Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[suitforcourt]

I double checked with my source. It turns out my real dad is an American after all, most likely a globe trotter. Hi new dad, I mean @CWOyaji

After this Covid blown over (and I’m done with school), I swear I’m going to catch up with traveling again. Proudly in my vintage shoes!!!

I would love to tour Vietnam. Maybe we can do a group tour? There's some up and coming shoe makers there.

 

[friendlygoz]

What if I tell you it’s all been a lie? What if I’m a fraud? You see, I was just another guy paying little attention to footwear only months ago. One cloudy morning very much like today, I was informed that my real biological father is a Canadian, an archaeologist by day and a poet by night. He was a huge legend. People didn’t know three shoes were needed or possible until he showed up. His disappearance was as sudden & mysterious as his arrival. He was never seen in Vietnam again, only left with 3 trails on the beach. However, I did get a promising lead. He happens to be very invested in vintage Canadian, especially McHale and Dacks. Ever since, I have infiltrated many vintage shoes groups, and accumulated a decent collection. Yet, still have not found the legend himself. But I digress...

Presenting my much anticipated awesomeness water bison Dacks from the North. Dated 50s to early 60s, it shows incredible construction. I feel ready for a marathon having them on. The water bison leather is only short of bulletproof. The seam was actually hand sewn on for decoration. I felt silly that I didn’t get them sooner from Jim’s. Thank you for being ever so patient with me! I always feel so welcome and fatherly loved whenever we chat. You need to tell me more about your trip to Vietnam back in mid late 80s next time we talk, @Jiqea


View attachment 1537441 View attachment 1537442 View attachment 1537443 View attachment 1537444

That’s a foot full
Of awesomeness. Wow. Love those. @Jiqea: holler at your boy if you have another pair of those in 9D.

 

[CWOyaji]

I double checked with my source. It turns out my real dad is an American after all, most likely a globe trotter. Hi new dad, I mean @CWOyaji

After this Covid blown over (and I’m done with school), I swear I’m going to catch up with traveling again. Proudly in my vintage shoes!!!

Well I'll want to see the DNA test results first. But, I've been all over that country from Ha Long to Ha Tien and most places in between, so anything is possible.

 

[ccpl14]

Here is something you don’t see every day.

 

[stook1]

Alright fellas, a bit of a weird situation here... I bought a pair of 93605s recently that arrived damaged. I sent the seller a pic and he's just going to cancel the order and refund the cost. He thinks that a previous buyer may have sliced them with a box cutter and I suspect he's right about that. Any creative ideas for what can be done here? Damn shame because they are otherwise in excellent shape.

 

[CWOyaji]

Ouch. If it's really superficial depth I'd rub in some cordovan colored shoe cream and just wear them. If it's deeper your cobbler may be able to access the tear from the inside and glue in a reinforcement patch behind it to keep the cut from getting worse. Luckily that area of the shoe is pretty accessible and not a flex point.

 

[stook1]

Ouch. If it's really superficial depth I'd rub in some cordovan colored shoe cream and just wear them. If it's deeper your cobbler may be able to access the tear from the inside and glue in a reinforcement patch behind it to keep the cut from getting worse. Luckily that area of the shoe is pretty accessible and not a flex point.

Yah, I thought about that as well. I think it might be through the shell but honestly haven't inspected it closely enough. I'll check shortly. While I agree it isn't a flex point, it is going to be subject to lateral pressure across the cut. The other thing I thought of was to add some new runs of stitching on the shoes. It'd look a bit weird but maybe there is some pattern that would be decent. I don't know. I have a better pair of 93605s so not the end of the world just seems a shame scrap an otherwise excellent pair.

 

[friendlygoz]

A little early 90s Florsheim PTB action on a 77 degree day in the Bay Area.

 

[suitforcourt]

Here is something you don’t see every day.
View attachment 1537606
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Did you find them as is? Or have a cobbler rebuild with those soles?

They're perfect for winters. Those soles provide great grip.

 

[ccpl14]

Did you find them as is? Or have a cobbler rebuild with those soles?

They're perfect for winters. Those soles provide great grip.

These were e-thrifted. I put in the (criminally low) opening bid and forgot about them. A few weeks later they showed up at my door.

 

[ccpl14]

A little early 90s Florsheim PTB action on a 77 degree day in the Bay Area. View attachment 1537623

Those are sweet.

 

[friendlygoz]

I also have used acetone to strip caked-on wax from shell many times. I've used it on new cordovan to remove the factory acrylic coating many times. Over the years, I tried many of the milder methods, but I find acetone gets it done quicker. Renomat is fine, but slower and $$$.

One trick that seems to work well is very hot water & mild soap. Wear gloves & use the hottest water you can stand to wipe / rub shoes. Once dry, I usually follow this with a wipe of acetone.

As many have already said, condition very well afterwards.

Here's a pair of shell cordovan I stripped the factory acrylic from when new.
View attachment 1537301

Good luck!

Are used to be afraid of using acetone. But, it’s extremely effective and the shell recovers easily from it With just a little bit of moisturizing.

 

[Hotel Cali]

Alright fellas, a bit of a weird situation here... I bought a pair of 93605s recently that arrived damaged. I sent the seller a pic and he's just going to cancel the order and refund the cost. He thinks that a previous buyer may have sliced them with a box cutter and I suspect he's right about that. Any creative ideas for what can be done here? Damn shame because they are otherwise in excellent shape.


View attachment 1537609

If seller can knock down the price significantly, how about some decorative stitching there?

 

[JFWR]

Because @smfdoc is the man, I have these amazing vintage Florsheim imperial shell cordovan LWB.

These beauties are NOS, virtually untouched.

 

[JFWR]

Alright fellas, a bit of a weird situation here... I bought a pair of 93605s recently that arrived damaged. I sent the seller a pic and he's just going to cancel the order and refund the cost. He thinks that a previous buyer may have sliced them with a box cutter and I suspect he's right about that. Any creative ideas for what can be done here? Damn shame because they are otherwise in excellent shape.


View attachment 1537609

Honestly, it doesn't look like...there is any separation, though? Like, it doesn't seem like it's a cut. It seems like a scratch.

It's not pulling apart.