The Ultimate "HARDCORE" Shoe Appreciation Thread (Bespoke only)

[PiedBeau]



what ever you mean by that!? of these two, i prefer ugolini by far.

imo, the g&g last has a very comical character.

Sorry for my poor english vocabulary.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I love the last on those stingrays. Edgy and elegant at the same time.

 

[ThinkDerm]



I love the last on those stingrays. Edgy and elegant at the same time.

+1. and the different lacing options is awesome.

 

[isshinryu101]



+1. and the different lacing options is awesome.

You ALWAYS have different lacing options... as long as you've got $3 in your pocket.

 

[fritzl]



You ALWAYS have different lacing options... as long as you've got $3 in your pocket.

exactly

 

[ThinkDerm]



You ALWAYS have different lacing options... as long as you've got $3 in your pocket.

true, but nice to be included, just a lagniappe.

 

[isshinryu101]



true, but nice to be included, just a lagniappe.

well said.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Are you supposed to polish stingray? It seems like it would be difficult...

 

[isshinryu101]



Are you supposed to polish stingray? It seems like it would be difficult...

After contacting many exotic Cowboy Boot aficionados, I foundthe consensus was that Bick-4 is the best Exotics conditioner/ polish available. It is colorless & does not darken. I've used it on Crocs, gators, lizards, snakes, and the like. Works very well, as it leaves no discerning residue & allows the natural colors of the skin to shine.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I know Saphir has an exotic polish/conditioner.

 

[ThinkDerm]



I know Saphir has an exotic polish/conditioner.

they do, not that awesome though

 

[isshinryu101]



I know Saphir has an exotic polish/conditioner.

i deferred to the experts on this one. I figured the cowboy boot guys would have perfected conditioning & polishing exotics by now.

 

[DWFII]



i deferred to the experts on this one. I figured the cowboy boot guys would have perfected conditioning & polishing exotics by now.

I use Lexol and Meltonian cream. Honestly, I don't think any exotic really needs anything other than what you would use on fine calf. I know companies like to sell special products but you know, exotic leather is still just leather.

Anything that darkens a leather...of any kind...should not be used on dress leathers of any kind. Start there. Many products fit the bill, many more don't. The only other criteria is to avoid product that are formulated with petroleum derivatives.

As far as stingray goes, the underlying leather might need to be kept nourished but it's fruitless to polish the beads. They are essentially like ivory. And putting shoe polish or creams on the beads is not going to refresh the colour nor make them shine significantly more than they already do. But the wax can dern sure build up in between the beads and collect dirt and grit.

 

[isshinryu101]



I use Lexol and Meltonian cream. Honestly, I don't think any exotic really needs anything other than what you would use on fine calf. I know companies like to sell special products but you know, exotic leather is still just leather.

Most of the exotic leather I've used it for has been 50+ years old. Although I do use Lexol for calf, I have seen a difference in how well Bick 4 nourishes the spaces between the tiles/ scales in Croc/ Gator, especially. Doesn't seem to leave any residue as well. It's similar to Lexol in consistency.

Honestly, I've never owned anything Stingray (although I certainly would now!).

 

[patrickBOOTH]



I use Lexol and Meltonian cream. Honestly, I don't think any exotic really needs anything other than what you would use on fine calf. I know companies like to sell special products but you know, exotic leather is still just leather.

Anything that darkens a leather...of any kind...should not be used on dress leathers of any kind. Start there. Many products fit the bill, many more don't. The only other criteria is to avoid product that are formulated with petroleum derivatives.

As far as stingray goes, the underlying leather might need to be kept nourished but it's fruitless to polish the beads. They are essentially like ivory. And putting shoe polish or creams on the beads is not going to refresh the colour nor make them shine significantly more than they already do. But the wax can dern sure build up in between the beads and collect dirt and grit.

I can't believe after being so candid about things like gemming you would use meltonian on uppers. I was sure you would be an "all natural" Saphir guy.