vestbash
Senior Member
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- Jun 6, 2013
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I don't think it is.a tuck. My understanding is that those are used only on their Blake construction and it looks like the tuck is a full length insole wrapped in leather.
I question whether it's necessary to be honest. With a GYW shoe the shank is buried way down in the cork footbed under a thick leather insole. On the Rancourts you can feel it pressing against the underside of the foot and it's a distinctly uncomfortable feeling. I also own a few other handsewns that don't have shanks and those are soft and flexible and have no issues with lack of structure and stability.
I'm operating off of knowledge from 7 or 8 years ago at this point, so I may well be wrong about the construction specifics.
I do find that I prefer Rancourt's shoes for business casual dress over something like Quoddy's product, especially when it comes to heeled shoes like the pinch pennys or beefrolls. I do have a number of pairs from both companies, among other moccasin manufacturers and they all have their own pros and cons.
Ultimately the added structure from the shank and fiberboard insert in the heel to arch transition is important as there is added stress from impact due to the higher heel since the moccasin shoes do not have a true innersole. If you lower the heel like in Quoddy's heeled loafers then this component is not as essential. Yuketen uses the same type of sandwiched shank construction in their Made in Maine moccasins that came out of the Highland factory.
I find that at this price point, the quality is very good, and you have to make some trade offs WRT construction. If you want true moccasin construction there is going to be some components added to create a more traditionally styled men's dress shoe.
Just my take on the matter. This was hashed out on the forums some years back.