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

[JFWR]

While were on questions, is there anyone here who owns a pair of CJ Islay boots who can offer advice on which colour Saphir cream/polish they think is best for the dark brown scotch grain leather?

Dark brown works great on my dark brown scotch grain Pembrokes.

 

[JFWR]

Does any of you know the differences between polished binder and bookbinder leather?

They're both corrected grain garbage that shouldn't be sold by good companies, but sadly some still do.

It's basically leather saddened down and coated with some garbage to cover its flaws.

 

[calostro5]

They're both corrected grain garbage that shouldn't be sold by good companies, but sadly some still do.

It's basically leather saddened down and coated with some garbage to cover its flaws.

I hate this kind of leather. Why do you buy leather covered by... plastic?
Buy plastic, and save Money.

 

[JFWR]

I hate this kind of leather. Why do you buy leather covered by... plastic?
Buy plastic, and save Money.

I agree. It's awful. What's worse: they charge the same prices for garbage leather as people don't know it's crap at some of the English shoe companies.

At least Allen Edmonds got rid of their polished cobbler.

 

[Duke Santos]

While were on questions, is there anyone here who owns a pair of CJ Islay boots who can offer advice on which colour Saphir cream/polish they think is best for the dark brown scotch grain leather?

I did just get some dark brown country grain Boston loafers, which I think are a close color match. I went with the Saphir Tobacco/Havana (color #34), which seems to be a perfect match. I've read that the Saphir "Dark Brown" is a really, really dark brown. One other thing that I've noticed is that a good horsehair brush still leaves residue in the grain, which is something that should be even more prominent in the deeper Scotch Grain. I plan on getting a pig bristle brush from Kirby Ellison before the shoes need their next polish.

I've also used some Allen Edmonds brown cream (the true cream polish in the jar not the stuff in the tubes) which worked well also.

 

[rakuskus]

They're both corrected grain garbage that shouldn't be sold by good companies, but sadly some still do.

It's basically leather saddened down and coated with some garbage to cover its flaws.

I have shoes made from polished binder and bookbinder leather that last for 10 plus years and has been resoled couple of times. It depends on the quality of leather under the coating. That being said, I do have some shoes that broke down only after maybe 20 wears. The leather crack, the colour change, and the shape no longer represent a shoes. I think it's best to know how to identify good quality leather under the coating.

I email several shoemakers and their respond is the same. Bookbinder and polished binder actually are different.

I wear my bookbinder and polished binder leather shoes in rainy days, they are easy to clean and does not need any treatment. Frankly I like the look of them and I think they have a place in my wardrobe.

 

[beau chapeau]

I'd been wearing these EG Belgravia for a while and gathered a few scratches and dings to the polish which made me touch it up a bit. Really happy with the results.

View attachment 1630100
View attachment 1630101

good grief... that's a mighty fine finish you got there

 

[Chowkin]

I email several shoemakers and their respond is the same. Bookbinder and polished binder actually are different.

Could you explain the difference between the two please? Thanks in advance

 

[rakuskus]

Could you explain the difference between the two please? Thanks in advance

Some manufacturer are saying that the leather are the same corrected grain and the differences is in the finishing. However Herring Shoes says that the finishing is the same and the differences is the type of leather that they use. Polished leather us corrected grain and bookbinder use the same quality leather as calfskin shoes.

 

[H. E. Pennypacker]

While were on questions, is there anyone here who owns a pair of CJ Islay boots who can offer advice on which colour Saphir cream/polish they think is best for the dark brown scotch grain leather?

I don’t have the Isley boots but do have the Conistons in dark brown scotch, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use Havana 34 or medium brown 37.

 

[uozay]

How concerned should one be about heat in a room where you store shoes?

I have my shoes in a loft space, and in the summer months the temp can get high.

Can this dry out and damage the leather shoes?

 

[JFWR]

How concerned should one be about heat in a room where you store shoes?

I have my shoes in a loft space, and in the summer months the temp can get high.

Can this dry out and damage the leather shoes?

Yes. Leather can dry out in high heat and low humidity.

 

[Duke Santos]

For those that condition the inside of their shoes, I'd like to tap into your experiences. How often do you do it? Do you use a cotton rag or a small dauber brush to buff off the conditioner? Does it help?

 

[JFWR]

For those that condition the inside of their shoes, I'd like to tap into your experiences. How often do you do it? Do you use a cotton rag or a small dauber brush to buff off the conditioner? Does it help?

I used the toothbrush like dauber and I do it like once a year.

 

[JUAN MANUEL]

Hello gentleman,

I will appreciate your help, yesterday I found a greasy french fry sitting on the vamp of my Cobbler Union beloved Utah Calf chukkas. I notice it 5 minutes after the fry's landing.

I have poured cornstrach for two nights buy the stain remains there. Any recomendation? Should I use a soft solvent like water and alcohol o water and white vinegar? Saddle soap?

Your comments will be highly appreciated.