Saint Crispin vs Vass

Originally Posted by Baron

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I think St. Crispin are "prettier" overall and have that lovely sole and waist finishing that Vass lack, but I think the price difference if far more significant to me than the quality and styling differences.

+1 That about says it...

Originally Posted by Baron

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I think St. Crispin are "prettier" overall and have that lovely sole and waist finishing that Vass lack, but I think the price difference if far more significant to me than the quality and styling differences.
Also, the antiquing. Does Vass do antiqued finishes anyway? I haven't seen it

I think asking the REASON that one pair of shoes from one manufacturer costs different from a pair of shoes from a different manufacturer is kind of a pointless question. You can ask whether the difference is worth it to you, but each manufacturer has his own business model and costs. Someone, for example, might charge twice as much because his labor costs are so high, for precisely the same shoe. I doubt Carr looked at EG, said his shoes are twice as good, and priced them THAT way!

I have four pairs of Vass. Absent going to Hungary, they are very difficult to deal with. I have not had the sizing problem. I do not like a pair of blucher boots I bought, which are not comfortable due to the stiffness of the leather and their being above my ankle.

I just ordered a pair of Saint Crispin's for the princely sum of 1010 euros with delivery but without trees. I hope they are worth it. I went to Brasov to be fitted and dodged all sorts of vamipires and bandits.

Originally Posted by fritzl

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sure, but why don't you compare it to EG top drawer or JLP prestige?

Cuz JLP Prestige and EG TD > ...

Originally Posted by brescd01

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I think asking the REASON that one pair of shoes from one manufacturer costs different from a pair of shoes from a different manufacturer is kind of a pointless question. You can ask whether the difference is worth it to you, but each manufacturer has his own business model and costs. Someone, for example, might charge twice as much because his labor costs are so high, for precisely the same shoe. I doubt Carr looked at EG, said his shoes are twice as good, and priced them THAT way!

I have three pairs of Vass. Absent going to Hungary, they are very difficult to deal with. I have not had the sizing problem. I do not like a pair of blucher boots I bought, which are not comfortable due to the stiffness of the leather and their being above my ankle.

I just ordered a pair of Saint Crispin's for the princely sum of 1010 euros with delivery but without trees. I hope they are worth it. I went to Brasov to be fitted and dodged all sorts of vamipires and bandits.

So people are comparing 1000 euro shoes with 500 euro shoes in this thread?

I believe the cost difference may be due to the lower cost of production in Hungary[non EU] of Vass compared to the Austrian retail location of St. Crispins. Having multiple pairs of both makers,the Vass are the better value.

Originally Posted by medtech_expat

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FWIW, of the 10+ pairs of Vass I've purchased I ended up reselling all but 2 pairs on B&S, due to the significant variability in sizing - even on the same last with the same material. Vass are lovely shoes, but I've given up due to the sizing and consistency issue.

+1000

I've also had major issues with Vass sizing and as a result have stopped purchasing them. It's a shame since they are very well made shoes.

Originally Posted by ShaneB

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Just been informed that a shoe from Saint Crispin would set me back about £860,

Conversely a shoe from Vass would set me back about £420,

I was surprised about how much the Saint Crispin shoes are; is there a noticeable difference in quality / construction? I'm guessing from all the praise that the difference is nominal (if at all existent)? I think I'll probably stick with Vass - what are others' opinions?

Where do you get Vass for this price?

I'd have thought 500 pound was more on the money.

price this blah blah price that blah

MOAR PICS

Originally Posted by tsasls

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I believe the cost difference may be due to the lower cost of production in Hungary[non EU] of Vass compared to the Austrian retail location of St. Crispins. Having multiple pairs of both makers,the Vass are the better value.

Both Vass and St. Crispin are EU products - Vass in Hungary and StC in Romania - members of the EU since 2004 (HU) and 2007 (RO).

Originally Posted by meister

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+1 That about says it...
+2 I visited Vass about five years ago . Most of their shoes are in a sturdy Mittel- Europa style, which I really like. St Crispins from their catalog, and the few pairs I've see "in person" are sleeker and more "stylish"

Originally Posted by medtech_expat

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... FWIW, of the 10+ pairs of Vass I've purchased I ended up reselling all but 2 pairs on B&S, due to the significant variability in sizing - even on the same last with the same material. Vass are lovely shoes, but I've given up due to the sizing and consistency issue.

This is very distressing to hear.....

After all I have seen, SC have a nicer finish, sole treatment etc., maybe also slightly nicer leathers.

The question is, if that makes up for the price difference. And there is only a very personal answer to that question... That said, the price-quality ratio of Vass is hardly to beat IMO.

Regarding the styling issues:
You can't compare the classic Austrian lasts of Vass to the lasts SC uses. This would mean comparing apples to oranges. You have to compare SC-lasts to the F and the U last. IMO the rounded SC last is spectacular and nicer than the F last. But personally I think SC screwed up designing their chiselled last. I would take the U last over that anytime.

Originally Posted by medtech_expat

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In addition, I prefer the fit of St. Crispin's, and the hollowed trees are ideal for travel. FWIW, of the 10+ pairs of Vass I've purchased I ended up reselling all but 2 pairs on B&S, due to the significant variability in sizing - even on the same last with the same material. Vass are lovely shoes, but I've given up due to the sizing and consistency issue.

I was in the same situation with Vass, although I only had experience with the U last. I don't think I own any anymore, may have a pair left from 6-8 pairs that I originally owned. That being said, I will try the F last.

Originally Posted by edmorel

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I was in the same situation with Vass, although I only had experience with the U last. I don't think I own any anymore, may have a pair left from 6-8 pairs that I originally owned. That being said, I will try the F last.
If you like the F last, try the StC Classic last, which may be the most beautiful smart round toe I've seen.