My Balmoral Boots

[LynahFaithful]

The thread title is a misnomer but it has been from the start about Cliff Roberts and shoes and boots he has made or is making for SF members.

 

[Son Of Saphir]



I have received the shoes from Cliff. As requested he adjusted the instep to make it higher as my first pair had a wider gap at the lacing area than was ideal. They have not yet been polished by me so are a little bland. The toe is his usual "unelongated" shape and I found on my previous pair that when the cap has been properly shined the proportions look pretty good.

You use the last from your bespoke shoe maker?
Does Cliff do his own patterns?
What did he specialise in when he worked for big shoe factory in Northampton?
He seem very capable man.
Did Cliff close upper,
the stitching look sloppy.
.

 

[culverwood]

Clif uses his own lasts (from Spring Line I suspect), I do not think my bespoke maker would lend their last for me to another maker. I think he does make his own patterns as he charges for new designs and will make almost anything you ask him to.

 

[ncdobson]

Quote:

You use the last from your bespoke shoe maker?
Does Cliff do his own patterns?
What did he specialise in when he worked for big shoe factory in Northampton?
He seem very capable man.
Did Cliff close upper,
the stitching look sloppy.
.

There's a Cliff Roberts in the EG video who is the finisher. Is that him at 4:50ff.?

 

[bengal-stripe]



There's a Cliff Roberts in the EG video......

Yes, it's him. - I believe, the video is a few years old.

 

[VRaivio]

Oh no, the toe cap is far too short to look pleasant. Such a shame.

 

[Northampton Novice]

yep...

 

[culverwood]

As I said in the post with the pictures although the cap seems small in the photos I have found them when on my feet and with the cap polished to be well proportioned. Perhaps it is my photographic lack if skill.

 

[Asian Afro]



Originally Posted by sefpoter

Nice boots.Think I've seen the shoes in UK before.The speed hooks on my bal boots caught on my suit trouser cuff inner stitching the other day.I had to be careful every time I sat down.I'll probably want full eyelets on my next pair of boots so I can wear them with trousers that were sloppily hemmed and cuffed.
If this is directed at my boots, thanks. I really like speed hooks but have the same experience as you. I damaged a pair of trouser in super 160 once because the well made cuff (with strong thread) still caught in a hook and made a small rip. So no more hooks for me. i also had issue with zip boots where the zipper caught as well.

Happened to me as well but the trousers didn't rip. I think the hemming needs to be done a bit more neatly in my case so the thread wouldn't get caught.

 

[Mess]

Can someone give me some details about how Cliff is working atm please. I am thinking of rewarding myself if I get a new job and the questions I am thinking of are:
1) Can you choose the length between the end of the shoe and the cap as it always seems very small in comparison to most shoes on the market.
2) What is the current wait time?
3) What is the current price?
4) Does the rounded toe look quite as full in real life? Are there any other toe shapes outside of round and chiselled/round?
5) What is the quality of leather like? How has it been for people after a fair amount of wear?
6) How does the leather shine up?
7) Does he replace the soles as they wear? How much does he charge if so?

 

[VRaivio]

I belive Cliff is very much tied to Clarence Clifford's shoe development and upcoming launch. New shoe factories are a rare addition for Northampton, G&G is the newest one at the moment.

See http://clarenceclifford.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/bespokeshoes

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]



I belive Cliff is very much tied to Clarence Clifford's shoe development and upcoming launch. New shoe factories are a rare addition for Northampton, G&G is the newest one at the moment.
See http://clarenceclifford.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/bespokeshoes

He was the Clifford in the name but he has not been associated with them for a few months.

 

[rohde88]



He was the Clifford in the name but he has not been associated with them for a few months.

How does that work? He will let them keep his name?

 

[Asian Afro]

He was the Clifford in the name but he has not been associated with them for a few months.

How does that work? He will let them keep his name?

I don't think he's happy about that situation at all.

 

[Asian Afro]



Can someone give me some details about how Cliff is working atm please. I am thinking of rewarding myself if I get a new job and the questions I am thinking of are:
1) Can you choose the length between the end of the shoe and the cap as it always seems very small in comparison to most shoes on the market.
2) What is the current wait time?
3) What is the current price?
4) Does the rounded toe look quite as full in real life? Are there any other toe shapes outside of round and chiselled/round?
5) What is the quality of leather like? How has it been for people after a fair amount of wear?
6) How does the leather shine up?
7) Does he replace the soles as they wear? How much does he charge if so?

Most of your questions are best directed at Cliff, as only he can answer them properly, but I'll give them a stab.

1) Cliff's shoes have more toe room than they look.

2) As you can see from this thread, the wait can vary between a few months to years. My first order took seven months, but the delay was due to his unsuccessful business venture.

3) Using an existing pattern, his last, and his choice of leather (as in I only specified calf leather) the cost was around 375 pounds (350 pounds + postage). A new pattern costs an extra 30 pounds.

4) On the left is an Edward Green Elmsley in 202 last, UK size 7; on the right is Cliff Roberts' in his round-toe last, also UK size 7. Roberts' has more toe room.


FWIW, the EG outsole measures 11 1/8" x 4"; Roberts' outsole measures 11" x 3 3/4". The EG hurt my right little toe until broken in. Roberts' does not hurt.

5) The leather on my Roberts is stiff, but no stiffer than Allen Edmonds', for example. It's definitely not as supple as EG's. I haven't worn my Roberts long enough to know how they wear. (I received them in January, which was deep winter. Just started wearing them last week.)

6) I haven't given my Roberts a proper shine yet. (Yes, I know it's a crime.)

7) I imagine he would replace the soles, but I don't know how much he charges.