what makes a good shoe and why they cost so much

Originally Posted by emptym

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Jerk! That girl was a former model. I may never have a more beautiful girlfriend. Of course, I've said that before... She also had a few post grad degrees and had set up an ngo that founded and ran grade schools in the poorest, rural areas. Oh well..

Sorry. That's the kind of woman who ends up with guys like me.

I know that this is not fair, but presumably, I will pay for it by slow roasting in Hell.


- B

Originally Posted by rossi

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About the channeling of the stitching in the outsole: when you are in the situation of having these open channels, would it not be an effective idea to fill that channel up with some pieces of leather? I'm thinking snares of leather that you push in and which would then expand when you walk. That way, the stitching is protected from debris. ?
I'm not saying it couldn't be done..nor that it hasn't been done...but considering the conditions that the outsole is exposed to, I doubt that it would be effective. The first time you got into any gravel or grit, those pieces would be scoured out...in a trice. Beyond that, if the maker or manufactory simply takes the time...mere seconds in most cases...to cut the channel with the machine and close it back up when done, it is probably as effective at preventing untimely wear as any other solution. I'm not sure that a hand cut horizontal channel is all that much more effective than the vertical channel, although the horizontal channel certainly looks cleaner and more professional. But I am sure that the vertical channel shown above is much much more effective at prolonging the life of the outsole stitching than either exposed stitching or stitching aloft. And if the horizontal channel looks more professional than the vertical channel, the vertical channel looks more professional than exposed stitching--it's a sign that somebody cares, IOW.

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

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Sorry. That's the kind of woman who ends up with guys like me.

I know that this is not fair, but presumably, I will pay for it by slow roasting in Hell.
Why would getting the leftovers of guys like me condemn guys like you to hell?

Btw, have I told you my image of hell, or heaven? Neither is of a place. Both are of states, states of perfect knowledge, such that one sees ones whole live clearly, with its good choices and bad choices and their good consequences and bad consequences. It'd be kind of like the visions in A Christmas Carol -- must-see holiday viewing imo. At least once.

Sorry..but the really beautiful women all end up with guys like me--landed gentry:

Originally Posted by emptym

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Why would getting the leftovers of guys like me condemn guys like you to hell?

Better you than Tiger Woods.

Originally Posted by emptym

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Btw, have I told you my image of hell, or heaven? Neither is of a place. Both are of states, states of perfect knowledge, such that one sees ones whole live clearly, with its good choices and bad choices and their good consequences and bad consequences. It'd be kind of like the visions in A Christmas Carol -- must-see holiday viewing imo. At least once.

I've actually seen Hell, and it involves low grade gin at a party.


- B

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

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They have a little shop in Harvard Square. Their hot chocolate is a great comfort to unattractive women throughout the Boston area.

- B

"You Lie!"

They cannot possibly produce so much chocolate.

Originally Posted by hendrix

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OP, thanks for your insight. Since you've been making points about durability, what is your opinion on adding a rubber topy to the sole of a leather shoe? And how about rubber soles in general?
Several years ago (15) I had apair of Ballys resoled, they did not fit the same as before. I asked the shoe repair guy about it and he suggested to use Topy on the next pair before they wear out. Well not only have I used Topy on the next pair but every pair of dress shoes I've bought since, if it wasn't there already, about a dozen pair. Brand new shoes get Topy!! I have a 12 year old pair of Ferragamo Walters that have been re-topied twice and look great and feel better having the same original fit. I never wear the same shoes 2 days in a row which having many pair helps So I am a firm believer in Topy or Vibram BEFORE wearing them.

Originally Posted by Surfrider

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... I hope we will be seeing more of your non-western pieces in the future, as I do like those very much indeed...

DW has been kind enough to agree to create a pair of brown wingtip oxford shoes for me. I am aware this process takes some time, so I am waiting patiently. Once I have the completed shoes in hand I plan to take detailed pictures of them and share them on this forum (if that is ok with DW).

Originally Posted by Pezzaturra

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"You Lie!"

They cannot possibly produce so much chocolate.

vox is overstating the case. really it's just unattractive women from cambridge, allston and watertown.

Originally Posted by glenjay

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DW has been kind enough to agree to create a pair of brown wingtip oxford shoes for me. I am aware this process takes some time, so I am waiting patiently. Once I have the completed shoes in hand I plan to take detailed pictures of them and share them on this forum (if that is ok with DW).

measuring by mail? 1 year wait?

Originally Posted by mhdena

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Brand new shoes get Topy!!

So I am a firm believer in Topy or Vibram BEFORE wearing them.

rule of thumb - this is plain wrong.

glad it worked for you.

Originally Posted by glenjay

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DW has been kind enough to agree to create a pair of brown wingtip oxford shoes for me. I am aware this process takes some time, so I am waiting patiently. Once I have the completed shoes in hand I plan to take detailed pictures of them and share them on this forum (if that is ok with DW).
Glen, Thank you for your patronage. I am looking forward to doing this pair. You are perfectly welcome to post photos of them.

Originally Posted by fritzl

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Originally Posted by mhdena

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Brand new shoes get Topy!!

So I am a firm believer in Topy or Vibram BEFORE wearing them.

rule of thumb - this is plain wrong.

glad it worked for you.

So why is it "plain wrong?"

Originally Posted by glenjay

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DW has been kind enough to agree to create a pair of brown wingtip oxford shoes for me. I am aware this process takes some time, so I am waiting patiently. Once I have the completed shoes in hand I plan to take detailed pictures of them and share them on this forum (if that is ok with DW).

Very noble of you to commission a pair to take them apart to show us what true craftsmanship is all about.

Originally Posted by sfnapolifan

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measuring by mail? 1 year wait?

Actually I live about 20 miles from DW, so I was able to get my feet measured in person. DW gave me an estimate of around 6 months or so.

Originally Posted by upnorth

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Very noble of you to commission a pair to take them apart to show us what true craftsmanship is all about.

Sorry, I'm just not quite that noble. The deconstruction of the shoe will have to be done verbally, not literally. However if DW wants to take pictures during construction that would be fantastic.