Rozsnyai shoes

[VRaivio]

A few months back I had this little idea, but since I want to make it seem more important, I’m going to call it a vision. I had a few pairs from László Vass, which were more than enough to convince me of the skill and finishing of the Austro-Hungarian school of shoemaking. I was sure the country housed more makers just waiting for discovery. Mind you, Vass is well-known thanks to the book 'Handmade Shoes for Men', yet I've never come across any advertisements of theirs on international business or lifestyle magazines. The same is true for other manufacturers, too. A quick search turned out some eight or nine cordwainers and artisanal makers retailing in Budapest. I chose Rozsnyai for the models and details on their website as well as the swell English their customer service spoke and wrote.

After a few emails I received leather samples in mid-brown shades for potential MTM orders along with instructions for measuring. A trip and visit was not possible for me, so I sent in my preferred details and measurements. Below's a few shots of my unorthodox (not the traditional swooping derby, but half-brogue) Budapester pair in the making. I'll update the end result soon.

Details:

-Fully handmade by healthy Hungarian hands
-Mid-brown buffalo leather
-Budapest last
-Half-brogue model instead of derby
-Dark purple lining
-Natural welt
-White goyser stitching
-Vibram Eton rubber sole

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

[thelonius]

A few months back I had this little idea, but since I want to make it seem more important, I’m going to call it a vision. I had a few pairs from László Vass, which were more than enough to convince me of the skill and finishing of the Austro-Hungarian school of shoemaking. I was sure the country housed more makers just waiting for discovery. Mind you, Vass is well-known thanks to the book 'Handmade Shoes for Men', yet I've never come across any advertisements of theirs on international business or lifestyle magazines. The same is true for other manufacturers, too. A quick search turned out some eight or nine cordwainers and artisanal makers retailing in Budapest. I chose Rozsnyai for the models and details on their website as well as the swell English their customer service spoke and wrote.

After a few emails I received leather samples in mid-brown shades for potential MTM orders along with instructions for measuring. A trip and visit was not possible for me, so I sent in my preferred details and measurements. Below's a few shots of my unorthodox (not the traditional swooping derby, but half-brogue) Budapester pair in the making. I'll update the end result soon.

Details:

-Fully handmade by healthy Hungarian hands
-Mid-brown buffalo leather
-Budapest last
-Half-brogue model instead of derby
-Dark purple lining
-Natural welt
-White goyser stitching
-Vibram Eton rubber sole

They look really beautiful and I suppose they must be finished now. Are you satisfied with them ? I have the same urge to start getting to know Budapest from a shoe point of view.

 

[VRaivio]

Ah, yes, I had forgotten this thread.

Here are some photos of the finished pair:

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Instead of a review I wrote a presentation which can be found from the link below. It's a clean shoe with a few interesting details I haven't found from other makers. There are around a dozen skilled Hungarian firms besides Vass, and Rozsnyai has nothing to be ashamed of. If only they'd setup webstores so more men would give them a go.

 

[VRaivio]

...and to round up a series, below are some photos from my other MTM pair from Rozsnyai. These are MTM austerity oxfords in orange-brown Italian buffalo leather with round but chiseled toe, natural welt with white stitching, dark purple lining, flush steel toe guards and single oak bark leather soles with beveled waist. The pair arrived in a sturdy gold colour box with dark green velvet lid and wooden shoe trees.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 

[meister]

Nicely finished Villi. Especially the Italian style soles. Reminiscent of Harris shoes.

 

[add911_11]

From the photos, this is literally a 'bespoke' shoe isn't it...

I wonder if I sent my last to them what will happened.....

 

[VRaivio]

Thank you, meister. I only asked for a beveled waist and left them free hands in the execution. I do love the wheeling and signature, which won't be seen when worn but I'll know they are there. Just to show that care and effort were put into the pair.

add911_11, these are MTM shoes. I took measurements with the instructions sent to me and chose a readymade last to be modified accordingly. They were my first MTM pair and taught me how mistaken I was to think that I owned well-fitting shuus. Rozsnyai also makes bespoke shoes, but who knows what might happen if you'd loan them your last.

 

[UnnamedPlayer]

How much?
How long?

 

[VRaivio]

Here is the latest price list:

http://rozsnyaishoes.com/images/arlista2012.pdf

...and if memory serves, I waited for less than a month for my two pairs, delivered by a courier.

 

[UnnamedPlayer]

Prices seem resolvable considering outside the EU there is the 20% reduction of VAT.

What was the shipping cost?
This is where I find most foreign/online companies fall down.

I can tolerate $400 for a pair of handcrafted shoe, but I don't like paying $60 to deliver them.

 

[LA Guy]

Prices seem resolvable considering outside the EU there is the 20% reduction of VAT.

What was the shipping cost?
This is where I find most foreign/online companies fall down.

I can tolerate $400 for a pair of handcrafted shoe, but I don't like paying $60 to deliver them.

It costs a lot to ship overseas. Just from personal experience - a lot of these small makers have fairly low margins, and they really can't afford to eat the shipping. I think that spending a total of $460 for handcrafted shoes is a bargain, no matter how you cut it.

 

[OzzyJones]

Great looking shoes! Might have to try them next; (Buday currently shipping) unfortunately, Atilla will only make shoes if you visit the shop for fitting so sending measurements is a good option. Thanks for the writeup VR

 

[VRaivio]

UnnamedPlayer, did your read the price list at all? You will find what you're looking for inside. You can always send a message and ask for a quote for a pair of your dreams.

OzzyJones, I'm sure Europe houses many talented makers just waiting to be discovered, though language barriers and lack of interest in marketing may hold back most. Shoemaking Forum alone (on Facebook) has some 4000 members and dozens of them have potential.

 

[OzzyJones]



UnnamedPlayer, did your read the price list at all? You will find what you're looking for inside. You can always send a message and ask for a quote for a pair of your dreams.

OzzyJones, I'm sure Europe houses many talented makers just waiting to be discovered, though language barriers and lack of interest in marketing may hold back most. Shoemaking Forum alone (on Facebook) has some 4000 members and dozens of them have potential.

Good to know; tho I don't use FB

 

[jamesryan123]

The shoes you comissions from them, did they come to 530euro in total per pair? Just wondering if they add the made by measure 100euro on if you send them your measurements?