadian at its very best.

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I saw a pair on kijiji once. Totally makes sense for Dacks to have made a few pairs of curling shoes.

 

[Jiqea]

I saw a pair on kijiji once. Totally makes sense for Dacks to have made a few pairs of curling shoes.

I agree. I just checked the newspaper archives. They never advertised them. I think the Diamond on the outside is just so damn cool. I am also pleased to see a second Black Diamond. They must have used them in the 50's.