Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nealjpage]

What size are they? I restore old boots and flip them for fun. Post link?

I'll send a PM. They're beat to hell; I didn't understand the importance of regular maintenance, but the biggest issue is that the soles are disintegrating.

 

[nikolau]

I'll send a PM. They're beat to hell; I didn't understand the importance of regular maintenance, but the biggest issue is that the soles are disintegrating.

Ehh... you have no idea the kind of cr** I buy. Leather is a profoundly resilient substance and filling in small cracks is a breeze with Saphir products. Wax can clean up a lot. New soles can had. Redwings are so common the resole isn’t worth it if you’re flipping on eBay, but in my limited experience fixing them up isn’t difficult unless they have tears or deep gouges.

 

[Nealjpage]

I broke down and ordered a jar of Lincoln sole edging. It should arrive tomorrow. Who has experience using it?

 

[Reiver]

Don’t think these class as vintage dress shoes really but thought I’d share my small project.

Lotus Stirling Veldtschoen shoes, unsure of age.

Before:

Uppers were in pretty good shape really as is lining. Just looked a bit dusty and dry. Lining in decent shape but soles are definitely due replacement.

 

[Reiver]

After:

Process was:

Rinsed upper and gave a good scrubbing with saddle soap using boar bristle brush and toothbrush into veldtschoen edge.

After drying I gave a light application of Saphir Renomat to remove any polish build up remaining.

Application of Saphir Renovateur, let dry and buff with horsehair brush.

Application of Saphir Pommadier cream in havanah. I didn’t feel like much of this was needed as didn’t want to cover up patina of the leather.

2x light coats of pate deluxe wax on toe and heels. Used black but only very lightly just to enhance shine and protect toe and heel areas.

Saphir creme renovatrice applies to sole edges in dark brown just to even out colour.

Cleaned lining using isopropyl wipes and after drying out I applied a light coat of neatsfoot oil to condition lining.

These really need a resole as the heels are very worn, some light cracking in centre part of foot and various nails are left in sole and heel including the remains of metal toe plate. The uppers are in great shape though and all stitching appears completely intact.

I won’t personally resole these, I just plan to sell them on as they are not my size. I think they are definitely worthy of resoling for someone though.

I enjoyed tidying them up!

 

[suitforcourt]

After:

View attachment 1361383 View attachment 1361384 View attachment 1361385 View attachment 1361386

Process was:

Rinsed upper and gave a good scrubbing with saddle soap using boar bristle brush and toothbrush into veldtschoen edge.

After drying I gave a light application of Saphir Renomat to remove any polish build up remaining.

Application of Saphir Renovateur, let dry and buff with horsehair brush.

Application of Saphir Pommadier cream in havanah. I didn’t feel like much of this was needed as didn’t want to cover up patina of the leather.

2x light coats of pate deluxe wax on toe and heels. Used black but only very lightly just to enhance shine and protect toe and heel areas.

Saphir creme renovatrice applies to sole edges in dark brown just to even out colour.

Cleaned lining using isopropyl wipes and after drying out I applied a light coat of neatsfoot oil to condition lining.

These really need a resole as the heels are very worn, some light cracking in centre part of foot and various nails are left in sole and heel including the remains of metal toe plate. The uppers are in great shape though and all stitching appears completely intact.

I won’t personally resole these, I just plan to sell them on as they are not my size. I think they are definitely worthy of resoling for someone though.

I enjoyed tidying them up!

View attachment 1361391
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Enter these into shoe revival challenge!

 

[Reiver]

Enter these into shoe revival challenge!

I wouldn't have thought they were enough work for the revival challenge.

Unless I attempt a DIY hand stitched resole ?

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Fairly recent revival of the US made line. They had some boots too, but I guess those are sold out. The price is really enticing. But I am not a huge fan of the LWB layout.

Buffalo and Western NY has seen a resurgence in shoe manufacturing. Parkhurst also makes their boots there. And yet again, compelling prices.

I might have to try them out. I’m a little concerned about the sizing because my size seems to have evolved and these say they run a half size large. I know it’s impossible to tell from The pictures, but it looks like it be a fairly wide last.

But, if they really use quality leather and quality craftsmanship, the price is definitely great!

What about the LWB don’t you like?

One of the things I am concerned about is that many manufactures aren’t bothering to make shoes where the front lays flat.

 

[smfdoc]

But I am not a huge fan of the LWB layout.

 

[Nealjpage]

View attachment 1361451

Don't get riled, Sugar.

 

[suitforcourt]

Florsheim PTBs on a warm day.

My wife also recently knitted a toque, and the scarf she crocheted during our dating days. The light breeze keeps the winter gear in service probably until late April, early May.

Stay healthy, brothers.

 

[smfdoc]

Don't get riled, Sugar.

Oh, its all good fun.

 

[suitforcourt]

View attachment 1361451

Let me rephrase. Words matter.

I don't like how Bostonian designed and laid out the LWB pattern in the current series that is made in USA.

 

[smfdoc]

Florsheim PTBs on a warm day.

My wife also recently knitted a toque, and the scarf she crocheted during our dating days. The light breeze keeps the winter gear in service probably until late April, early May.

Stay healthy, brothers. View attachment 1361482 View attachment 1361481 View attachment 1361482 View attachment 1361487 View attachment 1361488

Great shoes, but double thumbs up on the toque and scarf. Tell her those are terrific.

 

[Nealjpage]

Oh, its all good fun.

(That was Matt "Guitar" Murphy's response to Aretha Franklin after she made the blaspheme comment. I've seen Blues Brothers too many times.)