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

[JFWR]

I want to speak about the wonderful customer service experience I received from Horween Leather. After hearing that @Munky spoke with a member of the Horween family when he contacted Horween about a leather issue, I went ahead and did the same: calling up the Chicago tannery directly yesterday afternoon.

After speaking with Tyler on the phone, he transferred me over to Skip Horween himself. Skip was busy at the moment and I sent him a voice mail. Not but 30 minutes later, Skip had called me back, and listened to my shell cordovan woes that I've detailed here and elsewhere. We spoke for ten minutes on my problems and some friendly conversation, when he told me to e-mail him some pictures so he could suggest what he would do to handle my cracking cordovan. I sent him those pictures.

This morning, at 7 am, Skip got back to me and gave his best advice on what I could do to salvage my pair: sadly, it doesn't seem like anything will work beyond merely aesthetically covering up the problems my shoes have. Given they are torn in multiple places, I think I am going to now see if @DavidLane can help me by turning them into watchstraps, but I still appreciated this personal care from the president of Horween leather co.

Horween, you live up to your reputation as the finest tannery in America, and one of the finest tanneries in the entire world.

They are truly a fabulous company that is dedicated to helping lovers of their products maintain and repair their beautiful leather. I will always look for products made from their tannery whenever I have the option available to do so.

 

[Munky]

I want to speak about the wonderful customer service experience I received from Horween Leather. After hearing that @Munky spoke with a member of the Horween family when he contacted Horween about a leather issue, I went ahead and did the same: calling up the Chicago tannery directly yesterday afternoon.

After speaking with Tyler on the phone, he transferred me over to Skip Horween himself. Skip was busy at the moment and I sent him a voice mail. Not but 30 minutes later, Skip had called me back, and listened to my shell cordovan woes that I've detailed here and elsewhere. We spoke for ten minutes on my problems and some friendly conversation, when he told me to e-mail him some pictures so he could suggest what he would do to handle my cracking cordovan. I sent him those pictures.

This morning, at 7 am, Skip got back to me and gave his best advice on what I could do to salvage my pair: sadly, it doesn't seem like anything will work beyond merely aesthetically covering up the problems my shoes have. Given they are torn in multiple places, I think I am going to now see if @DavidLane can help me by turning them into watchstraps, but I still appreciated this personal care from the president of Horween leather co.

Horween, you live up to your reputation as the finest tannery in America, and one of the finest tanneries in the entire world.

They are truly a fabulous company that is dedicated to helping lovers of their products maintain and repair their beautiful leather. I will always look for products made from their tannery whenever I have the option available to do so.

Yes, my experiences with Horween (and their leathers) have been very, very positive. A great company.

 

[Torzano]

I’ve always thought about this but never asked what other people do. When you have a cocktail party at someone’s house and they make you take your shoes off what do you do? Bringing along shoe trees will make you seem anal about your shoes, which I am. I have some pairs going on 10 years that still look great. I usually always wear my most creased shoes if I know I’m going to be taking them off for a while.

 

[Munky]

I’ve always thought about this but never asked what other people do. When you have a cocktail party at someone’s house and they make you take your shoes off what do you do? Bringing along shoe trees will make you seem anal about your shoes, which I am. I have some pairs going on 10 years that still look great. I usually always wear my most creased shoes if I know I’m going to be taking them off for a while.

I think you just take your shoes off...

 

[JUAN MANUEL]

I’ve always thought about this but never asked what other people do. When you have a cocktail party at someone’s house and they make you take your shoes off what do you do? Bringing along shoe trees will make you seem anal about your shoes, which I am. I have some pairs going on 10 years that still look great. I usually always wear my most creased shoes if I know I’m going to be taking them off for a while.

Don't go to that party

 

[sjmin209]

No dude. Put the shoe trees in, but do so discreetly, and then quickly put the shoes in their dustbags. That way they won't see the shoe trees.

 

[polyfusion]

No dude. Put the shoe trees in, but do so discreetly, and then quickly put the shoes in their dustbags. That way they won't see the shoe trees.

really enjoyed all of these replies.
reminded me of curb your enthusiasm where Larry won't take his shoes off at ben stillers house. Style forum members will relate.

 

[JFWR]

I’ve always thought about this but never asked what other people do. When you have a cocktail party at someone’s house and they make you take your shoes off what do you do? Bringing along shoe trees will make you seem anal about your shoes, which I am. I have some pairs going on 10 years that still look great. I usually always wear my most creased shoes if I know I’m going to be taking them off for a while.

P. Sure a shoe will not be hurt by having no shoe trees for a few hours.

 

[Munky]

I have just taken delivery of a pair of beautiful rust coloured veg retanned leather desert boots, made for me by Jadd Shoes, a small company in Suffolk, UK who only make made-to-order shoes - their service is pretty much bespoke and the shoes are delightful. The veg retanned leather has a pull up quality, has a 'natural' look and is 'self healing' in the way that CXL is, but it does not feel like CXL. It is also a fairly thick and a sturdy leather. It 'rolls' rather than creases. Does anyone have direct experience of veg retanned and can they recommend a product I could use on them, occasionally? I suspect that some products would darken the leather and I would, as always, prefer the mildest creams, balms or lotions. Jadd send me a small pot of Chamber's Leather Balm, which is made of beeswax, coconut oil and a small amount of jojoba oil. I had not heard of this product but it sounds benign and not too heavy.

