Son Of Saphir
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Does this maker sell RTW?
Yes.
One thing I did work out was how they did the braided stitching on the sole. A true functioning braiding of the sole would be impossible to do, and the hint is given here if you look at the photo here carefully. Notice how the right shoe has the yellow stitching through the slipsole, but it has no braiding on the top, yet when you look at the left photo you see braiding in the open channel of the outsole. Wei obviously is doing it the same way you do things with braided norvegese, he links the braided stitching in with the functional construction stitch (slipsole to outsole), hence why it looks different on the outsole compared to the slipsole. It makes perfect sense because it couldn't be done any other way.
Same goes with the braided stitch on the uppers of norvegese shoes. The braided stitch never goes into the leather, it sits on the surface while being secured under the inseaming stitch. If you look carefully you can see it here. It is not difficult to do, it just takes time. Wei does it the same way with the braided outsole.
Branchini also does it with his double braided uppers, but the middle thread for the upper braid would be purely decorative because it would be impossible to have two inseaming stitches. Sure, the upper braid would pierce the upper and damage it for decorative purposes, but numerous makers do it with fake norvegese, so it can't be too bad. Probably doesn't affect the integrity of the shoe much. None-the-less, Branchini's double braid would leave two rows of holes in the upper.
Branchini's double braided norvegese. See the two levels of braids.
Branchini's fake norvegese. A fairstitch constructed shoe with a braided bonwelt that has been stuck between the upper and the slipsole.
A Testoni's fake norvegese. It is so done so badly that it gives itself away. The middle thread that holds the braid is not even an inseaming thread (notice how it raises up near the heel because the maker couldn't even stitch straight,so obviously not going into any insole). Also notice the inturned upper. The point is....the middle thread also pierces the upper all the way around, so it can't be too harmful. Ebay sells lots of fake norvegese shoes as norvegese.

I like to think about these things. These little mysteries tell a big story behind how the shoes are made. They all use little tricks and gimmicks, and it is fun to try and work out how they do it. Hope this isn't too boring.
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