John Lobb Philip II: Black calf

[hopkins_student]

Is this too nice of a shoe to be wasted on black calf leather? I'm thinking about making this the Lobb that I go for, and I need a serious black cap-toe shoe...I don't have anything in this slot right now. If you wanted to buy a Lobb and needed a black cap-toe would you buy the Philip II or by a C&J Handgrade black cap-toe to fill that void and find something else for the Lobb? Thanks, HS.

 

[kronik]

I like the Philip II ..

On second thought, I'd get the C&J handgrade and buy a trademark Lobb like the Jermyn II.

There's no shortage of black cap-toes out there.

 

[NoVaguy]

just get the AE park avenue or byron for $150 or so, or even full retail, if you need a black cap-toe. It's black. It's full grain calf. It's got a cap-toe. Or the Alden/BB equivalent.

I only go upscale when its brown. 800-1200 seems kind of pointless for black, especially a black cap-toe, unless the fit is incredible. I would go upscale for a black EG stowe or JL jermyn, though.

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

just get the AE park avenue or byron for $150 or so, or even full retail, if you need a black cap-toe. It's black. It's full grain calf. It's got a cap-toe. Or the Alden/BB equivalent.

I only go upscale when its brown. 800-1200 seems kind of pointless for black, especially a black cap-toe, unless the fit is incredible. I would go upscale for a black EG stowe or JL jermyn, though.

Where can you get Park Avenues for $150?

 

[whoopee]

I suggest the C&J Hallam for a very serviceable black captoe. Much more stylish than Alden/AE and the like.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by odoreater

Where can you get Park Avenues for $150?

the usual places - ebay, marshalls, dsw, etc. keep in mind that i included things like a perf cap-toe. ebay is fantastic, if you're not in a hurry. and i never am. like somebody's .sig file goes - good, fast, cheap - pick two.

i don't currently have the park avenue, (i hate the last) - but i was able to pick up a near new one for 80 - no real wear on the soles, but some creasing from excessive tryons. but i hated the last, so i immediately resold it.

but i did get the wyngate (basically a byron - a captoe with perforations - with a poron insole) at marshalls, brand new, for 150.00.

 

[hopkins_student]

Originally Posted by whoopee

I suggest the C&J Hallam for a very serviceable black captoe. Much more stylish than Alden/AE and the like.

I don't see that on the C&J website. What's it look like? Is it handgrade?

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by hopkins_student

I don't see that on the C&J website. What's it look like? Is it handgrade?
I'm pretty sure it's a benchgrade on the 348 last. It should be available from pediwear.

 

[whoopee]

Also on P. Lal, and some photos have been posted here, too.

 

[UR003]

Originally Posted by hopkins_student

I don't see that on the C&J website. What's it look like? Is it handgrade?
You'll find it on the French C&J website, www.crockettandjones.fr under richelieu (http://www.crockettandjones.fr/catalogue.php?rub=2). I think I like the 348 last better than the 337. It's very sharp. And the shoes are not that expensive. I would say they are the most attractive in their price class. I have also seen a version where there is no toe cap and brogueing around the quarters (don't know for sure that's the word I am looking for, but I mean the stitching that starts near the heel and rises to round the instep, just beneath the first eyelet and then back downwards to the heel on the other side of the shoe). Unfortunately it isn't on the website. The French website shows a lot of interesting shoes that aren't on the .co.uk website. Edit: the shoe on the 348 last with some brogueing is called Dalton. A picture can be found on the website of an established shoe shop from Amsterdam, Zwartjes (http://www.zwartjes.nl/collectie.asp?me=1&t=H), the 11th pair from the left.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

I only go upscale when its brown. 800-1200 seems kind of pointless for black, especially a black cap-toe, unless the fit is incredible.

I agree. I'll only drop this kind of cash for a special shoe, in brown. Everyone makes a black captoe....and once you've seen one black captoe, you've seen 'em all (OK guys, start flaming, posting pics of your favorite black captoes, etc.).

 

[von Rothbart]

I agree with the sentiment here. If you prepare to pay some serious bucks on a pair of Lobb, make it a special pair in brown, something iconic, something that people couldn't help but stare at your feet like the Jermyn II or the Vintage series. Disregard what I just said if you've already had closet full of JLs and EGs.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

You might be able to pick up the EG Chelsea in black during their next sale.

 

[morsem]

What do you guys think of the John Lobb dark oak? Is it anything like the EG dark oak and do they do any antiqueing at all?

 

[kronik]

Yes there is antiquing - not to the level of EG.