Russian reindeer - will it ever run out?

[culverwood]

I am beginning to think that the Russian reindeer hides salvaged are like pieces of the true cross and if all the shoes made from them were piled on top of each other would fill a tanker rather than a wooden merchant vessel.

Surely if this is a diminishing supply each shoe made from what little there is left would cost more than the one before until for the last pair aportnoy has to spend his yearly shoe budget on one pair of shoes.

 

[Teacher]

Naturally it's limited, but there's still quite a bit down there. That, and the fact that it isn't a wildly popular skin, contribute to the fact that the price hasn't skyrocketed. The only reason there isn't more on the market right now is the guy who was recovering it retired, but it's just sitting down there waiting to be recovered.

 

[RJman]

Perhaps it could become a variant of swimming with dolphins for Internet Gentlemen: Diving for Russia Calf...

 

[Sator]

The Shoe Fairy needs flippers

 

[khaki sack]

Originally Posted by RJman

Perhaps it could become a variant of swimming with dolphins for Internet Gentlemen: Diving for Russia Calf...

Nice.

 

[chorse123]

If only the stupid environmentalists would allow us to drill in Alaska for Russia Calf...

 

[medwards]

First, there are more hides still buried in the mud. But the divers who used to do the recovery, no longer do so. It is more than just retirement. It's a difficult and dangerous undertaking (not to mention expensive) and it is unlikely that anyone else will petition to do this or that any more hides will be reclaimed. Second, Cleverley does have some hides left..but the supply is limited. How long it will last really depends on the marketplace and how many shoes are ordered. But my guess is that we are talking about a few years. And it may well be the case that the quality of the skins will diminish as they get farther and farther down into their supply.

 

[rnoldh]

Originally Posted by culverwood

until for the last pair aportnoy has to spend his yearly shoe budget on one pair of shoes.

And what shoe Appreciation that would be

 

[JoeWoah]

Maybe they're farmed and breed well.

 

[W1S]

Speaking of -
I went for a "quick" solution a few years back and picked up a pair of Russia broques at N&L. (A couple of Marathons later they are about 1 size too small and rest peacefully in their box)

At the time I evaluated all their stock in my size; quite a bit of variance in hides. Some pairs were heavily (water? salt?) stained. Must say that it did add character if that's your thing.

20/20; should have taken the time to go through the bespoke process at GC.

I am out of the UK right now, anyone recently commissioned a pair ? Any hides with the Czarist cobblers' stamps ;-) ? Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[Eustace Tilley]

Originally Posted by W1S

I am out of the UK right now, anyone recently commissioned a pair ?

Cheers.

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...ight=cleverley

 

[dkzzzz]

Originally Posted by culverwood

I am beginning to think that the Russian reindeer hides salvaged are like pieces of the true cross and if all the shoes made from them were piled on top of each other would fill a tanker rather than a wooden merchant vessel.

Surely if this is a diminishing supply each shoe made from what little there is left would cost more than the one before until for the last pair aportnoy has to spend his yearly shoe budget on one pair of shoes.

NEVER! They will never run out just like made in China Gucci bags.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by culverwood

I am beginning to think that the Russian reindeer hides salvaged are like pieces of the true cross and if all the shoes made from them were piled on top of each other would fill a tanker rather than a wooden merchant vessel.

Surely if this is a diminishing supply each shoe made from what little there is left would cost more than the one before until for the last pair aportnoy has to spend his yearly shoe budget on one pair of shoes.

Did you get yourself a pair?

 

[LabelKing]

I find it interesting how given the relative rarity of the skins, the shoes aren't as expensive as a good crocodile/alligator shoe.

 

[dopey]

I hate Russian Reindeer. I love the story. I love the idea. I love the scarcity. I really feel compelled to buy a pair. I just don't want them. The dissonance makes my head hurt.