Split Toe Derby

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

I've received a pair of split toes and I have a noobish question. The leather (Horween hatch grain) has three visible creases on the toe of one of the shoes. My question is: is this an acceptable flaw, or is it atypical for a new pair of higher end shoes? I am bothered by it quite a bit, but I know I can be a bit OCD, so I wanted to gauge if my expectations are out of line when deciding whether to keep/repair them... Thanks.
View attachment 1911883

So... you didn't indicate if this pair fits well, so I'll assume that they do.
That being, this is normal.

During the creation process, makers are limited by what they can do with the celastic toe stiffeners. Therefore, the only aspect they can modify is the upper leather piece. They guess the optimal thickness level, smooth it out, and continue crafting.

How much flex that shoe will do can only be determined after the fact. They probably left it a touch too thin. Leather flexed more than anticipated. Space was created. Voilà, we have creasing.

 

[jj02138]

So... you didn't indicate if this pair fits well, so I'll assume that they do.
That being, this is normal.

During the creation process, makers are limited by what they can do with the celastic toe stiffeners. Therefore, the only aspect they can modify is the upper leather piece. They guess the optimal thickness level, smooth it out, and continue crafting.

How much flex that shoe will do can only be determined after the fact. They probably left it a touch too thin. Leather flexed more than anticipated. Space was created. Voilà, we have creasing.

I see, thank you... somehow never saw something like this before. The creases are visible also because they form a valley in the leather. Can a cobbler even out the surface so they sit flush with rest of the leather surface?

 

[masernaut]

I've received a pair of split toes and I have a noobish question. The leather (Horween hatch grain) has three visible creases on the toe of one of the shoes. My question is: is this an acceptable flaw, or is it atypical for a new pair of higher end shoes? I am bothered by it quite a bit, but I know I can be a bit OCD, so I wanted to gauge if my expectations are out of line when deciding whether to keep/repair them... Thanks.
View attachment 1911883

What the heck. No clue what Bcoll is saying. That's an exchange. I wouldn't keep it. That divot is an eyesore.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

What the heck. No clue what Bcoll is saying. That's an exchange. I wouldn't keep it. That divot is an eyesore.

What do you mean? He's talking about this creasing..
That's not bad or uncommon.

So you would exchange it for those creases?

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

I see, thank you... somehow never saw something like this before. The creases are visible also because they form a valley in the leather. Can a cobbler even out the surface so they sit flush with rest of the leather surface?

You are referring to what I circled, correct? Not the discoloration, scuff, or chip of some sort (can't see clearly).

 

[jj02138]

You are referring to what I circled, correct? Not the discoloration, scuff, or chip of some sort (can't see clearly).

Yes, I am. There is no dent, it's just a reflection from when I took the photo. But the creases do form three "valleys" which make them quite noticeable. This is new to me, never saw such a flaw in any of the pictures in this thread, at least not in this area of the shoe.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Yes, I am. There is no dent, it's just a reflection from when I took the photo. But the creases do form three "valleys" which make them quite noticeable. This is new to me, never saw such a flaw in any of the pictures in this thread, at least not in this area of the shoe.

I'm pretty sure I have a few pair that have those creases, but I'd have to double check. You didn't receive them this way, right? Those creases developed after a few uses?

 

[jj02138]

I'm pretty sure I have a few pair that have those creases, but I'd have to double check. You didn't receive them this way, right? Those creases developed after a few uses?

No, I received them this way. I have not even tried them on yet.

 

[Schweino]

If these are a top brand and bought at full price I would definitely return, If it were for instance Meermin for $200 I wouldn't complain.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

No, I received them this way. I have not even tried them on yet.

Oh wow you received them that way! Yeah, like @Schweino just mentioned, I'd return them.

My apologies. I thought you had worn them a few times, and you were inquiring because the creases developed thereafter.

 

[jj02138]

Oh wow you received them that way! Yeah, like @Schweino just mentioned, I'd return them.

My apologies. I thought you had worn them a few times, and you were inquiring because the creases developed thereafter.

Thanks for the input everyone. I thought that was the case, but I'm no expert so that's why I double checked.

 

[bbqthis]

What do you mean? He's talking about this creasing..
That's not bad or uncommon.
View attachment 1912119

So you would exchange it for those creases?

Who made those?

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Who made those?

Not mines. Those are @jj02138 shoes.

 

[bbqthis]

Not mines. Those are @jj02138 shoes.

I quoted the wrong post. My apologies.

 

[jj02138]

Who made those?

I'd rather not publicly name the maker without them having a chance to respond. Although the whole order has been a mess, the customer service has been very responsive so far, and I am in the process of returning them...