Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[stook1]

McKay View attachment 1536565

thank you sir!

 

[smfdoc]

I think Ohm’s Law has something to say about this, since the resistance through the dogs is going to be affected by their thickness, water content and temperature. And are they wired up parallel or in series? So many variables here.

Parallel

 

[Hotel Cali]

I think Ohm’s Law has something to say about this, since the resistance through the dogs is going to be affected by their thickness, water content and temperature. And are they wired up parallel or in series? So many variables here.

Parallel

I think if you apply Thevenin's theorem, you get one big juicy hot-dog.

 

[Nealjpage]

I think Ohm’s Law has something to say about this, since the resistance through the dogs is going to be affected by their thickness, water content and temperature. And are they wired up parallel or in series? So many variables here.

Definitely Ohm's Law.

 

[Nealjpage]

What's the consensus about using Renomat on shell? There's some thick, dark brown wax on these that I can scrape off with my fingernail.

 

[suitforcourt]

What's the consensus about using Renomat on shell? There's some thick, dark brown wax on these that I can scrape off with my fingernail.

View attachment 1536633

I've used Renomat on shell. But it should be a last resort. Did you try VSC yet?

If you decide to attack using Renomat, make sure you condition the shoes like crazy afterwards.

 

[Nealjpage]

I've used Renomat on shell. But it should be a last resort. Did you try VSC yet?

If you decide to attack using Renomat, make sure you condition the shoes like crazy afterwards.

I haven't used VSC yet because I'm still conditioning these with heavy applications of neatsfoot oil.

 

[JFWR]

I haven't used VSC yet because I'm still conditioning these with heavy applications of neatsfoot oil.

Use neutral wax polish as a rubbing agent. It rubs wax off extremely effectively.

 

[friendlygoz]

What's the consensus about using Renomat on shell? There's some thick, dark brown wax on these that I can scrape off with my fingernail.

View attachment 1536633

It’s totally fine. I usually go with acetone if the shell has caked on wax. That works fine too. It will take off any acrylic coating which is fine with me too. Do condition afterwards of course.

 

[ashynastyclassy]

@hamercha
That was my first thought, with a single factory capacity at producing hundreds of thousands of pairs per year, they needed to sell you more than four pairs of shoes per years to stay in business. Thousands of samples were made per year, apparently. Picture above is of the creative team work space, conference room and eating area

@stook1
Nah I don’t think so, I believe it was all done for aesthetics. They could have cemented the soles on and it would have made no difference

@Nobleprofessor
I agree, very interesting design indeed, unfortunately I’m not a native 9D and these run big...

@friendlygoz
If I can’t get the right sock and insole combo I may pass these to another interested brother in the future

 

[ccpl14]

It’s totally fine. I usually go with acetone if the shell has caked on wax. That works fine too. It will take off any acrylic coating which is fine with me too. Do condition afterwards of course.

I would go heat gun and wipe first, followed by several rounds of VSC.

 

[eTrojan]

Cleaning up the new pairs today. Nettleton sharkskin split-toe and Alden shell bal.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

How about a collection of Shell with the variations in color? I need to try this again sometime in natural light.

From top left to right

Vintage Johnston Murphy Shell (almost #4)
NEW Alden Black Shell
1965 Florsheim 93605
NOS Allen Edmonds BLUE Shell MacNeil
NOS Florsheim 93605 (Cola Red)
Alden 975 #8
Meermin Cognac Shell
Allen Edmonds #8 Macneil
NOS Nettleton #8
NEW Alden # 8

 

[smfdoc]

How about a collection of Shell with the variations in color? I need to try this again sometime in natural light.

From top left to right

Vintage Johnston Murphy Shell (almost #4)
NEW Alden Black Shell
1965 Florsheim 93605
NOS Allen Edmonds BLUE Shell MacNeil
NOS Florsheim 93605 (Cola Red)
Alden 975 #8
Meermin Cognac Shell
Allen Edmonds #8 Macneil
NOS Nettleton #8
NEW Alden # 8


View attachment 1537010

That is a fine looking group of shoes.

 

[vestbash]

View attachment 1536775

@hamercha
That was my first thought, with a single factory capacity at producing hundreds of thousands of pairs per year, they needed to sell you more than four pairs of shoes per years to stay in business. Thousands of samples were made per year, apparently. Picture above is of the creative team work space, conference room and eating area

@stook1
Nah I don’t think so, I believe it was all done for aesthetics. They could have cemented the soles on and it would have made no difference

@Nobleprofessor
I agree, very interesting design indeed, unfortunately I’m not a native 9D and these run big...

@friendlygoz
If I can’t get the right sock and insole combo I may pass these to another interested brother in the future

This photo is incredible. Do you mind telling me where you came across it?