Made in Spain Footwear, including TLB Mallorca, Cobbler Union, Yanko, Norman Vilalta, etc

[j ingevaldsson]

Just a heads up, I got a pair from TLB late last year and have faced some pretty bad QC issues. I posted about them here https://www.styleforum.net/threads/...-thread-tutorials-photos-etc.228153/page-1515. The shoes do seem very well made otherwise, but bad leather finishing is quite a serious issue IMO. Have contacted them to see if they can do anything

Don't really understand what you mean here. When I look at your pictures, read what you've done and your conclusions, and the input you've been given by for example DW, it looks like you've unfortunately did a mistake with the way you polished the shoe, isn't that right? I don't follow how it is a "bad leather finishing" from TLB's side?

 

[Burzan]

Don't really understand what you mean here. When I look at your pictures, read what you've done and your conclusions, and the input you've been given by for example DW, it looks like you've unfortunately did a mistake with the way you polished the shoe, isn't that right? I don't follow how it is a "bad leather finishing" from TLB's side?

I believe he's saying TLB possibly covered up a stain with their factory polish job. When some of that factory polish was scuffed it revealed the darkened leather.

Edit: I don't know now, I read further and it sounds like the use of Saphir mirror shine stripped off the factory finish, not sure how this is TLBs fault or problem.

 

[j ingevaldsson]

I believe he's saying TLB possibly covered up a stain with their factory polish job. When some of that factory polish was scuffed it revealed the darkened leather.

Edit: I don't know now, I read further and it sounds like the use of Saphir mirror shine stripped off the factory finish, not sure how this is TLBs fault or problem.

Yeah the latter is what I read, and see, as well (or specifically combining it with too much water too quickly in a wrong way, which brakes down the finish and goes into the grain, seen it happen before though not very common).

It differs a bit on how much cream and waxes that is put on in a factory. TLB is not a factory that use a lot of it, which could perhaps make it a bit more sensitive to a miss in the treatment as seem to have happened here. But it's not a faulty leather finishing.

To OP, I think you should try to strip down the shoes with for example Saphir renomat or similar (no need to use something as strong as acetone, if you do it carefully with renomat it's enough, and less stressful for the leather), nourish them thouroughly with for example renovateur or Bick 4, then put on several very thin layers of a good pigmented shoe cream (don't think you need to dye them dark), and then more carefully add wax with less water and let dry longer between layers. I hope this would solve it!

 

[aj2603]

I think it’s poor quality control . The finishing is up for debate. But then I lean towards this being a fault of the manufacturer. the heel does not look good at all . The finishing is quite bad

 

[tomyamsoup]

I believe he's saying TLB possibly covered up a stain with their factory polish job. When some of that factory polish was scuffed it revealed the darkened leather.

Edit: I don't know now, I read further and it sounds like the use of Saphir mirror shine stripped off the factory finish, not sure how this is TLBs fault or problem.

Yeah the latter is what I read, and see, as well (or specifically combining it with too much water too quickly in a wrong way, which brakes down the finish and goes into the grain, seen it happen before though not very common).

It differs a bit on how much cream and waxes that is put on in a factory. TLB is not a factory that use a lot of it, which could perhaps make it a bit more sensitive to a miss in the treatment as seem to have happened here. But it's not a faulty leather finishing.

To OP, I think you should try to strip down the shoes with for example Saphir renomat or similar (no need to use something as strong as acetone, if you do it carefully with renomat it's enough, and less stressful for the leather), nourish them thouroughly with for example renovateur or Bick 4, then put on several very thin layers of a good pigmented shoe cream (don't think you need to dye them dark), and then more carefully add wax with less water and let dry longer between layers. I hope this would solve it!

Thanks for the suggestions. Would a lighter coloured cream would be able to cover the dark stain though? I have saphir cream polish, would that work? Also, of course I acknowledge that it was my actions that removed the colour; it's not like it just fell off by itself. But what I'm trying to say is that this happens way too easily for a shoe at this price point. I can try making a video to show how easily this happens if anyone really wants to see it. That said, I genuinely don't think that its a chronic problem from TLB. To be fair, the shoes look well made (apart from the heel) and it seems like just a bit of bad luck with this pair. Not trying to stop anyone from purchasing but just be a bit more careful when polishing I suppose

 

[bantone]

@Burzan @j ingevaldsson thank you both for helping me make my purchase. I just received my TLB Mallorca Double Monk Keatons in a 10 and they fit wonderfully at first wear to my surprise considering I have flat feet and generally put an insert in. They came darker than I expected, but they were advertised as brown and that is not a complaint because in person they look gorgeous.

I paid $340 for these which is amazing considering I was entertaining spending $600 for some Sid Mashburn Double Monks which were created by Alfred Sargent. I'm glad I didn't because I can spend that money and buy another shoe

 

[bantone]

Has anyone tried their loafers and/or belts?

 

[bantone]

Better view

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Thanks for the suggestions. Would a lighter coloured cream would be able to cover the dark stain though? I have saphir cream polish, would that work? [...]

Some of the dark stain should be removed with the renomat. And you shouldn't use a light coloured cream, but a similar or perhaps preferable slightly darker cream than the shoe. Saphir is good, especially Medaille d'Or has a lot of pigment in it.

@Burzan @j ingevaldsson thank you both for helping me make my purchase. I just received my TLB Mallorca Double Monk Keatons in a 10 and they fit wonderfully at first wear to my surprise considering I have flat feet and generally put an insert in. They came darker than I expected, but they were advertised as brown and that is not a complaint because in person they look gorgeous.

I paid $340 for these which is amazing considering I was entertaining spending $600 for some Sid Mashburn Double Monks which were created by Alfred Sargent. I'm glad I didn't because I can spend that money and buy another shoe

Really nice ones, congrats! Yeah for you in the US buying TLB from Europe without the VAT, and no customs since below $800, means superb value for the money.

 

[tomyamsoup]

Hey everyone, thought it was only fair to provide an update on my situation. Yeossal and TLB have kindly agreed to replace the shoes at no extra cost. They have been very professional throughout and I'm confident of purchasing again in the future knowing that they stand behind their product.

 

[Kamil1987]

These are real stunners IMHO.

 

[bantone]

Has anyone tried their loafers?

 

[misiuacademy]

First wear of the Artista 107 on the picasso last. It is absolutely fantastic for the money. Surprisingly good arch support for my foot as well. A little lower instep as you can see on the lacing, but my right foot has 0.5 cm difference there.

Edit: True To Size. UK 7 on Carmina Rain, Carlos Santos 234/401, Cheaney 103F, Loake Jockey.

 

[WhyUEarly]

First wear of the Artista 107 on the picasso last. It is absolutely fantastic for the money. Surprisingly good arch support for my foot as well. A little lower instep as you can see on the lacing, but my right foot has 0.5 cm difference there.

Edit: True To Size. UK 7 on Carmina Rain, Carlos Santos 234/401, Cheaney 103F, Loake Jockey.

View attachment 1162510

Looks very sleek. Is that brown or burgundy ?

 

[dave_rawitat]

Just got my first pair of TLB shoes, the model 107 Artista on Picasso last, Burgundy.

Very nice build quality, leather, design, and very comfortable on the first wear. I think it's the money well-spent and can be considered great value-for-money, especially at its price.

Now I'm curious about their normal ready-to-wear line