Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[stook1]

Found a new box for some of my gear. This, oddly, came out of my late brother's garage that i recently helped clear. He was not a shoe guy so i have no idea how or why he had it. Need to clean it up. Not really the most exciting thing but it is vintage and, honestly, makes me feel good.

 

[ccpl14]

Went out into the world and braved the virus to pick up a new phone and pick up a few pairs from the cobbler, including my beloved Florsheim shell PTB with my first JR some conversion.

My excitement faded when I got the shoes home and checked them out closely.

My disappointment knows no bounds.
First world probalems for sure, but one cobbler to strike from the books.

At least the phone is nice.

 

[suitforcourt]

Went out into the world and braved the virus to pick up a new phone and pick up a few pairs from the cobbler, including my beloved Florsheim shell PTB with my first JR some conversion.

My excitement faded when I got the shoes home and checked them out closely.
View attachment 1422562 View attachment 1422563

My disappointment knows no bounds.
First world probalems for sure, but one cobbler to strike from the books.

At least the phone is nice.

Which cobbler did that? I would ask for a refund.

Can you show pics of the welt area?

 

[Oshare]

Went out into the world and braved the virus to pick up a new phone and pick up a few pairs from the cobbler, including my beloved Florsheim shell PTB with my first JR some conversion.

My excitement faded when I got the shoes home and checked them out closely.
View attachment 1422562 View attachment 1422563

My disappointment knows no bounds.
First world probalems for sure, but one cobbler to strike from the books.

At least the phone is nice.

Holy cow. That is some shoddy, sloppy work.
I agree with @suitforcourt . Ask for a refund and then take them to a real cobbler.

 

[suitforcourt]

Not my shoes. A lot of Dacks in exotic skins.

7 Pair Exotic Men's Dress Shoes Size 11 | eBay

The leathers used were Bull Seal, Elephant, and possibly other exotic animals that are no longer used. They have a definite expensive, elegant look to them and are probably unlike any you've seen before.

www.ebay.com

 

[ccpl14]

Which cobbler did that? I would ask for a refund.

Can you show pics of the welt area?

Not sure if this shows anything

 

[friendlygoz]

Went out into the world and braved the virus to pick up a new phone and pick up a few pairs from the cobbler, including my beloved Florsheim shell PTB with my first JR some conversion.

My excitement faded when I got the shoes home and checked them out closely.
View attachment 1422562 View attachment 1422563

My disappointment knows no bounds.
First world probalems for sure, but one cobbler to strike from the books.

At least the phone is nice.

That’s pretty crappy. It looks like he or she didn’t cut a channel for the stitching. I’d go with one of the many reputable cobblers who allow you to send them your shoes in the mail. @suitforcourt knows if several in the US and Canada.

EDIT: Here are some other US-based cobblers who have very good reputations:

Shoe Repair - McFarland's Shoe Repair

McFarland's Shoe Repair provides expert shoe and leather repair services to Lakeland, FL and the surrounding area. We also offer mail-order services.

mcfarlandsshoerepair.com

Potter & Sons

We are Nashville's premier shoe repair shop! Top rated by locals and across the country, contact us to heal your tired soles.

www.potterandsons.com

Metro Cobbler & Co Shoe Repair

Award winning Shoe repair shop

metro-cobbler.business.site

 

[right_hook]

1992 Allen Edmonds Arlington on the 97 Last
View attachment 1422463 View attachment 1422464 View attachment 1422465

WOW, that's what we call a shoeporn!
Danger, danger! Such photos may cause strong erection!
I think somewhere in Canada sits one barrister with a lot of his favourite baby wipes and tell his wife (and us) how he used them for cleaning insoles of his shoes

 

[jpm1]

WOW, that's what we call a shoeporn!
Danger, danger! Such photos may cause strong erection!
I think somewhere in Canada sits one barrister with a lot of his favourite baby wipes and tell his wife (and us) how he used them for cleaning insoles of his shoes

Validation! ??

 

[wasmisterfu]

Thank you! What’s the deal with the Newport Last? Incredible lines. Did that go away? It’s not the same as the 222 is it??

While it has some similarities to the current 108 last, those are likely superficial at best (given the 108 is derived from the 206). I don’t believe this last is related the the 222, nor is it related to the 642 (both lasts to hold the number “2” designation).

Sadly, I think this last is long gone. Very sleek!

 

[jpm1]

While it has some similarities to the current 108 last, those are likely superficial at best (given the 108 is derived from the 206). I don’t believe this last is related the the 222, nor is it related to the 642 (both lasts to hold the number “2” designation).

Sadly, I think this last is long gone. Very sleek!

As I suspected. Thank you!

 

[jpm1]

1940s Nunn Bush

 

[suitforcourt]

Not sure if this shows anything

View attachment 1422611

The welt looks ok. He removed old stitches at least. But I agree with @friendlygoz , the cobbler didn't create channel for outsole stitch and didn't wet the leather first.

 

[sam67]

Which cobbler did that? I would ask for a refund.

Can you show pics of the welt area?

I keep coming across across Cobblers Plus in Denver for some reason. Any experience with them? Or who do you recommend for mail-ins? Thanks

 

[eTrojan]

I keep coming across across Cobblers Plus in Denver for some reason. Any experience with them? Or who do you recommend for mail-ins? Thanks

To look for qualified local cobblers, SSIA members are generally reliable.

SSIA Member Shop Locator - Shoe Service Institute of America

Find an SSIA Member Near You Use the locator below to find the SSIA member repair shops nearest you. If…

www.ssia.info