Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nealjpage]

@Nealjpage paper towels can be kind of coarse so i suggest going easy with that. The shoe surface texture looks like it's still rough, like fine orange peel. I'd use VSC applied with a 3500 grain sanding pad from the auto parts store (or Amazon these days) and a lot of rubbing to try to smooth that out, then let's see it again.
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Yeah, it's kinda rough. Do you think that a nylon Scotchbrite pad would work OK? I have one of those.

 

[CWOyaji]

No.

 

[Nealjpage]

No.

Ok, how about a magic eraser lubed up with VSC? I have some of those, too. I could wait for a sanding pad, but if I don't have to, then. . .

 

[CWOyaji]

 

[CWOyaji]

Stay away from the rough

 

[Nobleprofessor]

My find from "Footjoy Appreciation Day" last week came in. Loads of polish caked on (I was getting black streaks on my hands just handling them), so I cleaned them up with Renomat, then acetone when the Renomat proved insufficient, hit them with some conditioner, and topped it off with a light coat of black cream polish. Came out looking pretty sharp, if I do say so my self. Sadly, they're just a bit smaller than I was expecting, though still wearable.

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Up until a few years before the demise of the handmade factory in Tennessee the handmades were all spades from memory. I had a pair (see below) from that time which had only a small spade extension. Not like the types that Sammy Davis (50 pairs!) and say President Reagan wore (second picture). I'll also post a pair of mine I wear which I suspect are from the 30s! (bottom pic)

Speaking of Footjoy and Spades:

I found these a few weeks ago. The thrift store is bad about pricing their shoes a little high. These were $25. They were right next to a pair of $25 Kenneth Coles. As you can imagine, I passed on the Coles.

But, I snagged these vintage Footjoy Spade

10.5. They are a little tight in an odd way.
Maybe the shape of the last just fits me oddly.

Great picture of Ronald Reagan. not wanting to start a whole thing, I’m just a big fan of his.

 

[nikolau]

Up until a few years before the demise of the handmade factory in Tennessee the handmades were all spades from memory. I had a pair (see below) from that time which had only a small spade extension. Not like the types that Sammy Davis (50 pairs!) and say President Reagan wore (second picture). I'll also post a pair of mine I wear which I suspect are from the 30s! (bottom pic)

Those spade soles are fire ?. Didn’t even know J&M Handmade existed. Set an eBay alert for size 13- here’s to waiting for the next few years.

 

[Centaurus3200]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but has anyone actually tried to directly convince the Florsheim family to at least do a limited run of USA made shell Kenmoor?

I doubt they have any domestic manufacturing anymore, so perhaps a Florsheim X Alden collab?

I mean the family blew $45M to buy the brand back. I know they have pride in the family business. Every iconic brand needs a "statement line". Why not bring back a run REAL Kenmoor, V cleats and all?

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but has anyone actually tried to directly convince the Florsheim family to at least do a limited run of USA made shell Kenmoor?

I doubt they have any domestic manufacturing anymore, so perhaps a Florsheim X Alden collab?

I mean the family blew $45M to buy the brand back. I know they have pride in the family business. Every iconic brand needs a "statement line". Why not bring back a run REAL Kenmoor, V cleats and all?

I’m all for that! Except for the Vcleat. Those are dangerous! They should do a limited run of ultra premium shoes.

J&M has a “semi” premium line even now. They are made in Italy. They have a premium price. I’m sure they are not made as well as the vintage shoes we are used to. But, the idea is good.

 

[FeloniusMonk]

Speaking of Footjoy and Spades:

I found these a few weeks ago. The thrift store is bad about pricing their shoes a little high. These were $25. They were right next to a pair of $25 Kenneth Coles. As you can imagine, I passed on the Coles.

But, I snagged these vintage Footjoy Spade

View attachment 1366401 View attachment 1366402 View attachment 1366403 View attachment 1366404

10.5. They are a little tight in an odd way.
Maybe the shape of the last just fits me oddly.

Great picture of Ronald Reagan. not wanting to start a whole thing, I’m just a big fan of his.

Very nice! Looks like the same model as the ones I found, but in much better condition.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Very nice! Looks like the same model as the ones I found, but in much better condition.

I’m sure they are the same model. I was surprised how minty they are. I didn’t even polish them — just a damp cloth to remove the dust and a little brushing.

Somebody loved them.

 

[Nealjpage]

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FINE!

 

[Nealjpage]

The gender on this is wrong for me, but the sentiment is spot-on.

 

[suitforcourt]

American made Nettleton tanks. Bought these before I acquired my US mailing address.

The shipping, taxes, and piratical fees slapped on by Pitney Bowes to process the taxes, were more expensive than the shoes themselves. I bought them from a gentleman who frequents this thread.

 

[smfdoc]

Ok, a little help, please? Am I doing something wrong with the VSC? I'm not getting that deep, rich, glossy shine that the rest of you seem to get on your shells. I applied a thin coat of VSC with a paper towel and rubbed it into the leather, just like the directions say. I waited for it to dry and then hit it with my brush. The quarters got nice and shiny but the vamp is still pretty dull, even after working up a sweat with the brush. More VSC? Or do I need some neutral paste wax? The shoe on the right is still drying.

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Opinions about shell care vary widely, so here is mine. I found VSC to be better at conditioning and a shine effect on calf. I will use it on shell for conditioning, but I have found that it leaves a haze on the shell that is difficult to remove. I would use a stiff brush (pig bristle) to remove all of the VSC possible and a panty hose for buffing. After it seems that the VSC is all gone, I would use Collonil 1909 in neutral to give the slightest covering and let dry. Then horse hair brushing and then panty hose buffing.