**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.**

[1up]

I'm just acquiring some quality shoes, and only have collonil products (leather gel + bamboo protector) that I use for bags.

Can anyone recommend where to get a good kit to begin? Brushes, Saphir products, Chamois etc;?

Hangerproject seemed ok?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

There or you could get a valet from No Man Walks Alone.

 

[Berners15]

I'm just acquiring some quality shoes, and only have collonil products (leather gel + bamboo protector) that I use for bags.

Can anyone recommend where to get a good kit to begin? Brushes, Saphir products, Chamois etc;?

Hangerproject seemed ok?

If I were you I'd just make one up as you go along. I use old toothbrushes rather than welt brushes. I use old t-shirts to put on cream rather than a brush (daub excess on lids before applying, likewise with wax flatten the nib on the lid), large horse hair brushes for first shine (rub them on brickwork before first use as it rounds the bristle ends properly and cotton chamois cloths for the final buff. I tend to be quite strict and have brushes and cloths for each colour I use. Then a suitable box with dividers, valet boxes are lovely but I just use Lock and Lock containers because they're cheap and seal the smell in and you can have one for each colour which I find is more convenient.

 

[1up]



There or you could get a valet from No Man Walks Alone.

The Valet seems like a good option. $190 is a bit pricey, but shipped for free to Canada, and all the individual peripherals would cost me well over $100..

I just don't think I need that many brushes!

It's a good investment for something that I'll likely use for many years to come? Wish there was a slightly cheaper alternative

 

[chogall]

I'm just acquiring some quality shoes, and only have collonil products (leather gel + bamboo protector) that I use for bags.

Can anyone recommend where to get a good kit to begin? Brushes, Saphir products, Chamois etc;?

Hangerproject seemed ok?

If you are starting from the ground up and willing to spend $, is Tricker's Valet box. ~£350 inc VAT.

Otherwise, just some saphir/collonil cream polishes, some saphir/kiwi wax, 2 big soft brushes, 2 big stiff brushes, and old tshirt and used toothbrush are way more than enough.

Your local cobblers should have most except Saphir/Collonil products. Don't really need brand name brushes.

 

[1up]



If you are starting from the ground up and willing to spend $, is Tricker's Valet box.  ~£350 inc VAT.

Otherwise, just some saphir/collonil cream polishes, some saphir/kiwi wax, 2 big soft brushes, 2 big stiff brushes, and old tshirt and used toothbrush are way more than enough. 

Your local cobblers should have most except Saphir/Collonil products.  Don't really need brand name brushes.

I am starting from the ground up, but think that's out of my price range.

The Valet box from No Man Walks Alone looks the best so far, it's got some room to keep my other collonil gels that I use for my briefcase/dufflebags.

 

[Stemo79]

If you are starting from the ground up and willing to spend $, is Tricker's Valet box. ~£350 inc VAT.

Otherwise, just some saphir/collonil cream polishes, some saphir/kiwi wax, 2 big soft brushes, 2 big stiff brushes, and old tshirt and used toothbrush are way more than enough.

Your local cobblers should have most except Saphir/Collonil products. Don't really need brand name brushes.

I'm 98% sure that Saphir make Trickers branded waxes/creams, not sure about their other care products though.

 

[chogall]

I'm 98% sure that Saphir make Trickers branded waxes/creams, not sure about their other care products though.

Make that 100%.

Also, Tricker's box is OEM by Saphir but with lower MSRP than Saphir's box. Much greater value compare to buying from Saphir retail stockists.

 

[1up]

The hanger project Sapir box looks really good !

 

[PCK1]

Those boxes are a waste of money.

All you need is a good horsehair brush and wax polish.

 

[Goodman]

So, I came across a pair of Di Bianco's (apparently they are owned by former Mantellassi people) made with Bologna construction and a full rubber sole and heel. I mentioned I had never seen a "better" shoe with a full rubber sole and heel as opposed to say a York or Danite sold and an English heel (rubber / leather combo) and I was told the shoes were constructed for comfort and it was not an attempt to cut corners. The comfort aspect makes sense but I have no idea as to the durability and longevity of a 100% rubber sole and heel. I'm curious if any one here has had any experience when the rubber literally hits the road. Are they comfortable? Will they remain comfortable? Are they durable? I occasionally have to spend all day on my feet so I'm intrigued but I don't want to waste my money on something that will quickly wear down and disappoint. Thanks.

 

[BostonHedonist]

Found a nice pair of everyday walking boots in Barcelona: Carmina suede chukkas in a sandy brown.

Side note: I was very impressed at the price/quality ratio of Carmina footwear. However, shoes needed to be examined carefully, as their quality control for stitching seems a bit suspect.

So after three coats of suede protector, I could swear the upper on the left boot is just slightly darker than the other. Not really looking to spray a thicker coat on the right boot to try to even it out. Will this difference diminish soon? It's been a day with no change.

 

[Berners15]

Found a nice pair of everyday walking boots in Barcelona: Carmina suede chukkas in a sandy brown.

Side note: I was very impressed at the price/quality ratio of Carmina footwear. However, shoes needed to be examined carefully, as their quality control for stitching seems a bit suspect.

So after three coats of suede protector, I could swear the upper on the left boot is just slightly darker than the other. Not really looking to spray a thicker coat on the right boot to try to even it out. Will this difference diminish soon? It's been a day with no change.

Welcome to the wonderful world of spray protectors, I never use them for just such reasons.
Good quality suede is easy to maintain, any spills tend to come out with an eraser and omni'nettoyant (Saphir) - you could try that and see if they return to original colour, might be worth a go.

 

[benhour]

Found a nice pair of everyday walking boots in Barcelona: Carmina suede chukkas in a sandy brown.

Side note: I was very impressed at the price/quality ratio of Carmina footwear. However, shoes needed to be examined carefully, as their quality control for stitching seems a bit suspect.

So after three coats of suede protector, I could swear the upper on the left boot is just slightly darker than the other. Not really looking to spray a thicker coat on the right boot to try to even it out. Will this difference diminish soon? It's been a day with no change.

the difference in the color is more likely caused by the difference in the amount of product you applied !! Generally the protector must be reapplied every month to work properly !! A brushing with a suede brush ll fix your problem but after you ll need to reapply the protector to work properly!

 

[BostonHedonist]

@Berners15 - didn't know about omni'nettoyant. Think I'll pick up a bottle.


So, assuming Carmina is using halfway decent suede, is there really any need to fear little rain here and there if I left them unprotected?