Resoling Florsheim Shell Longwings w/ Joh. Redenbach

[lbcgav]

I'm preparing to have a pair of Florshiem Imperial longwings resoled by B. Nelson and noticed on their order form that one option is to use Joh. Redenbach soles. This costs an extra $30. Is it worth it and can anyone explain to me what's so special about these soles?

I noticed lefty just had a pair of his resoled by them and they used Pisa soles. Are these an acceptable alternative? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[shoefan]

Rendenbach make, along with Bakers of England, the best soling leather left in the world (perhaps also JM Weston, who tan their own). In Rendenbach's case, it is pit tanned, in - IIRC - a combination of oak-bark and valonia liquor. This yields leather that is very dense and long wearing. Most of the finest RTW shoemakers in the world use Rendenbach. Whether it is worth the upcharge is up to you, but I would imagine the longer life of the soles might well render the excharge cost a good investment.

http://www.lederfabrik-rendenbach.de/index_gb.html

 

[lbcgav]

Originally Posted by shoefan

Rendenbach make, along with Bakers of England, the best soling leather left in the world (perhaps also JM Weston, who tan their own). In Rendenbach's case, it is pit tanned, in - IIRC - a combination of oak-bark and valonia liquor. This yields leather that is very dense and long wearing. Most of the finest RTW shoemakers in the world use Rendenbach. Whether it is worth the upcharge is up to you, but I would imagine the longer life of the soles might well render the excharge cost a good investment.

http://www.lederfabrik-rendenbach.de/index_gb.html

Thanks for the response. I think I'll give them a try.

 

[Tarmac]

wow I didn't know that about Rendenbach. Sounds worth it to me.

Regardless of which sole you choose, post pics. I can't remember ever seeing a Florsheim Imperial on a proper resole.

 

[tonylumpkin]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

wow I didn't know that about Rendenbach. Sounds worth it to me.

Regardless of which sole you choose, post pics. I can't remember ever seeing a Florsheim Imperial on a proper resole.

Not Redenbach soles, but these turned out fairly proper.

 

[Tarmac]

where/how much? Did they do the double sole? Do they actually replace the double sole or peel back one layer? Have you worn them?

 

[DC_lawstd]

There was recent thread on AAAC that showed a good looking v-cleat resole by B Nelson. http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...d.php?p=890314 I'm starting to stalk ebay for an old pair with the intent of having them redone. edit: apparently the AAAC thread reposted the pic from here - there must be a thread floating around.

 

[Michael Ay329]

The following use it
Vass
G&G
EG
Cleverley

 

[lbcgav]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

wow I didn't know that about Rendenbach. Sounds worth it to me.

Regardless of which sole you choose, post pics. I can't remember ever seeing a Florsheim Imperial on a proper resole.

I plan to post pics.

These are lefty's that were done by B. Nelson. These look pretty damn close to the originals. They got all the nail locations right, including the brass ones at the front of the heel and the 5 on the sole itself. The V-cleat looks right to me as well. The only difference I notice is the type of nails they used around the heel. The originals are a bit oblong while his are perfectly round.

Attachment 18553

I don't plan on getting the v-cleat and all those nails on the heel--they're not the kindest to wood floors--I think I'll be getting the Alden style heel instead.

 

[tonylumpkin]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

where/how much? Did they do the double sole? Do they actually replace the double sole or peel back one layer? Have you worn them?

These were done by a small cobbler shop near Pittsburgh. I only requested replacement of the outer sole, so that is all they did. I asked not to have the original nail pattern repeated on the heel as I think that causes you to slip more. I did want the v-cleat though. I didn't wear them, they were flipped. Total cost for the sole and heel replacement was $42.

 

[The Deacon]

Originally Posted by tonylumpkin

These were done by a small cobbler shop near Pittsburgh. I only requested replacement of the outer sole, so that is all they did. I asked not to have the original nail pattern repeated on the heel as I think that causes you to slip more. I did want the v-cleat though. I didn't wear them, they were flipped. Total cost for the sole and heel replacement was $42.

My main cobbler uses these soles, they're long wearing.

 

[mimile]

Laszlo Vass calls the Redenbach 'the Mercedes of outsole'. Simply the best.

 

[lefty]

Originally Posted by lbcgav

I plan to post pics. These are lefty's that were done by B. Nelson. These look pretty damn close to the originals. They got all the nail locations right, including the brass ones at the front of the heel and the 5 on the sole itself. The V-cleat looks right to me as well. The only difference I notice is the type of nails they used around the heel. The originals are a bit oblong while his are perfectly round. Attachment 18553 I don't plan on getting the v-cleat and all those nails on the heel--they're not the kindest to wood floors--I think I'll be getting the Alden style heel instead.
The original nails on the heel were hobnails and unavailable, so that was their compromise. As you note: hell on wood floors and death on ice. The v cleat was also a little compromise as it now comes to the edge of the hell whereas the original was inset slightly. I was told that the insetting the cleat required a special machine which they don't have as there is little demand for this type of heel. The sole stain was done by me. It took a while to find the right stuff which I finally sourced here . I have a ton of stain left so if you're interested and in NYC I can let you have some. It takes very little to get the effect. By they way, these cordovan longwings are just sitting in my closet as they no longer fit my feet and are for sale - 10B which fits a C to a small D. lefty

 

[lbcgav]

Originally Posted by lefty

The original nails on the heel were hobnails and unavailable, so that was their compromise. As you note: hell on wood floors and death on ice.

The v cleat was also a little compromise as it now comes to the edge of the hell whereas the original was inset slightly. I was told that the insetting the cleat required a special machine which they don't have as there is little demand for this type of heel.

The sole stain was done by me. It took a while to find the right stuff which I finally sourced here . I have a ton of stain left so if you're interested and in NYC I can let you have some. It takes very little to get the effect.

By they way, these cordovan longwings are just sitting in my closet as they no longer fit my feet and are for sale - 10B which fits a C to a small D.

lefty
Thanks for the offer for the stain but I'm in California. If my feet were 10's I'd definitely be interested in those shoes.

 

[frank212]

Just picked up a 5 nail vcleat so I'm reinvigorating this thread.

I've been considering the options for a heel and sole replacement. As intriguing it is to restore it in all its steel and copper glory, with the number of slick metallic steel surfaces on nyc streets, it may be one too many objects to navigate in addition to traffic, people, poop, gum . . . .

But perhaps I can retain the 5 nails.

Any thoughts about getting the JR sole, and having those 5 nails punched into it?

I also saw a heel with what looked like two penny shaped copper discs in it. Presumably, to save the wearing down of the heel. Would anyone know the name of those heels?

Thanks.