Grant Stone - Official Affiliate Thread

[M635Guy]

Ha! We haven’t even hit false fall yet in Wilmington...

Which is where I grew up

 

[GrantStone]

"the only way to really know is to try it on" Truer words have never been spoken.

Through research and experience, I have learned that material does inform how a show will fit with:
- calf being the standard by which all others are measured and compared too
- shell not stretching (as much or at all) gets lasted in a way that is fuller immediately but never really gives
- suede often feels tighter initially and gives almost as much as calf

And, I think sometimes we all forget that (all) shoes are (mostly) handmade from (mostly) organic materials and thus two shoes made from the same type and batch of leather, on the same last, in the same size, by the same person, and on the same day may fit differently even if only by a small margin. These are not widgets being mass produced in ISO 9001 environments by robots using robust production methodologies (i.e. Toyota Production System, Lean Six Sigma) so there will be variances.

Live, learn, and try them on is my takeaway.

Completely agree.

 

[BrandonF]

Travelers today for North Carolina Second Summer

We had warm weather earlier this week but man, it was chilly here today (in Flat Rock about halfway between Asheville and SC). Still wore my travelers today, but it’s dropping to 34 tonight.

Still better than MN, where I used to hail from. It’s been snowing like crazy there.

 

[M635Guy]

"the only way to really know is to try it on" Truer words have never been spoken.

Through research and experience, I have learned that material does inform how a show will fit with:
- calf being the standard by which all others are measured and compared too
- shell not stretching (as much or at all) gets lasted in a way that is fuller immediately but never really gives
- suede often feels tighter initially and gives almost as much as calf

And, I think sometimes we all forget that (all) shoes are (mostly) handmade from (mostly) organic materials and thus two shoes made from the same type and batch of leather, on the same last, in the same size, by the same person, and on the same day may fit differently even if only by a small margin. These are not widgets being mass produced in ISO 9001 environments by robots using robust production methodologies (i.e. Toyota Production System, Lean Six Sigma) so there will be variances.

Live, learn, and try them on is my takeaway.

You're a wise man. I couldn't have said it better, other than I'd add only this slight edit that I think you'll agree with: " These are not widgets being mass produced in ISO 9001 environments by robots using robust production methodologies (i.e. Toyota Production System, Lean Six Sigma) so there will be variances. These variances should be celebrated - they're a sign of their hand-made origin."

 

[M635Guy]

We had warm weather earlier this week but man, it was chilly here today (in Flat Rock about halfway between Asheville and SC). Still wore my travelers today, but it’s dropping to 34 tonight.

Still better than MN, where I used to hail from. It’s been snowing like crazy there.

I know Flat Rock well - my dad currently lives about 25 min. from there - beautiful area! You're definitely in the most 4-season zone of the state

Honestly, I'm looking forward to Boot Weather, but you don't have to worry about MN-like weather.

 

[Erikdayo]

Thank you very much. This helps a lot. They're actually much much closer than I expected though I am sure it can depend somewhat on the batch of leather.

Considering whether to go with the pebble grain, dune cxl, or black cxl Ottawa.

Just a comment on the British tan LWBs I posted next to the pebble boots. Those have a LOT of miles on them and boy does that leather hold up well. They are from December 2016 so not sure if color has changed much on current production.

It's hard to tell without comparing in person, but they look like they'd be about the same. My british tan pairs are from this year.

 

[FatTuesday]

I may have an oddball pair, but the color of the current pebble grain Ottawa run seems quite different from the original. No complaints from me - I like both colors. I only bought the current pair b/c of the difference. (I somehow remembered the originals being called "crimson", which is wrong. They too were called "cognac".)

Originals

Current batch

I'll post a side-by-side shot when I get a chance.

 

[up1911fan]

I may have an oddball pair, but the color of the current pebble grain Ottawa run seems quite different from the original. No complaints from me - I like both colors. I only bought the current pair b/c of the difference. (I somehow remembered the originals being called "crimson", which is wrong. They too were called "cognac".)

Originals
View attachment 1488333

Current batch
View attachment 1488334

I'll post a side-by-side shot when I get a chance.

Yeah they're definitely a different color.

 

[audog]

Yeah they're definitely a different color.

For sure different colors, I had a pair of the OG ones (sold due to wrong size) and they are/were definitely much darker, more brown than the current offering. Both are nice looking however.

 

[up1911fan]

For sure different colors, I had a pair of the OG ones (sold due to wrong size) and they are/were definitely much darker, more brown than the current offering. Both are nice looking however.

I prefer the OG color, almost bought yours, but wrong size for me too.

 

[audog]

I prefer the OG color, almost bought yours, but wrong size for me too.

The OG color did show scuffs/scratches a lot, the underlying much lighter brown color would show through. On a boot, not a big deal (it's patina) so it never bothered me, but it did almost seem like the current color was hand dyed to achieve the darker OG color. I have no evidence of this being true, but just seemed that way.

 

[Erikdayo]

What are Grant Stone Black Friday sales usually like? I'm eyeing a few pairs but not sure if I should wait until the end of the month.

 

[up1911fan]

 

[Genericuser1]

I would definitely be interested in some pebble grain Ottawa’s in EEE. I’d really like some dark green suede Ottawa’s. Love my navy pair.

 

[BrandonF]

I would definitely be interested in some pebble grain Ottawa’s in EEE. I’d really like some dark green suede Ottawa’s. Love my navy pair.

I didn’t like Ottawa’s when I first saw them, but now I think they’re the style I’m most envious of. Only have one pair so far.