Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[wasmisterfu]

I've learned not to respond to stupid people and their stupid questions. It's a waste of time to even consider it.

Submitted for your approval: the greatest treatise ever written on the subject of stupid people: The Basic Laws of Stupid People, by Carlo M. Cipolla.

Note that the first and fourth laws outlined are probably the hardest for people to wrap their heads around.

 

[actionjbone]

All the talk about cowboy boots made me want to break out a pair today.

Here are my vintage eelskin boots, made in Mexico.

 

[wasmisterfu]

All the talk about cowboy boots made me want to break out a pair today.

Here are my vintage eelskin boots, made in Mexico.

View attachment 2188473 View attachment 2188471

I like the color and last shape. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen eelskin in person. Sounds like a challenging material to make a boot from. That said, I find eels to be creepy and absolutely worthy of being made into boots (along with alligators, snakes and sharks).

 

[actionjbone]

I like the color and last shape. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen eelskin in person. Sounds like a challenging material to make a boot from. That said, I find eels to be creepy and absolutely worthy of being made into boots (along with alligators, snakes and sharks).

Technically, "eelskin" is made from hagfish, not eel.

But "hagfish" isn't a very appealing name. 🤣

 

[wasmisterfu]

Technically, "eelskin" is made from hagfish, not eel.

But "hagfish" isn't a very appealing name. 🤣

Having just looked up hagfish, apparently also know by the even more unappealing name of “slime eel”, I feel strongly that they are even creepier and more deserving of become boot material.

Hagfish - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[sethrobert]

Day 2 of the NOS Hanover Montereys. Any tips on identifying production years on Hanover? Seems nebulous from what I have read here and cursory research.

 

[suitforcourt]

I like the color and last shape. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen eelskin in person. Sounds like a challenging material to make a boot from. That said, I find eels to be creepy and absolutely worthy of being made into boots (along with alligators, snakes and sharks).

Have you ever had eel? A few Chinese restaurants serve steamed eel in black bean sauce. You have to try it.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Have you ever had eel? A few Chinese restaurants serve steamed eel in black bean sauce. You have to try it.

Yes, many times in unagi teriyaki form (as well the occasional unagi roll). That said I’ve never tried it in Chinese cuisine.

(Please note: if something can be made into shoes, it’s also probably on my menu of things I’ll eat.)

 

[wasmisterfu]

Day 2 of the NOS Hanover Montereys. Any tips on identifying production years on Hanover? Seems nebulous from what I have read here and cursory research.

Oh man… I seem to recall that we worked out some stuff oh Hanovers a while back, but now I can’t remember the details. Do I dare crawl the ancient pages of this thread? Does anyone remember?

 

[sethrobert]

Oh man… I seem to recall that we worked out some stuff oh Hanovers a while back, but now I can’t remember the details. Do I dare crawl the ancient pages of this thread? Does anyone remember?

I did figure out they are 80s-early 90s because they are master flex but will check back through and try and narrow it down more.

 

[actionjbone]

Yes, many times in unagi teriyaki form (as well the occasional unagi roll). That said I’ve never tried it in Chinese cuisine.

(Please note: if something can be made into shoes, it’s also probably on my menu of things I’ll eat.)

Longpig can totally be made into shoe leather.

I'd rather eat the eel, though.

 

[friendlygoz]

Shell Hanover shortwings for WTW…

 

[wasmisterfu]

Longpig can totally be made into shoe leather.

I'd rather eat the eel, though.

1. Well that got dark…

2. …but if we crash in the Andes, you’re what’s for dinner.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Shell Hanover shortwings for WTW… View attachment 2188619 View attachment 2188621

I’ve always wanted a good pair of their short wings. Those are great.

 

[friendlygoz]

What’s approximate dating of that pair? Those have some awesomely kickass mongo gunboat soles going on. You could probably walk across an active lava field in those things.

I would guess 1989 based on date code and interior. I got them almost NOS (no more than two wear), so the soles had virtually no wear. They do appear on the thick side.