Toe plates in NYC

[Manton]

Ah, OK. The ones kolecho posted -- at least the middle ones -- I think have to be put into a cut in the sole. At least that is the way I have always seen those.

 

[LabelKing]

They sell them on the German website, www.manufactum.de

 

[hughjoen]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

They sell them on the German website, www.manufactum.de

Does anyone know where I can find these in the states?

 

[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by Manton

Ah, OK. The ones kolecho posted -- at least the middle ones -- I think have to be put into a cut in the sole. At least that is the way I have always seen those.
Yes, I agree.

What do you think about metal heels? Too slippery? too noisy?

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

They sell them on the German website, www.manufactum.de


That is a nice site. I can't believe the great deal our Teutonic friends get on San Marzano tomatoes (3 cans for 7.20!!!). I couldn't find the metal toe taps, though. Interestingly enough, I also could not find any of those quaint German Kaviar films I keep hearing about.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by zjpj83

Yes, I agree.

What do you think about metal heels? Too slippery? too noisy?
Never had them. The toes were gawdawfully noisy enough, in my limited experience. I would seriously worry about slippage. I had a slight slip problem with toes. With both, it might be a real problem. But that "Phillips Special" leather wedge that good shoemakers use, I have found to be extremely resilient. I wear through toes fast, but not heels.

 

[zjpj83]

Me too, toes are a real problem for me.

 

[kolecho]

Originally Posted by Manton

Never had them. The toes were gawdawfully noisy enough, in my limited experience. I would seriously worry about slippage. I had a slight slip problem with toes. With both, it might be a real problem. But that "Phillips Special" leather wedge that good shoemakers use, I have found to be extremely resilient. I wear through toes fast, but not heels.

Manton,

Is this "Philips Special" leather wedge thing for heel protection?

I used metal toe taps like the ones Z posted, but I find them slippery and they also wear out quickly. I now ask my cobbler in HK to sand down the toe area a little and stick a small piece of Topy to it. It seems to work fine, but I would like to try recessed metal toe plate to see if they are better.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by kolecho

Is this "Philips Special" leather wedge thing for heel protection?
It's a quarter moon or so shaped piece of rubber, set at an angle and built into the heel so that it is flush with the leather on a finished shoe. Every bespoke pair I have has them, as to the better RTW shoes (Greens, Grenson Masterpiece, etc.) Lobb has its own shape, a kid of brand trademark shaped like a horseshoe; at least that's what I think it's supposed to look like. I have also owned shoes that try to reinforce the heel with an extra layer of brass nails; this does not work worth a damn, or at least it didn't for me. Pretty, though.

When getting shoes resoled in NY, no one seems to have access to the "Phillips Special" wedge. However, send any shoe back to the maker, it will come back with one. At least mine have. Not sure about what the Italians do, as I have limited experience with their shoes.

 

[kolecho]

I get it, thanks. It is wedged and layered into the heel. I cannot find them with cobblers also.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by edmorel

That is a nice site. I can't believe the great deal our Teutonic friends get on San Marzano tomatoes (3 cans for 7.20!!!). I couldn't find the metal toe taps, though. Interestingly enough, I also could not find any of those quaint German Kaviar films I keep hearing about.
The English section of the webstore has far fewer items than the German version.

They also have interesting retro mechanical things like typewriters and Leica rangefinders.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Originally Posted by zjpj83

What do you think about metal heels? Too slippery? too noisy?
Both. I've gone off them, although I did like walking iron-shod over the world.

(I'm really starting to enjoy this smiley.)

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

Both. I've gone off them, although I did like walking iron-shod over the world.

(I'm really starting to enjoy this smiley.)
I understand it was fashionable in Hungary(?) to install taps so as to have that noise.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

I understand it was fashionable in Hungary(?) to install taps so as to have that noise.
I think you're right. Metal taps were hugely unpopular in university buildings, I can tell you.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

I think you're right.

Metal taps were hugely unpopular in university buildings, I can tell you.
Imagine toe-taps in one of those Stalinist marble buildings.