I understand from what little I can find on the net about this is that retanning is done to add further strength to veg tanned leather, but there may well be a lot more to it than this. I believe that the the veg tan is tanned again with chrome salts.

I am very, very pleased with my Jadd shoes and I have at last found a pair of shoes that really fit me. The 12 years of time passing and the 22 other pairs of shoes have made it worth the wait! With best wishes, Munky.

 

[DapperAndy]

I have just taken delivery of a pair of beautiful rust coloured veg retanned leather desert boots, made for me by Jadd Shoes, a small company in Suffolk, UK who only make made-to-order shoes - their service is pretty much bespoke and the shoes are delightful. The veg retanned leather has a pull up quality, has a 'natural' look and is 'self healing' in the way that CXL is, but it does not feel like CXL. It is also a fairly thick and a sturdy leather. It 'rolls' rather than creases. Does anyone have direct experience of veg retanned and can they recommend a product I could use on them, occasionally? I suspect that some products would darken the leather and I would, as always, prefer the mildest creams, balms or lotions. Jadd send me a small pot of Chamber's Leather Balm, which is made of beeswax, coconut oil and a small amount of jojoba oil. I had not heard of this product but it sounds benign and not too heavy.

I understand from what little I can find on the net about this is that retanning is done to add further strength to veg tanned leather, but there may well be a lot more to it than this. I believe that the the veg tan is tanned again with chrome salts.

I am very, very pleased with my Jadd shoes and I have at last found a pair of shoes that really fit me. The 12 years of time passing and the 22 other pairs of shoes have made it worth the wait! With best wishes, Munky.

DEShellvedge on IG has been finding great success protecting his Chromexcel Carmina boots using Pure Polish Neutral Cream - which has similar properties to the one you mentioned, sans Jojoba Oil.

The many tanning processes CX goes through, gives it an almost “shell cordovan”-esque self healing property. So you can keep the products light, and mainly keep the oils replenished and wax from scuffing the surface (toes/heels) due to behavior.

Caveat: As you and many know, I’m the proprietor of Pure Polish, DEShellvedge is a friend, not a paid model or advertiser. I just want to share real world customer experience that’s been exemplified as recently as yesterday.

 

[JFWR]

I have just taken delivery of a pair of beautiful rust coloured veg retanned leather desert boots, made for me by Jadd Shoes, a small company in Suffolk, UK who only make made-to-order shoes - their service is pretty much bespoke and the shoes are delightful. The veg retanned leather has a pull up quality, has a 'natural' look and is 'self healing' in the way that CXL is, but it does not feel like CXL. It is also a fairly thick and a sturdy leather. It 'rolls' rather than creases. Does anyone have direct experience of veg retanned and can they recommend a product I could use on them, occasionally? I suspect that some products would darken the leather and I would, as always, prefer the mildest creams, balms or lotions. Jadd send me a small pot of Chamber's Leather Balm, which is made of beeswax, coconut oil and a small amount of jojoba oil. I had not heard of this product but it sounds benign and not too heavy.

I understand from what little I can find on the net about this is that retanning is done to add further strength to veg tanned leather, but there may well be a lot more to it than this. I believe that the the veg tan is tanned again with chrome salts.

I am very, very pleased with my Jadd shoes and I have at last found a pair of shoes that really fit me. The 12 years of time passing and the 22 other pairs of shoes have made it worth the wait! With best wishes, Munky.

Munky, would you mind telling us the price you paid for these boots? I'd be curious what their made-to-order pricing would be, as that sounds stupendous.

 

[Munky]

DEShellvedge on IG has been finding great success protecting his Chromexcel Carmina boots using Pure Polish Neutral Cream - which has similar properties to the one you mentioned, sans Jojoba Oil.

The many tanning processes CX goes through, gives it an almost “shell cordovan”-esque self healing property. So you can keep the products light, and mainly keep the oils replenished and wax from scuffing the surface (toes/heels) due to behavior.

Caveat: As you and many know, I’m the proprietor of Pure Polish, DEShellvedge is a friend, not a paid model or advertiser. I just want to share real world customer experience that’s been exemplified as recently as yesterday.

Thank you very much for this, Dapper; I appreciate it. While my new boots are not CXL, what you talk about is very relevant to them. I have used your creams in the past and found them to be really excellent. I think I had a problem in getting them here in the UK but that may well have changed. Thank you for taking the time to write your detailed response. With best wishes, Munky.

 

[Munky]

DEShellvedge on IG has been finding great success protecting his Chromexcel Carmina boots using Pure Polish Neutral Cream - which has similar properties to the one you mentioned, sans Jojoba Oil.

The many tanning processes CX goes through, gives it an almost “shell cordovan”-esque self healing property. So you can keep the products light, and mainly keep the oils replenished and wax from scuffing the surface (toes/heels) due to behavior.

Caveat: As you and many know, I’m the proprietor of Pure Polish, DEShellvedge is a friend, not a paid model or advertiser. I just want to share real world customer experience that’s been exemplified as recently as yesterday.

Dapper, I have just discovered that you do ship your products to the UK. That is great news, thanks! Best wishes, Munky.

 

[pe3brain]

I'm going to redye the boots on the left and I'm thinking of going for an olive color. Using Saphir dye the recommendation is to mix black and yellow should I still follow this even tho the boot is tan?

 

[Goofy]

I'm going to redye the boots on the left and I'm thinking of going for an olive color. Using Saphir dye the recommendation is to mix black and yellow should I still follow this even tho the boot is tan?

Yes.