RANCOURT & Co. Shoes - Made in Maine

[rydenfan]

I'm sure we did discuss this elsewhere, I'm usually quite active on reddit. Those Blake boots look very nice.

I'm not sure Rancourt really wants to increase their business that intensely, as they already contract so much of the handsewns in the U.S that I think they're approaching capacity. On the other hand, OSB doesn't seem to own their own production (of at least their handsewns, although I've heard conflicting reports). In my mind, OSB certainly hasn't justified their higher prices, especially compared to Rancourt, whom I feel is more comparable in terms of design and quality.

I totally disagree with this. There has been a huge push by Rancourt into the consumer market. Look at the visibility through social media, trade shows, pop-up markets, etc. They also went through considerable time and expense to built out that custom online portal. if they were not interested in additional brand awareness and business they would not be doing any of that. there is a clear transition to build a brand and not be only a third party manufacturing solution.

 

[anrobit]

I totally disagree with this. There has been a huge push by Rancourt into the consumer market. Look at the visibility through social media, trade shows, pop-up markets, etc. They also went through considerable time and expense to built out that custom online portal. if they were not interested in additional brand awareness and business they would not be doing any of that. there is a clear transition to build a brand and not be only a third party manufacturing solution.

Perhaps I wasn't that clear. They want to expand their own brand, but they are desperately looking for more handsewers.

In any case, I think the most important things they could do is continue to increase their social media presence and actually get some decent photos on their website.

 

[FrankCowperwood]

And it's funny that as great a tool as the MTO module is, the depiction of the shoe you are building is pretty awful. Not sure it's reasonable to expect anything more, but I can image be a little hard to really see what the shoe you are creating is going to look like.

 

[dfagdfsh]

Teaser picture of upcoming Rancourt coverage from Capsule..

 

[aphelan]

Should I be using anything to treat the wood on my natural soles? Trekking in the snow has definitely dinged them up a bit.

 

[cathpah]

Should I be using anything to treat the wood on my natural soles? Trekking in the snow has definitely dinged them up a bit.

That's not wood, it's stacked leather. You can use edge dressing to re-dye and (in the case of natural edges) re-seal them. I use the edge dressing by Allen Edmonds, and it works great.

 

[FrankCowperwood]



Teaser picture of upcoming Rancourt coverage from Capsule..

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Those look familiar.

Glad to see I'm right on the curve.

Will look forward to your report.

That's not wood, it's stacked leather.  You can use edge dressing to re-dye and (in the case of natural edges) re-seal them.  I use the edge dressing by Allen Edmonds, and it works great.

Same here. It does wonders.

I've also applied some Montana pitch blend as edge dressing but I think the AE stuff made for the purpose gives a more satisfactory result.

 

[MattBernier]



Lol I wrote that thread, a_robot_with_dreams is me.

That is hilarious. Thanks for that resource by the way!

 

[anrobit]

That is hilarious. Thanks for that resource by the way!

Speaking of the OSB trench line, I have confirmed that they're in New York somewhere, but I'm still trying to find out where. It's in the pipeline. I have other questions concerning OSB that I'm trying to clear up too, but we'll see how that goes.

 

[fitchottie]



Lol I wrote that thread, a_robot_with_dreams is me.

I forget the name but it begins with a p... Sorry I am not help if you ask tony at independence he will tell ya... If I remember they have a website and there prices were basically the same.

 

[GooseG]



Speaking of the OSB trench line, I have confirmed that they're in New York somewhere, but I'm still trying to find out where. It's in the pipeline. I have other questions concerning OSB that I'm trying to clear up too, but we'll see how that goes.

Like who or what is responsible for their clicking/hide selection? Lol

 

[dannyh]

I'd rate Quoddy slightly lower, and they also have a bit of a difference when it comes to design.

I would definitely disagree with you here. I've purchased two pairs of custom Quoddys and the quality seems exactly on par with the other MiM handsewns. All the designs are slightly different between the manufacturers but nothing about my Quoddys would suggest lower quality. In fact I've noticed more loose threads on my OSBs and brand new Rancourts than on my Quoddys (none so far). I'd also rate Quoddy the highest in comfort (although all are quite comfortable). Just my personal experience.

 

[Michigan Planner]

+1 to Rancourt customer service.

I received a pair of Ranger Moccs back in August and broke one of the rawhide laces on them a couple of mornings ago. The good folks at Rancourt have already sent me out a replacement pair. It's little things like this that remind me that paying a bit more for my shoes is worth it in the long run.

 

[LA Guy]

Would you guys be interested in doing a Rancourt Styleforum MTO?

Cheers,

Fok.

 

[tifosi]

^^ I might be.