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

[Shawnc]

I came to this thread looking for boning advice so pleased to see it's recently been discussed. I take it from your comment that you're not a boner? I only have one pair of shell shoes that I bought recently and obviously want to care for them as well as possible. I'm guessing people are pretty split on the necessity for it. It also seems that some prefer spooning over boning... any advice on this would be appreciated. As it stands I've just applied cordovan cream once and then brushed them off.

I used to be a fairly avid ‘boner’ but as @JFWR indicated, in my experience, they looked great until the next wear and then the rolls came back. The best way to avoid the rolls is getting the right fit and consistent care. Not over the top crazy care. Just the minimum as shell is truly very resilient. I think @actionjbone put is best, personal preference.

 

[ppk]

I have a pair of the Trickers Stow boots in Nubuck and the indigo from some new jeans rubbed off on the leather.

Any suggestions on how to remove it?

 

[JFWR]

I came to this thread looking for boning advice so pleased to see it's recently been discussed. I take it from your comment that you're not a boner? I only have one pair of shell shoes that I bought recently and obviously want to care for them as well as possible. I'm guessing people are pretty split on the necessity for it. It also seems that some prefer spooning over boning... any advice on this would be appreciated. As it stands I've just applied cordovan cream once and then brushed them off.

Just cream and polish like you would normally do.

 

[actionjbone]

I have a pair of the Trickers Stow boots in Nubuck and the indigo from some new jeans rubbed off on the leather.

Any suggestions on how to remove it?

Do you have one of those soft erasers designed for suede? I usually try one of those, if it doesn't brush out.

 

[ppk]

Do you have one of those soft erasers designed for suede? I usually try one of those, if it doesn't brush out.

Thanks. I'll look for that.

 

[StanleyWingtip]

Looking for advice on next move: about a year ago I got a drop of lavender oil on my shoes and after trying saphir shampoo, eraser, and dawn soap I had no luck lifting the stain.

At this point should I just make the hole shoe darker? Will the brown Saphir suede spray do the trick or do I need to take to a pro?

Thanks

 

[rdstour]

Wanted to get the community's input here:

I sent out a newly acquired pair of vintage alonguins to a very established cobbler (withholding name) to be resoled/re-welted with new leather insole as well and the whole works (as this is major surgery, i spent $$$$). While they got the job done quite well overall,

there are two things I noticed when I got them back that I wanted your advice:

1) They accidentally damaged the leather on their burnishing wheel -- creating a "creased scratch" on the medial side that that they filled in, and issued a partial refund as an apology. I've attached a picture -- What else can be done to prevent the area from being damaged further? They say the leather wasn't cut into, but it's hard for me to look at this and agree with that.

2) The Lulu toe plates with the leather sole are not perfectly flush. I know how toe plates are installed, but puzzled by the gaps and how the new leather sole doesn't seem quite flush either. They've done this work for me before, but there weren't any such gaps/issues similarly.

Just trying to manage my expectations and making sure nothing is potentially problematic -- appreciate it!

 

[florent]

Wanted to get the community's input here:

I sent out a newly acquired pair of vintage alonguins to a very established cobbler (withholding name) to be resoled/re-welted with new leather insole as well and the whole works (as this is major surgery, i spent $$$$). While they got the job done quite well overall,

View attachment 2167801

View attachment 2167803
there are two things I noticed when I got them back that I wanted your advice:

1) They accidentally damaged the leather on their burnishing wheel -- creating a "creased scratch" on the medial side that that they filled in, and issued a partial refund as an apology. I've attached a picture -- What else can be done to prevent the area from being damaged further? They say the leather wasn't cut into, but it's hard for me to look at this and agree with that.
View attachment 2167771

2) The Lulu toe plates with the leather sole are not perfectly flush. I know how toe plates are installed, but puzzled by the gaps and how the new leather sole doesn't seem quite flush either. They've done this work for me before, but there weren't any such gaps/issues similarly.

Just trying to manage my expectations and making sure nothing is potentially problematic -- appreciate it!

View attachment 2167793

View attachment 2167795

View attachment 2167797
View attachment 2167809

View attachment 2167799

Perfectly flush tips can be difficult because the curvature of the tips doesn't always match the sole curvature. That said the job seems a bit sloppy here with the lateral gaps but I wouldn't expect it to cause much trouble.

The upper damage is just terrible, I would be pissed. Difficult to say how it will evolve, that depends on how deep the cut is and how the leather creases when you walk.

 

[Shawnc]

Wanted to get the community's input here:

I sent out a newly acquired pair of vintage alonguins to a very established cobbler (withholding name) to be resoled/re-welted with new leather insole as well and the whole works (as this is major surgery, i spent $$$$). While they got the job done quite well overall,

View attachment 2167801

View attachment 2167803
there are two things I noticed when I got them back that I wanted your advice:

1) They accidentally damaged the leather on their burnishing wheel -- creating a "creased scratch" on the medial side that that they filled in, and issued a partial refund as an apology. I've attached a picture -- What else can be done to prevent the area from being damaged further? They say the leather wasn't cut into, but it's hard for me to look at this and agree with that.
View attachment 2167771

2) The Lulu toe plates with the leather sole are not perfectly flush. I know how toe plates are installed, but puzzled by the gaps and how the new leather sole doesn't seem quite flush either. They've done this work for me before, but there weren't any such gaps/issues similarly.

