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Made in Spain Footwear, including TLB Mallorca, Cobbler Union, Yanko, Norman Vilalta, etc

Jazzthief

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Do you guys have experience with TLB shipping times? How long does it usually take for them to ship and what carrier do they use? Thanks!
I just received my first order from them. It took a fortnight as I understand the shoes were not in stock and they manufactured them per my order. It was a ready-to-wear pair, but they apparently do not stock large quantities. After the shoes were ready they dispatched them immediately and they arrived in 24 hours with DHL. Most of the time it does not take two weeks according to others in this thread as they do stock some quantities, but not mass stock.
 
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Potatoe

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Yeah, for this reason I held off buying my first pair of nice shoes as a Black Captoe Oxford from Vass for $440 USD [330 eu + 40 eu shipping]. I didn't like the looks of the P2 last nor the fact that the soles appeared to be so so finishing wise [even with JR soles], even if it's only something I'd be looking at. Lot of talk on how handwelting is superior, but by that same point if it was always true then Meermin LM would be better than all Goodyear Welted shoes, which I believe to be false.

If you are looking for a black oxford from Vass the one to get is the F. P2 is a more casual last and typically used in their derbies. I would not buy on Oxford on P2, it would always be on F or U.

Alt English * F - Vass Shoes (vass-shoes.com)

This one is 320 euros including shipping and lasted shoe trees.

Hand welting does not necessarily make the shoe better than GYW, but the combination of the Hand welting, excellent leather, and refined lasts makes Vass an extremely compelling brand.

I do appreciate the additional sole finishing done by a lot of more expensive brands but I'm not sure I want to pay for it. My soles always look like crap after a few wears.
 

taxgenius

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If you are looking for a black oxford from Vass the one to get is the F. P2 is a more casual last and typically used in their derbies. I would not buy on Oxford on P2, it would always be on F or U.

Alt English * F - Vass Shoes (vass-shoes.com)

This one is 320 euros including shipping and lasted shoe trees.

Hand welting does not necessarily make the shoe better than GYW, but the combination of the Hand welting, excellent leather, and refined lasts makes Vass an extremely compelling brand.

I do appreciate the additional sole finishing done by a lot of more expensive brands but I'm not sure I want to pay for it. My soles always look like crap after a few wears.

Agree. However, I found the F last in a derby too narrow for my feet even though the F last in a chukka was fine. I wish there was something in between the F and P2 last (like the Buday Frakno last).
 

apd90700

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If you are looking for a black oxford from Vass the one to get is the F. P2 is a more casual last and typically used in their derbies. I would not buy on Oxford on P2, it would always be on F or U.

Alt English * F - Vass Shoes (vass-shoes.com)

This one is 320 euros including shipping and lasted shoe trees.

Hand welting does not necessarily make the shoe better than GYW, but the combination of the Hand welting, excellent leather, and refined lasts makes Vass an extremely compelling brand.

I do appreciate the additional sole finishing done by a lot of more expensive brands but I'm not sure I want to pay for it. My soles always look like crap after a few wears.
Not in my size but is nice. Another reason I am hesitant to buy from Vass is I've read their customer service is sub-par, so getting a response from them can be difficult.
 

JohnMRobie

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Commando lug sole is the only way to go for grip. Inca, york, senior, leather, city rubber, etc. aren't gonna do much in ice.
If you're thinking of ice nothing is going to fully save you. My rankings would probably look something like leather, Dainite, City, Vibram Eton (their version of Dainite), Ridgeway, Commando.

If you're just trying to get from A to B any of City, Eton, Ridgeway or Commando should be just fine for you. I add a Vibram topsole for most of my winter shoes with leather soles to have a little extra grip - The one I tried this winter on my beaters for the really nasty days when I couldn't do boots on the advice of my cobbler is called Raptor I think and is designed for ice and snow and it worked well but the explosion or regular topy help too.

Screen Shot 2021-04-13 at 1.51.13 PM.png
 

Patrick1053

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If you're thinking of ice nothing is going to fully save you. My rankings would probably look something like leather, Dainite, City, Vibram Eton (their version of Dainite), Ridgeway, Commando.

If you're just trying to get from A to B any of City, Eton, Ridgeway or Commando should be just fine for you. I add a Vibram topsole for most of my winter shoes with leather soles to have a little extra grip - The one I tried this winter on my beaters for the really nasty days when I couldn't do boots on the advice of my cobbler is called Raptor I think and is designed for ice and snow and it worked well but the explosion or regular topy help too.

View attachment 1592464
Yup, ice is ice. Because of my personal distaste for the lug sole look, I usually just go with Dainite, and walk in the deeper snow instead of the slick sidewalk. I am way too concerned with what the bottom of my shoe looks like. o_O

(P.S. in case anyone was wondering, Patrick Star will be my profile picture until I lose 30 lbs)
 

JohnMRobie

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Yup, ice is ice. Because of my personal distaste for the lug sole look, I usually just go with Dainite, and walk in the deeper snow instead of the slick sidewalk. I am way too concerned with what the bottom of my shoe looks like. o_O

(P.S. in case anyone was wondering, Patrick Star will be my profile picture until I lose 30 lbs)
If you’re good with the look of dainite - a lot of brands proprietary dainite look alike soles are better for grip - the vibram eton is much better as well. The softer rubber helps with grip.
 

Jazzthief

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If you’re good with the look of dainite - a lot of brands proprietary dainite look alike soles are better for grip - the vibram eton is much better as well. The softer rubber helps with grip.
And what are these Vibram Eton soles? TLB's page has no mention of soles with such a name.
 

JohnMRobie

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And what are these Vibram Eton soles? TLB's page has no mention of soles with such a name.
It’s an aftermarket sole that basically looks like dainite but is the exact opposite in feel
C3631462-F347-4495-936E-724841A272D2.jpeg

like I mentioned though I’d check with Toni though about their branded dainite look alike and ask if it’s on the softer side for composition because a lot of the branded versions have better performance than dainite.
 

Jazzthief

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It’s an aftermarket sole that basically looks like dainite but is the exact opposite in feel
View attachment 1592482
like I mentioned though I’d check with Toni though about their branded dainite look alike and ask if it’s on the softer side for composition because a lot of the branded versions have better performance than dainite.

Thanks!
 

apd90700

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Anyone with Vegano Burgundy want to weigh in on whether they recommend Saphir Burgundy or Mahogany Pate De Luxe for regular care?

1618343292527.png
 

apd90700

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I've used both. It depends if you want to add a brownish tone look or deepen the red tones toward purple
Which did you prefer? In my mind, Mahogany sounds better to go towards a brownish red rather than violet.

Also, any reason to not just use Neutral Pate De Luxe on all the shoes?
 

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