Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Oshare]

@friendlygoz and @Oshare

Would you trust using eyelet/grommet pliers on a similar job? I might visit the craft store today...

I don't have any first hand experience with the grommet pliers, but I did come across comments that they are finicky and don't always go in straight. Because of that, I went with the punch and anvil block approach, and just used a hammer to tap them in. Glad I did. It was actually a lot easier than I was expecting.

 

[Oshare]

Hello everyone. I've been reading these posts and got inspired and found a pair of Florsheim 93602's that were NOS from 1971. While I spent a bit more than I'd planned they are beautiful shoes and built like a tank. The leather is really nice and soft I did learn from reading here that I gotta take care of the leather, especially older leather. So far I've given them a couple coats of Bick 4. What I'd like to know is if you found a pair of really nice NOS shoes what would be your regimen to get them in tip top shape and keep them there?

Those are awesome. Congratulations! Great find.

I basically treat NOS the same as old worn shoes. Even if they have never been worn, the leather can still dry out over time, especially if they were not stored in poor conditions (and forgotten about for 50 years).

Regular rubs with Bick 4 is a good start. I also use Saphir Renovateur or Collonil 1909 shoe cream to give them a nice shine.

 

[mormonopoly]

This week I've been wearing these Florsheim 31836 in Bookbinder Coventry Calf from 1970.

 

[smfdoc]

Well... since you asked....The first 3 pics are from the e-bay ad. The last is after I cleaned the welt stiching which was black. Same shoes, different lighting.

How are there shoes that are over 50 years old and have never been worn???

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Such a beautiful pair. I do not know what it is, but I will see beautiful 93602 and think, “damn! I would love to have those.” Then suddenly remember that I already have multiple pairs.

 

[sam67]

I got a little crazy and nabbed these on Eby. Will report back after I clean them up. I also need to find those bunion knobs for the shoe stretcher. Any difference in plastic ones vs metal? thanks.

 

[BlueMoonMonday]

Those are awesome. Congratulations! Great find.

I basically treat NOS the same as old worn shoes. Even if they have never been worn, the leather can still dry out over time, especially if they were not stored in poor conditions (and forgotten about for 50 years).

Regular rubs with Bick 4 is a good start. I also use Saphir Renovateur or Collonil 1909 shoe cream to give them a nice shine.

So what is the difference between Bick 4, Saphir Renovateur and Collonil 1909? What about Venetian cream?
Are they used for different things?

 

[ccpl14]

I got a little crazy and nabbed these on Eby. Will report back after I clean them up. I also need to find those bunion knobs for the shoe stretcher. Any difference in plastic ones vs metal? thanks.
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Are those the 11.5 B Footjoys auction that ended this morning? If so, you got an amazing deal on those.

 

[CWOyaji]

So what is the difference between Bick 4, Saphir Renovateur and Collonil 1909? What about Venetian cream?
Are they used for different things?

Bick 4 cleans and moisturizes, no solvent, not expensive.
Saphir Renovateur and Collonil 1909 are similar and moisturize with a high gloss shine. They're more expensive.
Venetian cream has what smells like turpentine in it and is great for cleaning and conditioning old shell. Buy the 32oz. "Big Gulp" can on Amazon and it'll last a long time.

 

[friendlygoz]

@friendlygoz and @Oshare

Would you trust using eyelet/grommet pliers on a similar job? I might visit the craft store today...

I’m not exactly sure what you mean, but I detailed my process here.

Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

How is the length/width relative to Florsheim? I'm wondering if these might work for me. I only have one pair of American made Florsheim; 93602's. I find them very comparable in terms of their fit with my McHales on the Bomber last. @Quantum17 might have a more informed opinion, as he has a...

www.styleforum.net

 

[friendlygoz]

Bick 4 cleans and moisturizes, no solvent, not expensive.
Saphir Renovateur and Collonil 1909 are similar and moisturize with a high gloss shine. They're more expensive.
Venetian cream has what smells like turpentine in it and is great for cleaning and conditioning old shell. Buy the 32oz. "Big Gulp" can on Amazon and it'll last a long time.

I would add thaf Saphir renovateur penetrates shell better than anything I’ve used (except neatfoot oil but I don’t recommend using it unless you really know what you are doing).

 

[FatTuesday]

@smfdoc ,

What's your source for Collonil 1909? I just bought a couple colors from ebay for about $13 each - is that the going rate?

 

[sam67]

Are those the 11.5 B Footjoys auction that ended this morning? If so, you got an amazing deal on those.

Yes. I'm not really a B but a C can work. So I may have to stretch them a tad.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

@Nobleprofessor — if I recall, you can make an 11.5 B work, so a 12 A should be right up your alley.

I used to wear 11.5, but my size has changed when I lost weight. I used to be 11-11.5. Now, I wear 10.5-11.

 

[sam67]

I used to wear 11.5, but my size has changed when I lost weight. I used to be 11-11.5. Now, I wear 10.5-11.

Same happened to me. But you do find out there are brand differences too. I can range 10.5D to 11.5C. I was just reading that by age 80 you can lose 50% of your peak muscle mass! Wonder what my shoe size will be if I make it that far?

 

[Oshare]

Maiden voyage for the Florsheim Stratfords. The right shoe may need a bit of pinpoint stretching, but overall very happy with this pair!