The Shell Cordovan, non-Alden Shoe and Boot Thread

[Thrift Couture]

Is the "avocado" comipel as well?

Yes, I believe it is.

 

[Thrift Couture]

wow, beautiful color shell, they seem to just radiate their hues

Thank you! I wiped them down with a little Saphir neutral cordovan cream and brushed. It really woke them up.

 

[Beach Bum]

Is Saphir renovateur good for shell? I have an 18-mo CJ Skye pair of boots that I've worn maybe like 5-6 times now, only. So it's not that they need any cream, but they do show some of the blooming or whatever it's called where it looks like the skin turns a little hairy.

So I figure to give it some conditioner or something. I don't have any shell cream, but do have renovateur as well as Lexol. Should I use either or no need?

 

[zippyh]

Is Saphir renovateur good for shell? I have an 18-mo CJ Skye pair of boots that I've worn maybe like 5-6 times now, only. So it's not that they need any cream, but they do show some of the blooming or whatever it's called where it looks like the skin turns a little hairy.

So I figure to give it some conditioner or something. I don't have any shell cream, but do have renovateur as well as Lexol. Should I use either or no need?

I just use Lexol now.

 

[masernaut]

I just use Lexol now.

Yeah, I see no difference between the various conditioners anymore after years of use. Lexol is cheap and does a good job

 

[Kivi D]

So I've scoured the internet about darkening shell cordovan but can't really find anything useful.I'm hoping someone might be able to help me out. My friend is offering me some ruby shell cordovan boots similar to these: https://www.meermin.es/in_en/10163725530000de-53-101637-ruby-shell-cordovan-e-ruby.html

Is there any way I can get them darker, more to a burgundy color? If there's hope I'm ready to pull the trigger.

 

[jischwar]

So I've scoured the internet about darkening shell cordovan but can't really find anything useful.I'm hoping someone might be able to help me out. My friend is offering me some ruby shell cordovan boots similar to these: https://www.meermin.es/in_en/10163725530000de-53-101637-ruby-shell-cordovan-e-ruby.html

Is there any way I can get them darker, more to a burgundy color? If there's hope I'm ready to pull the trigger.

You could try black polish.

 

[stook1]

So I've scoured the internet about darkening shell cordovan but can't really find anything useful.I'm hoping someone might be able to help me out. My friend is offering me some ruby shell cordovan boots similar to these: https://www.meermin.es/in_en/10163725530000de-53-101637-ruby-shell-cordovan-e-ruby.html

Is there any way I can get them darker, more to a burgundy color? If there's hope I'm ready to pull the trigger.

You could dye them. You could also leave them in the sun, which will change the color gradually but not sure if they would get darker or lighter.

 

[jischwar]

Whiskey before whiskey, since it's memorial day weekend!

 

[jet-stream]

So I've scoured the internet about darkening shell cordovan but can't really find anything useful.I'm hoping someone might be able to help me out. My friend is offering me some ruby shell cordovan boots similar to these: https://www.meermin.es/in_en/10163725530000de-53-101637-ruby-shell-cordovan-e-ruby.html

Is there any way I can get them darker, more to a burgundy color? If there's hope I'm ready to pull the trigger.

You could try black polish.

You could dye them. You could also leave them in the sun, which will change the color gradually but not sure if they would get darker or lighter.

I think you have three courses of action:
1. Try to darken them yourself. Stook mentions dye but I would start with creme polish as jischwar suggests.That will be slower and not as much color will transfer as with calf, but shell will take color from polish or dye.
2. Have a professional do the work - either a local cobbler if you have one you trust or send them somewhere (Bedo's, for example).
3. Since rubi is a lighter color, it will likely darken over time (I don't have anything in rubi so if someone can verify, please do). This could be either leaving them in the sun, or just wearing them.

Personally, I wouldn't change a thing and would just wear them, but different strokes for different folks.

 

[zippyh]

FWIW my ruby Carmina seem to have gotten lighter. They’re about 7 years old.

 

[Patrick1053]

FWIW my ruby Carmina seem to have gotten lighter. They’re about 7 years old.

Can you post a pic?

 

[zippyh]

The wingtips are Tricker's Comipel. I think the color called scarlet.
The other two are Carmina Horween called ruby. I believe it's also known as number 2.
The Carmina shoes are basically unworn.

 

[stook1]

Personally, I wouldn't change a thing and would just wear them, but different strokes for different folks.

Well said all around... agree entirely. I also don't have any Ruby shell but I definitely want a pair. I recently got a pair of AE's chili shell, which is probably somewhat close. I would also not change a thing.

 

[elsalvatrucha]

Always wanted to pull the trigger on ruby or green shell but I bought a pair of navy shell shoes and always found it hard to pair.