Anyone disappointed with the C&J Weymouth?

[Baron]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

I'm in the minority, but I don't care for it, or for most wholecuts in general.

I'll join your wholecut-ambivalent minority.

 

[Omegablogger]

Originally Posted by Baron

I'll join your wholecut-ambivalent minority.

+1 from a Weymouth owner.

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by Omegablogger

+1 from a Weymouth owner.

+2 from a previous Weymouth owner.

Had them, but sold them, but more for fit issues. But I agree, the leather is quite flat, and it doesn't look as sleek as other models on the 337 last. Not a fan of wholecuts in general.

 

[billiebob]

Originally Posted by JCM

Is that the consensus on the Weymouth in brown? Seems like antiquing is better on all the other C&Js I have. Just curious. Any thoughts for "lightening" it or getting some more interesting color without darkening it (almost too dark already)?

I have to say I was also unimpressed with the flat brown color of the weymouth. I always assumed it was just the one I saw, as there were some photos posted here that showed some pretty nice color. I can only assume that the color improves with wear and polish. How do they fit?

Put them on the buying and selling forum and they are sure to sell given the common size and little use.

 

[Zubberah]

I like the Weymouth so much I'm buying both colours available (brown and black).

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

What size are you?

 

[minimal]

Originally Posted by Zubberah

I like the Weymouth so much I'm buying both colours available (brown and black).

FYI I think there's a third color, if you buy them through Ben Silver: light brown ("tan"), dark brown ("brown"), and black.

If you're a fan, I can only assume the tan's look great with a little patina.

Re: remarks about the "flat" color out-of-the-box: just polish them a few times and this will reveal a beautiful shoe.

 

[JCM]

Originally Posted by minimal

Re: remarks about the "flat" color out-of-the-box: just polish them a few times and this will reveal a beautiful shoe.

Minimal: Would you recommend a tan polish?

 

[nbutter]

Originally Posted by Baron

I'll join your wholecut-ambivalent minority.

seems to me that wholecuts look phenomenal off the foot. but not always so great after wearing.

i would think that a wholecut shoe needs to have a very close harmony between the last and the foot -- if not bespoke, then based on a last you know fits very, very well -- since there are no joints or seams to mask creases or gaps...

 

[Holdfast]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

I'm in the minority, but I don't care for it, or for most wholecuts in general.

Well, count me in too. Just not my cup of tea.

 

[minimal]

Originally Posted by JCM

Minimal: Would you recommend a tan polish?

I don't have that color, but for anything lighter than "dark brown" I'd use clear (neutral) polish.

There are some polishing experts here on the forum, I started using the neutral after reading their posts (thanks guys!) which seemed to form at least a partial consensus.

Good luck! Just wore my Weymouths the other day, I love them.

 

[Roger]

JCM, I don't own a pair of Weymouths, but have long thought that I'd like to. I think it's a beautiful shoe in every way except perhaps for the color and finish, as you have described. My advice would be to send them to our own Ron Rider for his antiquing treatment. I've had one pair done by Ron, and the results were just wonderful in every way, really striking. He currently is working on a second pair for me. I suspect that working with a dark base color makes his task a little more difficult, but I know that he has done wonders for some dark brown shoes, really bringing a dead finish alive. My guess is that once Ron had worked on them, these would be truly spectacular shoes. He charges $100 plus return shipping for this work, and in my opinion, this is a bargain.

I'm almost certain that you will not lighten dark brown shoes to any noticeable degree by simply using lighter brown or neutral polishes or creams. Leaving them out in bright sunlight for an extended period of time, however, evidently does lighten shoe colors.

 

[JCM]

Originally Posted by Roger

JCM, I don't own a pair of Weymouths, but have long thought that I'd like to. I think it's a beautiful shoe in every way except perhaps for the color and finish, as you have described. My advice would be to send them to our own Ron Rider for his antiquing treatment. I've had one pair done by Ron, and the results were just wonderful in every way, really striking. He currently is working on a second pair for me. I suspect that working with a dark base color makes his task a little more difficult, but I know that he has done wonders for some dark brown shoes, really bringing a dead finish alive. My guess is that once Ron had worked on them, these would be truly spectacular shoes. He charges $100 plus return shipping for this work, and in my opinion, this is a bargain.

I'm almost certain that you will not lighten dark brown shoes to any noticeable degree by simply using lighter brown or neutral polishes or creams. Leaving them out in bright sunlight for an extended period of time, however, evidently does lighten shoe colors.

Thanks Roger - that's excellent advice! What has been the turnaround time with Ron? I may try the sunlight method first, then hand them off if it doesn't work. Strange thing is that I wore the Weymouths with jeans last week and thought they looked great. But against dress trousers, they just look flat...

 

[Roger]

Ron is pretty fast. Maybe a week at his end (plus shipping time both ways, of course). BTW, in my earlier post, when I mentioned an "extended period of time" in the sun, I was thinking maybe 2 or 3 months, not just hours or days.

 

[JCM]

Originally Posted by Roger

BTW, in my earlier post, when I mentioned an "extended period of time" in the sun, I was thinking maybe 2 or 3 months, not just hours or days.

Do you think there's any risk of damaging the leather doing this? I'm thinking I'd maybe just use some Lexol conditioner on them before setting them out to "bake."