Cordovan Care

Poshak Man · May 24, 2009

I use the AE cordovan cream and am happy with the results.

AnGeLiCbOrIs · May 24, 2009

I used a bit of Allen Edmonds brown shell polish on my cigar shell Aldens. It worked well but did darken them slightly.

Chips · May 24, 2009

I was very grateful that Mr Horween was willing to seek me out and offer his advice. I know cordovan can be tricky. I just think its interesting that there seems to be such varying advice. I do like the feel of them now that I've had them for nearly a year. In that time I've probably only worn them a total of 8 times.

I confess, I commited the worst of sins though. When I couldn't get the dark scuffs off, regardless of method or time spent, I took them to a cobbler who hit the rear quarters with essentially cordovan paint made for shoes. I told him I couldn't stand the scuffs, and he said that if he did apply the spray, it would be a ***** to clean and remove.

Busa Dave · May 24, 2009

Originally Posted by Chips

I was very grateful that Mr Horween was willing to seek me out and offer his advice. I know cordovan can be tricky. I just think its interesting that there seems to be such varying advice. I do like the feel of them now that I've had them for nearly a year. In that time I've probably only worn them a total of 8 times.

I confess, I commited the worst of sins though. When I couldn't get the dark scuffs off, regardless of method or time spent, I took them to a cobbler who hit the rear quarters with essentially cordovan paint made for shoes. I told him I couldn't stand the scuffs, and he said that if he did apply the spray, it would be a ***** to clean and remove.

WOW---could not bring myself to ruin a pair of shoes like that!

MellonC · May 26, 2009

I use it dry - just for the welting area where the leather meets the sole.

JayJay · May 26, 2009

Originally Posted by MellonC

I use it dry - just for the welting area where the leather meets the sole.
Sounds good... I'll try this.

the.chikor · May 26, 2009

Originally Posted by JayJay

Do you apply anything on the brush, or just use it dry?

Aquafresh or Rembrandt.

sf_esq · May 30, 2009

Is the consensus opinion not to do anything before first wear? I'm itching to bust out my Darltons, but polish all my leather shoes before wearing. I'm new to cordovan and recognize that a little wax polish goes a long way, but is it necessary to use any prior to wearing the first time? Thanks in advance, fellas.

Don Carlos · May 30, 2009

Originally Posted by sf_esq

Is the consensus opinion not to do anything before first wear? I'm itching to bust out my Darltons, but polish all my leather shoes before wearing. I'm new to cordovan and recognize that a little wax polish goes a long way, but is it necessary to use any prior to wearing the first time? Thanks in advance, fellas.

No. Buff them up with a brush or a cloth before your first wear if you really want to, but they don't need polish right out of the box.

JayJay · May 31, 2009

Originally Posted by Arrogant Bastard

No. Buff them up with a brush or a cloth before your first wear if you really want to, but they don't need polish right out of the box.
I usually wipe mine with a damp cloth and then brush them before the first wearing. However, I don't use any polish until after the first dozen or so wearings.

sf_esq · May 31, 2009

Thanks. I believe a fine horsehair brush is best? Seems like it would be too soft - when I was in the Alden store, I saw one of their salespersons buff out a scuff for a customer with a toothbrush. It was actually amazing how well it worked.

JayJay · May 31, 2009

Originally Posted by sf_esq

Thanks. I believe a fine horsehair brush is best? Seems like it would be too soft - when I was in the Alden store, I saw one of their salespersons buff out a scuff for a customer with a toothbrush. It was actually amazing how well it worked.
Horsehair brushes work very well. I use them religiously.

Don Carlos · May 31, 2009

Originally Posted by JayJay

Horsehair brushes work very well. I use them religiously.

+1

If you're going to be investing in good shoes, you should invest in a good horsehair shoe brush.

Chips · May 31, 2009

I have three or four, but honestly haven't bothered to use them for months. I always strive to achieve a high glossy shine on all my shoes, and I found I could do this better with a microfiber cloth and a final buff with pure silk rags I had made up specially for my shoes. A light misting from a spray bottle onto the silk, gave me a nice glossy shine on most of my shoes.

Busa Dave · May 31, 2009

Originally Posted by Arrogant Bastard

+1

If you're going to be investing in good shoes, you should invest in a good horsehair shoe brush.

+2 I have 4 of them one for each color, Black, Whiskey, Cigar and the Burgundy as well as the small round horsehair brushes for the application of polish.

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