Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread - reviews, pictures, sizing, etc...

[ridethecliche]

Clean, condition & use shoe trees

Pretty much. I would add that over conditioning will cause just as many problems as under conditioning. Also, brush your shoes before and after wearing to prevent microscopic debris from accumulating in the creases. This debris acts as an abrasive during walking and contributes to the wearing of the leather fibers. Over conditioning will keep enough oil in the creases such that debris gets "stuck" and doesn't brush out as easily. It's all about balance, doing your best, and enjoying the rest.

A: They're your shoes. You bought them. You paid for them. You can do whatever you want with them.

ok seriously. Leather cleaner, conditioner, then polish and sometimes finish by waxing if your heart desires.

Edit for shoes trees always.

Oh blah. I forgot to grab leather cleaner, but I have leather conditioner.

I'm going to brush the heck outta the area of the creases, wipe with a damp rag, and then apply more conditioner and let it sit for a bit. The brown boots in question have a white line visible in the creases which I think is the start of a crack so I need to stop it in it's tracks.

Will obenauf's help here as well?

 

[bl@ster]



Others who have done MTOs before me, I just got a second email from Allison this morning making it appear that my order has been charged against my credit card. Does that mean that they are done or near done and should be expecting a shipping notice here shortly?

-Mike

I got an email from Allison today saying my MTO's had failed inspection and would be remade and not ready until Nov 15. Damn! It's already been 2 months I keep hearing about a lot of failed inspections... seems like they'd have this process down by now and wouldn't have so many 2nds. Mine are cappucino shell McNeil's... so I guess they set aside extra cappucino in case this happens.

 

[tifosi]



I got an email from Allison today saying my MTO's had failed inspection and would be remade and not ready until Nov 15. Damn! It's already been 2 months I keep hearing about a lot of failed inspections... seems like they'd have this process down by now and wouldn't have so many 2nds. Mine are cappucino shell McNeil's... so I guess they set aside extra cappucino in case this happens.

Sorry to hear that! My Leeds failed the first time around. I hope my capp. MacNiels make it through the first time... Although pushing the date back that I have to pay for them might not be too bad. haha

 

[mdubs]



I got an email from Allison today saying my MTO's had failed inspection and would be remade and not ready until Nov 15. Damn! It's already been 2 months I keep hearing about a lot of failed inspections... seems like they'd have this process down by now and wouldn't have so many 2nds. Mine are cappucino shell McNeil's... so I guess they set aside extra cappucino in case this happens.

Sorry to hear. But yes, it is good to know that they still have you covered. 3 weeks is actually amazingly quick. Don't they have to sit on the lasts for a while?

I got Cappuccino Jeffersons. So I will sort of be a preview of yours. What welt, edging, and sole did you get?

 

[bkotsko]

I thought I read something similar a few days back, but this may be different... What about a Dalton (for example) with some or all of the punching (Broguing sp.) removed... see photoshop magic below...
Do you think AE would do it on an MTO?

 

[bl@ster]



Sorry to hear. But yes, it is good to know that they still have you covered. 3 weeks is actually amazingly quick. Don't they have to sit on the lasts for a while?

I got Cappuccino Jeffersons. So I will sort of be a preview of yours. What welt, edging, and sole did you get?

Here are my specs:

Custom MacNeil
*CAPPUCCINO CORDOVAN
*Exposed BRASS EYELETS LIKE 4103
*TONE ON TONE STITCHING
*BROWN LEATHER INSOLE
*NATURAL SPLIT REVERSE WELT
*NATURAL EDGE DRESSING
*DOUBLE RENDENBACH OUTSOLE

 

[patrick_b]



I found myself drooling over the pics as well....then I realized I have the sme exact make-up at home! LOL. It's amazing what some nice photography can do! Well done, Patrick!

Thanks tifosi! Yours were stunning as well and I used your specs virtually verbatim when spec'ing mine. The big difference is that I wanted to try double butyl. I have to say, it's really nice. I've had double JR (or Alden's version, which are about the same weight & stiffness) on 10+ other shoes/boots. I was in the mood to try something different.

 

[jungleroller]

Oh blah. I forgot to grab leather cleaner, but I have leather conditioner.

I'm going to brush the heck outta the area of the creases, wipe with a damp rag, and then apply more conditioner and let it sit for a bit. The brown boots in question have a white line visible in the creases which I think is the start of a crack so I need to stop it in it's tracks.

Will obenauf's help here as well?

It could be built up "wax" style shoe polish. I had that happen to myself. I think wax style polish should be only used on non creasing areas of the shoe to avoid that potential problem. You'll have creases, theres no way to avoid it, you can minimize it though by the above steps. Or you could step up to cordovan shoes and have waves instead of creases

 

[patrick_b]



I want to treat my Long Branches with Obenhauf's Heavy Duty Leather Preservative. It comes in 4oz and 8oz bottles. Which size should I purchase? This is the only pair of boots I'll be treating.

Much obliged.

Hey Doc, if you want to test HDLP before you buy, I'd be happy to send you a small amount for your boots. I picked up a big container last winter and have enough to last me a couple of yrs. PM me your address if you are interested.

 

[mdubs]



Here are my specs:

Custom MacNeil
*CAPPUCCINO CORDOVAN
*Exposed BRASS EYELETS LIKE 4103
*TONE ON TONE STITCHING
*BROWN LEATHER INSOLE
*NATURAL SPLIT REVERSE WELT
*NATURAL EDGE DRESSING
*DOUBLE RENDENBACH OUTSOLE

Sounds awesome. The eyelets should create a nice effect as others have shown.

-Mike

 

[ridethecliche]

It could be built up "wax" style shoe polish. I had that happen to myself. I think wax style polish should be only used on non creasing areas of the shoe to avoid that potential problem. You'll have creases, theres no way to avoid it, you can minimize it though by the above steps. Or you could step up to cordovan shoes and have waves instead of creases

These aren't my AE's but another pair of shoes that I bought. I think they're actually ripping at a wear spot so I'm going to try to get them nice and supple again before I wear them more and ruin them more. As long as they don't get much worse and rip through, I think they'll be fine with polish.

 

[Gauss17]



Others who have done MTOs before me, I just got a second email from Allison this morning making it appear that my order has been charged against my credit card. Does that mean that they are done or near done and should be expecting a shipping notice here shortly?

-Mike

When did you order out of curiosity?

 

[MSchapiro]

Another question.
How much do your cobblers charge to put on TOPY's or other such rubber covers on the soles?

I pay 15 GBP. So about $24.

 

[ridethecliche]

Dang. I was quoted $40 here in boston.

I might see how much they'll charge if I bring in my own soles.

 

[mdubs]



When did you order out of curiosity?

Pretty sure it was on October 2nd, but I know that they had already gotten the leather out of the warehouse before I actually officially ordered the shoes because they had to ensure that they had sufficient leather to take my order. I ordered a black shell MTO at the same time and haven't heard about those yet.

-Mike