Stretching shell cordovan

[dieworkwear]

I've seen some debate on whether or not shell cordovan stretches. It seems like normal wear won't do much, but how about taking them to a cobbler with shoe stretchers? If this works, how much can you change the size, both in length and width? Can you say, move from a 9.5C to a 10D?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Slewfoot]

I'm sure they can be stretched some, but stretching a shoe from a 9.5C to a 10D is extremely difficult even with calf or suede.

 

[dieworkwear]

Originally Posted by Slewfoot

I'm sure they can be stretched some, but stretching a shoe from a 9.5C to a 10D is extremely difficult even with calf or suede.

Is it the width of length that's unlikely? I thought stretching a shoe 1/2 a size was totally possible, no?

 

[Slewfoot]

It's more the length. You can easily stretch a shoe width-wise and thay will make it feel roomier all around and possibly feel longer if the toe box is also widened. It's my understanding that it's next to impossible to actualy stretch the length, but I could be wrong.

 

[makewayhomer]

width wise, going from a (9.5)C to (10)D seems like quite a....stretch

 

[ThinkDerm]

while you might not actually stretch the length, nor actual width, you can stretch the leather for it to FEEL like a 9.5C is actually a 10D

 

[dieworkwear]

Just for posterity sake, I thought I'd report back and say I called two cobblers and they both said they could stretch shell. Going up 1/2 a size and width a full size, they said, was possible, but not guaranteed.

Of course, they could just want my money, which is probably most likely. Still, thought I'd post the info in case anyone else was in the same position

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

I don't understand how you can stretch length? I think the previous posters are ******* with you.

 

[meister]

Length stretching does not happen. Width can be stretched across the foot easily but width around the lacing needs a special stretcher like the German one a cobbler I know uses. I think Shell would be harder to do with one of those hand machines and probably needs a machine stretcher.

 

[antsshoes]

I would be afraid to try it. Then again, I'm not a big fan of stretching any shoes.

 

[dieworkwear]

Originally Posted by meister

Length stretching does not happen. Width can be stretched across the foot easily but width around the lacing needs a special stretcher like the German one a cobbler I know uses. I think Shell would be harder to do with one of those hand machines and probably needs a machine stretcher.

Is there a reason why width can stretched by not length?

Do you know how much the width can be stretched?

 

[viator]

Originally Posted by meister

Length stretching does not happen.
Not unless you get some pills from the interweb.

 

[mjphillips]

Had a friend that tried to have some Alden shell pennies stretched a couple times but it didn't work. Alden shop on Madison did it for free though, so at least it didn't cost him anything. Not sure where he got the shoes.

 

[asdf]

Originally Posted by dieworkwear

Is there a reason why width can stretched by not length?

The sole of a shoe does not stretch. What this means is that any "stretching" action occurs as the heel counter is driven backwards; rather than actually making the shoe longer you just push the top of the heel counter backwards, opening up the back of the shoe, making the fit weird, and promoting heel slippage.

 

[LanceW]

The problem I can see to stretching the length is that I imagine it would mess up the curvature that holds the heel in place.