Double Monks

[levku]

I would like to buy double monk strap shoes.
What would you recommend? Which are the best quality shoes?
Alfred Sargent Exclusive Ramsey
Carmina double monk (Model 080250-002 )
Crockett&Jones Lowndes

 

[RogerP]

Those are all very good. Buy the ones that fit you best and that you find most aesthetically pleasing.

 

[levku]

Maybe you can recommend italian double monks from the same price and quality range?

 

[RogerP]

I don't own any Italian double monks, but I do own a pair of Vass that I could heartily recommend - and wouldn't be very far outside your ballpark.

Of the shoes you listed I am very familiar with the Carmina DM, and think it represents solid value in a very attractive shoe.

 

[lee_44106]

Pure "quality" wise,

Ramsey just slightly edges out the Carmina. C&J Lowndes is last.

 

[levku]

I don't own any Italian double monks, but I do own a pair of Vass that I could heartily recommend - and wouldn't be very far outside your ballpark.

Of the shoes you listed I am very familiar with the Carmina DM, and think it represents solid value in a very attractive shoe.

Where i can buy Vass online?

 

[apack]

How do the Meermin (Classic and Linea Maestro) compare in terms of quality?

 

[RogerP]

Where i can buy Vass online?

1) You can buy directly from Vass - which will generally be your least expensive option. Their web site kind of blows, and only shows standard models. Better to peruse the Vass thread and get an idea of the wide variety of options open to you.

http://www.vass-cipo.hu/Index.html

http://www.styleforum.net/t/130044/the-ultimate-vass-Appreciation-thread

2) Ascot Shoes has an e-bay store - they carry a lot of Vass - I recommend contacting them directly versus through e-bay if you see something you like (that's where the double monks posted above came from):
http://stores.ebay.ca/Ascot-Shoes

3) Forum member Notch has a number of Vass shoes for sale at any given time right here on the forums, and organizes group buys. http://www.styleforum.net/t/360300/vass-shoes-more-than-25-pairs-all-sorts-sizes-39-5-to-46-all-bnib

4) Affiliate vendor NoManWalks Alone has started carrying Vass: http://www.nomanwalksalone.com/index.php/makers/makersinfo/view/id/129/

5) As has affiliate vendor Epaulet New York: http://epauletnewyork.com/collections/footwear/Shoes

How do the Meermin (Classic and Linea Maestro) compare in terms of quality?

Compare to whom - each other or the brands mentioned thus far? Best bet would be to clarify and ask on the Meermin thread.

 

[apack]



Compare to whom - each other or the brands mentioned thus far?  Best bet would be to clarify and ask on the Meermin thread.

I meant, specifically, how do these Meermin double monks compare in quality to the other double monks discussed here?

http://www.meermin.es/ficha_articulo.php?id=2338
http://www.meermin.es/ficha_articulo.php?id=2050

I have a much better sense of how the Meermin lines compare to each other than how they compare to other makers over the range discussed in this thread.

 

[RogerP]

I don't have any personal experience with Meermin - I've only ever seen them in photos here on the forum. The people with the most experience with Meermin can be found on the Meermin thread - hence my suggestion.

From what I've read on that thread, Meermin would rank below Carmina in overall quality. And owning a number of both Carmina and Vass, I'd certainly rank Vass comfortably higher.

But again, I have no personal experience upon which to compare Meermin to anything.