shell cordovan

[rick]

hi everyone i need some help. i do not own any shell cordovan shoes. i am thinking of buying the af76 from alden in carmel. my question is form the pictures the boots look very shinny which i do not like. is shell cordovan very shinny or is it just the pictures. thanks for the help.

 

[Spats]

Very shiny.

 

[JayJay]

Shell can be as shiny as you want them to be. Some people go to great lengths to create a mirror finish. I prefer a medium gloss, but more often than not, sport a dull finish.

 

[rick]

so they are very shinny to start but become dull if you let them?

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by rick

so they are very shinny to start but become dull if you let them?

Yes. Shell does not have to be shiny. I leave most of my shell on the dull side.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by grimslade

Yes. Shell does not have to be shiny. I leave most of my shell on the dull side.
Most of mine are worn dull. They are clean and free of scratches, but I don't buff them enough to obtain a high gloss.

 

[Steven Aver]

I personally enjoy keeping a nice shine on my shell really shows the depth of the color and variation. Cant stand the look of shell when its dull, just looks dry and cloudy. Once again thats just my opinion.

 

[zjpj83]

I shine all my shoes. You do not have to.

 

[johnny_flapjack]

Some of them - Alden's moreso than some others - seem to come out of the box shiny and almost oily. My RL/C&J or AE shell shoes didn't seem to be like that. Anyhow, I've never been able to get the mirror finish that everyone talks about with shell. I hit them with a brush to knock the the scuffs off but they never seem to stay SHINY.

 

[pendragon]

If you're going to wear $500 shoes, the least you can do is polish them!

 

[DocHolliday]

My favorite shell shoes are a pair of chukkas that look like they've been through a war. They stay dull, and I like 'em that way.

 

[johnny_flapjack]

Originally Posted by pendragon

If you're going to wear $500 shoes, the least you can do is polish them!

Alden says to polish them only when needed - every six months or so - and simply use a horsehair brush on a regular basis to bring the natural oils to the surface to keep them shiny.

From Alden of Carmel's website:

"The most common mistake men make in caring for their cordovan shoes is using too much polish, and polishing the shoes too often."

http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index...l_cordovan.htm

 

[lockjaw]

I think the original post meant to imply that shell shines more brilliantly than calfskin when properly maintained shoes of each leather are compared. Isn't this generally true? And isn't it part of what is attractive about shell cordovan to so many when compared to other leathers?

 

[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by johnny_flapjack

Alden says to polish them only when needed - every six months or so - and simply use a horsehair brush on a regular basis to bring the natural oils to the surface to keep them shiny.

From Alden of Carmel's website:

"The most common mistake men make in caring for their cordovan shoes is using too much polish, and polishing the shoes too often."

http://www.alden-of-carmel.com/index...l_cordovan.htm

My father swears this isn't true. He polishes his shell cordovan after each wearing, and I have to say, they are as shiny as I've ever seen and look great. They certainly do not have any gunky buildup.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by lockjaw

I think the original post meant to imply that shell shines more brilliantly than calfskin when properly maintained shoes of each leather are compared. Isn't this generally true? And isn't it part of what is attractive about shell cordovan to so many when compared to other leathers?

No, that is not what is attractive about shell. To me. And your phrase "properly maintained" is question-begging. I properly maintain my shoes. But I choose not to mirror shine them. Esp. the shell.