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Churchs Lasts And Shoe

Ich_Dien

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Others might be inclined to disagree but I think you'd get more for your money with the different Northampton shoemakers. Not that Church's don't make a very good shoe when they put their mind to it, but I don't see any advantage over specific bench grade Tricker's or C&J models, unless you are particularly keen on their styling. You'd actually have to go a far way just to beat the Cheaney Premier Range (The top line Herrings, for £225). Mine are four years old now, and have been re-crafted once by Cheaney. They are worn in torrential rain and everything else, from muddy fields to pavement. They still look great!
DSC_1381.jpg
 

onix

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How is Church's custom grade compared to C&J lines?
 

Ich_Dien

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Originally Posted by onix
How is Church's custom grade compared to C&J lines?

Again, as above, it just seems to be a similar shoe for a larger price. Great shoes, as I said, but nothing in particular to justify the difference.
 

Leather man

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Originally Posted by NewYorkRanger
How do you find the last on this shoe? I'm generally a 9.5 D in US or an 8.5 E in C&J...any help on sizing would be appreciated for the following shoe:

http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/produc...electedFitID=0

Also, any comments re: the shoe and how it compares to other English brogues would be appreciated. 81 LAST


The last is very roomy indeed. I cannot advise you on your American size but you need Church's F width if you are D/E American width. Herrings will help.

Re the comment on Cheaney's - I have a pair of their top Signature range too - nice shoes, not a patch on Church's. But lets not start another Church's love/hate to C&J or not to C&J thread!
 

Wrenkin

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Note that binder is corrected grain. They've been doing it forever, but just know what you're getting.
 

EBugatti

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Originally Posted by NewYorkRanger
How do you find the last on this shoe? I'm generally a 9.5 D in US or an 8.5 E in C&J...any help on sizing would be appreciated for the following shoe:

http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/produc...electedFitID=0

Also, any comments re: the shoe and how it compares to other English brogues would be appreciated. 81 LAST


NYR-- so I am your size: 9.5D US and I wear an 8.5F in those Church's. I own two pairs of Burwoods--they are roomier than say a C&J 348 last E fitting (which I need to size up on).

To answer the question on comparing this shoe to the Cheaney: This is a heavy, double-soled brogue; almost a country shoe, but a bit more elegant. It's really quite different from the Cheaney shown, which is a more standard city brogue. Also, the Burwood has a corrected "binder finish" grain which some on this forum don't like--but I like it very much especially in the sandlewood.

Final note: If you're "barely" a 9.5D (i.e. anything bigger and you're swimming in the shoe), this shoe may feel a bit wide. I find it very comfortable. YMMV. Herrings can definitely help as well.
 

radicaldog

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'Polished binder' = corrected grain (albeit of good quality -- I have an old pair of derbies in this leather and they have held up well, but zero patina) PS Come to think of it, I have a Church's on that last, the Fairfield: http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/produc...electedFitID=0 It's a 6.5 and I can wear it (though it's perhaps a wee bit short for me), whereas I take a 7 for most other shoes.
 

Macallan

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Church's sell their 'polished binder' shoes for the same price as 'calf', I have a pair of the former and several of the latter from Church's but happy with both types. Church's are on par with C&J, although in terms of shoe construction Church's is better at it; however, there slightly overpriced.

In general, 8.5 medium width in C&J (8.5E) is the same size in Church's 81 last (8.5F). Although depending on what C&J lasts you have experience with, if it is a very narrow last then you would probably need 8.5 narrow for the Church's (8.5E).
 

Rossini

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Originally Posted by Macallan
Church's are on par with C&J, although in terms of shoe construction Church's is better at it

I think that's right too. Nice to see it said. Church's are too often unfairly maligned.
 

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