Just trying to manage my expectations and making sure nothing is potentially problematic -- appreciate it!

View attachment 2167793

View attachment 2167795

View attachment 2167797
View attachment 2167809

View attachment 2167799

Horrible work. Both the tear and taps. The shoes look really good so your instincts were on-point. The shoes are definitely wearable. Just unfortunate the cobbler had a bad day.

 

[actionjbone]

Looking for advice on next move: about a year ago I got a drop of lavender oil on my shoes and after trying saphir shampoo, eraser, and dawn soap I had no luck lifting the stain.

At this point should I just make the hole shoe darker? Will the brown Saphir suede spray do the trick or do I need to take to a pro?

Thanks

View attachment 2167775 View attachment 2167779

If these were my shoes, I'd probably be annoyed with myself but then leave it alone.

Over the years, it's hard to keep light suede even and clean. That's one of many scars the shoes may collect, and it makes them "yours."

Who will notice? Probably only yourself, and anyone you tell about it.

 

[JFWR]

Looking for advice on next move: about a year ago I got a drop of lavender oil on my shoes and after trying saphir shampoo, eraser, and dawn soap I had no luck lifting the stain.

At this point should I just make the hole shoe darker? Will the brown Saphir suede spray do the trick or do I need to take to a pro?

Thanks

View attachment 2167775 View attachment 2167779

Dye em.

 

[JTMD]

Hi all,

I was looking to refill some care products and ran into the Saphir Intendant Box. Looks nice enough. Seems a good method of keeping things organized. Comes with 5 creams, 4 waxes, 4 brushes, a cloth, and a shoe horn. Still costs north of $500 and I wonder if it might be a bit small when it comes to adding a few things of my own (I.e. cordovan cream). Does anyone own one or has seen/handled one? They're made of Beech and Rosewood colored.
- Box dimensions (cm) : width = 37, depth = 20, height = 15

Thanks in advance.

 

[actionjbone]

Hi all,

I was looking to refill some care products and ran into the Saphir Intendant Box. Looks nice enough. Seems a good method of keeping things organized. Comes with 5 creams, 4 waxes, 4 brushes, a cloth, and a shoe horn. Still costs north of $500 and I wonder if it might be a bit small when it comes to adding a few things of my own (I.e. cordovan cream). Does anyone own one or has seen/handled one? They're made of Beech and Rosewood colored.
- Box dimensions (cm) : width = 37, depth = 20, height = 15

Thanks in advance.

View attachment 2169335 View attachment 2169337

Assuming $25 per container of each included product, you'd be paying $275 for a wooden box and some brushes.

A new Woodlore shoe valet is $50, and Woodlore brushes are like $10 each.

I wouldn't buy the Saphir box just for a fancy hinge and some dividers.

 

[JUAN MANUEL]

Wanted to get the community's input here:

I sent out a newly acquired pair of vintage alonguins to a very established cobbler (withholding name) to be resoled/re-welted with new leather insole as well and the whole works (as this is major surgery, i spent $$$$). While they got the job done quite well overall,

View attachment 2167801

View attachment 2167803
there are two things I noticed when I got them back that I wanted your advice:

1) They accidentally damaged the leather on their burnishing wheel -- creating a "creased scratch" on the medial side that that they filled in, and issued a partial refund as an apology. I've attached a picture -- What else can be done to prevent the area from being damaged further? They say the leather wasn't cut into, but it's hard for me to look at this and agree with that.
View attachment 2167771

2) The Lulu toe plates with the leather sole are not perfectly flush. I know how toe plates are installed, but puzzled by the gaps and how the new leather sole doesn't seem quite flush either. They've done this work for me before, but there weren't any such gaps/issues similarly.

Just trying to manage my expectations and making sure nothing is potentially problematic -- appreciate it!

View attachment 2167793

View attachment 2167795

View attachment 2167797
View attachment 2167809

View attachment 2167799

Nice shoes. I wouldn't mind. Enjoy your shoes.

 

[JTMD]

Assuming $25 per container of each included product, you'd be paying $275 for a wooden box and some brushes.

A new Woodlore shoe valet is $50, and Woodlore brushes are like $10 each.

I wouldn't buy the Saphir box just for a fancy hinge and some dividers.

Thank you for your response. I just started thinking about it yesterday and will look into other boxes

. Of course I found it a bit pricey but wasn't sure if maybe it was made of a more expensive wood. I was wanting something that looks nice enough to be left out and isn't obviously a shine kit.

As mentioned, I thought this one might be too small anyways. I'd certainly have to leave out some of the products I have that see less use and I usually buy 100gram tins versus the smaller 50 gram that this box holds.

One of the "advantages" was that this comes with free shipping. I'm in Switzerland, which is nice, but selection of products is a bit more on the limited side. Shipping often adds $50 or more to the product's overall cost.

Oh well, back to the drawing board..thanks again.