Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[suitforcourt]

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

Some cobblers in the Facebook group recently announced that cat paw manufacturing has been stopped again. Not enough interest.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

This pair was my first pair of 93605. I found them at an estate sale. They are from 1966 and despite the heavy wear they experienced for decades the still look pretty good. However, two years ago I noticed a crack/crevice,flaw, something. I conditioned the heck out of them and have continued to do so on a regular rotation.

Now, I’m wondering if I am dreaming that this is not going to get worse. I’m considering having them repaired/restored. If they didn’t have sentimental value, I wouldn’t bother. I still wear them occasionally and they shine up pretty well.

here’s the issue:

The crack is not all the way through. But, that’s obviously a spot that takes a lot of flexing. They have not gotten worse in 2 years.

I have better versions of the 93605 so I don’t need them. They are also just about a half size too long. (They were my first)

 

[stook1]

This pair was my first pair of 93605. I found them at an estate sale. They are from 1966 and despite the heavy wear they experienced for decades the still look pretty good. However, two years ago I noticed a crack/crevice,flaw, something. I conditioned the heck out of them and have continued to do so on a regular rotation.

Now, I’m wondering if I am dreaming that this is not going to get worse. I’m considering having them repaired/restored. If they didn’t have sentimental value, I wouldn’t bother. I still wear them occasionally and they shine up pretty well.

here’s the issue:

View attachment 1593246

The crack is not all the way through. But, that’s obviously a spot that takes a lot of flexing. They have not gotten worse in 2 years.

I have better versions of the 93605 so I don’t need them. They are also just about a half size too long. (They were my first)

You shouldnt sink any money into this pair, in my view.

 

[right_hook]

These are great looking shoes. I’m glad I got my pair a few weeks ago for less than 1/3 the price of these. They are cool, but this is GH and minty 93605 money.

Good for the seller if he can get it.

RARE SHARKSKIN | ALLEN EDMONDS 10.5E CHILI BROWN SADDLE OXFORD 8261 VINTAGE | eBay

<p>RARE SHARKSKIN | ALLEN EDMONDS 10.5E CHILI BROWN SADDLE OXFORD 8261 VINTAGE. Condition is "Pre-owned". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.</p><br><p>A fantastic pair of sharkskin and calfskin saddle shoes by American manufacturer, Allen Edmonds. This pair appears to date back to 1992 or...

www.ebay.com

It could be unpopular opinion but I'd prefer some traditional british derbies in tan to golden harvest.
Then you can find some nice shell shoes from different makers, including modern shoes. And while shell lwb are extremely cool they're somewhat common and not so rare.
And here we come to Shark saddle shoes. That's a standout pair from those three you've mentioned in my opinion.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Anybody have a pair of Florsheim 93602 in 10.5EE? My 74 year old father has decided he likes my shoes. I’m thinking of getting him pair. They don’t have to perfect because he usually wears ugly old guy shoes. Not the old guy shoes we wear! .

 

[JFWR]

Anybody have a pair of Florsheim 93602 in 10.5EE? My 74 year old father has decided he likes my shoes. I’m thinking of getting him pair. They don’t have to perfect because he usually wears ugly old guy shoes. Not the old guy shoes we wear! .

LOL. Not the old guy shoes we wear. Love it.

And sadly, no, but good luck!

 

[Raimar]

I had a few minutes to thrift while my wife had a doctors appointment.

Nothing too special. Although I found a nice pair of HS Trask Navy loafers and a Cotton Poplin suit for myself.

I did find some minty AE Boat Shoes I think the name was Eastport. 9.5 3E. But, they wanted $20. And a pair AE that looked like Leeds. They would need work and they were 10A. Also a pair of AE wholecuts but they were 10.5A. They had bad creasing.

I didn’t buy any of the shoes except for the Trask Navy. I have a few HS Trask and every time I encounter another pair, I like them.


