Roughness in shell

[lexybeast]

Forgive me if this have been covered; I did a search but couldn't find an answer to this.

I got my first shell cordovan shoes just over a year ago, and I'm seeing some weird rough creasing.

Is this normal for shell? I thought shell is generally free of this "micro creasing", which is what it looks like to me. I do the usual maintenance- slightly damp cloth, vigorous brushing, and occasionally some light renovateur.

Confusing me further is that I've got a pair of RL Darlton wingtips I wear regularly but don't exhibit this at all.

 

[btinl]

My Alden shells show a little of that as well. I just apply a small amount of Renovateur.

 

[chasingred]

I believe that's from having blended shell. From the looks of it, those seem to be 80% shell and 20% calf.

 

[Raoul Duke]

Originally Posted by chasingred

I believe that's from having blended shell. From the looks of it, those seem to be 80% shell and 20% calf.

What?

 

[upnorth]

So what he's saying is part of the vamp is made of calf?

I really don't see how those two different upper could be blended the same way that polyester is added to cotton.

What shoes are those BTW?

 

[chasingred]

Originally Posted by upnorth

So what he's saying is part of the vamp is made of calf?

I really don't see how those two different upper could be blended the same way that polyester is added to cotton.

What shoes are those BTW?

These kind of blends have been around for about four years now. It started in South Korea, where they've been breeding cows with horses. The animal that comes out is typically marsupialed or deformed, but you get a much more affordable shell cordovan out of it.

 

[upnorth]

Originally Posted by chasingred

These kind of blends have been around for about four years now. It started in South Korea, where they've been breeding cows with horses. The animal that comes out is typically marsupialed or deformed, but you get a much more affordable shell cordovan out of it.

Thank you for the insight. Perhaps this really sums up the other thread "Is leather Ethical"

 

[Raoul Duke]

Originally Posted by chasingred

These kind of blends have been around for about four years now. It started in South Korea, where they've been breeding cows with horses. The animal that comes out is typically marsupialed or deformed, but you get a much more affordable shell cordovan out of it.

Is this a joke? Too late for me to figure out...

Off to bed for me.

 

[lexybeast]

btinl, glad I'm not the only one seeing this!

upnorth, they're Alden of Carmel wingtip boots.

 

[jerrybrowne]

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

Is this a joke? Too late for me to figure out...

Off to bed for me.

Yes. He is joking.

 

[Joenobody0]

How much polish have you used? When I've over polished shell in the past I saw similar "cracking" in the creases. Take a slightly damp cotton cloth and rub the crease. Dry them quickly. If wax polish comes off, then that's your problem.

 

[srivats]

That's wax buildup ... get some venetian cream (see B&S) and use that to take it off.

 

[Harold falcon]

Originally Posted by srivats

That's wax buildup ... get some venetian cream (see B&S) and use that to take it off.

x2. Some cream and brushing will remove it. Shell is very resilient.

 

[Reevolving]

Those don't look like shell to me.

 

[texas_jack]

Originally Posted by chasingred

These kind of blends have been around for about four years now. It started in South Korea, where they've been breeding cows with horses. The animal that comes out is typically marsupialed or deformed, but you get a much more affordable shell cordovan out of it.

ROFL