Proper leather shoes

/unsubscribes/

Just been reminiscing with someone on FB about Robot on the Kings Road... Used to love their shoes... All manufactured by George Cox in Northampton...

Bought these. Whats best to keep them looking good - beeswax/mink oil?

I always use mink oil on mine, chuck it on once a year then just polish with a brush (or cloth) when needed... That'll draw out the leather's oils and give a natural shine...

Cool - that's the normal routine for the boots. Just wanted to check it would be the same for these.

Top tip for shiny shoes - after polishing with a brush and buffing with a soft cloth - get the old girl's nylon tights out and apply a final stroking - woohoo! Works a flippin' treat.

I think I've found the thread of my dreams..........

I have to say I'm not into Mink oil, smells and I am unsure of the virtues to be honest.

I have lots of joy using Elephant Leather preserver, as per the site:

In contrast to animal fats, blubber oil or cheap neatsfoot oil, Elephant leather preserver does not turn brown from exposure to sunlight, does not oxidise or provide a breeding ground for mould.

I've used it on my Aldens, Wolverines and it does an awesome job. Getting the right amount to put on takes practise but it is very good.

I bought a tin of it in the USA when I bought my first Red Wings fifteen years ago, still got half of it left... I'd always assumed it wasn't an animal product, just a daft American name...

Ha ha, yeah, think you're bang on.

I always used dubin and a little beeswax/polish

But there's lots of talk on here of all the other products which got me confused!

I've always used Carr & Day & Martin leather care for my Redwings.

I think we're all right... Feed the leather every once in a while... Don't stress too much, they're only shoes... ;)

My brother (and many others) swear by Obenauf polish. Probably overkill for walking about in London though and as has been said ^^, they're only shoes. I'm sure all these things work well enough.

You can overdo the waxing/oiling thing - leather is natural and will stretch and maybe will overstretch when over oiled and then you're screwed.......

I just got a pair of brown double strap monk shoes from a German shop by a brand called Antica Calzoleria Campana. They're hand made in Italy and I think they look pretty nice, unfortunately it turns out they are a just a bit too big for me.
I can't be bothered sending them back to Germany so if anyone wants them, they're size UK 9.5 but feel more like UK 10's. I paid £100 for them so will sell them for £75 picked up in London.

Here's the ebay link.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111396114406?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&var=410378052041&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Picked up a lovely pair of Farragut dress shoes on holiday in Tenerife. Checked them out today as part of sartorial preparation for upcoming winter season to discover they're part deerskin.

Didn't know this was a thing (outside of moccasins) but apparently the deerskin/calfskin combo is a bit of a classic style for our latin cousins.

Looks like I'll be tripping the light fantastic in Bambi's mum this Christmas!

Yo, i got some Red Wings. Is their oil the best thing to use on them or is there a better leather care?
They are 875 in oro-iginal (or oro-legacy, i cant remember) if that makes a difference.

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StandardPractice

Personally I’m not into Grenson at all. I find a lot of the designs a little ugly (subjective of course) and I don’t like how their operation has been bought out and streamlined by a shrewd London marketing guy to cater directly for a temporary demographic (the heritage hipsters of the Brown Brogue Brigade). I think they're riding a trend rather that doing something original or authentic. Maybe I’m old fashioned, awkward or just a snob, but I like those companies who do the same thing year in year out, who wouldn’t dream of manufacturing abroad. I quite enjoy the tired décor, unhelpful staff and distinctly unfashionable vibe of the Tricker’s shop for example!

This recent article on Permanent Style explains clearly how Grenson is structure.

permanentstyle.co.uk/2014/10/­tim-little-and-grenson-explained.html#.V­EeGdCj5cQM>

A more pertinent question is whether they'll keep with the diversity in the range or whether they'll continue cutting manufacture costs at the expense of marketing fees/large sites with overarching historical tie-ins and the brand being run into the ground long term? The older designed box, higher specced model in my last post were purchased from what used to be Foxes on London Wall- a proper old mans/gents shop; a slightly ramshackle shop, replete with smells and out of date posters on the wall. Dunno if this will remain the case.

Melsbikes

You can overdo the waxing/oiling thing - leather is natural and will stretch and maybe will overstretch when over oiled and then you're screwed.......>

This is the impression that got; Mink oils are fairly thin, and work into the leather much quicker and in the long term can aid stretching.
I'll be gently heating my boots before application of the Obernaufs.

Bought a pair of Karrimor fur/fleece-lined, waterproof, winter walking boots for £35 at TKM B'town at the weekend. Not stylish, not sure if proper, but certainly comfy and toasty and will make early morning walks with the dog a joy this winter.

My real reason for posting is to find out whether anyone has experience of re-soling a pair of white vibram soled Red Wing classic moc toes with a lugged sole? Red Wing store, Fifth Avenue...?

Red Wing store on Newburgh Street, @Markyboy, seventy five sheets...

For boots that have seen 10 years on the original sole, that is not unreasonable. I shall pay them a visit.

Exactly what I thought, was certain they were gonna ask for much more...