My Audleys: What is the Problem?

[Lawman]

I have a pair of handgrade Audleys that I purchased from Plal four years ago. From the outset, the right shoe was wrinkling dramatically. It has now gotten to the point that the creases are so pronounced that I no longer wear the shoes. On the side of the shoe, there is severe mini "alligator" cracking as well. The whole piece of leather looks very dry to me. The other (left) shoe is wearing beautifully with no excessive creasing. I have 8 pairs of C&Js and this is the only one that has developed this problem. Shoes have been well-cared for and, like I said, not one shoe in my closet looks like this. Thoughts? Diagnosis? Prognosis?

Mark

 

[Xiaogou]

Is it aniline or crust leather?

 

[nmprisons]

almost looks like excess polish problem, but that wouldn't make sense given that it is only on one shoe.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

You are not the first one to bring this up about C&J crust leather handgrades. If you do a search you can see extensive posts of people thinking their shoes have a problem. It is not an issue, it is just crust leather. The leather comes fairly natural to the factory and the finish is built up using waxes and polishing at the factory. When you walk the natural leather shows through at the creases. It pretty much just patina's faster. I would use reno on them and rub in in fairly hard to get some excess finish off, then I would polish them with wax. If you want to deposit more color into them I would polish with a light coat of brown cream first, then wax. Over time doing this simple routine they will look beautiful.

I believe this is part of what makes these shoes "handgrade". Aniline dyed shoes come already dyed to the factory and then they are just shined up after the shoe is made.

 

[Trompe le Monde]

if you dont like the look send them to get stripped and redyed a darker tone

 

[Lawman]

Thanks, guys. Tremendous help.

 

[Lawman]

stupid question, but what is reno, and where would one send shoes to get them stripped? Thanks again.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by Lawman

stupid question, but what is reno, and where would one send shoes to get them stripped? Thanks again.

Reno is Saphir renovateur. One of the best cleaners/conditioners for leather on the planet.

Getting them stripped and re-dyed I would send them to Ron Rider.

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by Lawman

Thanks, guys. Tremendous help.

Lawman, FWIW, your shoes should be in the shoes with character thread.

 

[Trompe le Monde]

Originally Posted by Lawman

stupid question, but what is reno, and where would one send shoes to get them stripped? Thanks again.

most shoe and leather care shops should be able to do this. i use a prolific chain in my state (*shoe hospital)

ask to see some samples of their work

ive salvaged a favorite pair of shoes this way, after messing up the polish job.

 

[clock]

I have the same issue with my dark brown weymouth, one side creases exactly like Op's. I thought it's normal, something to do with the leather character or property. The funny thing is that all this while I never thought the leath is dry, because it feels soft and bends soft, softer than the other one...

 

[NORE]

Cheap C&J's. There, I said it.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

That's not cheap leather, that's the issue of very natural leathers. Some love it, some hate it. I like it.

 

[Liquidus]

Nobody has addressed the fact that this is happening only on the right shoe. I'm no expert, but maybe it's a quality control issue?

 

[GBR]

Leather is a natural substance and therefore different behaviour between tow shoes is not surprising and not in itself a defect. I don't think it looks too bad but using a dark tan polish or even oxblood would do what you want.