View attachment 1590407

I had just online thrifted ($10)a pair of Eastports, quite certain they are not vintage but older manufacture since they were made in USA and not Central America (like recent ones). Now I just need to thrift me a boat.

 

[Nealjpage]

Anybody have a pair of Florsheim 93602 in 10.5EE? My 74 year old father has decided he likes my shoes. I’m thinking of getting him pair. They don’t have to perfect because he usually wears ugly old guy shoes. Not the old guy shoes we wear! .

Closest I've got is a pair of 92604 in a 12C. I'll keep my eye out, though.

 

[suitforcourt]

This pair was my first pair of 93605. I found them at an estate sale. They are from 1966 and despite the heavy wear they experienced for decades the still look pretty good. However, two years ago I noticed a crack/crevice,flaw, something. I conditioned the heck out of them and have continued to do so on a regular rotation.

Now, I’m wondering if I am dreaming that this is not going to get worse. I’m considering having them repaired/restored. If they didn’t have sentimental value, I wouldn’t bother. I still wear them occasionally and they shine up pretty well.

here’s the issue:

View attachment 1593246

The crack is not all the way through. But, that’s obviously a spot that takes a lot of flexing. They have not gotten worse in 2 years.

I have better versions of the 93605 so I don’t need them. They are also just about a half size too long. (They were my first)

Sorry brother, it is the beginning of the end. I had a pair that cracked in same area. I sent them to @smfdoc to be re-purposed.

Particularly sad because I had just spent money on them to be rebuilt.

 

[kilowatts]

Anybody have a pair of Florsheim 93602 in 10.5EE? My 74 year old father has decided he likes my shoes. I’m thinking of getting him pair. They don’t have to perfect because he usually wears ugly old guy shoes. Not the old guy shoes we wear! .

Hey Noble:

Do you mean ugly old guy's shoes or old guy's ugly shoes? Or both? Never mind, I'm starting to ramble!

kilowatts

 

[Oshare]

Anybody have a pair of Florsheim 93602 in 10.5EE? My 74 year old father has decided he likes my shoes. I’m thinking of getting him pair. They don’t have to perfect because he usually wears ugly old guy shoes. Not the old guy shoes we wear! .

Could he wear a 10 3E?
This pair just popped up. Not mine: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Florsheim-...228466?hash=item2d2d9465f2:g:GIAAAOSwFKxgd15M

 

[stook1]

Could he wear a 10 3E?
This pair just popped up. Not mine: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Florsheim-...228466?hash=item2d2d9465f2:g:GIAAAOSwFKxgd15M

I was just looking at that pair. They are pretty old but the wear on the toe would bug me.

 

[happypebble]

Hey Noble:

Do you mean ugly old guy's shoes or old guy's ugly shoes? Or both? Never mind, I'm starting to ramble!

kilowatts

When I started down the shoe rabbit hole, my wife asked, "why are you wearing old man shoes?" She was used to seeing me in tennis shoes, Birkenstocks and flip flops. I probably hadn't had a pair of dress shoes since my wedding in the Clinton administration. Wellllll...things change. Out with the Ice Cream sneakers (sorry, Pharrell, but you're already a millionaire) and in with the vintage Florsheims.

 

[stook1]

Any 14D brothers? Not my shoes but good deal on a nice pair.

Men's Nettleton Lace up Shoes Size 14 D Very Good Preowned Condition | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Men's Nettleton Lace up Shoes Size 14 D Very Good Preowned Condition at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[JFWR]

When I started down the shoe rabbit hole, my wife asked, "why are you wearing old man shoes?" She was used to seeing me in tennis shoes, Birkenstocks and flip flops. I probably hadn't had a pair of dress shoes since my wedding in the Clinton administration. Wellllll...things change. Out with the Ice Cream sneakers (sorry, Pharrell, but you're already a millionaire) and in with the vintage Florsheims.

Never too late to dress well.