Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nealjpage]

I finally finished up these shark Florsheim Imperial gunboats. "Finished" is a relative term, as I have dicked around with them for so long I can't even remember what I did to them. I think I should probably strip with acetone, but the welts are crumbling and look like **** and the sole stitching looks like it was done by a drunken frat boy who went through a "I'm gonna save the world by fixing everything" phase but eventually lost interest when Dave Matthews stopped touring. So, in other words, I'll probably just be polishing a turd.

Here are the turds in question.

 

[friendlygoz]

I finally finished up these shark Florsheim Imperial gunboats. "Finished" is a relative term, as I have dicked around with them for so long I can't even remember what I did to them. I think I should probably strip with acetone, but the welts are crumbling and look like **** and the sole stitching looks like it was done by a drunken frat boy who went through a "I'm gonna save the world by fixing everything" phase but eventually lost interest when Dave Matthews stopped touring. So, in other words, I'll probably just be polishing a turd.

Here are the turds in question.

View attachment 1673566

That's an amazingly colorful description. They look good from here. What a unique pair.

 

[smfdoc]

I finally finished up these shark Florsheim Imperial gunboats. "Finished" is a relative term, as I have dicked around with them for so long I can't even remember what I did to them. I think I should probably strip with acetone, but the welts are crumbling and look like **** and the sole stitching looks like it was done by a drunken frat boy who went through a "I'm gonna save the world by fixing everything" phase but eventually lost interest when Dave Matthews stopped touring. So, in other words, I'll probably just be polishing a turd.

Here are the turds in question.

View attachment 1673566

Great pair. The texture of shark will make any issues far less noticeable. Just wear them now as they are terrific.

 

[suitforcourt]

96624s modified for the rain. Vibram explosion sole protectors and heel lifts. Toe taps to give them the extra life.

Long day ahead in court, so might as well look good.

 

[Nealjpage]

That's an amazingly colorful description. They look good from here. What a unique pair.

Distance has many benefits. From the end of the block even my car looks good. The closer you get? Well, you know.

 

[Oshare]

Speaking of cars...

We picked up our new (used) car yesterday. It meant taking a 1 hour train and then bus ride out of Tokyo to pick it up. Then right after that I had to drive my wife to IKEA for some kitchen stuff (which meant lots of waiting around on my feet). Long story short -- I knew it was going to be a long day, so I figured I'd wear shoes that could see me through.

Bostonian Crown Windsor shell LWBs got the call.

 

[VAvintagewatches]

Hi folks. I've been reading through old posts here for a few days now, and this thread is pretty much the only reason I decided to join SF. My first pair of vintage shoes were some funky buffalo calf Dexters and my second pair (miUSA Mason Executive Imperial LWBs) is on their way. Really looking forward to spending time here! (Hope everything posts correctly. I'm new to this.)

 

[kilowatts]

Hi folks. I've been reading through old posts here for a few days now, and this thread is pretty much the only reason I decided to join SF. My first pair of vintage shoes were some funky buffalo calf Dexters and my second pair (miUSA Mason Executive Imperial LWBs) is on their way. Really looking forward to spending time here! (Hope everything posts correctly. I'm new to this.) View attachment 1674065 View attachment 1674066

hi V:
Good start and welcome. I know the other guys will help any way they can.
kilowatts

 

[VAvintagewatches]

hi V:
Good start and welcome. I know the other guys will help any way they can.
kilowatts

Thanks! You all struck me as much friendlier and more accepting than other groups I've seen on SF. I've been reading VCleat a lot and slowly realizing that vintage shoes, just like watches and fountain pens, are my favorites. The Dexters were a $6 thrift store purchase and I bought the Masons on eBay on a whim for $30. Seems the Executive Imperials are a bit of an underdog favorite here!

 

[kilowatts]

Ok, you got me:
What sort of watches?

 

[VAvintagewatches]

Ok, you got me:
What sort of watches?

Oh nothing fancy. I don't spend much. Big fan of 1940s and 1950s American brands like Elgin and Bulova. 60s European stuff is nice too. Manual wind is superior in my book.

 

[friendlygoz]

Hi folks. I've been reading through old posts here for a few days now, and this thread is pretty much the only reason I decided to join SF. My first pair of vintage shoes were some funky buffalo calf Dexters and my second pair (miUSA Mason Executive Imperial LWBs) is on their way. Really looking forward to spending time here! (Hope everything posts correctly. I'm new to this.) View attachment 1674065 View attachment 1674066

Welcome. this is a great group of folks. The friendly banter, pix of great vintage shoes, and the shared knowledge are a joyful little piece of my day.

 

[VAvintagewatches]

Welcome. this is a great group of folks. The friendly banter, pix of great vintage shoes, and the shared knowledge are a joyful little piece of my day.

That's exactly what I was seeing reading through old posts. A great group and I just couldn't keep missing out! I have a lot to learn from you all.

 

[suitforcourt]

Thanks! You all struck me as much friendlier and more accepting than other groups I've seen on SF. I've been reading VCleat a lot and slowly realizing that vintage shoes, just like watches and fountain pens, are my favorites. The Dexters were a $6 thrift store purchase and I bought the Masons on eBay on a whim for $30. Seems the Executive Imperials are a bit of an underdog favorite here!

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but this thread gets me through most days. The camaraderie, leadership, and freedom to be a shoe geek, is second to none.

Personally, I love Dexter and B Mason Executive Imperial shoes. They were my gateway used and vintage purchases to this hobby.

If you want to share your size, you might find a shoe twin to swap and buy from.

I also ran a shoe restoration competition that I hope to revive soon.

Welcome, brother. You're in good company and the regulars are a really great bunch of gents.

 

[VAvintagewatches]

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but this thread gets me through most days. The camaraderie, leadership, and freedom to be a shoe geek, is second to none.

Personally, I love Dexter and B Mason Executive Imperial shoes. They were my gateway used and vintage purchases to this hobby.

If you want to share your size, you might find a shoe twin to swap and buy from.

I also ran a shoe restoration competition that I hope to revive soon.

Welcome, brother. You're in good company and the regulars are a really great bunch of gents.

I was hoping you'd reply! Your love for the B Masons is part of why I was pleased to have picked them up. I'm actually to the point in my read-through where the restoration competition was happening, and it seems right up my alley. I'm 8.5D, I'll add that to my profile. Really seems like a tight group here. Glad I joined.