***The official Alden thread *** Share enthusiasm, reviews, sizing, advice, and photos.

[zippyh]



Saphir is In fact worse in most respects-ie., how well it shines shell, what it costs, and where it's made.

 

[BootSpell]

So far, I have only one pair of shell and one pair of chrome excel boots. I've found that on the shell and chromexcel boots, if I get a scuff or light scratch, I can pretty much just rub the scuff or scratch with my finger or a cloth and the scuff/scratch is gone. But with calfskin, you have to pretty much use some conditioner or polish to remove them. Is this because of all the oils, etc. that are embedded in the shell and chromexcel leathers? That just rubbing them brings out the embedded oils to remove the scuffs/scratches?

Is chromexcel leather mostly for casual/work type boots/shoes? Because if the above is true and chromexcel can be used for dressier shoes as well, then should my preference be to buy shell (first of course) and chromexcel first before calfskin?

Just have to say that I have learned so much about Alden shoes from everyone here and I appreciate the time people take to help each other out. But I think I also have all of you to blame for my increasing addiction to Alden's and shell cordovan!

 

[FrankCowperwood]

Wore my Whiskey chukkas on Friday. Just getting around to posting a photo.

 

[kippy]



Wore my Whiskey chukkas on Friday. Just getting around to posting a photo.

Beautiful. Love the Whiskey. Love the Chukka. I am 6 months in on a 12-18 month wait for a pair from Alden Madison Ave.

 

[kippy]



Yep, but they dont use it nor recommend it like they do Venetian.
People seem to think Saphir Reno is the bees knees but as i said above, it's mostly hype and marketing.
Saphir is In fact worse in most respects-ie., how well it shines shell, what it costs, and where it's made.

"How well it shines" is highly subjective. This is not to say Venetian does not do a nice job. They both do, but even after many comparisons, I have only seen subtle differences.

With regards to Saphir being "worse" because of where it's made, I appreciate American-made brands as well and it is part of the reason I buy Alden, but lets be clear that Saphir is not made in China, but produced in France. Last I checked, no one was throwing themselves off a balcony because their shoe care product was produced in France of all places. That's not worse, George Washington, that's just different. Worse would be appropriate if it they produced Saphir using Chinese slaves on Apple production lines.

 

[Americana]

I love my iphone.

 

[thebeebs]

Wore my Whiskey chukkas on Friday. Just getting around to posting a photo.

Nice! Just got a pair myself, from Alden NY, a few weeks ago. Much more structure and shape than the suede versions, and looks like a PTB when you're wearing pants (which is, hopefully, always).

 

[FrankCowperwood]

Thanks, gents.

Nice! Just got a pair myself, from Alden NY, a few weeks ago.  Much more structure and shape than the suede versions, and looks like a PTB when you're wearing pants (which is, hopefully, always).

These are from Alden NY as well. I like them more as I wear them more. I haven't tried wearing them with shorts yet...

Beautiful. Love the Whiskey. Love the Chukka. I am 6 months in on a 12-18 month wait for a pair from Alden Madison Ave.

You will definitely enjoy your pair when they arrive. I hope it is sooner rather than later.

 

[Alcibiades]

​

Wore my Whiskey chukkas on Friday. Just getting around to posting a photo.

These are excellent. I know people love Indys here but I wear my whiskey chukkas a lot more than I wear the Indys

Cordovan chukkas are awesome

 

[mediahound]



"How well it shines" is highly subjective. This is not to say Venetian does not do a nice job. They both do, but even after many comparisons, I have only seen subtle differences.
With regards to Saphir being "worse" because of where it's made, I appreciate American-made brands as well and it is part of the reason I buy Alden, but lets be clear that Saphir is not made in China, but produced in France. Last I checked, no one was throwing themselves off a balcony because their shoe care product was produced in France of all places. That's not worse, George Washington, that's just different. Worse would be appropriate if it they produced Saphir using Chinese slaves on Apple production lines.

You're missing the point.

Saphir is not made in the USA and has no American heritage like Aldens. Venetian Shoe cream does.

 

[mexicutioner]



You're missing the point.
Saphir is not made in the USA and has no American heritage like Aldens. Venetian Shoe cream does.

you're just restating the facts. venetian is made in the USA and has a heritage of being made in the USA. why does that matter?

 

[cyc wid it]

USA! USA! They're taking our jobs! USA! USA!

 

[El Argentino]



You're missing the point.
Saphir is not made in the USA and has no American heritage like Aldens. Venetian Shoe cream does.

If that's the breaking point for you, then by all means...

 

[zippyh]



You're missing the point.

Saphir is not made in the USA and has no American heritage like Aldens. Venetian Shoe cream does.

The horses aren't even American horses.

 

[HorseHide]



"How well it shines" is highly subjective. This is not to say Venetian does not do a nice job. They both do, but even after many comparisons, I have only seen subtle differences.
With regards to Saphir being "worse" because of where it's made, I appreciate American-made brands as well and it is part of the reason I buy Alden, but lets be clear that Saphir is not made in China, but produced in France. Last I checked, no one was throwing themselves off a balcony because their shoe care product was produced in France of all places. That's not worse, George Washington, that's just different. Worse would be appropriate if it they produced Saphir using Chinese slaves on Apple production lines.

I really don't have a dog in this fight, but give me Chinese slaves over the French any day.