Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[sam67]

PC stands for what? Thanks.

sorry

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Are these PC? I think so.
View attachment 1592621

PC stands for what? Thanks.

Polished cobbler.

sorry

Perhaps a dumb question:

Is there a difference between Corrected Grain and PC (polished cobbler)? I have also seen the abbreviation PU.

 

[Leiker]

sorry

No worries, they do look like polished cobble to me. Are those Foot-Joys?

 

[smfdoc]

For the GH pair, I would send back to Tony Wyatt. I have a pair rebuilt and has white welt stitching, making them really pop.

Pictures please. I just sent him my faux GH Florsheims and I would like to see your pair before I speak with him.

 

[sam67]

No worries, they do look like polished cobble to me. Are those Foot-Joys?

Yes, they are. I decided against them as those creases will be permanent in PC. (I can't think of a better word than permanent)

 

[sam67]

Perhaps a dumb question:

Is there a difference between Corrected Grain and PC (polished cobbler)? I have also seen the abbreviation PU.

I believe they are the same.

 

[suitforcourt]

Perhaps a dumb question:

Is there a difference between Corrected Grain and PC (polished cobbler)? I have also seen the abbreviation PU.

Pictures please. I just sent him my faux GH Florsheims and I would like to see your pair before I speak with him.

Here they are. Custom made GH in 9eee. Fit more like 8.5eee.

I put them next to a 93602 for comparison.

JR soles, cat paw heels, and toe taps. The white stitching really brings out the glory of mustard yellow.

 

[friendlygoz]

I probably asked about this before, but can anyone reçcomend a product that works the same as the old Allen Edmonds Conditioner/Cleaner? It was made by Melatonian who sold a product with the same name (presumably the same). The stuff was great for working out deep scuffs without having to use a colored creme. I must not be the only fan out there, because the remaining bottles sell on ebay for north of $50. I have Bick, Lexol, Saphir (lotion, greasy, renovateur) none of the work as well on for scuffs. I have Pure Polish, Black Rock, Venetian, Pecard's, everything anyone has recommended. Whatever chemical Melatonian used, worked. Probably the toxic one that led SC Johnson to retire the whole line. Even thoughts on what ingredient made it different, presumably a solvent, would be helpful.

Wow. Seems like you’ve run through all the alternatives. I’m surprised you can’t pick up Meltonian at a local cobbler’s shop. I’ll keep an eye out.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I got my package (Thank you FedEx for such fast service) and I am thrilled!

This first pair was in rough shape. The date code has worn off. I can read part of a person’s name so I know they were MTO. I bought them at a thrift store or estate sale. I was intrigued by the uppers. They sort similar to pebble grain but the leather feels too soft and flexible but also very strong. The heel pad was worn through on one of them. The insole was also dry and cracked and had lots of lumps and bumps. They had a very old half sole that was wearing and splitting. Clearly, they had seen better days. I would not have spent this much if they were not quite special.

Wyatt and Dad confirmed they are not just pebble grain leather. They agree they are probably Bison.

The next pair is even more special in my opinion. They are alligator/crocodile from 1959.

They didn’t need nearly as much work. But, I wanted to replace the soles and make sure they were sturdy and would last another 50 years.

Tony called very excited about these shoes. When they took off the original sole, he said they were extremely impressed with how they were made. They were welted but he described another aspect of the construction that I didn’t really understand. He said they were completely handmade and the way they were made was something that he only sees on custom boots that cost 1000’s of dollars. I could tell he and Tobias were really enthusiastic.

Because of the age and the design of the welt, they needed new welts. I am thrilled with how they turned out.

 

[Leiker]

I got my package (Thank you FedEx for such fast service) and I am thrilled!

This first pair was in rough shape. The date code has worn off. I can read part of a person’s name so I know they were MTO. I bought them at a thrift store or estate sale. I was intrigued by the uppers. They sort similar to pebble grain but the leather feels too soft and flexible but also very strong. The heel pad was worn through on one of them. The insole was also dry and cracked and had lots of lumps and bumps. They had a very old half sole that was wearing and splitting. Clearly, they had seen better days. I would not have spent this much if they were not quite special.

Wyatt and Dad confirmed they are not just pebble grain leather. They agree they are probably Bison.


View attachment 1593023 View attachment 1593024 View attachment 1593025 View attachment 1593026

The next pair is even more special in my opinion. They are alligator/crocodile from 1959.

They didn’t need nearly as much work. But, I wanted to replace the soles and make sure they were sturdy and would last another 50 years.

Tony called very excited about these shoes. When they took off the original sole, he said they were extremely impressed with how they were made. They were welted but he described another aspect of the construction that I didn’t really understand. He said they were completely handmade and the way they were made was something that he only sees on custom boots that cost 1000’s of dollars. I could tell he and Tobias were really enthusiastic.

Because of the age and the design of the welt, they needed new welts. I am thrilled with how they turned out.


View attachment 1593027 View attachment 1593028 View attachment 1593029 View attachment 1593030

Great results; those 1959s are amazing.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Great results; those 1959s are amazing.

Thanks! Now that I know they do such great work, I’m sending the counterpart to Black Alligator. They were a MTO from 1960 and are the same style but are brown Shark skin. The same customer must have liked the style and also liked exotic skins.

 

[Joneleth01]

Hello gentlemen,

Heads up, vintage Trickers sea turtle 10.5D loafers for sale. My own, recently resoled, out of eBay offers welcome.

Unique Trickers Exotic Sea Reptile Skin Loafers 10.5D - READ DESCRIPTION! | eBay

Hand written information is blurred. Part of the skin used for these shoes is not main scales, but side scales, close to the edge of the fin. Insole: 28 / 11. You will not find a pair like this, so old and yet still in great condition!

www.ebay.com

 

[smfdoc]

Here they are. Custom made GH in 9eee. Fit more like 8.5eee.

I put them next to a 93602 for comparison.

JR soles, cat paw heels, and toe taps. The white stitching really brings out the glory of mustard yellow.

View attachment 1592849 View attachment 1592850 View attachment 1592851 View attachment 1592849 View attachment 1592850 View attachment 1592851 View attachment 1592852

Those look terrific. Thanks.

 

[kilowatts]

Correct. They appear to be made as to fit a size or the next one over, like fits 9-10, 12-13, 13-14 or whatever. But, in any case, if I decide to pursue this I will ask my guy first if he has access to Cat's Paws or if not, if he would take some I found. I have a couple pairs about due for a reheel that would look good with those heels.

Hi Guys:

I seem to remember that Cat's Paw soles and heels are still made in Quebec, Canada and owned by Biltrite Rubber Co. I may be wrong, but if I'm right then they should be available to cobblers at wholesale. Google Biltrite and you should see a list of their offerings.

kilowatts

 

[kilowatts]

I believe they are the same.

The terms CG and PC are the same only massaged by marketers. In other words, leather with a plastic coating sprayed on either at the factory or the tannery. PU stands for polyurethane or plastic and not leather at all. I think that's right.

kilowatts