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John Lobb vs Crockett & Jones vs Edward Green

Milgauss

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JL and Edward Green are more expensive but for those who have pairs of these brands or can make a comparison, how does the quality of leather differ between the

JL (ready to wear)

Edward Green (ready to wear)

C&J Handgrade

C&J Main Line (Benchgrade?)

Specifically, is the difference worth the extra money between the C&J benchgrade and JL?

I'm not an expert in leathers and only have one pair of C&J benchgrade but I'm thinking of taking the jump to JL or Edward Green.

The C&J store seems to think that the C&J Handgrade is comparable to JB and EG, but I'm not so sure.

Any help would be much appreciated!
 

Kuro

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IMO the order that you listed the brands matches their order in terms of leather quality (i.e. JL RTW seems to have the best leather). However, it is hard to say whether the price differences between each are commensurate with the quality differences.
 

edmorel

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Here is my reply which everyone will disagree with, but I am right and they are wrong. Strictly RTW, the premium of EG to C&J Handgrade is not worth it, particularly for the "basics". If you like something like the Dover, you have no choice but to go EG but if you are looking for a basic cap toe, C&J is just as fine. Lobb I find to be better than both and Lobb has more distinct stylings.
 

rssmsvc

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I can see the visual difference in the heels but in actual wear I can't really tell the difference between any of the 3. I like JL the least the CJ shoes are my favorite of the three.

The only shoe I can actually tell is little more comfortable are the Gaziano and Girling shoes but leather wise , I can't tell much of a difference.

I am sure others more versed can.
 

Golf_Nerd

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Originally Posted by Milgauss
JL and Edward Green are more expensive but for those who have pairs of these brands or can make a comparison, how does the quality of leather differ between the

JL (ready to wear)

Edward Green (ready to wear)

C&J Handgrade

C&J Main Line (Benchgrade?)

Specifically, is the difference worth the extra money between the C&J benchgrade and JL?

I'm not an expert in leathers and only have one pair of C&J benchgrade but I'm thinking of taking the jump to JL or Edward Green.

The C&J store seems to think that the C&J Handgrade is comparable to JB and EG, but I'm not so sure.

Any help would be much appreciated!


There are some rankings (e.g. on AAAC)! And several threads (use the search).

Your first post and no introduction?

Ah, and who cares the extra money (it's style)????
 

grimslade

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Originally Posted by edmorel
Here is my reply which everyone will disagree with, but I am right and they are wrong. Strictly RTW, the premium of EG to C&J Handgrade is not worth it, particularly for the "basics". If you like something like the Dover, you have no choice but to go EG but if you are looking for a basic cap toe, C&J is just as fine. Lobb I find to be better than both and Lobb has more distinct stylings.

I sort of agree with Ed, actually. I find leather qualities to be somewhat variable anyway--it's a natural product, after all. The reason to buy EGs over C&Js is because they don't make the same shoes. I find Church's lasts to be not particularly attractive, and feel the same way about Alfred Sargent. OTOH, I have a pair of black captoes from C&J that EG just doesn't make the equivalent of. I have two from EG and they're both good-looking shoes, but in that particular design, I like my Whitehalls marginally better.

I'm being a little muddled about this, but my point is that god is in the details. The EGs often get little things right in matters of proportion or detail that will be wrong elsewhere. If you care enough to get the very best, often you have little choice. You can get the Sargent, and it will be 90% of the shoe that the EG is at 50% or less of the price. So the question is whether you care about that last 10%.

C&J does machine last all their shoes, FWIW.
 

teddieriley

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^^ Yup. Last shape will be important too. Some fit your foot better than others.
 

kaxixi

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Originally Posted by edmorel
Lobb I find to be better than both and Lobb has more distinct stylings.

+1. Distinct can be good or bad, but IMO, it is often good in Lobb's case.
 

Tarmac

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I will echo the above statements and also point out that I have never seen a cosmetic flaw on Lobb RTW leather, ever. They are always visually perfect.

Lobb isn't something I would spend my money on but the leather quality is something I would not argue with.
 

Xiaogou

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Originally Posted by grimslade
I sort of agree with Ed, actually. I find leather qualities to be somewhat variable anyway--it's a natural product, after all. The reason to buy EGs over C&Js is because they don't make the same shoes. I find Church's lasts to be not particularly attractive, and feel the same way about Alfred Sargent. OTOH, I have a pair of black captoes from C&J that EG just doesn't make the equivalent of. I have two from EG and they're both good-looking shoes, but in that particular design, I like my Whitehalls marginally better.

I'm being a little muddled about this, but my point is that god is in the details. The EGs often get little things right in matters of proportion or detail that will be wrong elsewhere. If you care enough to get the very best, often you have little choice. You can get the Sargent, and it will be 90% of the shoe that the EG is at 50% or less of the price. So the question is whether you care about that last 10%.

C&J does machine last all their shoes, FWIW.


In terms of actual quality, however you would measure it, who makes a better shoe? I don't just mean the quality of the leather but the quality of the workmanship? Thanks for the help.
 

Tarmac

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Workmanship? Probably Lobb. It doesn't mean I prefer it though. I think EGs look better. EG and Lobb are neck and neck though. What does it matter if you don't like how the shoe looks?
 

grimslade

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Originally Posted by Xiaogou
In terms of actual quality, however you would measure it, who makes a better shoe? I don't just mean the quality of the leather but the quality of the workmanship? Thanks for the help.

Lobb and EG have better workmanship, but per the above, for me, at that level, I'm not sure I care about the kinds of differences we're talking about. I would go with the one that made the shoe I wanted to wear.
 

DocHolliday

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Originally Posted by edmorel
Here is my reply which everyone will disagree with, but I am right and they are wrong. Strictly RTW, the premium of EG to C&J Handgrade is not worth it, particularly for the "basics". If you like something like the Dover, you have no choice but to go EG but if you are looking for a basic cap toe, C&J is just as fine. Lobb I find to be better than both and Lobb has more distinct stylings.

I just bought a pair of black captoe bals from Martegani. Considering how rarely I'll wear them, and the types of events to which I'll wear them, they're more than sufficient for my needs. From above, and to the onlooker, they're just another pair of black captoes.

I can't join in all the Lobb love, though. Its self-conciously distinct stylings are its downfall, in my book.
 

Spatlese

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JL > EG => CJ >>>> my current budget
 

AnGeLiCbOrIs

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I splurged for a pair of EGs in dark oak on the 888 last because I like the style, shape and color. Now that I realize I will not fit into the 888 without trimming off a toe I am very happy with C&J.
 

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