Polish Color for Dark Cognac Cordovan?

[sjmin209]



Well, not really......which is why I said 'Renovateur should be enough'. When some color is needed, the cream is much more effective than the wax, IMO. At least in my refinishing shop. I used to import the Saphir Shell Cordovan Cream, but found that it was no more effective than Renovateur and an occasional MDO Cream treatment, so stopped stocking it here for wholesale.

Ron,

I wonder if you could say a little more about cream vs. wax--elsewhere, I've read that one should only use wax & never cream on SC

 

[JamesX]

From A suitable wardrobe... Deer bone!!

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[RIDER]

That's a good question, and I think we all have our biases which results in 'do this'. I personally prefer cream if I have to try to get some color into shell, always have done it that way, and haven't bothered to try to change. Renovateur is far away the most important product (besides a good brush...which is effective as anything) to use and I only use the creams once in a blue moon, but cream is what I use. Wax is more for top coating while cream is more for color work. At least the Saphir stuff, which I've pretty much only used over the last 10 years. Water based creams won't do a thing so don't bother with them.

 

[Grenadier]



Did you buy those shoes directly from Rancourt? How much?

Yes, I ordered directly from Rancourt & Co. and the price was $500 for cordovan and I believe about $250 for calf. I found the company to be very flexible with styling and details. You should e-mail Kyle Rancourt at [email protected]

 

[Poshak Man]



I've got a pair of dark cognac cordovan loafers coming in from Rancourt & Co., which are being made of the same cordovan as Leffot's venetian loafer, as seen below. Can anyone recommend a wax polish brand/color to use on them when giving a good polishing after Saphir renovateur? Thanks.

Saphir Havane would be a good color match. Not sure about the wax versus cream debate though.

 

[RockJaw]

Ron,

do you do MTO?

 

[NHorween]



Honestly, I don't know much about Zoe's Venetian Cream......it's an old brand that disappeared long ago until Nick Horween started pushing it recently. I remember it being a pretty harsh product, but I assume Nick has something to do with it coming back.....it was a Chicago based chemical company that made it. Maybe it's different now. -

I like Venetian because it gives the right amount of shine for me. I use Renovateur with success as well. The fact that Zoe's is domestic (and in Chicago) is important to me.

 

[commodorewheeler]



That's a good question, and I think we all have our biases which results in 'do this'. I personally prefer cream if I have to try to get some color into shell, always have done it that way, and haven't bothered to try to change. Renovateur is far away the most important product (besides a good brush...which is effective as anything) to use and I only use the creams once in a blue moon, but cream is what I use. Wax is more for top coating while cream is more for color work. At least the Saphir stuff, which I've pretty much only used over the last 10 years. Water based creams won't do a thing so don't bother with them.

I think it's really interesting to hear different opinions among the professionals on this. I know that with every pair of Alden cordovan shoes that you buy, there is a pamphlet in the box that recommends against using creams, and only using wax on shell.

Personally, I've used Renovateur, Venetian Shoe Cream, and wax on shell. All of them seem to work pretty well, though the Venetian Shoe Cream seems to promote some temporary discoloration in the creases of the shoe.