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mediahound

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Originally Posted by johnnyrich7
Never been much of a saddle or nst fan, but these shoes that Tom came up with are gorgeous. Great make-up Tom.

http://www.leathersoulhawaii.com/201...e-blucher-lsw/


What is 'saddle'? I assume it's not cordovan right?

Also, do NST Alden's on the Barrie last fit about the same as the LWB on the Barrie last?
 

Man with Apple

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Originally Posted by mediahound
What is 'saddle'? I assume it's not cordovan right?

Also, do NST Alden's on the Barrie last fit about the same as the LWB on the Barrie last?


Saddle is a style of shoe, and has nothing to do with the leather used to construct it. The shoes I linked are #8 shell.

In regard to fit, they fit the same.
 

Neilius

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I have to say, I have just about had it with Alden cordovan. I have three pairs, the newest three years old, and the wax just never stops leaching out of the leather, leaving clouding and spots. I buff, and heat it with a hair dryer and buff again, and when I finally get all the wax off, it's back again after the next wearing.
I also have a pair of Church's cordovans. Never had the wax-leaching problem.
So I am sticking with calfskin or suede. I still love the product.
 

mediahound

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Originally Posted by Neilius
I have to say, I have just about had it with Alden cordovan. I have three pairs, the newest three years old, and the wax just never stops leaching out of the leather, leaving clouding and spots. I buff, and heat it with a hair dryer and buff again, and when I finally get all the wax off, it's back again after the next wearing. I also have a pair of Church's cordovans. Never had the wax-leaching problem. So I am sticking with calfskin or suede. I still love the product.
The pamphlet that came from Alden with my cordovan 975s states: "-Do not use a neutral color polish as it will leave a white film as you wear your cordovan shoes. -Do not subject cordovan shoes to any drying heat. They must dry natrually when wet or heat my crack the leather. " Were yours ever polished with a neutral polish?
 

Dewey

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Originally Posted by sf_esq
J. Gilbert appears to be enamored with the . . . commando soles.

J. Gilbert is by Pike Place Market in Seattle. In Seattle it rains a lot.
 

ChrisGold

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Originally Posted by Neilius
I have to say, I have just about had it with Alden cordovan. I have three pairs, the newest three years old, and the wax just never stops leaching out of the leather, leaving clouding and spots. I buff, and heat it with a hair dryer and buff again, and when I finally get all the wax off, it's back again after the next wearing.
I also have a pair of Church's cordovans. Never had the wax-leaching problem.
So I am sticking with calfskin or suede. I still love the product.


Hair Dryer?!
censored.gif
 

Neilius

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The hair dryer thing was suggested by Alden itself, after dire warnings against using any sort of chemical to remove the wax. It does work. A little hot air softens the wax spots enough that they can be buffed off with a soft (Alden) cloth.
I follow the instructions precisely. I use very little wax, I always use Alden wax, and I use the color appropriate to the shoes (black, burgundy and cigar). But keeping the spots and clouding off them is such a stupendous pain ********** that I wish I had never heard the word cordovan.
All that said, Alden makes a cool shoe, and Barrie fits me perfectly. The summer oxfords are marvellous. I just bought a pair of the brown chromexels and tan suede longwings from Winn Perry, and snuff suede bluchers from LSBH.
But no more horsehide. Waste of time and money, in my humble opinion.
 

mediahound

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Originally Posted by Neilius
The hair dryer thing was suggested by Alden itself, after dire warnings against using any sort of chemical to remove the wax. It does work. A little hot air softens the wax spots enough that they can be buffed off with a soft (Alden) cloth.
I follow the instructions precisely. I use very little wax, I always use Alden wax, and I use the color appropriate to the shoes (black, burgundy and cigar). But keeping the spots and clouding off them is such a stupendous pain ********** that I wish I had never heard the word cordovan.
All that said, Alden makes a cool shoe, and Barrie fits me perfectly. The summer oxfords are marvellous. I just bought a pair of the brown chromexels and tan suede longwings from Winn Perry, and snuff suede bluchers from LSBH.
But no more horsehide. Waste of time and money, in my humble opinion.


Post pics so we can see them.
 

borderline

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Originally Posted by mediahound
What is 'saddle'? I assume it's not cordovan right?

Saddle shoes are only made from cordovan. That particular horse was mostly likely ridden the same day the cordovan was harvested. Instead of wasting that extra leather, they use part of the saddle for the middle part of the shoe. Then the nails from the horseshoes are used to fasten the heels to the sole. We won't talk about the glue.
 

ozzyboo

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Originally Posted by sf_esq
J. Gilbert appears to be enamored with the Plaza last and commando soles. I'd like to see them make some boots on the aberdeen last and with a double leather sole.

Originally Posted by Dewey
J. Gilbert is by Pike Place Market in Seattle. In Seattle it rains a lot.

I for one am grateful that J. Gilbert, Blackbird, and Winn Perry (sorry to see that place go) offer Aldens with soles other than double leather. I would love to order some of the mainstays from Shoe Mart or The Alden Shop but can't pull the trigger on double leather soles when the sidewalks are wet three out of four seasons.
 

TheWGP

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Originally Posted by ChrisGold
This is whiskey with very light BB khakis. Ravello is definitely no problem, lots of contrast.
This is a topic of some interest for me - I wear a lot of khakis, especially in the warmer months. I've found that ravello isn't an issue, but whiskey can be - by way of example, I have a pair of whiskey PTB's that have some of that "textured color" look to them a bit, and those work better than my unlined BB whiskey LHS which are a much more smooth, light color. I do end up wearing my cigar more than either ravello or whiskey - the logic that it's more versatile is true- but still. It's a little scary when I pick my shoes before the rest of my outfit on some days, just because I want a certain pair to get wear that day!
laugh.gif
 

interlockingny

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Originally Posted by mediahound
Personally I don't like whiskey that much. Sorta looks like pee color or something, especially in certain lighting.

If your pee is that color, it may be best to see a doctor.
 
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