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

[mdubs]



Thanks gents - yes, these are from Epaulet.

Roger, those are beautiful shoes. I am a fan of 8 and Antique. There are mixed feelings here, but I like how it brings a lighter mood to #8.

 

[BootSpell]

Quote:
I have a pair (on the Modified last) and my experience has been the same --- they have stretched a bit but not to merit resizing. I find this to be true for all my NatCXL boots.

 

[GooseG]

Hey Guys,

Due to some spontaneous travel plans that were made this weekend, I think I'm going to forego my Tanker pre-order.

Any 8.5Ds interested, let me know.

 

[chewbocka]

Any pics of the black toe thingy?

 

[circleslife]

Hey Guys,

Due to some spontaneous travel plans that were made this weekend, I think I'm going to forego my Tanker pre-order.

Any 8.5Ds interested, let me know.

Damn it! I would love to get on it, BUT it's not 9D. So close!!

 

[docalden2013]

Hey Guys,

Due to some spontaneous travel plans that were made this weekend, I think I'm going to forego my Tanker pre-order.

Any 8.5Ds interested, let me know.

I believe bkotsko was looking to get in on the action. You guys should talk.

 

[MrDV]

Aahh, please don't post this picture again, it makes my heart melt and my brain explode. ;-)

thank you tommy.

Your Ravello collection is outstanding Mr DV. Wonder how you pick your pair for the day. Haha. What pants are those btw?

thank you. the pants are petrol blue walts from epaulet.

Christmas a few years ago.

and merry Christmas to you too.

Those ravello nst boots are so sweet gentlemen!

thanks sazon.

Thanks guys. All this talk about nst reminded that's it's been nearly a month since I've worn them last

nice action shot namor. Its hard for me not to want to wear mine all the time.

 

[mtc2000]



Gentlemen,

I need some advice. I purchased a pair of Color #8 LHS loafers several months back. They were from a retailer who was dropping Alden's and these were on their display. I believe that these are many years old, like 10-15 years old. The construction of the shoes seem slightly different from my other pairs of LHS. Hard to put a nail on it though, but the front ridge seems a little less steep on this shoe.

Anywho, the finish on these guys seem to be coming off. I have attached a couple of pictures below. Should I, 1) ignore it, 2) just reno them, 3) renomat them, or 4) have Alden refinish them? To be honest, it is kind of bothering me (particularly since their are brush lines on them), and I have done a light coat of reno on them before.

Thank you very much!

-Mike

Something to add to your option list. DIY refinishing.

You may remember my experimental deglazed #8 Tanker. Since then, I have come to the conclusion that the glazing is a layer of acrylic finisher.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/354137/leather-quality-and-properties/1110#post_6955485

Angelus Acrylic Finisher #600, locally applied to the deglazed #8 Cordovan.

 

[forsan]

Very cool transformation. Looks good.

B Nelson does some amazing work.

This is great stuff. I've always wondered when it is the right time to send a pair in for resoling. Would these pictures be a good indicator of that? I've heard you should consider when the sole becomes 'soft' due to thinning out, but personally not sure what that really means. Thanks in advance.

He actually went a bit too far in regards to the heels. He had already worn through the toplift and into the stacked leather heel. Heels can normally be replaced quite easily but the heel needed to be partially rebuilt in this case. A resole is necessary just before the outsole has developed a hole to prevent moisture and particulates from entering into the cavity that is filled by the cork layer. That is what is meant by "when the sole becomes soft". Generally speaking you can tell when a leather or rubber outsole has worn thin because you can use your thumbs to apply pressure to outsole in the areas that are worn thin and you be able to feel the sponginess of the cork layer.

Apologies for the late response, but thanks all!

In regards to your comment, Wis, as vestbash noted, I had worn these boots down farther/longer than I think most would find ideal. I purchased these knowing they would be my day-to-day, beater boots and they did just that. I suppose I can count myself lucky that no additional work was needed beyond what I requested B. Nelson to do. Highly recommend them!

 

[NAMOR]



Something to add to your option list. DIY refinishing.

You may remember my experimental deglazed #8 Tanker. Since then, I have come to the conclusion that the glazing is a layer of acrylic finisher.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/354137/leather-quality-and-properties/1110#post_6955485

Angelus Acrylic Finisher #600, locally applied to the deglazed #8 Cordovan.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

this is fascinating. did you re-glaze the boot or just test it on the quarter? any updated pics, the glaze in the 2 pics appears wet still

 

[NAMOR]



nice action shot namor. Its hard for me not to want to wear mine all the time.

i go through cycles. I wore these shoes 4-5 a week for a couple weeks, then 1-2 times, and now 0. maybe ill start up again but i find the tastes change from month to month. right now im diggin the wolverine 744 shell captoe and EG galway veldt captoe. im getting an itch for stitched apron shoes so it might be time for a nst boot/rl gianni streak

 

[MrDV]

My apologies, I get excited when I see (or think I see) aldens on tv.
Steven Y, who plays Glenn on the walking dead, wore ravello cap toe boots on the talking dead Sunday night.

 

[bkotsko]

I believe bkotsko was looking to get in on the action. You guys should talk.

Thanks, Doc.
I sent a PM as soon as I saw the post.

 

[Beatlegeuse]



My apologies, I get excited when I see (or think I see) aldens on tv.
Steven Y, who plays Glenn on the walking dead, wore ravello cap toe boots on the talking dead Sunday night.

He must be a big Alden fan, I think he wore a different pair when he was on Talking Dead last season.

 

[mtc2000]



this is fascinating. did you re-glaze the boot or just test it on the quarter? any updated pics, the glaze in the 2 pics appears wet still

The pictures were taken when the localized re-glazing was already dried. The high gloss gives that "wet" look in direct sunlight.

The following picture shows when the acrylic finisher was still wet.
In liquid form, the finisher is milky white. Transparent when dry. I used a small brush, the application was not even.

When the finisher was dried, in subdued light.

I tested a couple different acrylic finishers locally, found Angelus giving the closest "simulation" of the real thing.
Then I re-glzed both boots entirely. This time, using a cotton rug to give a more even coat.
Once the finisher was dried, I used a little paste wax to darken the hand sewn stitches.

For those who are curious, I did some experiments on scrap leather before messing with the tankers.
http://www.styleforum.net/t/354137/leather-quality-and-properties/1095#post_6942686

I did spend some time on the subject of acrylic finishers.
It turns out this stuff has pretty widespread use in shoemaking, repair and leatherwork in general. But apparently, only Alden uses it on shell.
BTW, some manufacturers use shellac, while others use paste wax alone.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/288880/acrylic-finisher-for-shoes#post_5220852